Blog Hop Around the World

I am honored to have been selected (tagged) by Wendy Barrett for the Blog Hop Around the World . Thank you Wendy!
Check out her recent ink drawings she has been doing for the 30 day Challenge.
The Blog Hop Around the World is a casual way to share blogs with others around the world and generate new visitors to our own.

I am tagging...
1. Katherine Thomas - With Pencil and Pen
Katherine's work is primarily in  the dry media of colored pencil, graphite, pen and ink (wet medium?).
She does meticulous architectural drawing house portraits, drawings on old envelopes (postage), and drawings of often poetic sometimes whimsical fantasy subjects.
In her postage drawings she really takes advantage of the envelope itself , allowing it to become part of the drawing, giving them further vintage quality in addition to her pen and ink style.

2. Suzanne Berry
Suzanne's work is often large photo realistic canvas's of still life's, portraits, dog portraits and insects. She has a strong sense of color and frequently places her subjects against stark white, variations of warm and cool gray or near single color backgrounds singling out the subject and giving them more importance than a mere painted depiction of them. Her pet portraits especially, are imbued with a regal quality that is enhanced by the simple and elegant background treatment.

3. Michael Perchard - art by michael perchard
Michael is the most enthusiastic blogger and artist I know through the blog world. He is passionate about his hometown of Boston and is certainly The Ambassador of Boston and Goodwill.
His art is equally passionate as he fearlessly throws down the paint, unafraid to attack the canvas. His seascapes are always so turbulent and energetic and his heartfelt paintings for friends, causes and tragic events brings out his true nature. He loves his hometown and much of his work is also of his neighborhood and from his past.

I did not hear back from the others so I decided to proceed with my post.
Update: Two of my picks above, 2 and 3, are now added.

1. What am I working on now?
    The short answer is everything. It is normal for me to have many paintings going at once in both watercolor and oils and to be making drawings in between.
    I am one who never works on one project or painting at a time until finished. This is especially true of oils and large watercolors. Part of the reason is I work in layers in oils and need each to dry before proceeding. I also have very thoughtful approach, whether I have done thumbs and studies beforehand or not I carefully consider each step.

I am currently working on a seascape series, continuing on my Catalina Pacific Concrete Series and my favorite, the industrial subjects, as well as a few misc things.
I always have a couple locomotives in progress, and getting ready to work on some cityscape and landscapes.
So my palette is full.

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
    I don't know how it differs from others... that might be a question better answered by others... other than it is my own view/thoughts that no one else has so I hope it comes across as unique to me.

3. Why do I create what I do?
    Coming from an artistic family it has always been in my blood and is how I see the world so it is perfectly natural to communicate visually.

4. How does my creating process work?
    It starts with a lot of thinking about a subject or artwork first followed by questions to myself. What struck me about the subject or scene?  How do I say visually what I see? etc.
Then when I identify that I will do thumbnails or studies to work out the mechanics of composition etc.

Sometimes I will dive right into a painting when I have a good visualization in mind already and know what I am going to do with it.

Below are some quick pics of works in progress, my working studio and the gallery room of my studio.
I say quick pics because the color may be off on the WIP's.

Work in progress

Work in progress

Work in progress

Work in progress on my easel

Gallery

Gallery

Gallery

Studio Pics 2 - Built like a Bridge

I recently picked up this old vintage metal cabinet from a second hand store for my studio, from the 60's or 70's, probably out of an office or commercial space.

It is solid heavy gage steel, well built, double thickness doors and drawers, WELDED, and they fit like a glove.
The sheet metal doesn't 'oil can'.
Tap the open drawer and it closes all the way and doesn't bounce back.
You can hear the ball bearings in the drawer glides click like they should. Ball bearings should be heard and not seen.
Thick adjustable shelf that won't sag.
Hinges, handles, clasps, shelf clips... yep... all metal, but the good stuff. The only 'plastic' on it is the clasp rollers, and they are tough nylon plastic, still work like new, no signs of wear. They are not the modern cheap plastic that is soft like brie cheese!
The doors open and shut with a whisper... gentle like a baby, yet they don't rub, sag, flex, shimmy or shake, warp or wobble.
The top is a laminate veneer, but made back when it was thick and tough and durable.
It was outside in the back exposed to the weather buried under junk yet is unfazed. Try that with MDF.
It has been through spills, chills, and no doubt thrills.
It wears it's scratches with well earned pride and no apology.
It was probably built by the same guys who built skyscrapers and bridges and yet weren't afraid of color.
It is industrial construction and practicality with simple plain proportions and designer sensibilities.
As my Dad would say, It has an honesty to it.
It is glorious.

I knew it was mine the moment I saw it. It was made for me.
Now it is home again.
If you look you can see it is 'right up my alley' in color palette.
It's amazing how the right things, the most simple addition can make a space more inspiring...

I also found an old used chair for my desk,  solid wood and iron , remember that? It weighs a ton, it's the real deal.
... and some flat files in solid metal, used (NOT previously owned!) used, before 'used' was a bad word.

For the price I paid for each, I would not be able to find this kind of quality new.
I wonder what will still be around in 50 or 100 years from now for future vintage shoppers. Actually these here will, just not as much will survive from today, there still is quality being produced but it is not as commonplace and is expensive. Where did we go wrong? Cheap means more consumption, not good for the planet.

No plastic, no particle board. Thats it!

Rabbits Everywhere and Looking Forward...

Posts here on my blog may start getting rather sparse as I finish work for the upcoming show at the Randy Higbee Gallery October 1st 2011. Click here and here for earlier info on that show.

I'll do my best to post something at least once a week, but even doing that requires time to assemble and write and that is time better spent on painting. I will post some random images of work for this show as it approaches, so stay tuned.

The amount of work always seems like a daunting task with research, preparing panels, and all the other details I seem to forget about before I can even begin putting down paint. Even with all the help I get with calendars, schedules, gallery contacts, framing, accounting, archiving current work and too many other mundane tasks to mention it can seem overwhelming.

Some chores like cleaning and re-organizing get left out though, my studio is becoming choked with works in progress, materials strewn about and stuff I call 'Rabbits'... those little odd things laying around that seemingly come out of nowhere and multiply when I'm not looking (you know, clutter). Sometimes I have to hopscotch thru my studio. Bummer dude.

I am however excited, already have some work done, several larger works in progress and am chomping at the bit to begin others. This kind of nervous energy is always positive thing. It's the energy that feeds and drives me towards a goal. I like deadlines, I find I'm much more decisive with less time for second guessing. Those gut instinct decisions are usually right. My best work is usually born out of necessity.

Studio Pics-Gallery

Here are a couple pics of the gallery area of my studio where I receive clients. The interior designer did a beautiful job setting up the gallery to be warm, inviting and showcase my art.

Studio Pics

I spent most of February with the flu so I wasn't back in the studio much. I don't get sick but every 3-4 years so when I do get it, it knocks me out.

I'm now back in the studio working hard on commissioned projects, upcoming shows, and other misc work. Here's a couple of pics of my studio and works in progress.

Click on images for larger view