2015 has been a blast so far, as winter usually brings quality time in the studio.

It seems as though I try to savor each moment of the application and sometimes wish the painting would erase itself after I photograph it. With the additive process I find a thrill in putting it down, and then doing some overpainting where appropriate. I’ve worked on larger paper a bit as well lately and am considering making more of an effort to explore the drawn and painted pulp sheets.

The first works of 2015 want as much space as possible…

…without seeming too “easy,” obviously a relative term when discussing art. These first two paintings have skipped the initial serigraphy session before getting stretched. I figured, why not start off the new year with whatever approach feels prime- and this was it. While thoughts about narrative titles have been brewing, each piece was named after completion and seem to be following an outdoor festival theme. That will probably change soon enough.

Also of note is that both of these works are using recycled stretcher frames from 2014. My stack had gotten pretty deep, and with no shows in the immediate future the smart option was to un-stretch and roll up many of last years paintings. That’s actually a new one for me as I’ve always been a “leave it stretched” kind of guy, which becomes quite a hassle when you’re somewhat regular at making larger paintings and nobody is buying them…first world artist problems, LoL.

It was a great holiday season with family, and I made an effort to just relax and enjoy the ride. After such a hiatus it feels good to be back in the studio. The first painting of the year is done, and a new series called “Concert Series” has been started. I hope to have a strong, productive, fun, and challenging year of making art ahead. Cheers to your fresh and renewed endeavors as well.