Watercolor & cotton paper 7×10
One of the greatest pleasures in painting for me is to be able to show volume & mass on what starts off as a flat white square.
Portraying flesh allows for the suggestion of warmth in subtle, organic ways. And the sense of motion, even if only in that of the subject having become still to be portrayed also holds value to me.
Close up pieces appeal to me for their ability to teeter on the edge of possible abstraction while still conveying emotion.
I not only woodshed every day but also take other measures as to assure to ever be artistically evolving.
Of course I have preferred equipment but I want to be able to do worthwhile, fully realized pieces no matter where in the world I am.
To foster this adaptability I change up my materials every few days. Not only the size of paper but also its quality (both painting & drawing) same with that of the pencils et al.
If, using a waitress’ pen and some scrap paper, I can make something good, then when utilizing my ideal equipment, it is then “easy”.
When traveling and often over drinks, a bunch of us make up improvised games. The other night it was “What would you do to earn a living if suddenly sent back to the past.”
So many hobbies and even jobs are firmly based in the tech and lifestyle of the here and now, a lot of people would be in trouble. Knowledge of the future would not help as knowing to invest in coca cola or apple in 1900 would be useless.
I do not watch a lot of television but have been enjoying The Alienist. With genre movies & shows, the appeal for a lot of people is escapism. There is another aspect not necessarily consciously thought about though. People see an overly idealized version of themselves plus added abilities (and attention/affection from others) in the main character.
Because of this phenomenon, everyone sees themselves as Sherlock Holmes while no one wants to be Watson. (Captain Kirk, not Scotty).
Luke Evan’s character is a sort of Watson-sidekick who is forensic sketch artist in the show. Shunted back in time, I would probably do that to earn my daily bread.
These are all quick sketches made using a waitress’s pen & scrap paper. Anatomical as to be able to help solve the crime.
Watercolor & 7×10 Cotton Paper
Compelling works of art regardless of medium, allow one to return to them again and again without diminished enjoyment. Another point of pleasure is in the ability to find new things in a previously enjoyed work.
In painting, especially the representation of flesh, this opportunity is ever present.
I get pleasure from portraying not just volume and mass, but also creating a sense of depth on what started out as a blank white square.
While I could accomplish similar feats in representing say a piece of fruit, skin allows to for the suggestion of heat as in a blush, motion as in composition of limbs and what is hinted at in the purple-blue of veins.
For the viewer to come away with any sense of this after looking at my work is the greatest achievement for me.
Watercolor & Paper 5.5×8.5
Music is my main source of inspiration. I do not limit myself in regards to what I listen to. There are some definite favorites but I am constantly exploring, pulling new things towards myself.
There is the desire to always be evolving as an artist, I want my voice to be recognizable but I do not want mere mannerisms. Aside from challenging myself in what & how I work, expanding what I listen to is another part of my method. I do not embrace something only to down the line drop it for something newer to me but rather use favorites as navigational points into where else to explore.
Stravinsky has led me to Witold Lutoslawski (1913-1994). I instantly enjoyed everything i heard by him. Like some of my other favorite composers, it is not something I can put on at just any time but when I do put it on it deeply resonates with me.
When I do a portrait of a musician or composer, it is interesting to consider if, someone viewing the piece not familiar w/the subject would see it in a different way than someone who knows their work.
Very end of night, quick sketch on the back of grocery list (5×4) using waitress pen. I mix my subject matter as i never want w/my work to become the “. . .” guy.
For any artist, the actual work is a souvenir of the inspiration & process. The true joy & battle lay within that, with the tangible result akin to the ripple radiating outwards.
Watercolor & Paper 5.5×8.5
I wanted to do a visual work to be the equivalent of a poem.
watercolor & paper 9×12
A lot of emotion in a smaller piece is akin to a short but powerful song.
Watercolor Paper 5.5×8.5
Every time I return to Paris I find something new to treasure. To just walk the now familiar streets or look out at night over the rooftops while Zoot Sims plays is a pleasure I never tire of.
This is view of Left Bank I haunt. 
watercolor & paper 9×12
I think some of the best work, regardless of medium allows for one to repeatedly go back to it and find new things within. With that in mind, in this piece I utilized my preferred delicacy of detail while also incorporating a solidness of the body. I show the contrast in aspects of the subject in this piece by combining her sense of playfulness with an aesthetic eros. The actual candy wax lips were grabbed on the way to the session by me in a moment of whimsical improvisation.
Watercolor & Paper 5.5×8.5
I found different aspects of Lina’s personality all showing at the same time upon her face. It allowed for an organically occurring sense of playfulness & beauty. Everything about her is natural without ever any sense of intentionally trying to make something happen visually/aesthetically. The best portraits offer up something that is real even if only for the moment caught in the work, with this piece I find it a success.
The dimensions of the piece I chose as a way to allow art to be enjoyed by someone who does not necessarily have a large living/working space. The modest size also allows for easy moving from one spot to another. As much as some of my favorite paintings are large, it can be a worrying commitment to someone just starting their collection or developing their aesthetic taste. My smaller pieces allow for an easier cohabitation than might occur with a large scale work.
