Bikecraft 2013

Get ready! http://www.bikecraftpdx.com

November just turned into a busy month! 

November 30th and December 1st at Velo Cult! See you there! 

The D.T's

Delirium tremens, also known as the shakes.  It's what happens to alcoholics or other drug users whenthey suddenly stop.  That's not exactly what happened to me when I put my brushes down and moved out of the studio Feb. 26th, but close.  My mood plummeted and my irritation rose.  Not exactly the smartest way to go about things but I was up against deadlines and other obligations.  So here I am one month plus of no painting, no home studio set up and no time soon for painting.  The month of May will be the month of refocus and back to painting I will go.  It may look different to me, with less time dedicated to only painting, as I have taken a part time job and possibly another one on the way.  But not without a little R&R in the tropics and a crap ton of yoga first to recapture some focus and clarity. 

In other news, I am thinking of offering a very limited edition of prints from the March show.  Once the paintings are properly photographed and digitized.  

Happy Spring!

Solo Show Opens Tongiht!

 Tonight is my first solo show and I'm pretty excited.  I've been so busy painting I haven't been able to update this blog!  So here's a sneak peak! 

 Living: Hand to Mouth.  What Sustains Us?

This series was sparked during lunch with a friend when he jokingly placed his napkin in front of his face as I took his photo.  I began to think about how our gestures and the things we cherish are representative of "us"; how each person has something that defines them; how the small things can sustain and nourish us through life's difficulties.  Some of the things portrayed are literal, others representative of something larger.  It is important to me that I capture, but not hold prisoner, a piece of the subject's essence in each painting.  Because it is more than a form or parts of the body that make up a figure painting.

For this body of work, most pieces were created using a limited pallet of transparent earth red, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, titanium white, and at times, actual black and a hint of cadmium red when required.  Most of the darks seen in the figures are the result of transparent earth red mixed with ultramarine blue.  I paint for the pleasure painting, sometimes there is not a finished product.  Painting gives me a sense of peace and belonging, along with endorphins, similar to a runners high.   It's my belief that these emotions further my connection to the painting and thereby embedding part of my spirit in each painting, too.

You Picked a Fine Time

I'm in a painting frenzy! But it seems my body can really only take standing and painting about 5 hours a day lately.  And apparently standing to paint makes me really hungry. I took the last photo to paint from for my series for the Show March 1st and will start the last one today.  Then all the work will be started.  Only 3 paintings are officially complete.  I have 2 more that are really close.  The remaining 11 are in various states.  My biggest concern is also my largest painting.  The female response to the dark angel(aka el corazon del hombre...) painting. I've finally got the forms mostly working, but any painting that is 4' x 4' is bound to run in to problems. Like a title. haha

Framing is also a bit of a concern.  I have 15 portraits that require frames.  I'll need to find a frame I like, which has been a problem, and put hangers on the back.  This is also expensive!  Even if I were to find an amazing deal, anything times 15 is expensive.  I will have to keep that in mind if I keep painting on these panels.  I can't just paint the edge and hang them.

I've had a headache since Friday which isn't helping anything.  I'm in the studio today but not as effective as I should be.  I basically have4 weeks to finish everything.  Which sounds like a long time, but it's not.  Paint has to dry, some form of vanish applied, framing.  I also have other commitments and responsibilities to attend to. Spanish class twice a week until Feb. 11th.  I now have a part time job on Wednesdays. I can't neglect my yoga practice, friends, cats, chickens, laundry, dishes, eating, and well you get the picture.  :)

Ok, back at it!  Here's a sneak peak.

Lists of My Lists

Happy 2013!  Day two of the new year finds me still getting ready for the new year.  The good news is in my mind it actually starts on Monday.  The rest of this week is for finishing up last years this and that, organizing, sorting and making some plans. 

Things I'm looking forward to:

"el Corazon del Hombre..."

Angst's annual Male Form show.  I have placed "el Corazon del Hombre" aka Dark Angle in the show.   The opening is this Friday the 4th.  I'm planning on being there around 7pm.  I'm excited to see what else will be there! 

I will be modeling for the Cuevas Art Studio in Hillsboro on Jan. 12th .

Almost Monday prints is the featured artist for February at Bikeasaurus!    I have some work to do to get ready and a couple new blocks to carve and print! 

I'm trying to get a solo show for my new series of portraits. I have a lot of painting to do and still some models to corral!  Month and venue to be announced, soon I hope!

Submitting a painting to Cascade AIDS Project Art Auction.  Hopefully my piece will be selected!

I have some other things that I'm contemplating but they are still in the early list and to check out phases.

Here's to an exciting 2013 filled with love, happiness, peace and adventure!  I wish you all the best!  xo