New Cityscape Painting - Spring St. SoHo (NYC)
I've done a lot of smaller drawings of water tanks but this is the first large version on canvas using charcoal over acrylic paint. Initially, I was going to create a painting of it in color but I really liked how it looked in just black and white. It's based on a photo I took in December when I was in New York.
I like working with charcoal because it's very forgiving and has an immediacy to it that you don't always get with paint. When working with charcoal you get a more direct experience with the surface. Mistakes, fingerprints and smudges all become part of the image. After finishing it, I sealed it with a charcoal fixative for protection and painted the sides black. Ready for hanging!
Come see this piece along with many other new cityscape paintings at the Cornelia Arts Building Open Studios - Friday May 18, 6pm-10pm.
Traveling Thoughts - a self portrait
I haven't done a self portrait in years and decided to make one this week. It's an experiment in media and a little different in style than usual. I collaged maps from my travels along with sheet music on mat board. The drawing is done with conté sticks and charcoal.
New Water Tank Painting - Blackhawk Cell Tower
I put the finishing touches on this painting today. Just need to add the protective varnish before next week's open studios. Another piece from my water tank and cityscape series.
Water tanks going to Rochester 6x6 show
I'm shipping these five small pieces off to a show in Rochester, New York for the annual 6x6x2012 show at the Rochester Contemporary Art Center. Looks like it will be a good show and works will be for sale both at the art center and online. Runs June 2 - July 15.
These are part of my water tanks studies series. All are acrylic and oil paint marker on canvas. 6x6 inches square, 2012.
Chelsea NYC Tank
Chinatown Perch
Houston St. NYC
Financial District NYC
Chicago Angle
Three new water tanks paintings
I've been working in a brighter color palette the last few months which stemmed from my West Loop Cityscape commission painting. I'm also experimenting by using conté sticks and soft oil pastels to create sketch-like marks and a looser feel. These rooftop water tanks are part of my cityscapes series.
Directions in Change, oil, acrylic, collaged maps on panel, 36x36, 2012
West Chelsea Water Tanks (NYC), acrylic on canvas, 24x30, 2012
NoLita Water Tank (NYC), acrylic on canvas, 36x48, 2012
New directions - mixed media water tank
This painting is a new direction for me. I've been wanting to loosen things up lately and this piece is getting me closer to what I envision.
It's a mixed media painting where I collaged maps of Chicago on panel and combined layers of acrylic paint and oil bars. It's been fun working on a solid wooden surface again and applying a new technique.
It's just about finished and it already has me coming up with more ideas for the next piece in this new series...
NoLita Water Tank - painting in progress
I have a few water tank paintings in progress right now. This is the one I've been working on the most. Today I worked on bringing out the contrasts and colors in the sky and then adding browns, reds, oranges and yellows to the buildings and water tank. There are still some color harmonies I need to adjust but I'm happy with how it's coming along so far. This image is set in the NoLita neighborhood in New York City, but could really be anywhere in an urban environment.
Water tanks - Cornelia Arts Building Spring Show
I've been working on a lot of new water tank paintings and drawings the last 6-9 months. They'll be on my main display wall for the Open Studios tomorrow night. I'll also be showing cityscape photographs and aerial landscape paintings - stop by tomorrow night if you can!
CORNELIA ARTS BUILDING - FRIDAY NIGHT OPEN STUDIOS
March 23, 2012
6-10pm
1800 W. Cornelia, Studio #201
Chicago, IL 60657
This is a FREE event and there will be drinks and snacks!
CAB Show Preview - Abstract Aerial Landscapes
Here is a preview of the aerial landscape paintings I have hanging in the hallway for the Open Studios on Friday night. I'll be posting preview images throughout the week of the different work I'll be showing.
CORNELIA ARTS BUILDING - FRIDAY NIGHT OPEN STUDIOS
March 23, 6-10pm
1800 W. Cornelia, Studio #201
Chicago, IL 60657
water tank - charcoal on canvas - work in progress
I started this new piece today. It's large-scale -- 36x48 canvas. A color wash was applied first, then the sketch done in charcoal. It's how I've been starting cityscape paintings lately, but this one is really looking like a finished piece. However, eventually I'll add the layers of paint.
This image is based on a photo I took on Spring St. near SoHo in New York City. It will be hanging in my studio along side finished paintings next week at the Cornelia Arts Building Open House.
water tank - charcoal on canvas - work in progress