Le Champs-Élysées Réinventé

acrylic on canvas, 24" x 12" x 3

This was an attempt at an abstract iteration of a landscape which I did for my UNM class.  I couldn't help but be influenced by the hot colors I see in Taos, not only in the vivid sunsets but also in much of the art I see in galleries around town.  I had intended to warm up my palette after leaving the cool blues and greens of California behind, but I think I can dial it back a bit now, as this is a bit over-the-top, even by my standards.  Still, I do find the two abstract compositions rather compelling and might make an effective diptych.  I include the original to show the springboard I started with in this experiment.

Chic Sheikh

acrylic on canvas, 16" x 12"

This is the "resolved" result of a semester-long scraper painting assignment from my class at UNM.  I had chosen acrylic as the medium for this project, which was perhaps a mistake, since it is next to impossible to scrape an acrylic painting off, unless you scrape as you go.  This canvas went through 11 iterations before finally resolving it, most of them abstracts.  The biggest benefit that I could see from this exercise was perhaps the buildup of texture on the surface.  

In the Dark

oil on canvas, 30" x 30"

This was the final painting for my class at UNM, the assignment being a constructed image made from a collage.  I had mixed feelings about using my partner's image for this narrative, and have since promised myself to do a proper portrait of him.  He was kind, hilarious, gifted, and oh so easy to be with.  Here, he looks imposing and kind of scary, not qualities he actually exuded, although he had a kind of personal power that made people respect him.  The narrative I was going for in this painting tells of oppression and unconsciousness, not only for the oppressed but for the oppressor as well -- hence, the sunglasses.  I painted billowing curtains behind the women to indicate the winds of change blowing toward the future.  This is the first painting of its kind that I've attempted, and may be the last!  I'm not too comfortable with political themes.  This painting will be on display at the Taos TCA Stables Gallery May 8-13.