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!

Go Big or Go Home

At least, that seems to be the rule of the day as everyone heads out to celebrate Fat Tuesday!  In my case, I'll probably brew a fresh pot of coffee and get to work on my next big project.  And by big, I mean big--literally.

Three miniatures including two homages to Albrecht Dürer

Traditionally, my work is pretty small.  I rarely draw or paint much of anything beyond 12" x 14", and even that's pushing it.  The reason is pretty simple--I just love working on a very small scale.  The challenge of creating a miniature is exciting, and the finished product feels like a little bit of treasure in your hands when it's done.  With that in mind, I'm going to step out on a limb and stretch my creative wings.  I think it's time to take my same verve for creating and let it live on a larger scale.

I don't know about you guys, but as an artist, I pick up canvases almost every chance I get.  That said, I have quite the closet full.  About three years ago or so, I bought two awesome 12" x 36" gallery wrap canvases.  I thought, "These are great!  There's so much I can do with them!"  And then they proceeded to sit on the floor next to my drafting table and stare at me for the next year.  When we moved, the poor things were relegated to the closet in my little studio and did not see the light of day until now.

Primed and ready to go!

After musing on what direction I'd like to take my work next, inspiration suddenly struck and I knew just what to do with those canvases.  While the plan is still just a mental sketch at this point, I've hauled my neglected canvases out of the closet and brushed several layers of gesso over them.  Next comes some sanding, and then it's time to really get down to business.  Back next time with some progress or, if I'm lucky, the finished pieces!

Ice and Inspiration

Once again, we southerners have found ourselves at the mercy of Mother Nature.  The outside world is covered in an icy veneer and no one's going much of anywhere for a couple of days.  So, a snow/ice day at home makes for a perfect excuse to break out the brushes and paint!  I decided to get some work done on a little piece for my scientific journal series.  This one features bur oak leaves and some rather destructive caterpillars.  I have to wait for some layers to dry, and then comes the fun of adding some more details and such to really make it come alive.  More to come when it's all finished up and, if the weather persists, that should be pretty soon!