Off to School II

20" x 40" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
• SOLD

When I was working on the smaller piece with the Off to School book, I set up this. Or, rather, it set itself up. While trying to control the position of the books they sort of slid in to this arrangement. I thought the angles and lines pointing in different directions and overall horizontal composition worked well.

I'll be participating in a group show in December and I have a solo show coming up in June 2010. It is only October, but I need to get cracking now. I used to keep frequent updates to this blog, but while I go in to production mode for the show, things will be quiet around here.

L'uomo Senza Passato

My painting "Chair with Green Suitcase" was selected for the cover image of a recent book from an Italian book publisher, Iperborea. The book is called "L'uomo Senza Passato" (The Man Without a Past) by Aki Kaurismäki.

It is a beautifully printed book and an honor to have my painting on the cover.

Off to School

16" x 24" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
• SOLD

When I found the "It's Story Time" primary reader at the antique shop near my house, I was hoping there would be another similar book. I had to dig pretty deep through shelves of old smelly books, but eventually I found this "Off to School" from the same series, with a bright blue cover.

I think the limited bright color on the canvas and the way the blue contrasts with the yellowed paper edges of the other old books help the composition. I propped up the old primary reader against the thick, heavy Manual of Psychology. It's an interesting juxtaposition.

Five Pomegranates

16" x 24" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
• SOLD

I was happy to see pomegranates are in season. And I noticed a few snowmen are starting to appear in stores. Really? Seriously? It's only the end of September. A quick glance at the weather forecast tells me fall is officially here. I guess this means I have to really get to work.

Origin

24" x 18" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
• SOLD

I just read that this coming November will see the 150th anniversary of Darwin's Origin of Species. I didn't paint this because of that. I honestly didn't pay much attention to all of the books I have here in the studio. Turns out one is a well preserved edition from 1892.

It's Story Time IV

16" x 16" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
• SOLD

This is a relatively smaller piece, almost like an experiment to compose the books on a square canvas. I think with the right lines it works.