From the Shelf to the Show

Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending the Georgia Lawyers for the Arts annual art auction and gala in Atlanta. The GLA is a wonderful organization, and I've enjoyed the chance to contribute to their art auction for years now. It's a chance to see works from amazing local artists, catch up with friends, and meet a few new ones each year. It's truly a wonderful experience and something that I look forward to.

Me and my sweet Matt at the GLA Show

The pieces I donated this year were sketches that had been created some time ago but that had been languishing in one of my portfolios. Upon rediscovering them, I spruced them up by breaking out my trusty Micron pens and giving each drawing more time and detail. The grouse and rabbit both needed more care taken with their feathers and fur---more pen strokes, deeper values and contrasts, etc. Once I was satisfied with the detail and depth of each piece, it was time to apply some coffee. After all, coffee makes everything better, right?

My pieces, "Scratching Out a Living" and "Making Tracks"

I like to use coffee or tea to tint my pieces, whether they're on canvas or paper. I also like the look that can be achieved by mimicking the foxing often found on old paper. I've always had a deep appreciation for pieces that show their age. Whether it's a chair with worn wooden arms from many hands resting there, a book with dogeared and stained pages, or a pair of boots marked with scuffs and scratches, they all tell a story and they all let us touch our fingertips where other fingertips lingered many years previously. With that in mind, I like my work to be tactile and to hopefully start a story and life of its own with the person who decides to take it home with them.

Looking ahead, we're getting into the holiday season, and time has a way of speeding up between now and January 1st. However, I'm determined not to let the last of 2017 slip away without some significant work happening in my studio. Check back in for a few sneak peeks of what's in the works!

Time Flies

Okay, it has officially been a loooong time since I posted here! Things have been rolling along steadily in the studio, and I figured it was time to get back to letting my blog reflect the same productivity that was happening there :) I have a few bodies of work I'm building up, but I decided to just do some tinkering today. I spent some time taking stock of old sketches and projects that were laying around and deciding what could be let go, what could be earmarked for shows or sales, and what perhaps needed a bit of work still. I came across two little quick drawings from several years ago and immediately decided they still had a lot of room for improvement. The first was a little stylized rendering of a ruffed grouse done using Micron pens. The first draft, if you will, was flat and pretty devoid of interest. So, I went back over it and blocked in more feathers and added contrast to the different areas of the body. It still needs a little more work before it's done, but I'm much happier with how it looks now compared to earlier today. The goal is to have it completed and framed up by this time next week and then on to the next revamp!

Sad and drab little bird in need of tlc

Now this little critter is getting some life breathed into it!