Are you a fan of the old black and white, alien invasion, b-movies of the 1960s? Take a look at The Day of there Triffids and try to figure out what the artistic director must have been thunking whence created the Triffids. They were supposed to be some plant-like aliens. In the book, if my … Continue reading Invasion of the Triffid-Snatchers
Puddles of Sulphurous Yellow
Every year my wife picks some typical flower for her outdoor flower pots; usually geraniums, daisies, chrysanthemums, etc... I tend to like weirder flowers, but we compromise on colours. I love yellows, both for the vibrant joy they evoke and for subtle decay they show while dying. Also, occasionally we can catch a stranger bug … Continue reading Puddles of Sulphurous Yellow
Violet Temptations
My plantain Lillies (hostas) infestation began with only a couple of plants from my father's garden; now there are so many that I can use them as ground cover for my entire lawn... well almost. The strange purple flowers that jut out of them on impossibly long stems waver in the wind as if vibrating … Continue reading Violet Temptations
The overwhelming emotional weight of a blank canvas – early strokes
I'm still really bothered by the whole copying consideration and even though calling the various inspirations studies of the artist, I still want to attempt original work. However, in comparison to my studies, I feel they don't match up... well, to be honest, I am still copying my old styles, and they are what I … Continue reading The overwhelming emotional weight of a blank canvas – early strokes
Study of Deibenkorn Reading The Paper – Adding some texture
While I feel the window that separates the halves of the composition turned out remarkably well, I realize that it completely restated the figure. Is he inside a room, or outside one? What kind of space is he sitting in? Do I need to continue the glass across the back of the composition to further … Continue reading Study of Deibenkorn Reading The Paper – Adding some texture
Study of Deibenkorn Reading The Paper – first colours
Let me start with the persistent questions of authenticity, originality, inspiration, and appropriation I beat myself up with on almost every new painting. They are all versions of "what is the line between inspiration and plagiarism?" AND they all fuel my self-doubt, my impostor syndrome! I don't know how to be rid of this feeling, … Continue reading Study of Deibenkorn Reading The Paper – first colours
Baby Buddha in the Wabi Sabi Garden
Last summer I completed the infrastructure for a zen garden for my wife. This little Buddha found itself well placed under my dwarf Japanese maple tree. It got quickly enveloped by some ground hostas, so I moved it this year to sit on a rock near the water fountain I rigged from a reclaimed cement … Continue reading Baby Buddha in the Wabi Sabi Garden
Strange Perspectives before Being Eaten
When editing, I always take a look at the photo in greyscale to see where the light and shadows belong. When I pealed away the colours on this one, something strange developed that I just can't put my finger on. The whole perspective shifter from one where I felt to be looking down into the … Continue reading Strange Perspectives before Being Eaten
A Little Yellow Peeks Out
I'm not sure what this little weed is; I only know it's beautiful! There are a few that pop up around my garden, from under a heavy cover of other plants. They almost always only have a single yellow blossom showing at a time and several waiting their turn. It is only about 2mm x … Continue reading A Little Yellow Peeks Out
A Very Green Affair
I've been cultivating wild sumacs into a nice hedge for a few years now and they are always growing. The baby leaves are tiny and almost insect-like. When I shot this macro, the sun was extremely bright and it looked like white heat was emanating from the plants. All I needed to do was hike … Continue reading A Very Green Affair
The New Renaissance Mindset 