Letting it go - everything!

"The pressure or stress of trying to keep something far out weighs the joy experienced while letting it go."

A thought going around in my head for the last couple of days which can relate to many areas of life - if not all.

On that note I am please to state that I have sold and delivered "Napa" to it's new home where I hope it provides a life time of enjoyment and visual pleasure.
I had been asked if it was difficult in letting it go (as with most all of my paintings) and the answer was really, "not at all". I am so happy and the fact that I firmly believe each painting I move to another space, outside of my home or studio, provides an opening for something completely new to be created.
Just as in life when we begin to let go of things (thoughts, beliefs, knowledge, judgments, etc...) a space is immediately created by the void of that thought and whatever you want can fill that space. So create a new thought and/or in my case I have the opportunity to create a new painting.

I need to create some more space in my studio so I have several of paintings looking for a new view!!!!

Appreciating the art appreciator

A photo that was sent to me from the exhibit in Indiana touched me in a profound way.

The picture of the man viewing my artwork is my grandfather. He attended the opening and it was the first time he has seen my work exhibited in a gallery. As a young child I started most of my artwork in my grandparents living room when we visited them. Some of my most fond memories as a child - that are fresh to this day - happened in their house.
Sleeping in the back room with the tin roof during a rainstorm was music to my ears. Grabbing the coffee can filled with crayons and laying on the living floor to draw. Eating my grandmothers spaghetti and drinking iced tea. The smell of coffee brewing in the percolator when I got up in the morning. All a part of who I am and resonate in my work and very being.
So for me viewing this picture of my grandfather having the opportunity to see my work and the chance for me to share it with both he and my grandmother was very special.

To everyone that continues to support my artistic passion, the shows, the library exhibit/contest and those who were able to attend the reception last night at Karen Solem Gallery.

Thank you very much.

Your kindness, friendship and contributions mean everything to me.

Due to the overwhelming turnout and show of support I and my painting ("NAPA") was the first place winner at the Elmhurst Public Library exhibit - pretty cool.

Transitions and allowing the painting to dictate

I thought these images or progressions of two recent works - one complete the other still in a state of development - were kind of indicative of the progress of my paintings.

This is becoming this????
The initial painting was not working and I knew it and it received a fine sanding, slight medium wash and it is taking on a new face as we can see in the following pictures.


















The most recent painting illustrated in my last blog, and yes it now has a name ("The City Dreams... Hot Chocolate") always had the same design and vision in my head, yet I struggled with the foreground tree for a while. I wish I took pictures of all the progressions of that space on the canvas. It was a make or break the painting issue for me not only from a design stand point, but also in the execution of the painting.
I am happy with the outcome - at least for now.
One picture with the trees removed - limbo - and definitely not a painting yet.
Then the final with the trees (could have been any properly painted subject matter and it would have worked).

Chicago

Latest painting going on exhibit with two others at Karen Solem Gallery in Elmhurst. This is the last show of the year. The theme is titled "Chicago".
Come out and see the city through the eyes of all the exhibiting artist.
Karen Solem Gallery
124 West Park Avenue
Elmhurst, IL 60126
630-279-4446
reception is Friday, November 6th, 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

You can also stop by the library and vote on my painting titled "Napa" as this is the last day of the exhibit and voting.

SHOWS!!!!

The Blue Heron Show is coming to a close, but there are a few great opportunities to see some new work that I am really excited about.

First, we have the Henrich Gallery show this Sunday, October 25th from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm for the artist reception. I have two large framed works that are dramatic in their size, execution, subject, design and limited pallet.

Second I am going to have a piece at the Elmhurst Public Library, titled Napa. That event - running from Sunday November 1st through November 6th - is a public voting event. So please come out and support the arts, my artwork, by coming out and voting.

Also in the neighborhood of the Henrich show in Aurora is the Aurora City Hall exhibit and the Water Street Studio Exhibit in Batavia. So there is a lot to experience.

Details:
Elmhurst Public Library
125 S Prospect Ave
Elmhurst, IL 60126-3298
(630) 279-8696

Henrich Gallery
349 East Indian Trail
Aurora, IL 60505
Phone: 630.859.3121
October 25th - November 4th, 2009
Artist Reception October 25th, 2009 from 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Water Street Studios "Grand opening"
Multi-artist show
160 S. Water Street, Batavia, IL
630-761-9977
www.waterstreetstudios.com

September 21, 2009 - February, 2010
Aurora City Hall Exhibit for the Yellow House Artists
44 East Downers Place, Aurora. IL

Finally some more new paintings in the works!!!! A while to go, but the process is always neat to look at too.

New works in progress

Here are a couple of iPhone pics of two recent pieces I am completing. Several more in the works too!
I still have quite a ways left on the painting of the woman.