When Duke Ellington first composed Mood Indigo in 1930, he described the piece as “a musical statement of depression without words.” It is a song that drifts and soothes all at once. The muted horn lines hang in the air like a lingering fog, a reminder that emotions often come in shades. https://youtu.be/O9jHgGDKDkU?si=3J2HDLO5Pf2BIqIN That same... Continue Reading →
I haven’t been painting much lately. Instead, my creativity has shifted toward writing. Over the few years, I’ve published several essays and have been increasingly asked to share my sociological expertise with various media outlets. These requests often require in-depth research and writing. Typically these requests lead me to writing 650-1,000 word responses, that are... Continue Reading →
During my recent travel to Oxford I was able to escape to other parts of England. I was captivated by the historical landmarks which created picturesque landscapes, but something often overlooked is the story of random signage and graffiti that adorns many English streets. Oxford- 2024 Oxford - 2024 London - 2024 Brighton - 2024... Continue Reading →
The artist uses unconventional materials like mat-board and poster scraps to create gritty texture and unique vibe in paintings. The creative process involves experimentation with different techniques, colors, and textures. The fusion of acrylic paints and polyurethane coatings pushes the artist to break norms and redefine their abstract art. Deep blues evoke calm and tranquility, resembling a serene ocean.
In addition to my role as a sociologist, I'm also a painter. I've had the privilege of showcasing my artwork in solo and collaborative exhibitions, with several of my pieces being selected for various juried exhibitions at local galleries. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted my painting routine, causing me to pause submitting my work to... Continue Reading →
In the intimate embrace of my garage studio, a few months after the COVID lockdown, I was accompanied by the presence of my wife when a spontaneous burst of creativity unfolded. The transition during the early COVID months took away time to paint. When I found some time I struggled starting with colors. That evening... Continue Reading →
The tempestuous weather crashed upon our weary souls today (originally written in the winter) its wrath contrasting with the fleeting promise of milder temperatures just a day ago. Seeking solace, we ignited a fire that now dances and flickers before my gaze. As the flames cast their warm glow upon the room, my eyes fixate... Continue Reading →
In the bustling courtyard of London town, there exists plenty of wonders to be found. A little girl with curious eyes, chases a pigeon that gracefully flies. Her laughter echoes in the warm air, as she darts and weaves without a care. Oh my little girl your spirit is so true, may you always chase... Continue Reading →
In 2008 I found myself navigating through a sea of desperate dreamers, dodging the wannabe actors and the fake smiles of faded starlets on Hollywood Boulevard. I even stumbled on what appeared to be the end of a wedding reception. It was unusually warm and the sweltering asphalt of oozed a toxic blend of ambition,... Continue Reading →
This canvas, bestowed upon me as a gift on Father's Day in 2015 by my beloved wife and daughter, measures 48x24". When I embarked on its creation, I yearned to capture the process for documentation. Oh, how I wish I indulged in this practice more frequently with my paintings! Alas, the spontaneity of their genesis... Continue Reading →
This is a painting comprised of three panel canvas. I haven’t painted in a while so to get the rust off I asked my wife what colors to start with. She recommended grey because I think both of us are going through seasonal affective disorder. As she left what I call my studio she added... Continue Reading →
My wife and daughter served as recent volunteers at the “Japanese Festival” this past weekend, which gave me plenty of photo opportunities. I took these with an iPhone 11. The only reason I seem to pull out my Canon anymore is for filming. And, that is only because of the conversion issues with iPhone video... Continue Reading →
I am trying to get back into the swing of painting again, I kind of lost my rhythms over the winter and this past academic year. I’m starting back up on paper using acrylics, topping off with a polyacrylic finish. To get inspired I’ve been playing with overlaying color fields in different geometric shapes kind... Continue Reading →
The semester has finally ended. The pandemic has taken its toll on my time to paint. As I was finishing grading last week, I decided to start putting paint to paper in between grading papers. I had this set of 28 x 22“ posterboard paper laying around all semester. I couldn’t bring myself to open... Continue Reading →
These are the remaining shots I felt like sharing. They add further evidence of the wonderful ascetics of the Western part of the state. We avoided sight of wildfires, but we did drive through some burnt out areas attempting to rebuild from the last series of wildfires.
I was recently driving down the 101 south along the Oregon Coast. We were taking my daughter to see the Seal caves, and of course I had to snap some shots along the way. These are some that caught my eye.
I live to be near water. During our recent visit to the Oregon Coast I snapped a few landscapes that caught my eye. One of these also includes a glimpse at my photographic muse the past 10 years.
We recently drove from Eugene, Oregon to Newport for a couple nights on the beach. A couple of times we went in town to eat some awesome Clam Chowder and these places caught my eye. The gallery behind the VW is up for lease or sale. Anyone want to go in the art business together... Continue Reading →
On our recent visit to Oregon, we took our daughter to the Three Sisters mountains. These are some of the images that caught my attention on our way to the mountains.
This was a series of paintings I intentionally put together around a similar theme. They were finished in June of 2021.
I looked to the color wheel for inspiration. This was my fourth and final painting for the month of June 2021.
I started paining in earnest about 15 years ago. Originally started on poster boards around 28x22 in size. My earliest canvases were not gallery size. I didn’t know the differences then. This is one from an initial set of canvases that I received as a Xmas gift from my mother-in-law. She has always been a... Continue Reading →
This is the second canvas I have completed in 2020. It’s a much smaller canvas compared to the first painting of the year but I think it is quite photogenic and so I wanted to immediately share. I wasn’t certain if the painting was done. It came to me really fast. I completed it in... Continue Reading →
This is a canvas I completed this week. Really excited about it. The issue is where to hang it. It's a rather large piece. It involves a combination of acrylics mixed with joint compound the kind that you put on walls. It is topped off with multiple layers of a polyurethane gloss coating to give... Continue Reading →
This painting was the start of a three part series of paintings. The common denominator is the use of a lower third dividing line consisting of random clusters of hard lines. Each paintings dividers is marked by three colors. This was purposeful as three is a number I regularly gravitate toward. There is a symbolism... Continue Reading →
My wife doesn’t care for this much, but I love it. She doesn’t care for the randomness of the fine lines. She thinks they look amateurish. I was influenced here by the work of Diebenkorn. I purposely went after that kind of application of color. I am not trying to make the focus on any... Continue Reading →
I finished this piece this week. I forced myself to stay away from blues as much as possible. I have been in a Blue funk with the last few canvases. Actually, I enjoy blues which are harmonious, but I wanted to avoid them as much as possible this go around. I think if you look... Continue Reading →
I recently completed these two paintings. They came to me rather quickly so I’m not quite sure how I feel about them. I hate when paintings come to me quickly because it leaves me uncertain about their completion. I completed the brighter of the two first and for whatever reason when I started the... Continue Reading →
This is a work I finished about four months ago it was inspired by a landscape painting I came across on the web. I have no idea what the backstory is the inspiration painting. It appears to be in the tradition of some ancient Chinese painting. Just jumped out at me and I felt... Continue Reading →
I’m not sure what the deal is of late, but I have been disinterested in titleing or numbering paintings. Much of this is tied to my excitement to get these recent works out. We have had a mild summer lately which makes hanging out in my garage studio quite pleasurable. I feel I have had... Continue Reading →
I finished this about a month ago. I have struggled with a title. I originally was still riding a Pacific Ocean inspiration, but someone recently suggested a night scape at work here. I used to be a night owl until my forties.
Feeling blue overall, but just came back from Southern California. I have been battling a sinus infection for 4 weeks now. It is just about over. That trip gave me a bit of inspiration for this painting. Fighting to stay upbeat, soon the trees will green.
In my artistic journey, I created an artwork in greens and browns a few weeks ago, but it failed to strike a chord within me. The composition felt cumbersome when arranged horizontally, and so I decided to start afresh. Drawing from my dependable palette of blues, I set out to express the melancholic mood that... Continue Reading →
I recently posted about two frames that found their way to me. This is the second one. They were sturdy but well worn frames. I had to use the clear plastic sheet on the earlier painting because the painted cardboard was slightly too small. This time I got the idea to try and... Continue Reading →
This has a nice backstory to its creation. Last week after a committee meeting, a colleague noted that the business offices were ditching a bunch of frames. He asked if I thought I could use them. I underestimated its dimensions in relation to some existing art I had. Internally there is a cardboard piece... Continue Reading →
This was the first canvas I completed for 2018. The blank canvas was a birthday gift marketing my first year beyond a half century old. My wife was my first supporter and worked to get me my first public gallery showing about five years ago. Look closely and you will see a bluish streak across... Continue Reading →
This was my final painting for 2017. I posted a few weeks ago but I was never comfortable with the white vertical line in the paining. Something about it threw me off. It looked like it was just incomplete. So, I experimented with some way to make it look more blended which was to my... Continue Reading →
