Archive for March, 2006
Ancient Mayan Bowl Chair
Thursday, March 30th, 2006
Mayan Bowl Chair - 129 x 129 x 129 inches, refurbished 1960’s lawn chair with layers of woven canvas strips, white glue, and wall plaster sanded smooth in between coats. Acrylic paints, marker, varnish, wax.
The 1960’s plastic lawn chair purchased at a second hand store was transformed into a replica of an ancient Mayan bowl. The design was drawn with pencil, marker, painted with acrylics, and has three coats of varnish and a coat of wax - completely durable and useful. Three more chairs yet to be created.
The original bowl was made in the Late Classic Period of Mayan history 600 - 900 c A.D. (Common Era), portraying two water Gods as witness to the birth of the highly regarded Maize God. He immerges from a turtle, symbolizing the earth. Hieroglyphs written along the top rim show the owner’s name and what the bowl was used for.
Post-dated notes: Accepted into Grand Prairie Arts Council Juried Exhibition and Sale Sept./Oct. 2007, and won Second Place cash award, 3D Category. Also accepted into Artjury.com’s 2007 Fall/Winter Juried Online Exhibition.
Bluebonnets - Four Abstracts
Thursday, March 23rd, 2006
Set of four 3 x 4 inches Oil Pastels on paper studies of Bluebonnets.
These studies are based on Springtime scenery along Beltline Road in Irving, Texas three years ago. Fields of Bluebonnets are now replaced by a major housing and commercial development.
Bluebonnets #3
Wednesday, March 22nd, 2006
Bluebonnets - 16 x 12 inches Dry Pastels on paper, framed 19 x 15 inches
Bluebonnets #2, Abstract
Monday, March 20th, 2006
Bluebonnets #2 - 36 x 24 Acrylics
I’m trying a new angle on the subject, and kept my glasses off for this one!
Bluebonnets, Marble Falls, Texas
Saturday, March 18th, 2006
Bluebonnets, Marble Falls, Texas - 16 x 20 Acrylics, started in 2005 and finished today. 16 x 20 inches on canvas, placed on 2 inch painted wood-canvas-covered border, and barnwood frame.
This is a painting I’ve worked on for about two years off and on - scraping off paint, piling it back on…one of those experimental paintings that never seems finished, but is excellent excersize. I’m accustomed to working on large home-built stretchers, a 16 x 20 store-bought canvas was disorienting. Not only that, but the feild of blue has the kind of intensity, like new green leaves, that never looks real.
The painting was brought far past the initial Impressionistic stage, then I decided to keep it going and see how many changes it might go through, hoping to bring it beyond looking “ordinary”. Finally I’m calling it finished and moving on; will try this floral subject in another media. Following are a few detail images of the process.
When Life Gives You Lemons, Draw Them
Friday, March 10th, 2006
Above: 2nd version, left: 1st version
When Life Gives You Lemons, Draw Them 11 x 14 inches Dry Pastel on charcoal paper
The first version of ‘Lemons’ yesterday was acceptable, but did not have quite enough zest. Today a few changes were in order. Even if it risks ruining the work already established, if you know intuitively that a drawing needs more, extra effort usually brings a drawing up a notch or two.
Guanaco portrait
Friday, March 3rd, 2006
Guanaco 16 x 20 inches Acrylics on canvas, framed
The Guanaco, pronounced “wan-a-co”, is a member of the camel family and native to South America. This particular Guanaco greets visitors who drive through Fossil Rim Wildlife Park in Glenrose Texas.