The photographer in me seeks to capture the briefest moment in time. I seldom do this with portraits. Catching spontaneous moments in people's faces requires stealth, intimacy, and hubris. Well, I think it does. You have to have confidence that you have the right to get up in someone's space and captures a private moment. … Continue reading Portrait Project Six – Capturing the moment
Portrait Project Five – Finding the right combination of isms to ask a question
Cubism is or can be a simple form of expressionism. One can pull in colour combinations from Fauvism; play with minimalism, and still stay inside the concepts of expressionism. For me, there is always one point of reference for what the portrait is trying to say... it's usually in and/or around the eyes. With or … Continue reading Portrait Project Five – Finding the right combination of isms to ask a question
Portrait Project Four – The Essence of Emotion
Boiling down the essence of expressions is an instinct I think most artists resist. We are often trained to focus on detail and realism. Focused observation can reveal hints of emotion and even exact emotions, but so does a photograph. Perhaps, letting go of the real and just allowing the heart to express what it … Continue reading Portrait Project Four – The Essence of Emotion
Portrait Project Three – In Awe of Imperfection
I didn't intentionally start with this pallet, but the first colour down was black, then a rich raw-sienna. It felt like the rest should stay in the earthy tones. Everything from that point forward was umber-like. I added a little teal to one cheek to give a little tension and it ended up all over … Continue reading Portrait Project Three – In Awe of Imperfection
Portrait Project One – Following an inspiration
In my ongoing attempt to overcome my discomfort with portraiture, I decided to do the part I really love... painting faces from imagination. First, I have to give credit to my inspiration for the next few paintings: Juan Martinez Parente. He found me on Pinterest and I've fallen in love with the faces he paints. … Continue reading Portrait Project One – Following an inspiration
In The Spider’s Grasp
Using a handmade marking brush: The handle is a little over 60cm long, made from a maple branch cutting and bound in coloured treads and jute twine. The brush is also jute twine. Being one of the first brushes I tried for this project, I wanted to stay simple and see how circular movements could … Continue reading In The Spider’s Grasp
Is The Fear Behind Us, Or Is There Still More Ahead? – The Hollow Ones #44
A gentle reminder that you have the power to decide on the answer to this question. We always live in light and darkness. One cannot exist without the other. Choose which you love the most and be grateful for it. No judgement here, just love the one you prefer fully and with gratitude for what … Continue reading Is The Fear Behind Us, Or Is There Still More Ahead? – The Hollow Ones #44
It Won’t Be Long Now – The Hollow Ones #43
Let hope in and know that all things must pass, including all this Covid-19 craziness. Let the darkness dissipate. Let the fear move on and embrace the joyful light. We don't need to get back to what was normal, that is what brought on this acceptance of fear. Be light, be happy, be different, be … Continue reading It Won’t Be Long Now – The Hollow Ones #43
Waiting As It Passes Us By – The Hollow Ones #42
The days drone on and one can hardly tell if society is looking ahead or getting used to being in this pandemic fear. The fear seems to be ahead of us. We aren't in it, and it hasn't passed. Every new day brings it forward. We're waiting to move, but the future seems scarier than … Continue reading Waiting As It Passes Us By – The Hollow Ones #42
RAWR… I guess… An Example from the Anarchist Manifesto
I saw a partial face on an alley wall downtown, screaming at passersby and it made me laugh. First, I wondered who was passerby-ing in this alley to see this almost entirely hidden screamer, then I wondered what it was screaming about from such an obscure location, where so few people would hear it. Phew, … Continue reading RAWR… I guess… An Example from the Anarchist Manifesto
The New Renaissance Mindset 