From painting

Mandolin

This mandolin (20″ x 30″ — Oil/Canvas — 2009) was made in the 1890s in Sicily by Luigi Fenga. I posted a picture of me working on this painting in April here.

In 1919 a young man named Robert McPherson was serving as a medic in the Canadian 29th Infantry Battalion during WWI. He picked up this mandolin second hand in Belgium before he returned home. In 1965, as an elderly man, Mr. McPerhson befriended a young man and his family who were renting a cabin on the same property he lived on and eventually gave them the mandolin as a gift. My connection… I know the sister-in-law to the once young man in the 60s who received the mandolin from Mr. McPherson. He was kind enough to lend me it as a subject for painting.

I’m fascinated by the lineage and connected stories objects can have. It’s easy to conjure up visions of a young soldier playing the mandolin, likely one of few momentary escapes in what would have been an unimaginable time.

I did some research and found these two photographs of the 29th Battalion. There’s no way of knowing if Mr. McPherson is in these photos or knew these fellows, but they give perspective to the time, place and atmosphere.

The Fans

Two Vintage Electric Fans 20" x 24" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
Two Vintage Electric Fans
20″ x 24″ — Oil/Canvas — 2009

It turns out I have an interest in industrial design. And nostalgia. And strong geometric shapes. And icons and symbols found in everyday objects. The interests manifest themselves in paintings. Paintings that are done with a slight lean on old masters painting techniques with an emphasis on how that light falls on these objects. Recently that light has been the dependable light from a north-facing window in my house.

Vintage Electric Fan, Three Glasses of Water 30" x 36" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
Vintage Electric Fan, Three Glasses of Water
30″ x 36″ — Oil/Canvas — 2009

The Bosc Pear

My muse, the pear. The perfect way to study light and color with a simply beautiful shape. These two pieces will be included in the June show.

Three Bosc Pears & Antique Book / 16 x 24 / oil on canvas / 2009
Three Bosc Pears & Antique Book / 16 x 24 / oil on canvas / 2009

 

Nine Pear Huddle / 20 x 30 / oil on canvas / 2009
Nine Pear Huddle / 20 x 30 / oil on canvas / 2009

Story Time

16 x 24 / oil on canvas / 2009
16 x 24 / oil on canvas / 2009

This is another piece for my June show. It has pre-sold (along with 1:00, 2:00, 3:00) so I’m sharing them a little early.

Painting these books really lights my fire. I picked up the “It’s Story Time” book at an antique shop near my house. Its red cover and the simplicity of the title really are a great contrast to the heavy, dark books.

1:00, 2:00, 3:00

20 x 40 / oil on canvas / 2009
20 x 40 / oil on canvas / 2009

This is one of the paintings for my upcoming show in Sacramento, California this June. Over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing more completed pieces.

A friend gave me a small suitcase and some old clocks, to add to my collection. Over time I’ll be continuing the series of clocks that I’ve been working on. It’s more than obvious what the next in the series will have to be.

Candle Stick Phone & Electric Fan

24 x 24 / oil on canvas / 2009
24 x 24 / oil on canvas / 2009

Today a friend asked me “what’s new?” Ever sit there with a blank stare on your face when someone asks you that? That’s what I did. Then I thought about the “newness” in my life and realized that I’m focused on my work, and although that seems like nothing new to me, it’s new to the person you’re talking to. I’ve got the exhibition in June, which means I’ve got until mid-May to create some newness.

I’m sure that February, March and April will move fast. The work I’ll be doing will be larger, not going under say 20″ or 24″ in size. I’ve come to terms that this is around the size I work best in. It’s comfortable. The smaller I go, the more I struggle.

Five Bartlett Pears

24 x 30 / oil on canvas / 2009
24 x 30 / oil on canvas / 2009

This winter has been cold. Bitter cold. I know it’s been cold throughout the entire continent, but I’m sure if you were to take a look at the average temperature where I am, you’d fall into stunned silence. I should not feel like this until the end of February, not January. I guess I always have the warm colors in the pears. And radiant heat in the studio.

Three Bartlett Pears

24 x 30 / oil on canvas / 2009
24 x 30 / oil on canvas / 2009

Where did I go? It’s been a few weeks since I last posted anything. I’m busy. I’ve got an show coming up in June in Sacramento and I think that’s going to keep me very occupied for the next several months. The first half of this year is going to be insane in my studio. Insane and exciting.

Second Draft

24 x 24 / oil on canvas / 2008
24 x 24 / oil on canvas / 2008

I’m calling this piece Second Draft. The first time I painted this old Remington (only a few weeks ago) it appeared on a very dark background. Unfamiliar territory. So I fretted and stirred and resolved myself by painting it a second time in more familiar territory. I’m sure I’ll experiment further with other tones in the background but it’s a slow process.

Goodbye 2008. I’m glad to see you go, you miserable year with your dismal news headlines. I plan on hiding in my studio doing the best work I possibly can for 2009. I’m actually optimistic about that.

Saying “Happy New Year” doesn’t feel empty and pointless this year. I really, truly hope it is a Happy New Year.