I used the same image to make a painting early in 2009 when I was learning how to paint with oils. I sketched it again the other day because I’m thinking of making it a t-shirt.

Please let me know if you’d be interested in the idea of a t-shirt or print of either image and I’ll make it happen.

It’s great to be able to talk to so many artists and people interested in art. The art community on Twitter is incredibly supportive, especially the #draw365 crew. I’ve gotten great advice and read many thought-provoking ideas. I’ll mention some specific people who are inspirational in a future post, but if you’re reading this and you want to find some interesting people to follow, check out my Tweets on Fridays for #FollowFriday

I actually have half-written a 2009 wrap up, but didn’t complete it before the end of the year. I’m still going to post it even though it’ll be late because 2009 was my most significant year as an artist. So far. Hoping 2010 is even better. In the meantime, I’ll post out of order with some of what I’ve been doing.

For reasons I’ll explain in my 2009 post, I’m in the process of repainting my reflections series. I have to finish that up before I can move onto the next series that will make up my solo show at the Amberella gallery.

Here’s the latest, that I finished last night.
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The original is here.

Also, I’ve started doing a drawing every day. (I tried this in ’07 and ’09, but it should last longer this time with all the Twitter support). Here’s the first 9 (I counted my painting as a 10th).

Hopefully I’ll have that 2009 post, and some information about three big projects for 2010 very soon.

I’m going to touch up the fingers a little and I think it’s done.

Then I’ll post a higher quality photo here.

In the meantime, let me know what you think of it, the colors, the pose, what pops in your head when you see it. I’d love to hear from you.

It’s my next in the Reflections series. My first of that series in the Dr. Marten’s Hydrus. I started this on Friday 11/20 and I expect to finish it this weekend. Have to admit it was a struggle at first for a few reasons. I hadn’t painted in a while before I started this (though I had done my portrait of Lilah (see previous post) earlier that night), I’m learning to use the Hydrus, and I wasn’t completely committed to the look before I began painting. In fact, I imagined it to look more abstract, more evocative of fire, but it’s taking on a life of its own. It’s making me think of surfing, or any water activity. One force is you, with the idea of what you want to happen, then there’s the force of the current of the water and between the two somehow you make it to shore, just maybe not in the way you had expected.

Here’s some photos of it in progress.

I’m in the middle of getting ready for a gallery show and I’m experiementing with some new media to use for the show. I’m trying this media because it will last longer and not fade.

Below you can see the results of me trying out the Dr. Marten’s Hydrus watercolors on something I found at Dick Blick (on 13th and Chestnut) called Aquaboard. I tried to find a link to Aquaboard to show you what I’m talking about, but couldn’t. I’ll look again. What I did find is potentially life-chaging for me. Apparently the magic primer that turns canvas into a medium for watercolor painting is available: http://www.dickblick.com/products/schmincke-aqua-primers/

This could save me a ton of money and open up new canvas shapes like 48 x 24 and ovals. I’m pretty excited. Got to try some of this soon. But – here’s the point of the post, my latest painting. it’s 11 x 14 on Aquaboard.

It’s my first with Dr. Martin’s Hydrus watercolors. I’m trying them because they allow me to do some things that the dyes don’t. More details soon. I did some experiments with 5 different types of media until I decided to move forward with the Hydrus. I’ll post the experiments and notes about them here.

Here’s the painting: Stoya Noir

Here’s the color study I did for it

What it means is that I’ll be taking a break very soon.

I’m in the midst of painting three series of paintings for a gallery show in April at Amberella Sugary & Sweet Gallery & Boutique in the Piazza in Northern Liberties in Philly. April 2nd, 2010.

I’ve also got a few pieces in a digital display at Obscura, on 10/17/09 in Newark.

Here’s some of the work in progress for the show at Amberella.

[View with PicLens]

Things I’d like to write about:
How I came up with the themes for the Reflections series.
How I got the show.
How it’s working out with the watercolor canvas.
How it feels and what it means to finally get a gallery show.
Hearing from people in person about the blog/painting/sketches but rarely digitally
Dr. Sketchy’s in Philly and NYC
My visit to Studio Incamminati

Wish me/us luck.

I’m very happy with the way this turned out. About halfway done the Reflections series. This series and two others will be on display at the Amberella Gallery next April 2nd.

Loyal readers may recognize this from this sketch I did back in late June:

Assumption

Schism

More soon.

The drippy real fluid stuff starts at about 2:30 or so. The end is a little boring because I’m just focusing on the details of the eyes and mouth and because I haven’t figured everything out with the video quality, it’s tough for you to see.

Please let me know if you are interested in seeing more of these.

The painting