Stone Cold (but not crazy)

"Stone Cold (but not crazy)"

(any dedicated Queen fans out there? Don't have a Sheer Heart Attack thinking about the title reference!)

Mask

Judge

The Fishes

The Fishes

this is a collection of the three "abstract Fish" pen and ink drawings that were posted earlier. I do like the way this one turned out!

The Third Fish

The Third Fish

the final "fish abstract". Coming up: A mash-up of all three fish! ! !

Mask

Magistrate

Mask

Mr. B

The Tiki Warrior

The Tiki Warrior

from the Inkwork No. 2 drawing. I found this "image", edited a bit  and singled it out as a new image and added colour.

Inkwork Series (cont)

The Rabbit

Pen, Ink, Colour

The First Fish 
(original sketch and colour version)

White Rock Heron

taken at while walking along the train tracks at White Rock Beach

Out for a Snack

"Out for a Snack"

this little guy we saw sitting on the bank by one of the flood ponds in the neighborhood. Just watching us as he/she sat snacking on some grass.

The Inkwork No. 3

The Inkwork No. 3 original sketch (top)

The Inkwork No. 3 (Four Warriors - Tikified)

a colour piece that details an aspect of the piece coming soon!

The Inkwork No. 2

The Inkwork No. 2 original sketch (top)

The Inkwork No. 2 (The Elaborated Samurai) (bottom)

(I have a second piece coming from this original sketch that I will post in a couple of days. I need to finish the colour work.)

For the "The Elaborated Samurai", I did a bit of erasing of the original and drew the mask.

The Inkwork Series: No. 01

The Inkwork Series: No. 01

thus starts a new series of pen and ink abstract drawings.  In this series, I will post two pieces. The first piece will be the original drawing and the second will be some digital experimentation. Not sure yet how many works will be in this series, could last a while!! Enjoy!!

Mask

Brothers

this one is for my brother, Tim. No matter the distance or time away, we manage to pick up right where we left off as if it was yesterday. Love ya, Bro!

An update of sorts...

I have "closed off" the production of the action abstract paintings for Season 2. I will be featuring a few of the paintings coming up in a show on the first weekend of October (2013) at the Rainbow Crow Studio in SW Calgary. This will be a chance to see the paintings live!! I will also have my first published writing, in the "Urban Green Man Anthology", available for purchase and signing. (One of the co-editors of the anthology will be there as well)

I'll be moving onto digital works over the next few months. More mask imagery and abstract works for sure. I may even get back into some ink work as well. I have plans to do a "Season 3" of the action abstract paintings come late spring-early summer next year. I will be collecting "material" through-out the fall and winter. 

"Sam's World" is well into Year 4 and production has been very positive along the way. I am planning to e-publish a collection of toons coming up around the completion of Year 5. This would be around May 2015. The working title of the collection thus far is:

"Who the HECK is Sam?" - Sam's World: The First Five Years

I have asked Janice to help me with the editing and layout process when she can. (One reason why this will take till Spring 2015 to produce since she keeps herself really busy with her own work) Still working on the format and what I will include and how it will be organized. But I will include a "Sketches" section to show part of my process for drawing the toons. I also have another project in the works for SW, but this is ultra secret, highly confidential, and "does not exist" denial if asked.

Take care, enjoy the fall weather and stay tooned for new work coming up!

A Hawk

 Under a Watchful Eye

came across this fella during our walk through the Weaselhead Park in SW Calgary.

Season 2 final

Continuity

acrylic on Styrofoam
4 panels, each panel 12X25ins.

a little bit of digital work on this one. the center was worked a bit on the computer. The actual painting does not have the center piece.

Mask

Battle Lines are Drawn 2

Mask

Battle Lines are Drawn 1

Abstract: Digital

Fenced

continuing with some new digital abstracts. 

Abstract: New Digital Work

Twirly With Broken Bits

a continuation of the image posted a couple of days ago. Tweaked here and there some to come up with a new image. I like the way this one turned out. I can almost "sense" the elements of the design moving, kind of like when one turns a kaleidoscope.

Abstract: New Digital Work

Twirl on This

taking a break from the "Season 2: Action Abstract" series for a few days. I do have some other new work that I will post over the next few days that will include a few more digital abstract pieces as well as some new mask imagery.

More from season 2

Talk About the Weather

acrylic on canvas
three panels, each panel 12X36ins.

"Season 2" continued

We Wander Through Chaos and Bleed

acrylic on canvas
3 panels, top and bottom panels 24X18ins, middle panel (detail) 24X20ins.

Season 2: Chill Beat

Season 2: Chill Beat

acrylic on canvas
4 panels, each panel 8X14ins.

Abstract

Season 2: The Noise in Silence

acrylic on Styrofoam sheets
2 panels, each panel 26X44ins.

so this piece is the first one finished for Season 2. I have several others that are close, the "feeling" is starting to make itself present for some of the paintings...

no music for this piece, just the noise in my mind

The process... Action Abstract, Season 2

I am now up to 10 paintings in various stages along the process. I was not planning to have this many going but ideas keep coming. I will see how this pans out and may not use all for this "season"

Mask

Going to War

An Update of sorts... and something to look at

Head Games

another new mask drawing. 

still working on the abstract paintings (As described in the last post) however, I have added two more to the overall total of paintings currently "under construction". With that said, this last session, one of the paintings was completed, or has reached a stopping point. It felt finished so I have removed it from the floor and have set it up for viewing later. I like to look at the paintings after I have taken a break from the work and take a "second" look and see if it is actually finished. If not, back to floor, If it is the "final"viewing this is usually when the "title" makes itself known.

More to come... To All family and friends, stateside, have an AWESOME 4th of July!!

Mask

From the Banner

new mask imagery. I'll have a few "masks" to post over the next little while. I am working/in process of my next set of "action abstract" paintings. As with the first series, I am listening to music while painting. However, with this series of paintings, I am listening to several different styles of music while painting instead of one style for each painting. I am also working on ALL of the paintings in each session. I have 5 paintings on the go, not sure if all will be "finished" at the same time...

Abstract

God Save the Queen

acrylic on canvas
2 panels each panel 24X24ins

Abstract

Rock in a Hard Place

acrylic on canvas
4 panels, each panel 18X24ins

Garage Transition

The garage has transitioned to my painting studio now that the temperatures are staying at a consistent warm setting. Studio is set and I have several paintings in various stages of production. Even the shoes are getting in the act. Pretty soon, they too will be works of art!!

Abstract Acrylic

Out of the Blue

acrylic on canvas
6 panels, each panel 18X24

Abstract Acyrlic

In a Trance 2

Abstract Acrylic

In a Trance 1

acrylic on styrofoam
4 panels, each panel 26X48ins.

Acrylic Abstract

Heavy Metal

acrylic on styrofoam sheets
4 panels, each panel 26X44ins

Coming up for the next few posts are a series of Action Abstract Acrylic paintings I did in the summer and fall of 2012.

The paintings in this series reflect the action and reaction of the body and the paint.  A look at the patterns of the paint while in motion and the final resting spot.  What the body does directly will affect how the paint will fall.  It is that path in view that I have watched and experimented with. Trailing the paint behind me, throwing the paint straight at or in an arc above the surface, dripping the paint directly onto the surface while the tool spins in a pattern above, are methods I have used to apply the paint. The painting exists from the results of where the paint falls and by the force in which the paint travels to that destination. I paint until I can see that the painting no longer needs anymore paint. How long that takes it up to the journey that the painting and I travel.  That path only has a beginning to start with, and that beginning is the first sessions on a blank state both on the painting surface and in my mind. From that point, the journey moves forward and only ends when I get there, where there is and how I got there.

The journey is a process that has no restrictions, no goals with the painting to accomplish or a statement to be made within the painting. My mind is open to the possibilities that create themselves, during the experience, that may come suddenly or build to an awareness that THIS needs to happen now. Though the journey begins without direction, paths will generate and it does become a decision on which path to follow and which to ignore. A flow begins, a harmony of thought and movement exists and becomes stronger as the piece develop s.  That harmony remains but the path can, and often, will change.  A pattern can be felt, but it is a pattern of subtle chaos. What I have seen in the  painting remains through the layers and numerous sessions. I can go back and strengthen a particular path or idea or even cover up or enhance a path I feel made need it. I leave it open to the viewer to take their own journey with each painting and take a chance on what their experience may be.  When I step back from a painting and walk my eyes through the paths on the surface and then set my paint bucket and tool down, I know that the piece is completed.

Music has been used to help eliminate the intrusions that the outside world that cause interruptions in the flow of thought and paint from the mind to the surface. It is also an influence  in the movement of the body during the painting process. It is a companion that travels  with me on the journey.  The type of music affects how the body moves, whether it be slow or fast, smooth or choppy, or steady or static. My music helps my mind open up to the paths that come about during the journey. Since no set path is made, there is not one that has to be followed. This helps to unleash the abstract, the music and the body are in the control, the mind takes a backseat. I can paint without restrictions both on the surface and in my head. This allows me the freedom to just paint. It is important to have this because I can fully let my imagination, thought and ideas roam and follow where they may lead.

A bit quiet...

It has been a bit quiet on the personal art production scene for a while now. "Sam's World" toons are taking up a majority of my "artwork" time. I have toons completed to get me through to September of this year. With 3 months worth of toons "in the can", I am making some time to get some personal work work done and these should start showing up in the next couple of weeks. It is also getting warmer outside and I'll be getting back to the large abstract acrylic paintings that I started doing last summer in the garage. I did say "large" paintings!! 

Abstract

"Old Salad"

this one came to me while doing another piece, specifically, a "Sam's World" cartoon. In addition, this abstract piece has given me another idea for another "Sam's World" cartoon!!

Nature's Creatures

The Watch

picture was taken at East Beach in White Rock, B.C.

Abstract

What's With All the Eggs?

brand spankin' new!!!