The Yeti & The Mermaid Series... illustration of life experience reinterpreted through mythological symbolism... Collaged drawings on wood with paper mache... I glue the drawing to wood, color it or leave it black & white, coat it with mod podge and then lay down the first coat of paper mache ground. I let it dry and then begin sculpting the 3D "frame" portion of the drawing using flour & water and white copy paper, junk mail & cardboard. I don't have a plan, I just start sculpting and get ideas as I go along. The last piece is one I did without a drawing. I believe it is going to be the Mermaid and her Angel. I have been working on these every day for a week. It took a few more weeks to finish up this series. Not sure about the last piece - I may not finish it.
Me & My Angel, Oil w Collage on Wood with Cardboard & Paper Mache April 2014
I am working on this painting for Phil Lesh - but I had to totally shred the original idea because it was too top-heavy and because Phil is working on his own music now - no longer Furthur and Grateful Dead... I am going to give him this painting at Terrapin Crossroads next week, because I can't do the Karaoke anymore - it's too hard to do with everything I have on my plate right now - music is hard! I have gained a new respect for these guys - singing & playing music - the timing of it all - and their music is so complex -
Here's the baker's clay sculpture of the mermaid with the drawing of butterfly child with the final painting.
The Mermaid & The Whale, 14" x 17" x 3.5", Oil w Collage & Cardboard on Canvas Board, January 2013
I am working on a new painting from this drawing - I am trying to do it in 3 D relief - in this drawing the mermaid is viewed from above the water and she recedes into the depths, so I am trying to recreate that illusion using 3D relief cardboard. I will be painting it in oil as soon as this layer of clear-coat dries. This has been a very challenging painting so far. It has taken me about 3 weeks to figure out.
She's A Fox, 13.5" x 14", Oil & Cardboard on Wood, December 2012
Here is the stage by stage progression of this allegory about a girl who is a fox, based on this drawing I did in March 2012, mixed with my little fox visitor over Christmas, and my love for and desire to use cardboard as a relief medium. I am currently looking at the work of Saugerties resident, Norm Magnusson.
Jesus with Burning Heart Icon, 18 " x 30", Oil & Mixed Media on Wood, September 2012
Here is the stage by stage progression of this commission.