Redoing a mural on my school's exterior wall...

Some more sketches

Taking my Silk Screened Fabric through the Quilting Process

Below is a section of my first stitches, I decided to utilize the direction of the stitches to emphasize my water surface texture.  I also chose a contrasting bobbin thread to create an image visible from the back.  

And here is the piece nearly complete, you can see the binding isn't finished in the back but my goal is to add a sleeve for hanging after completing the binding.  This piece will be on display in Tyler's fall show in September 2012. 

The back view:

And the detailing:

Recognizing Themes

Sometimes it is hard to find the themes or the undertones of ones own work, and it is helpful to have others review and critique your work in order to fully appreciate areas of development you may have otherwise neglected or not even noticed.  In a recent group critique my work was called "transcendent", "mystic", and was said to have "haunting secrets".  I find that these elements resonate with me as the true purpose behind my work - with the color choices, context, and media being secondary.  I have a more clear understanding of my own work as a result of third party evaluations.  This is the real benefit to group critiquing.

Some quick charcoal studies of my parents the other night. 

Learning Silk Screen on Fabric and Quilt Making

Through an organic process of trial and experiment, I developed several pieces of printed fabric, shown below with the fabric for the backing of the quilts.  I focused on color themes, as well as nautical elements and seasonal designs.   From these I will develop several art quilts, with the process of stitching used to enhance the linear quality of the image.

I have selected the ghost ship painting on fabric (a reoccurring theme in my more recent works) to develop over the next week...

Learning Illustrator

I took existing works of art, such as a piece from Patricia Piccinini's "we Are Family" series and Degas' painting, and reworked them to a study on transforming shape, light, and building textures.

My First Go at Altered Books

My book was inspired by a conflict I face when trying to reconcile differences between what I need from my Masters courses and what I am receiving. My teaching career requires my focus, patience, and constant self reflection for improvement. My attempts at gathering data, advice, and relevant techniques in regards to topics such as classroom management, lesson differentiation, and effective assessments have proved fruitless. It seems that often in higher education the applicable and the theoretical directly oppose each other, and I am left trying to shift through the material for truth. I designed my altered book to reflect this "fortune telling", such as using these vague signs and stars to interpret my daily life.

Some early digital imagery

Enjoyed learning the process of digital imagery immensely. I began to look at paintings that were in my mind as possible inspiration for my computer creations. This piece blends conceptual elements surrounding the beauty of the ocean with the history of our sea faring excursions. I find that often the very presence of tragedy or deep historical relevance amplifies the beauty that compliments it both conceptually and aesthetically.

Prehistory has always been a fascination of mine. How magnificent would it be to have a train that runs through the entire length of time? We could view all of it in sequential order, from the comfort of the dining car...

Back to the ships theme, I also enjoyed creating this ghost ship and the calm world it floats through. The ocean and its magnitude, force, and permanence all inspire me. But the people lost to its whims remind me of natures cruel indifference. This ship, however, seems to me to be at ease.

The Extrovert

oil painting on canvas, 24x36

When an artistic focus shifts from metaphorical to aesthetic, or from aesthetic to technical, I feel a shift in my focus as well, less energizing, more concentration, and a sense of calm within a storm.

This work was produced for a business owner as a gift for her client, and the gift I received was getting to spend time with such a powerfully joyful image of a moment between mother and son.

What can art do?

I am finding my constant study of art produces as many unanswered questions as it resolves. My choices become vague, my opinions diluted and obscured, but my interest increases. What is this force that drives man to continue to produce, redirect and evolve, despite the many counter forces acting against quality, respect and monetary reward. I find that, although art is a challenge to define and possibly more of a challenge to create, I encourage myself and my students to continue its pursuit. Art can move me and my spirit, and can evoke depth of emotions otherwise dormant. Art, maybe, is merely the result of the response it generates.

Value Studies

I find that charcoal allows me a freedom that other media does not allow, and will continue to practice this as a framework for my portraiture.

Portraiture

I have been working towards improving my portraiture techniques for some time. A portrait is a unique challenge in that elements work together as a whole to provide either a convincing likeness or a slight miss, instantly recognizable as yet incomplete.

I enjoyed completing this portrait, and will continue to build my skills for ease of color mixing and efficient placement.