A Row of Roses

 

oil on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

This is just another study in a series I'm doing of flowers in a vase, and again, mostly done with a palette knofe, just to refamiliarize myself with subject of still life, the least attempted of all my work. 

DayDreaming

 

oil on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

This is an abstract piece I did today after a late start in the studio due to an appointment.  I like it.

Round the Bend: Road to Covelo

oil on canvasboard, 6" x 12"

This is just a quick little landscape study of a section of Highway 162, which is the road to Covelo in Mendocino County, where I was headed to spent some time with my friends at their ranch.  I had thought that the reference photo I worked from was taken somewhere in Sonoma County, as many of the local roads have a similar look.  But upon closer inspection, that is not Black Mountain in the distance but the mountains of Mendocino National Forest.

Smiley Me

oil on canvas paper, 12" x 9"

This is a self portrait during my New York days.  I was at a party with my friend Armando and I was wearing a wig because I was auditioning everywhere I could for the part of Eponine in "Les Miserables."  I was obsessed with it and trying to convince anyone to give me a chance.  Eponine was a waif, a lonely character, and while I knew I could sing and act the part, I don't think I projected enough pathos . . . certainly not at this party!

No One Compares 2 U 2

 

oil on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

For this version of a portrait of Sinead O'Connor, my second attempt, I used a grid.  In this version, she looks less vulnerable to me, more confident.  Not sure which one I prefer.

Havana Horn Player

 

oil on panel, 16" x 16"

I found an interesting photo online of a horn player in Havana, Cuba, and just wanted to make a painting of it, so I did.

Dying Daisy

oil on panel, 6" x 6"

This little mess of a painting of a dying daisy, I'm afraid to say, is now officially dead.  I destroyed it after an experiment that went kablooey.  Oh, well.  Just wanted to document it here for posterity, so its short life wasn't completely in vain.

Smoky Sky

oil on canvas panel, 14" x 11"

This is what I'd call a simplified landscape painting, not quite in the abstracted landscape ballpark, done mostly with a palette knife.  Nonetheless, I like the copper tones in this one.  I think they offset the buildings in the background nicely.  The scene is inspired by the smoke from the recent Canadian fires that drifted down into the U.S., especially along the East Coast.

No One Compares 2 U

oil on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

Upon hearing of the death of Sinead O'Connor at the young age of 56, I was moved to paint her portrait, as she was such a uniquely powerful singer, songwriter and activist.  I thought I would challenge myself by doing this portrait with a palette knife.  It was challenging.

Cottonwood Cluster

 

oil on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

Another trip down memory lane with this painting of cottonwood trees by the roadside I found so enchanting on a drive from Taos to Ojo Caliente.

Aglow in the Dark

oil on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

Here's another botanical study.  Just playing around here, trying to push the abstract and botanical elements together.

Black-headed Gull

oil on panel, 8" x 8"

Another bird study, just trying to keep it loose.

Exploding Petunia

acrylic on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

This was just a freeform bit of fun with the palette knife, starting with a photo reference but not adhering to it, just using it as a springboard to a more feeling-based treatment of the paint.

Green-eyed Girl

 

oil on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

Fooling around with a more sculptural look, at least in the background and the hair.  I've long seen myself as a more sculptural painter, and yet I rarely seem to apply that method to my work.  This is an attempt to break out of a mold and get more playful with the medium.

Lower Ranchitos

 

oil on canvasboard, 6" x 12"

This study is a rural scene from the lower end of Taos, New Mexico, mostly done with palette knife.  

Peonies in a Mauve Vase

oil on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

Continuing with this little burst of still life exploration that I'm going through, I'm trying to push more abstraction into the mix with the palette knife here.  I do like the warm textural effects of the background and the cool green foreground, but the mauve vase was what I was after.

Tina

Sharpie on paper, 12" x 9"

I just stumbled on this Sharpie drawing I had done of Tina Turner way back at the beginning of this art thing, in 2005.  She is really fun to try to capture.

 

Upon Reflection

oil on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

This is a palette knife study in progress, about 95% done.  I rarely do still life paintings, but I'm pushing myself to do them now in a way that is more expressive than representative.  Still, it's all about color for me.

 

She Blew Her Top

acrylic on canvas, 24" x 24"

This is a piece I did for me, really.  A meditation from yesterday. 

Lioness

oil on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

And speaking of lions, I've long thought of Tina Turner as a lioness.  Her fierceness, tenacity, chutzpah, and general badass veneer, while being deeply rooted in her Buddhist faith of love for all beings forms an intoxicating cocktail of inspiration to women everywhere.  Her message will live on for years to come.  Tina Turner is Simply the Best!