For the first time in a decade I’ve had to change my Parisian studio. Gone the view of the dome for Val de Grace and the enormous bird who sleeps in the windowbox among the geranium, his throaty song heralding dawn.
I was a little sad of course. On the other hand in warmer weather once past the noon hour I would not have to paint clad in a sarong and tee shirt or risk baking like a potato.
I am still learning the light in new place, ideal times to paint.
Here is my first piece, watercolor and pocket pad 4×4 inches. I was pleased with the results.
This is my last painting in America for a while. It is Watercolor & French cotton paper 5×7. (As has become my practice I will use whatever paint is left in palettes to do a pocket pad piece too)
I was very pleased with how it came out.
I am always looking for interesting people to draw, feel free to email me photos (people only) if you think you may have something of interest.
Do not forget about my newest release, available in paperback & kindle:
I am in the process of getting the release of my next collection ready. And, I am few weeks out from returning to Europe, so I can not devote massive amount of time required by Cinefield® work. The actual work involved in creating a piece aside, I can’t have my studio take on the inevitable sprawl of sheets of tiny cut out shapes which is part of the process.
Instead I have been doing paintings which is different but as rewarding for me.
Each Cinefield® has been different from the previous and sometimes, time between creating them actually can help. As does going to different places to take my raw material photos.
Here is my latest painting. French cotton paper 5×7 inches & watercolor.
The release of my next collection is roughly two weeks away. Because of this and wanting to take different photos to serve as Cinefield® fuel/raw material I am mainly painting right now.
As to keep myself engaged, I keep switching size(s) and types of paper.
My latest is watercolor on French cotton paper (cold pressed) 5×7 inches. I was very pleased with this piece which is now a personal favorite. No matter how often I do it, the portrayal of flesh in my work always gives me the greatest pleasure.
I am always looking for interesting things to draw/paint. Feel free to email me if you think you may have something of interest.
Finished my painting. I had actually done a study for it beforehand which is not my usual way of working.
A bunch of us used to sit around and play games which were tied in with the life of being an artist. One was: describe your technique or mission in one sentence. For me it has always been “The gooniness of flesh”.
I want to show the heat generated by the flesh, the blood coursing below the surface, the splotches, the bruises.
Probably couched in grandeur terms, this was one aspect of the power of the work by the tronie painters as well as the mannerists painters. Even Jenny Saville’s earlier work has elements of this beauty and power.
I often do self portraits as showing myself as I am does not offend nor disappoint me as it may were it someone else emerging from my brush.
It is a truth and truth for me is always beautiful.
It is 11×17 Watercolor on tan paper.
Quick Sketch Study
Always looking for interesting things to draw/paint. Email me if you think you have something.
Full ahead into my next Cinefield®. Of course still drawing every day. I do not seek out things with a specific vibe. I would like to think that when not portraying someone from within my circle, I am a sort of spokesmen for those who have slipped through the cracks, the lonely, forgotten and outsiders.
My regular subjects intuitively know I enjoy that sort of convulsive beauty. I am fortunate that they trust me to present me with such honesty.
Poet laureate of the forgotten & ignored or from within my circle, either way, it’s raw reportage. I do not seek to beautify nor take down any subject.
All pieces are quick sketches in my trusty pocket pad.
I am always looking interesting things to draw, email me if you think you have something.
Just back from a trip where I successfully was able to take photos to use as Cinefield® fuel (materials). As is always the case, this is going to be labor intensive.
While on the road I used my new pocket pad. As I work on new Cini this will continue be main outlet for visual work too.
The pad is 4×4 inches and we are already fast friends. Back in my American studio, I finish me coffee put on some Miles and get to it.
Always looking for people to draw. Email me for details.
Weather finally allowed me to finish the painting I had been working on. This is good, as I am back on the road Sunday.
I went for a self portrait. With a new year and what looks to be a bumpy road for us all I wanted some positivity. There is a long tradition of painters doing self portraits. I have already done many. This one was just to remind myself that i am a small link in a chain that stretches far back. All those other eras had tumultuous times but despite whatever was going on, culture lasts past it.
My other less lofty inspiration was the face I see in the mirror every morning as I shave. I had given up sweets several years ago. Between that and getting older, I noticed one morning that I was slowly becoming a character out of a Velazquez painting.
I don’t mind as it is interesting to draw and paint.
This piece is 11×17 Watercolor & Tan paper
I did one study beforehand in water soluble graphite.
I had read an interview with a deep thinker who said that a major problem with many people in North America is that “happiness” now means when things go 100% their way, no effort required, no resistance to the desire (s).
Aspiring to this type of thing, It’s like aiming for perfection, which is a sure fire way to misery and missing out. While I am not necessarily akin to an 18th century German philosopher who believes life is merely struggle, I do think it has its ups and downs.
The struggles shouldn’t be avoided, pressure makes a diamond, grit a pearl. The trick is to have enough moments in-between the strife which make it all worth while.
There were definite aspects of the past year which, depending upon how one views the world, were brutal. It was some of these bad moments which made me delve further into my craft, as to keep my sanity. I also continued to explore things which resulted in discovering even more new music and authors along with peers with whom I have struck up friendships.
The stoics probably got it right, live an engaged constructive life while realizing it is akin to a giant wheel upon which we are all bound. Sometimes it lifts you up, while at others you are downward slopping. Here’s to hoping we all feel the sun on our bellies more often than not in ’25
I am in the middle of edits for my next collection (spring release) and weather has stalled the painting currently working on, so here are several of the daily drawings I have been doing in various mediums. (all are quick sketches)
Prob my last drawing of ’24 Quickie charcoal piece:
The tiny paint brush I have used all year (macro shot since it’s tiny) Nothing could be more emblematic of my life & year. Beaten upon thing which ceaselessly created beauty/terrible beauty
Between some short trips, holiday social commitments that staggered my usual rhythm and then days of rain, I am not done with my latest painting. I got new studio lights, I paint in natural light but for all my other visual mediums lights are fine. So despite having my painting disrupted, I have managed to draw every day.
I decided to mess around with charcoal which is not a medium that I often use. To further mix things up, i used a larger paper.
The piece was executed very quickly. “Song” 11×14 inches charcoal stick
Always on the look out for new people to draw. Email me for details
Paper Life Painting 