Something to think about

My paintings on The Good Wife TV show

Next Sunday, July 1st, CBS will repeat the episode of The Good Wife which displayed eight of my new paintings. The episode first ran last January 8th, if you missed it, have a look this time. These paintings are part of a new series that I'm doing featuring abstract nude figures.

New pianting, "Strolling Nude"

I'm pleased with my new painting which is rendered in acrylics on canvas and measures 48 x 48". This is part of a series of new works that will be exhibited as a one man show in Dallas sometime in September, I will keep you up to date on just when the exhibition opens. The exhibition is the result of my exposure on the TV show The Good Wife where 8 of my new paintings were displayed last January.

Where did all the time go ?

Today is my birthday, they sure come around quickly these days, time flies, as they say. I've certainly had a lot of luck during the years, starting with my high school art teacher, Margaret Stein, who had worked in a New York art studio, and ran her class that way. She was responsible for producing the Denby High School yearbook and did it professionally. She appointed me as the art director and I had a staff to work with. A group was appointed to handle all of the photography for the book, it was quite an operation and a real learning experience as well. The company that did the engravings for the yearbook, Brophy Engraving Company of Detroit, had an art department but their staff were drafted into the army as World War II was in full swing. They hired me and I went to work every day after school. One day I would design a brochure, another day I would draw a cartoon for a magazine, always different as well as interesting assignments. The Art Director was Jim Donahue, who was great to work with and learn from. He became a big factor in my development as an artist. I later worked for him when he started his great commercial art studio, Allied Artists. I began working for him as a graphic designer and later as an illustrator. Jim sold one of my paintings to Ford Times magazine. The painting was a western scene with a old little red Ford in it. The Art Director, Arthur Lougee, said that they would buy any painting that I did with the little red Ford in it, so I did a great number of paintings for them for several years. A great start for a beginning illustrator. Art Directors at ad agencies would see my paintings in the magazine and then send illustration work to me. I handled many assignments through the years for Jim Donahue when he later worked for Premier Corporation, he even sent me to Japan to take photos for a brochure that we were working on. I really miss both Margaret and Jim, they were great people and wonderful teachers as well as role models.

Working on my new painting

I first draw a grid on the canvas and then copy my preliminary sketch using a pencil. I begin painting by adding large color areas. These color areas will be altered as the painting progresses, you can't quite tell what's happening until the whole canvas is covered with color as the values affect each other. I'm gradually getting the canvas covered and will be better able to judge just what the color tones should be. At this stage I have already changes many of the colors and values, the painting is now underway, although more alterations will follow before the painting is finished. On my next post you will see the finished painting.

Starting a new painting

Above is the computer sketch that I created to use as a basis for my new painting. This is part of a new series of abstract nude figures that I'm doing. The paintings are all done using acrylic paint on canvas. The grid that I drew over the sketch helps me to easily transfer the image onto the canvas. This painting will probably take about a week to finish, I will post images as the painting progresses through the various stages.

The Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts

The exhibition at the Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts in Miller Beach, Gary, IN was fun. The Center is a lovely exhibition place and a lot of people showed up for the event. I didn't expect to see such a wonderful space, it's quite impressive. Here's a view of the entrance to the Center. There is 5000 square feet of exhibition space. Craig Smith did a great job of organizing and hanging the art. Craig at work just before the Center opened. Gloria came down for the opening, it was fun. A wall of my most recent paintings. My sculpture mock-ups and another abstract nude painting. A diptych titled THE DREAM. This painting will be exhibited in Grand Rapids at the Art Prize exhibition this Fall.

Exhibition in Miller Beach, Indiana

If you are anywhere near Miller Beach, IN on Saturday, Craig Smith Gallery is having a one day exhibition in a 5000 square foot space, the Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts, from 5 to 9 pm. Art, live music and wine.

Fine Art Comics No. 63

Here's the latest cover in my Fine Arts Comics series which was created on the computer using Photoshop Elements 2.

Climax Comics

Still another comic book parody cover, again created on the computer. I use a simple program, Photoshop Elements 2, for most of my computer work.