New Works in Progress and Show Preview

Here is a preview of new pieces in the works.  I am still "warming up" so to speak and the most time I've put into any of these is 3 sessions.

These are for a drawing show at the Bridge Gallery in Shepherdstown, WV.  The show opens at the end of March.

In Morning Light, 2 in. x 2 in.,
silverpoint and tempera on prepared surface 

Addy in the Garden, 8 in. x 10 in.,
Silverpoint and tempera on prepared surface

A Prayer at Midnight, 8 in. x 10 in., charcoal

After Prud'hon, Silverpoint and Tempera

This last piece is actually from over a year ago but I thought I would post it here as an example of another silverpoint.

California Adventure and New Work!

Hello friends!  I haven't posted in quite some time but will be blogging again regularly.  A lot has happened since the last entry!

This past year was spent getting ready to sell my home and studio in Walkersville, Maryland.  Happily it sold on November 6 and my things were moved into storage.

I had been planning on attending graduate school and this is still a goal of mine in the near future.  But a better prospect presented itself and school is on the back burner for now.

I decided instead to pursue my own work full time for several years in California.  So after a wonderful holiday with my family in Maryland, I packed my car with limited studio supplies and drove across country. When spring arrives I'll return for the rest and set up a larger studio!

The drive took about 2 weeks and included numerous visits with friends and family across the U.S.

The weather is amazing here and I'm loving the beach, the richly colored sunsets, and meeting new people.

Since arriving in Los Angeles on February 1, I've been back in the studio working on quick warm up studies in oil.  It's been a while and these exercises will build into longer projects with broader scope.

I will be producing several drawings for a March show back east at the Bridge Gallery in Shepherdstown, WV.  Otherwise the focus is on building inventory for several west coast galleries.

Here are some new pieces in the works.  All of these are images from the cross-country trip.  Some are completed sketches, while others are in progress.  I'm thoroughly enjoying experimentation with different limited palettes including Zorn's.  Other's employ the primaries in varying key.  Another palette uses earth tones all in the warm spectrum.  The point for me is simplification.  I don't like complicated and as we've all heard a million times, "less is more"!  The paintings below are also studies in stark monochrome with pops of color.  Others are more color rich!

Snow in Muleshoe, TX oil on paper WIP

                                                   

Snow study. Oil on panel.

Sunset, Clovis, NM. Oil on panel

                                                 

 Detail of a Work in Progress. Oil on paper

                                             

Sunset, Sausalito. Oil on panel

Also, here is an update on the Bird Chopstick project.  Thus far 4 protoypes have been made in sterling and ebony.  The chopstick rest is nearly done as well and will be cast in silver-plated bronze.  Here are several old versions.  The ones in the below photos have been completely redesigned.  I will post more on those soon!

Version 1

Version 1

Version 1

Nureyev Finished

This little sculpture of Nureyev is complete, at long last!  He measures 15 inches and is available as a limited edition in bronze.  Multiple bronzes have sold already.  I am excited this is a work people are responding well to and excited about!

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Anatomical Models for Sculpture and Painting

Anatomical models are very useful in the studio.  Depending on the artwork being created, they can provide almost unlimited reference.

Here are several companies that offer high quality models and figures.

In addition an artist can create their own castings of body parts using aginate, a natural molding material used by dentists to create molds of teeth.

Also, mirrors in the studio are useful.  One artist I know uses a folding screen where the moveable panels are mirrors.  This provides for a more complete study of your own figure.

I am always interested in other methods and anatomical model resources!  Please share any good info you might have!  Please click on the following links to visit the external sites!

ANATOMICAL PLASTER MODELS

ANDREW CAWRSE MODELS

ALGINATE RESOURCES

On the Sculpture Stand, Rudolf Nureyev

Here are pictures of what is currently on the sculpture stand.  This is a small figure of the Russian ballet dancer, Rudolf Nureyev.  The figure itself is 11 inches from toe to nose.

I have already been through several passes over the figure and and working my way up again.  Currently, I'm fine tuning the ribcage and the arms, accentuating the anatomy.  Then I will work on the protrait and hands and make one more pass over the figure.

This will be a bronze casting upon completion.

Update on the Mad Faience Project

There are 13 days remaining in the pledge drive for the Mad Faience Project.  There are many who have expressed interest in pledging.  Pledging now will encourage others to pledge too.  Pledge today to receive great rewards (art prints, original works of art, etc).  

Click here to visit the fundraiser page and pledge

The Mad Faience Project Kickstarter Fundraiser Begins

My Kickstarter project "The Mad Faience Project" is LIVE! Pledge now to receive great rewards! I will be producing New sculptures in a lost Egyptian material! With your support, we can help revive and ancient Egyptian sculpture medium! 


Pledging ends on March 4!  And please spread the word!  Click below to pledge!

Online Pledge Drive Goes LIVE!

The Mad Faience Project Facebook Fan Page

Hello friends!  The Mad Faience Project now has a facebook fan page!  You may visit it by

CLICKING HERE

Please check back for discussions and updates.  And once again, your enthusiastic support is critical, so tell a friend or two, or post a link on your facebook page!

Cheers!

Fundraising to Create New Sculptures in a Lost Egyptian Material

Dear friends, I am pleased to announce the 20 day soft launch of my Kickstarter project, entitled "The Mad Faience Project."  This is a fundraiser project for my research in ancient Egyptian sculpture materials.

Please spread the word and please check out my project!

Click here to visit my project page!

THE MAD FAIENCE PROJECT

I will be raising $10,000 over 30 days in order to further my research by creating the first detailed figure sculptures in faience since ancient Egypt.

This 20 day "soft launch" is for the express purpose of getting the word out there before the "actual launch" next month!  During this soft launch I will be getting the word out as much as possible, and generating press articles.  I will be answering questions about my project here on my blog, on my kickstarter project page and I will also create a Facebook fan page.

HOLIDAY LIVE AUCTION!!! These items will ship overnight!

Good Morning, Friends!  I decided this weekend to try an experiment.  Starting today, I am auctioning 4 original works (3 reliefs in cast stone and one study in oil).  The auctions will end on Wednesday this week, and I will overnight the works for Christmas!

This is an excellent opportunity to own one of my pieces.  The auctions are on ebay and have NO RESERVE!  The beginning bids are extremely reasonable, and with no reserve, these could sell for a steal.  This is a one time opportunity!

CLICK HERE

To Join Live Auction!

Here are images of the the available works.