Two Group Exhibitions

I am participating in two group exhibitions this month — the first up is with the George Billis Gallery, a show featuring gallery artists in Manhattan. My contribution is shown here in the gallery window.

1957 Royal Quiet De Luxe / 30 x 30 inches / oil on canvas / gallery window in Manhattan

And quickly followed by this exhibition is the same typewriter composed face-in instead of birds-eye with the Robert Lange Studios in Charleston, North Carolina.

1957 Royal Quiet De Luxe & Pencils / 24 x 36 inches / oil on canvas / on the easel
Study for 1957 Royal Quiet De Luxe & Pencils / 9 x 12 inches / oil on canvas / on the easel

This invitational exhibition features study paintings shown alongside the fully realized larger version. The Robert Lange Studios always have interesting ideas for exhibitions.

Seven

I found this great little trunk with the heavily tarnished clasps, buckles, and the burst of colour from the trunk’s body. There’s a formula I like to apply that helps a painting become a reality — the repetition of the circles and the repeating shapes of the case’s metallic components, everything is almost mathematically figured.

Seven Clocks / 36 x 30 inches / oil on canvas / 2023 / on the easel

There is significance in the number seven and the way the circular shapes of the clocks, bells, camera lenses, and flashes seem to be like clusters of bubbles, something I find satisfying. I had fun working on these two pieces. They’ll be shown at the upcoming Art Market San Francisco art fair on April 20-23 with the Billis Williams Gallery.

Seven Cameras / 36 x 30 inches / oil on canvas / 2023 / on the easel

Speedwriter

I’m on a bit of a typewriter painting frenzy. This is the fifth typewriter I’ve been working on for the past few months. I find it interesting that I’ve chosen to focus on these machines while much of the world becomes obsessed with artificial intelligence and leaving all the actual writing up to robots.

I think the best writing only ever came from when it was a deep-thinking human act — and a physical one, where your whole body was involved. So I contend that these typewriter paintings have gone from a nostalgic admiration for old machines to a defiant skepticism of new technology.

1965 Commodore Speedwriter / 24 x 24 inches / oil on canvas / 2023 / on the easel
1965 Commodore Speedwriter / 24 x 24 inches / oil on canvas / 2023 / framed

Spring is in the air

I love this time of year. Here are two fresh new pieces that are now in Los Angeles at the Billis WIlliams Gallery.

Wind-Up Rabbit / 16 x 12 inches / oil on canvas / 2023 / framed

I love all the symbolism of spring and the burst of new growth and life.

Wind-Up Bird / 16 x 12 inches / oil on canvas / 2023 / framed

I’m Still Here

A few people contacted me asking if everything was going okay in my world. They were prompted by what appeared to be me vanishing into the ether. But I am still here, every day, painting as I always have and probably always will do.

I have new paintings to be part of a big art fair in San Francisco and a group show in Charleston.

Below is a glimpse of one that I just put the finishing touches on. More frequent updates will come as I get back into the groove of sharing my work after an enjoyable and refreshing hiatus.

Underwood Standard Portable Typewriter / applying the finishing touch

Three Bubble Gum Machines

For the past few months, I have been working on these larger, more complicated pieces and commissions — which keeps me thoroughly occupied and entirely away from sharing the work as I progress along. It’s very nice to be able to vanish into the paintings.

This particular piece is like painting three paintings in one. Layers of paint and lots of time for each to dry before I can add more and get the balance right.

This piece was quickly snatched up by a collector in Virginia before it had a chance to see the gallery wall.

40 x 30 inches / oil on canvas