Oils and airbrushed oils on aluminum panel
24 x 36 inches
05 February 2012
31 January 2012
Moving Pictures...
Once again, the walls at home are (more or less). We took the art to Apex Gallery on Sunday afternoon--those paintings that were ready to hang, anyway.
I have at least three more paintings that...
aren't...
quite...
done...
yet...
...but which should be done in time to hang them on Friday. One of them is, so far, the best spider painting I've done! Another is the 8th in my series of "Invented Facts". There will be seven of the "Invented Faces" in this show, which (I think) is more than I've ever exhibited at one time in one place.
I was nervous about having my solo show in February, 'cause the weather here can turn pretty nasty this time of year. But, this week in Kansas City it's been amazing; sunny, upper 50s during the day. If this continues, the opening Friday might be much better attended than I had dared to hope.
So, if you're in KC, and going to be out and about this Friday, stop by the Apex Gallery at 1819 Wyandotte (inside Crossroads Dentistry), have some wine and chees, and say "hello".
I have at least three more paintings that...
aren't...
quite...
done...
yet...
...but which should be done in time to hang them on Friday. One of them is, so far, the best spider painting I've done! Another is the 8th in my series of "Invented Facts". There will be seven of the "Invented Faces" in this show, which (I think) is more than I've ever exhibited at one time in one place.
I was nervous about having my solo show in February, 'cause the weather here can turn pretty nasty this time of year. But, this week in Kansas City it's been amazing; sunny, upper 50s during the day. If this continues, the opening Friday might be much better attended than I had dared to hope.
So, if you're in KC, and going to be out and about this Friday, stop by the Apex Gallery at 1819 Wyandotte (inside Crossroads Dentistry), have some wine and chees, and say "hello".
26 January 2012
Show Don't Tell...
I'm starting to accumulate small, unfinished paintings--which is a good thing!
It means there's a good chance of having several new paintings at the February opening, which takes place one week from tomorrow. (No pressure!) I'm installing the show Sunday, though I'm going to keep painting. It's very possible that I'll have more new paintings needing to be put up Friday afternoon--right before the show opens.
That's the way it goes 'round here!
But, after the opening, I'm going to "switch gears", and get to work on two or three larger, more elaborate paintings. My goal is to finish those in February, and install them in time for the March opening.
Then I have March to continue working on larger, more elaborate stuff which will "debut" at the April opening.
I have lots of new ideas, and I'm fairly pleased with the new paintings--large and small--so far.
More photos coming soon!
I mean it.
Meanwhile, here's a "teaser". You might recognize this, and you might also remember that I promised not to post it until after the February opening. Well, I haven't broken that promise--this is only a "detail" shot, and even this section of the painting is not (quite) finished.
Enjoy!
And, if you can get to the APEX Gallery, 1809 Wyandotte, Kansas City Missouri, next Friday evening between 6 and 9 PM, you'll get to see this piece in all its glory...
13 January 2012
Marathon
The year stretches before me like an unpaved pathway; it is up to me to choose where it will lead, and how to build it for ease of travel, etc.
I have lots of ideas, and I've tried to keep focused on the ones that will advance my art in the right direction.
Time-management has been the thing I've complained about most in this blog, so far. I (think I'm finally) at a place where I won't have to keep making those complaints. Most people make their New Year's Reolutions as (or after) the year starts, and then they have to figure out hwo to make big changes in their lives as the year is already passing.
I started work on the stuff I wanted to accomplish this year, while it was still last year. I'm already watching less TV, spending (wasting) far less time online, getting more exercise, eating better--and I'm getting better organized every day.
I believe I have some really good ideas for my next several paintings. Once the January show is set up, I'm going to spend February working on two new paintings that I hope to have ready in time for the March opening. Then, I'll spend March working on the next two paintings, to have them ready in time for the April opening!
If all goes well this year, I will:
1) Paint only on panel (no more paintings on canvas!)
2) Learn to airbrush using oils!
3) Assemble my hand-made panels using dove-tail joinery, as well as routing or hand-caving their edges (so I won't have buy frames)
4) Hand carve the spider "sculptures" from now on
5) Build a better bookshelf for under my drafting table (something I've been wanting to do for years)
6) Schedule at least one exhibit of my art somewhere not in Kansas or Missouri
I think these are reasonable goals, and they'll keep me heading in the right direction.
What are your plans for 2012?
I have lots of ideas, and I've tried to keep focused on the ones that will advance my art in the right direction.
Time-management has been the thing I've complained about most in this blog, so far. I (think I'm finally) at a place where I won't have to keep making those complaints. Most people make their New Year's Reolutions as (or after) the year starts, and then they have to figure out hwo to make big changes in their lives as the year is already passing.
I started work on the stuff I wanted to accomplish this year, while it was still last year. I'm already watching less TV, spending (wasting) far less time online, getting more exercise, eating better--and I'm getting better organized every day.
I believe I have some really good ideas for my next several paintings. Once the January show is set up, I'm going to spend February working on two new paintings that I hope to have ready in time for the March opening. Then, I'll spend March working on the next two paintings, to have them ready in time for the April opening!
If all goes well this year, I will:
1) Paint only on panel (no more paintings on canvas!)
2) Learn to airbrush using oils!
3) Assemble my hand-made panels using dove-tail joinery, as well as routing or hand-caving their edges (so I won't have buy frames)
4) Hand carve the spider "sculptures" from now on
5) Build a better bookshelf for under my drafting table (something I've been wanting to do for years)
6) Schedule at least one exhibit of my art somewhere not in Kansas or Missouri
I think these are reasonable goals, and they'll keep me heading in the right direction.
What are your plans for 2012?
17 December 2011
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!
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!
07 December 2011
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!
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!
12 November 2011
Caution: Live Spiders...
Arriving at work this morning, I noticed that someone had left a fountain drink cup on the framing table. I picked it up, intending to toss it into the trash, when I saw the writing on the lid: "SPIDER FOR KEITH".
Here we go again, I thought, as I set the cup--gingerly--back on the table.
When I first began painting spiders during my juniour year at KCAI, I would often arrive at my studio to find that one of my fellow students had left a box, or cup, or some other type of container (each with a live spider inside) for me.
One box had a memorable label: "Spiders for you. There were two, but the little one ate the big one last night. Sorry." (The "s" at the end of "Spiders" had been crossed out...)
My studio space was situated against the outside wall of the room divided into the various studios for each of my classmates. There was a "main door" into the room, as well as a "side entrance" which went right through my studio.
After the spiders started arriving, I put up a sign that read, "Caution: Live Spiders" on the door to my studio. I thought of the sign as a bit of a joke, but the foot traffic through my studio into the main studio area was greatly reduced.
Spiders that don't spin webs usually sit in corners, under leaves, etc., folded in on themselves, rarely moving. They aren't much fun to draw, because the poses aren't interesting; in these positions, they don't really look like spiders. So, I usually let those spiders loose the morning after they were delivered.
I did keep one rather large black spider alive for nearly a week. I actually bought a bag of small crickets at a pet store for it to eat, but it still didn't survive it's captivity.
After that, I tried to spread the word that I didn't have the time (or the talent?) to keep live spiders in my studio; I could find plenty "in the wild" to photograph as references.
I left the sign up, though, and folks continued going the long-way round, through the main door, instead of through my "spider-infested" studio...
Here we go again, I thought, as I set the cup--gingerly--back on the table.
When I first began painting spiders during my juniour year at KCAI, I would often arrive at my studio to find that one of my fellow students had left a box, or cup, or some other type of container (each with a live spider inside) for me.
One box had a memorable label: "Spiders for you. There were two, but the little one ate the big one last night. Sorry." (The "s" at the end of "Spiders" had been crossed out...)
My studio space was situated against the outside wall of the room divided into the various studios for each of my classmates. There was a "main door" into the room, as well as a "side entrance" which went right through my studio.
After the spiders started arriving, I put up a sign that read, "Caution: Live Spiders" on the door to my studio. I thought of the sign as a bit of a joke, but the foot traffic through my studio into the main studio area was greatly reduced.
Spiders that don't spin webs usually sit in corners, under leaves, etc., folded in on themselves, rarely moving. They aren't much fun to draw, because the poses aren't interesting; in these positions, they don't really look like spiders. So, I usually let those spiders loose the morning after they were delivered.
I did keep one rather large black spider alive for nearly a week. I actually bought a bag of small crickets at a pet store for it to eat, but it still didn't survive it's captivity.
After that, I tried to spread the word that I didn't have the time (or the talent?) to keep live spiders in my studio; I could find plenty "in the wild" to photograph as references.
I left the sign up, though, and folks continued going the long-way round, through the main door, instead of through my "spider-infested" studio...
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