Chicago Lakefront Skyline - detailed views

I think it was the heat, because, yesterday this new commission painting took on some bright, psychedelic colors. Below are two shots - left-to-right, close-ups - along with a full view of the painting. The skyline has been filled out with shapes of buildings and parks. I shot some photos of sailboats over the weekend and need to re-work the boats using those images as reference. What's there now needs some work.

It was 101 degrees in the shade today - so too hot to work in a studio with no air conditioning. Time spent doing online research and household chores. But anyway, here's how the painting's looking...




Starting a new commission painting

A few weeks ago, I started a new commission painting. It's a Chicago cityscape that needs to include the lake, L train, iconic buildings, Navy Pier Ferris Wheel and Wrigley Field. A fun challenge!

I began by making sketches based on Google Earth screen captures and shooting on-site photographs while biking along the lake. Next, I made more sketches and started transferring the composition to the 30" x 60" custom wood panel surface.

Late last week I started the painting process. Some images of the work in progress are below. One is the full image and two are close-ups.




The composition is basically down and larger areas of color and shapes are starting to come together. There will definitely be a lot more details as I add more layers and flush out the cityscape. Also more details to the foreground too. Yesterday I got over a hump and was really able to add more movement and color with the additions of the boats and more details on the Ferris Wheel and Wrigley.

New water tank painting - Wicker Park - Milwaukee Ave

Wicker Park - Milwaukee Ave., acrylic on canvas, 24x30, 2012

I finished this water tank painting last week. It's part of my cityscape series and can also be viewed on my website here.

What's new about this piece for me is the foliage in the foreground. I think it works well to create some depth and the green and yellow adds some nice contrasts to the reds and browns in the buildings. It's based on a photo I took after going to the Reckless Records in Wicker Park for Record Store Day this past April. Enjoy!

More art headed to Transistor

I had a nice studio visit this morning from Andy, the owner/curator of Transistor. He selected some more pieces that he'll be placing in his shop. It's a very cool store selling music, books, electronics and art by local artists. They also host events, live music and readings along with classes and workshops. Located 3819 N. Lincoln Ave near Trader Joe's.

Below are the new pieces that will be hung at Transistor:

Flying Over Marina City, photograph, 2006

River City (triptych), photograph, 2005

 New York Skyline (Midtown), photograph, 2006

 
  Fire Escapes - River North, photograph , 2006
 Furniture Loft (Uptown), digitally enhanced photograph
2003
 Corner Detail - Printer's Row, photograph , 2002
 Kingsbury St. Watertank (purple), screen print on paper, 2009

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.

Spring St. SoHo (NYC), charcoal and acrylic on canvas, 36x48, 2012



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.

Traveling Thoughts (self portrait), mixed media collage on mat board, 22x28, 2012

Here's a detailed view:

Traveling Thoughts (self portrait), Detail


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