Chatov Workshop Last Day, 203

Third day was so much easier. Still felt like I finished this piece in an hour and the moved stuff around for the next 5. I am looking forward to assimilating this info from the workshop into my impulsive and quick style.

Chatov Workshop, 202

Just finished a 3 day workshop with figure painter Marc Chatov, a third generation painter considered to be in the top 10 of portrait painters in the US. It was humbling, amazing, frustrating and refreshing.... sometimes, 3 days is not enough. That was the case here. Day 3 was great, day 1 and 2 were the days you try to shed your old habits and get in a place to try something new.

Marc had his work cut out for him with me. I DO NOT do the figure or faces, they scare me to death, which is why I signed up for the workshop. I never had drawing lessons in high school and in college they assumed that I already had drawing skills. Thrown into figure drawing at 19 years old was daunting, and needless to say, every time we had a male model, I hid in the back away from his "junk" or just left. Very 19 year old boy of me. That was drawing too, we didn't do any drawing in this workshop... lots of massing in and big shapes of bold color.

I really enjoyed the workshop and Marc. He was amazing. It was great to have some friends there as well... my sis Bonne, Margot, Dana, Millie and Pam were all there to witness the "Deconstruction of Dave."

I plan on continuing to work with figures and absorb what I have learned. I am very interested in bettering my skills... looking into ateliers and the infamous Art Students League which has been pulling me to NY for the past decade...

Jimmy Clark, 201

Well, here it is. The last piece for the Log Cabin. I think this piece is interesting, but you never know what you are going to end up with... and this is one of those.

It is a very high key piece, which I am normally not drawn too, but I guess it does give that early morning feel, just wish I had pushed the warmness of the morning a bit. Didn't really notice that one until the end!

I did go back to that stop sign during the latest blizzard we had and it was gone! They had replaced it with a new shiny, tall one with no vines on it. Guess I am glad I captured it when I did!

MoonPie, 200

Wow, made it to 200. Thought I would get here a LOT sooner!

Here is the compliment to the RC painting. From Columbus, georgia to Chattanooga, Tennessee. They both share 20" sides in common, so I hope they go to the same place and hang together. These were so much fun to do. I love typography and graphics. Made to look simple and graphic and to be recognizable instantly. I have hand lettered many signs in my day, although I don't know jack about it. I have the right brushes and enamels as well as 10 years of house and mural painting under my belt... but hand lettering is an art unto itself. Mike Malloy does a great deal of it around the Newnan area, he has promised lessons that I plan on taking him up on it. I don't go to YouTube much because I live in the boonies and video takes forever to download, but when I do, I love to look for those guys who do pin striping and custom lettering. There are some amazing videos of those guys doing what they do. Long Live Von Dutch.

RC Cola, 199

I have wanted to work with old corporate identities and logos for quite some time. As a younger art history student, I loved Andy Warhol and many of the other Pop artists and their progenitors. Having grown up in a print shop and graphics company, I have always appreciated the time, effort and thought that goes into the creation of a corporate identity not to mention creating a few myself. It is more than a symbol or brand, to me, they are works of art... more so when they are signage with some years on them. I hope to do many more retro signs/ logos... my next obsession.

Many questions continue to concern me about copyright/trademark infringement. I have researched these questions a great deal, but short of speaking with a copyright lawyer... I still have questions than need answers. From what I can tell, creating works of "art" from them is acceptable as long as I do not mass produce (create prints) them to make a profit. I know that Campbell's was more than happy to have Andy Warhol use their soup cans, hell, even Disney let him use Mickey Mouse. Coca Cola must love Steve Penley, too...

Compliments, 197 & 198

Thought it would be a great idea to build a collection of little abstract hearts to add to every year for Julie. I love the way you can hang them all next to each other, it makes an interesting mosaic, especially with the little 6"x6" gallery wrap canvases. I may not be able to wait 'til next valentines to add to the collection, may have to add a couple on her birthday and Christmas, Easter, Arbor Day, our anniversary, Cinco de Mayo, etc., etc.

This first pair was loosely based on "compliments," yellow in violet... even though they are more like red violet and yellow orange.

Amongst the Tires, 196

Another rusty Ford for the collection headed to NC later this month. Happier with this one this morning than I was last night. Switching gears to signage and advertising to round out the bunch... I may have more than 20 to take, that would be great... sometimes it pays to just paint instead of count.

Econoline, 195

Not so happy with this one, i slept on it and when I looked at it when I woke up... it still hadn't grown on me. It is interesting, but still is missing something. I will eventually figure it out... must be in the composition or the value planes. I am thinking the ground plane is too light at the moment... or I am just looking for something wrong with it :)

Crossing, 194

First piece on Signature canvas and a favorite of the batch for the Highlands. The canvas was great. Given the size, the canvas remained tight as a drum even when working into the middle. Very responsive with a great texture.