Finding My Way...

The year is drawing to a close, and like many people do during this time of year, I've begun to think about what I hope to accomplish in 2012.

One thing that I've been working on, but which could still use more work, is being more focused. I need to spend more time to create more of the kind of art I really like--which means I need to figure out a satisfying way to incorporate the human figure into the next spider paintings.

This means I need to spend less time wasting time. The studio needs to be more organized, and I need to try to keep it that way!

Another thing I've recently realized is that I've been collecting wood-working tools for a while, but haven't really explored wood in my art--not nearly enough. Yes, I've built several of my own panels, and have done several recent paintings on these panels, but I haven't done much else.

I really want to dovetail the corner joints on the next panels, which means I need to [learn how to] sharpen my chisels--and build a stand for my dovetail jig.

I'm also planning to have at least one hand-carved frame around one of my painting next year, too!

Lots to do (as always!)

Happy Holidays!

Beneath, Between, and Behind...

As usual, things haven't gone quite the way I'd hoped--or planned.

I accepted a couple commissions last month--I needed the money, and didn't think the two paintings would take as long to complete, as they have. Because, like so many of my projects, they've taken longer than I expected, I'm not much further along with my own work than I was at the time of my previous blog entry.

--sigh--

But, I have started another mid-sized painting (approximately 24 x 30 inches), and another small (4 x 4 inch) painting--and White Widow is close to being finished.

I plan to finish the first commissioned piece this weekend, and the second one is due before Christmas. That leaves the last week of December, and most of January, for my stuff. I'm definitely going to finish the pieces I've started (including another re-work of Bone Spider--a sculpture I've exhibited, but which I've never really liked.

So, I'll be left with the same dilemma I think I've written about before; do I work on another "major" painting (like The Presentation of Spiders) which I may not get finished in time for the February opening of my solo show, or spend my time on a painting or two which may not be as involved (nor as interesting), but that I know I could complete in time?

And, just yesterday, I was asked to be in another show--thankfully, a group show this time--in...

...wait for it...

...April!