Brians Canvas

start your own work of art

2011-08-31T12:09:00.000-07:00

Recently I found a very cool new tool on the internet.. it has been out for a little while, but it was new to me. Its a great tool to have for those afternoons that just drag on. Visit the site and crate your own sketch... Its pretty dang fun and addictive... find it here... and below is one I created with it. http://www.zefrank.com/scribbler/scribblertoo/

a mountain/tree image

2 New Paintings

2011-08-12T08:36:00.000-07:00

So after supplying the gallery with a few new paintings, my mind needed to take a month off from painting. Before I left, I created 1 painting that has yet to be taken to the gallery.. its a little different. It is a mix of man made and nature. I used a photo my friend Charlie took while up northeast of Greeley in the grasslands. One of the many wind farms in this part of the country. I changed it up a bit and added some weather to it. I thought the mix of man made and nature would be a good change from what I had been doing.

"Harvesting the Wind"
24x36

Once I returned to painting last week, I decided I needed to take a break from the landscapes and try my hand at some new project. I am going to jump back in to a series of dog/pet images... This first one is of course a Golden Retriever... somewhat similar to the one I did of Kenai a year ago. I will probably end up doing 3-5 of these and if they turn out decent and the reception is good, replace some of my art at the galler ywith a few of them. They are smaller, and in turn might sell well. Who knows... I am loving the more abstract feel though,.. kinda fun. I will also be covering this painting with an epoxy resin coating, so I will take pictures of that
process and post them.

"Golden"
16"x20" mixed media

Creek Bed in November

2011-06-17T07:43:00.000-07:00

I started working on a painting the other day to trade out one at the gallery which I felt was not as strong. Creek Bed In November turned out pretty good. I hope to take it over and trade out Pawnee Grasslands next week. I sold my first painting last week(Quandary Peak), and now have the bug to paint more often... I think I painted 4 evenings this week.

Creek Bed in November
24"x30" canvas panel
Acrylic with lots of texture

Quandary Peak - SOLD

2011-06-01T09:53:00.001-07:00

Thought I would post a new painting I finished over the long weekend. This is of Quandary Peak... kind of a sleeping giant. One of Colorados 14ers(over 14,000 feet).. #12 in height of 53 I think. It was a fun painting to work on, and I plan on painting a whole series on mtns. Quandary is also one of the easier 14ers to climb.(though I never have).

Quandary Peak
Acrylic on canvas
40"x18"
(click on image for detail)

Steamboat Springs Farm

2011-05-25T08:10:00.000-07:00

One thing that the gallery requested is that I continue to work on some smaller pieces to add in the showing eventually. They liked my north side of Pikes Peak(below) and wanted a few more to show of similar style.... So I have been working on some smaller pieces that can sell for less $$$ and take less time to produce. Below is my latest acrylic/pen on canvas board. There will eventually be 3 or 4 smaller pieces all framed(no glass) at the gallery.

"Steamboat Springs Farm"
10"x14"
Acrylic and pen on board

re-posting...."North Side of Pikes Peak
"10"x14"
Acrylic and pen on board
(this one was cropped a bit but is actually same size as the above one)

Now showing at a gallery near you.....(if you live in fort collins)

2011-05-17T13:51:00.000-07:00

It is official, I have my first gallery interested in my work... its been a long time coming. The Fine art and Frame Company http://www.thefineartandframecompany.com in Old Town Fort Collins will have 3 of my pieces on display and for sale starting this weekend. Special thanks to Kim for letting me consume the walls and office with my work.. can be quite a mess, she has always been supportive of my goal. If you are around Fort Collins for June's First Friday Gallery Walk, stop by and check out the work of myself and other great artists.

The 3 paintings to begin with are....(click for larger view)
Please contact the gallery if you have purchasing questions.

1 more painting to add

2011-05-12T09:18:00.000-07:00

Finished another painting this week and I hope it sends my portfolio on to the next step.. A Little more abstract. (click on image to make larger)

Forest Glen

2011-05-10T07:44:00.000-07:00

So I finished the painting I had been working on. Sorry I didnt get any other in progress shots, it progressed uch quicker then I thought it would. I am beginning to look for places to show my art, so I may just be pasting pages from my portfolio on here sometimes, rather then doing the work twice. Please click on the picture foa larger view though.

And Now.. For Something Completely Different

2011-05-04T08:25:00.000-07:00

For a while we had been looking for a shoe rack/table to put keys/wallets/purses near our front door. Something to clean up the area a little. We could never find exactly what we wanted and fit the small area. I decided to take matters into my own hands....... I am in no way a woodworker or a woods craftsman... just like to tinker with stuff, so the images make the project look better then it really is ;).. I used for the most part recycled wood left over from picture frames I make for my large canvases. I think there are 4 different types of wood in this table. It was a fun beginner project, and am already thinking my next garage project is going to be building floor to ceiling shelves along one side of the garage.

Detail of different types/sizes of wood trim I used for the top.

Before Stain

Finished

New Painting, New In Progress Updates

2011-04-27T14:04:00.000-07:00

Thought I would do another round of in progress shots.

I found a new image that I wanted to paint from(below)..

(photo by Larry Brunt)

Last night i laid down the base layer of color. My technique of painting is really to lay down colors, then rub or scrape off dried colors revealing some of the paint underneath. I always do this in my sky sections... and usually on the ground too. It is an easier way to add interest and changes of hue to the work. I wanted to start with a grey sky, yellow ground, and some brown highlights. I also added some texture compound where the trees will be(you can see the middle of the painting on left and on the right, and very bottom). This by no means will be the final colors, I just dont like white as a background(some people use colored gesso instead of white).

The painting wont be an exact replica of the photo, because I use other people images, I dont want to copy their composition per say... just use it as a reference. Plus, mine always end up a bit more abstract and interesting.

Teal Storms

2011-04-22T08:12:00.000-07:00

Finished up a new painting last week. I have jumped around enough over the past 2 years and have now focused on what I love to paint. Aside from painting, and art, I am a closet weather geek. I like watching storms roll in, and cloud formations. Weather usually seems to show up in my art, if I meant it to or not. This new painting is of a small set of clouds rolling in just before a set of storms pass by.

I tried a new way of varnishing my art this time also. I used an Epoxy Resin to coat the canvas once I was finished. It wasnt the easiest or quickest, but I like the results. Though there is a very strong glare off the art, it really makes the color pop(as you will see below). the resin creates almost a plastic coating on the art. I will not bore you with how the epoxy resin works, but linked here is a site that I followed for the most part...
http://johnnybotts.blogspot.com/2011/01/how-to-apply-epoxy-resin-to-artwork.html

Teal Storms

36x32 mixed media on canvas covered in epoxy resin

Think the contrast on a brick all works well

Detail before epoxy resin

Detail after epoxy resin

Kona wanted to get in on the action. You can also see the glare off the resin.

Detail with resin

Organization for the Studio

2011-04-11T09:46:00.000-07:00

I finished some organization pieces for the painting room. Created a rack to hold my paint tubes(doesnt fit half of them, but at least it fits each color).. i have back-ups to replace those when they run out. Also made a metal bulletin board to hang images/phots to view while painting. Glued magnets to the back of beer bottle caps.

Poppy Painting.. done

2011-04-05T07:36:00.001-07:00

I finished the Poppy Painting over the weekend. Next step is to coat it with a clear varnish to protect it and to make the colors pop a bit more. I will post another picture once I hang it up. Also started another painting this weekend, that I hope to be finished with in the next week. with spring time approaching, I will probably be in the "studio" a little less, and in the yard a bit more, but I will post some thoughts and images of that also.

Poppies
Mixed Media on canvas

Refinishing a piece of family history

2011-03-20T20:44:00.000-07:00

This old hall tree had a prominent place in the basement of my grandmas house since before I can remember. Besides the horrendous color, it was a piece of beautiful craftsmanship. Grandma went into assisted living about 4 years ago, with her belongings spread out across the family. I was lucky enough to get this piece of furniture. The work to refinish it began a couple of years ago, but recently has picked back up. All family members on the Bell side will remember this for its unique(naw, thats not it), memorable(well yeah, I guess), ugly(thats more like it) green color. I am about 6 hours into the process and expect that it might take till I am sent to assisted living myself. I will continue to post process shots till we have a beautiful piece with the natural wood showing.

Detail of the top mirror part with original color

Standing up

Some deep sanding on the legs, about to tackle the main body.

Trying to expose the beautiful wood underneath.

New Progress Shot of Poppy Painting

2011-03-12T10:52:00.000-08:00

Its been a little while since I posted, but here is another 2 progress shots of the painting. Not quite finished yet, but getting closer.

Added in some line art

Went back in to make the line art pop a bit.

next step will be to add some depth around the line art.

Updated Progress Shot of Poppy Painting

2011-01-25T06:47:00.000-08:00

worked for about another 3 hours on the poppy painting and decided to update the progress. I have gone back in and freshened up the background, and am now working on the flowers. Once again, the phone camera is picking up much more red then the orange, but once its done, I will take a picture with the real camera and you will see the difference. Still has a long way to go to bring it to what I am looking for, but I like the mix of painting and line art.

New Painting.. Progress Shots

2011-01-17T11:40:00.000-08:00

I thought I would show some progress shots from a new painting I started this weekend. It is about 3 hours in. It will eventually be an abstract version of a poppy field. Sorry if the red is a bit vibrant.. it really isnt that strong, just came out a bit funny in the picture. The flowers are actually just a paste that I put on with a knife. They will be painted over and more textures/colors added. I will update this as I progress with the painting.

Detail of flower texture

New stick couple image... now I just need names for them..

2011-01-12T11:38:00.000-08:00

Created a new piece of digital art focusing once again on the stick couple. Still possibly thinking of creating a childrens book with the stick couple if anyone is interesting in joining up with this venture.. I need the creative literary presence that I cannot provide... aka someone who knows how to spell and write at a higher level then me(no), i(no), myself(thats it). Also.. did a little renovation of the blog... hope it comes though clean.. although I have a feeling devices such as my Iphone without flash, maybe have some troubles, and it may not look correct.

link to previous stick people art
http://brianscanvas.blogspot.com/2009/12/i-can-draw-stick-people-too.html

Stick Couple takes a rest during their hike and finds leftovers from a picnic... a green bean

Thanks for visiting and making this blog a success...

2011-01-06T08:18:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to take a second and thank you all for visiting my blog over the past 2+ years. It started as a way to express my creativity, and in a way that lets family and friends see what ive been up to. Its grown into a way to keep my focused and motivated.

Not that I have a ton of visitors by any means.., but I have a way to keep tract of where people have visited from and its pretty cool to see the locations that have visited my the blog.

here is to a great 2011 to all of you.

Sao Paulo Brazil.. (no doubt my buddy Ricky)

Anchorage Ak

Redmond Wa

Bellingham Wa

Seattle Wa

Portland Ore

Roseburg Ore

Boise Id

San Francisco CA

Los Angeles CA

Victorville CA

Mountain View CA (Jeremy working at Google, hook me up with some advertising, buddy ;))

Lake Forest CA

Green Valley AZ

Idaho Falls ID

Greeley Co

Denver Co

Littleton CO

C Springs CO

Fort Collins CO

Windsor Co

Vail Co

Fargo ND

Moorhead Mn

Prairie Villiage KS

Cleburne Tx

San Antonio Tx

Houston Tx

Fort Worth Tx

Danville IL

Ocean Springs MS

Greer SC

Mount Airy NC

Greenville NC

Arlington VA

Schenectady NY

It is a Tetraptych?...Quadtych?....Polytych?

2011-01-05T06:59:00.000-08:00

I finished a new 4 piece painting this week... I guess the correct term is Polytych, though my spell check doesn't know that word.. In fact I feel a little like Sister Wives guy even talking about a Polytych... so I am changing it... its a 4 piece painting.

The painting has a bunch of texture(modeling paste and paint)... I like this and I think I will do a few more. Each small canvas is 5"x5", so with a 2" space in between, it would be a final size of 12"x12"

I am placing it up on Etsy for sale if you are interested @ http://www.etsy.com/shop/brianabell1980

"Skinny Stems"
12"x12" final size

Detail

side view

2 New Paintings, and also now on Etsy!

2010-12-14T17:43:00.000-08:00

Exciting news around the studio this evening. I have been working with a printer buddy of mine to make prints of some of my art work. I am beginning with 3 smaller pieces. I have set up an Etsy account..http://www.etsy.com/shop/brianabell1980 and am very excited about the future. I am try to get in a few coffee shops also.

Anyway, without further blabbering... here are the 2 I am beginning with.. and they are all the prints version(just so you can see they do look good framed!)

They are all 3 matted and framed to show @ 16x20. The printed image on each is 9x12 and would not come matted or framed.

I am also offering FREE 2 Day Shipping through next week... finish your Christmas shopping with these great additions to your home.

Christmas Cards

2010-11-16T19:12:00.001-08:00

Working on the Christmas Cards for this year. Kim and I decided to do a block cut/printmaking approach to the cards, finished with a watercolor wash. Still tweaking the finished products, but so far so good.

Framed 1, working 1, 1 on the horizon

2010-10-27T10:02:00.001-07:00

Decided to make a wood frame for the last landscape I made, so I replace one of my old painting with this one. I apologize for the image quality, I took them quickly with my phone camera. I am in the middle of another commission for a friend, then I have a new idea I have begun to work on. I am going to try my hand in a portrait. I have selected a cool old photo that I hope to create an interesting piece from. It will be my first experiance with a portrait since school, so it will either rock my face off, or go down as a big disaster. But you never know till you try it.

Fall Creeping In

2010-09-22T07:56:00.000-07:00

Decided to get back into the larger paintings of landscapes.. I think I have decided that is my strength. This one is an acrylic on canvas. 40x30". I wanted to bring in some fall colors that are beginning to creep into the fields near our house. The mornings and evenings are cool, and days arent as warm as they were even last week. I feel pretty good about this painting. Sometimes Im not quite sure if im finished, and they just feel that something else is needed to finish it off strongly, but thats not the case with this one. I also will be framing this one with a wood boarder. I will take a picture once I do that. The colors on the actual painting are hard to get exact with a photo, but its somewhat close.

"Fall Creeping In"
30x40" acrylic on canvas

"Fall Creeping In" Detail

Cash Register Building, Denver

2010-09-14T09:35:00.000-07:00

While I have been working on a large commission painting I have done a few smaller watercolor studies. Thought of trying a skyline painting. This watercolor is of the Cash Register Building, Mailbox Building, Wells Fargo Building... whatever you want to name it. It just a small study(took like 3 hours) measuring about 8"x8". I placed it in an offset opening mat measuring 16"x20". Hanging on the wall at work.. aka the only outside the home gallery I have.

Cash Register Building, Denver
Watercolor 8"x8" mat to 16x20 with an 8x8 opening

2nd of The New Landscapes

2010-07-30T21:24:00.000-07:00

This was the second of the new landscapes I painted a couple of weeks ago. Its always tougher to paint during the summer because you want to spend as much time outside as possible, so expect more art coming from me during the winter. I am still hitting the studio though so dont expect a drop off, just that more then what I currently am doing will come though during the winter. As always, the paintings are for sale, if you are interested in any of my work, please let me know, dont feel shy, I dont charge an arm and a leg

.... just a leg

Untitled

Acrylic Landscape

framed to 20x16

View of frame

The lovely couple together

New Landscape

2010-07-18T18:17:00.000-07:00

I have 2 new landscapes I painted this past week, I will post one here, then another later this week. They are very similar in color and tone. Hope everyone is having a great summer.

Untitled

Acrylic on Canvas Board

Framed to 16x20

Side View Showing the Frame

Full View

Kenai

2010-07-06T21:06:00.000-07:00

I decided to try my hand in some abstract mixed media paintings with out pups as the subjects. The first one to get their image on my canvas was Kenai our Pitbull. It was a fun project and Kona the Lab mix will be the next in line in the up coming weeks.

Kenai

Mixed Media on 16x20 canvas

A Small Gift For Joshua

2010-06-13T14:23:00.000-07:00

A few months ago Kim's brother Mike and sister in law Christina welcomed a new baby boy to their family. We decided to drive to Fargo to meet the little man this past week. It was a great trip and we had a blast. I decided to paint something for Joshua to bring up with us on the trip. The painting is on a wood block(actually a large then normal wood post card). It was a great experience and I have a few more pieces of wood left to do some more work on. If you want the name of the pace I got them, just let me know, you can put post card stamps right on the wood and mail it if you so wish. I just used it as a canvas for my watercolor. I was afraid the watercolor ink would just soak in too much and run, but it did not(to my relief). Anyway, I am working on a commission piece right now and I am excited to add it to the blog soon.

"Joshua"

Watercolor on wood card

6"x 6" framed to 18"x18"

Detail of "Joshua" click to enlarge

Kona got entirely too bored with me that evening..

but doesn't she just make you wanna go take a nap?!?

So I guess I wasn't quite done

2010-04-22T20:27:00.000-07:00

After I posted the last entry on the blog I realized that I didn't feel the painting was complete. I worked a bit on it the past couple nights and I am finally, officially done. I like the idea of line art on top of the painting and I think I will dive into this idea further in the future. A couple new pictures with it hanging up...

Sorry it had to be from the side. Due to the varnish I put on it, the glare is strong.

Hanging in our family room

All Moved In and back to Painting a Little

2010-04-20T20:55:00.000-07:00

We are all moved into our new home in Windsor(the reason for the long break in new paintings). We are loving it and my commute it much shorter. I started this newer painting(which is very large) back late last year and never really knew where it was going. After layer and layer I have found a finishing point I am happy with. This painting is mixed media(really just acrylic on canvas and watercolor paper). Finished size is 4feet by 3 feet. It resembles a storm off in the distance. for some reason I have always been attracted by weather and I think its beginning to take root in my paintings too.

Golden Field with Storm
acrylic on canvas and water color
4'x3'

Detail on the storm section(click to enlarge)

I can draw stick people too

2009-12-29T14:29:00.000-08:00

Ok, so this one is going a little off the normal path of my blog,... it could even probably be posted on my graphic design blog(self promotion there). But Kim reminded me of this digital art work I did about a year ago. I am think of possibly doing a whole series of digital works concentrating around this family of stick figures... who knows... maybe eventually a book will come from it. Anyway, this first work was created using Photoshop CS2 and Illustrator CS2. I find it amusing and kind of childish(in a good way).. I hope you do it.. and if you have other stick figure situational ideas, please send them my way... Also, I need names for my figures.. so help me out.

Sitck Family gets Stuck in a Rain Storm... aparently they are not waterproof ink!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-26T22:02:00.000-08:00

A while ago I decided to paint Kim something for Christmas... a painting of something I dont usually paint. I decided to paint Kim some flowers. It was a fun experience and I think I will do it again in a much larger format, and maybe add some more textures. Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and here is to a very prosperous and healthy 2010.

"Flowers"
16" x 20"

Acrylic

Kenai relaxing in front of the painting(we hung it at the top of the stairs)

Large 2 panel painting

2009-11-30T13:38:00.000-08:00

Hope this new post finds you all doing well, and having a great Holiday season. This new addition was actually begun 2 years ago. It was just recently that I decided it wasn't ever finished(some people say a painting is never really done, and most artists agree, there is always something in the back of your mind you would do to it). Anyway, This is a Landscape,....ummm I will name it Kansas Landscape. Kansas Landscape is a 2 panel piece that is roughly 36" wide by 30" tall each.. or about 72" by 30X when placed together. Please excuse the distorted photoshop job.. my camera was having a very tough time getting this one porportionally correct. Hopefully next year Santa will bring me a new Digital SLR(Hint Hint Santa Kim). We placed this pair in the bedroom above the bed once I finished. The Bed is a king size(to help you imagine the actual size).

Up next is a painting I did for a friend of mine. She has comissioned me for a painting to give her parents. I will wait till after Christmas to post an image of it though just in case they are reading this. I hope to be getting in the stuido more now that it is becoming cold outside.

"Kansas Landscape"
2 panel Acrylic
72" x 30" together

"Kansas Landscape" in bedroom

2009-08-28T11:44:00.000-07:00

Tree Illustration

I thought I would throw a quick illustrated painting I did of a tree up on here. I love to spend time on larger paintings, but sometimes getting into the studio for long periods of time just isnt in the books for me. Quick little jobs can give the same feeling of accomplishment though. This is a quick illustration of a tree in a desolate field. This one came from more of my graphical/illustration side that took probably 2-3 hours to create. Hope everyone is enjoying the last fleeting days of summer... Football is on the doorstep. :)

Tree Illustration
Mixed Media
10"x14"

Red Rocks and Treeline

2009-08-12T10:00:00.000-07:00

I decided on this one to make a couple miniature paintings. I had a mat with 2 openings that I wanted to fill which has been sitting here for a few months. I wont lie, these were from a larger painting that I decided would look better made into 2 smaller pieces. I started with a blue base of paint(the sky blue that you can bee mixed in with the clouds) followed by a couple layers of different textures(paste and paper), then came back in with the top layers of paint.

Red Rocks and Treeline
Mixed media on canvas
mat size of 16"x20"

Detail (click to see larger image)
Detail (click to see larger image)

Red Trees

2009-06-25T07:46:00.000-07:00

After a few month absence from the basement studio, I decided to jump back in with renewed energy. I had a painting sitting around for the past half a year just waiting for me to do something with it. The colors were a bit off and different, but I cant just let a big canvas go to waste. This is named "Red Trees" for lack of a better name and im tired this morning, so creativity this early is not present. Its painted on an 4'x2' canvas with acrylic paint. Im sorry for the glare. I tried taking many pictures but without investing in a better camera/ lights..etc this is what I have to show for it. Also, I should have taken a picture before I varnished the painting(note to self) so it wasn't so shiny. I hope to keep this updated more often and have paintings every week or 2 to add to this blog. Thanks for stopping by.

"Red Trees"
48"x24"

Time to get back in the studio

2009-06-15T09:27:00.001-07:00

For the Past 2 months or so we have been in the midst of showing the house, trying to sell the house and (in my part) trying not to clutter the house. So I have been staying away from my basement studio. The inner art loving self has been eating at my business minded home selling self and I think it has gotten the best of him. While we are still selling the home, and still actively showing the house to potential buyers(if there are any left).. I have gotten back into the studio. I was down there 5 or 6 hours this past weekend working on a painting that I had begun probably 6 months ago. Sometimes its good to stand back for a while and take a different look at things.. be it your art of life in general. This painting I am working on is one I had kept pushing off to the side because of texture issues I had with it. After facing this dilemma and letting it ponder and ferment in my head for 6 months I decided just to tackle it with a fresh mind... and no better time then to do it after a couple month break from the studio.

anyway, I said all this jabber just to let you know that I am almost finished with another painting or two and should have something to post here in another week or so(hopefully I can shot images of it this weekend). Dont run away too far, come back soon.

One main reason no new paintings..

2009-04-30T14:36:00.000-07:00

We have decided to put up our home on the market and see if we get any takers. We have decided no better time then now to upgrade our living quarters and size of the home somewhat then when the market is down(now we just have to sell the house, which will be the hard part).. We are looking to move a bit close to my job, possibly in Windsor. The home prices there are a bit more then Fort Collins so it might be interesting to see whats available when/if we do sell our homes, but we feel the juice is worth the squeeze. In turn, I have cleaned up a ton of my art supplies for the short time being in my lil studio... Trying to keep it in showroom condition at all times might be tricky, but we are giving it a try.. And any of you who paint know its pretty much impossible to keep your working area clean like that, and still feel like you have the room and freedom to express yourself through your work. Hopefully we get showings galore and this will be a quick process... and then hopefully we will find a place we love in the 2 months or so the home is in escrow.. Anywho, if all else fails, which one of you has room for Kim and I, and our Labmix and Pitbull?... any takers?

have not given up

2009-04-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to let you know that I should have some new paintings to post in the next week.. I have a couple partially done, and more on the way. Just needed some relaxation time after the bathroom remodel.

but more to come.

The Bathroom is done

2009-03-15T18:28:00.000-07:00

Finally finished the bathroom. Took a total of 8 days to finish, with no days off work.. so thats not too shabby. We really are enjoying the double sinks and new mirrors. We love the look and are excited to start using it more... and im excited to get working on other projects I had put on hold. I hope to get back to painting this week.

This close to being done... (im holding up my fingers really close together)

2009-03-12T20:40:00.000-07:00

Almost done, just one more evening of plumbing work, clean up, baseboards, and mirrors.. and maybe lights...

So these are not finished photos... not yet at least.

My lovely threshold I put in

Tile Done.. well almost

2009-03-08T17:40:00.000-07:00

Sunday early afternoon we finished up the laying of tile. We need to wait till tomorrow after work to grout the tile.. then we move on to replacing the vanity and the new countertops and sinks..etc.. Which we hope to finish on wed. Below are some pictures of the process... I will now go relax my back a bit... though I will admit, Kim worked her butt off. She is a master tile layer now, and I consider myself a master tile cutter. Now I just need to learn how to use the wet saw without getting half the discarded chunks oll over me and lodged in my hair.The backer board for under the tile.. on top of the sub floor.

Kim working her tail off

The dogs doing what they do best while we tile...

The floor done for today.. grout tomorrow

Bathroom Renovation

2009-03-07T05:58:00.000-08:00

It might be a week or two before I get any new paintings up on the blog because we are renovating our upstairs bathroom. I will post pictures as we go. Started last night after work with taking out the toilet, vanity, and linoleum flooring. The below shots are of the before... Well, kinda before, I forgot to take pictures before I took out the toilet. Anyway, we will be putting in new tile, new counter top along with 2 sinks and all that(upgrading from 1)... I will blog as we go. Wish me luck on my first tiling experience.

New Abstract

2009-03-03T12:05:00.000-08:00

I decided to try another abstract. Seems like recently I have been switching back and forth in terms of subjects. I guess if I continue to progress in my ability and quality of work, then I wont worry too much about my lack of focus. I tried this one on a pre-framed picture I found on clearance at Bed Bath and Beyond. I loved the frame enough to buy it and gesso over the art work already framed inside. The painting is on a board(possibly plastic, though I cant tell for sure), and measures right around 30x30 I think. Anyway, it was on clearance from $70 down to $30 so I couldn't pass up on the frame, I will try to get a good image of it this weekend to post... this Image is of the painting right when I was about to varnish it. It is taped off with black tape around the edges(you can see some fo the glare from the tape on the upper left).. Anyway, hopefully this weekend I can get an image of it in the frame to post. The right side and middle block are painted with metallic paint and brushed texture, in person it is more shiny.

"Abstract 1" (because I couldnt think of anything neat to name it)
30" by 30"
Mixed media including different types of paper and acrylic on board

A little storm before the weekend

2009-02-27T08:14:00.000-08:00

I am about to begin working on some more abstract pieces in the close future. To get ready for this, I wanted to try some outside mixed media along with some landscape themes.. This one is one of those.. Along with modeling paste type stuff, there is cardboard(you can see because of the glare) and also twine on this piece. I thought I would give it a try and it kind of acts like an abstract fence for the field. By no means is this a great work or ground breaking.. I just wanted to keep you in the frame of mind I am in, and let you know a bit of my process.

P.S.... Sorry about the glare on the added material.. kinda hard to get a good image.

"Low Clouds"
10"x20"
Mixed Media on canvas

Wood Blocks 1

2009-02-24T09:11:00.000-08:00

I wanted to try something new... something different then I have ever done. I ended up using texture, washes, and rubbed on paint on wood blocks. I like the idea, It might just need a little refinement. I intend to do some more of this, so be on the look out for more of this coming your way. Wood is a great surface to paint right on.. no gesso, very easy. The only thing bad about this, is the image does not do the sheen and the textures justice. In person is is more vibrant and glossy looking. This is 4 4.5" wood blocks placed in a floating frame which is about 11" square.

"Wood Blocks 1"
Mixed Media on wood
11" by 11"

2009-02-16T09:17:00.000-08:00

Renew The Rockies

Last year Kim and I were lucky enough to attend a fundraiser party for a great local charity, Trees, Water & People.

http://www.treeswaterpeople.org

We really enjoyed the music, Casino night, Free Beer, and the silent auction. You cant go wrong when you are helping out a great organization and you get free beer at the same time! This year's large fundraiser party theme is "Renew The Rockies" it is being held at the Lincoln Center on March 7th.

I have decided to help out this cause further by donating a painting to be auctioned off during the silent auction. I don't really know what to expect, but I hope I can help them out a little. If you are interested in a great party, a very fun evening, helping out a great cause, and possibly bidding on my painting/collage "Please toss me the ball, I love my ball" come to the Lincoln Center on the 7th... we will be there.

"Please Toss me The Ball, I Love My Ball"
11" x 11" framed with a floating frame
Mixed Media on canvas

2009-02-14T09:02:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Day!

Not only is today Valentines day, but it is the 1st birthday for our newest member of our family, Kenai. It seems like only yesterday we adopted her from the Animal House Rescue. Its been a busy 7 months with heart surgery for her and tons of playful energy. We also like to feel that Kenai has changed some prejudices about Pit Bulls some of our friends and family have had. shes a great girl and im sure you will see her in a painting very soon.

2009-02-13T15:45:00.000-08:00

This is a painting back in the vault I did a couple months ago. I finally got a decent image of it the other day when the sun was right. I'm having a problem narrowing down my focus of what I like to paint. I love abstract and also landscapes.. And on the other end, I am always attracted to portraits that have an abstract feel to them too, much like Todd White(linked on the side over there ---->

I hear that I shouldn't narrow it down, but every artist I enjoy viewing their works has narrowed their stuff down to something they really focus on in an attempt to better their craft..

Anyway, bare with me while I begin to narrow down my focus a bit more.. I'm still deciding which subjects frustrate me the least when I mess up on them ;)"Red Sea"

24" x 30"
Acrylic on Canvas

Detail.. Click on image to view larger

2009-02-10T07:12:00.000-08:00

This past Friday, Kim and I joined our friends Matt and Jami for First Fridays gallery walk in Fort Collins. If you haven't ever done a gallery walk or visited any of the gallerys on first Fridays I suggest you give it a try. The selection might not always be what you are expecting, but its usually very interesting. Most cities have something similar. In Fort Collins, they open the gallerys till 9 every first Friday of the month. Some of them have snacks and wine also. Its a great way to take in the local culture and its free. I hope to make it down to Denver for their first fridays some time and visit some of the great artists along the Santa Fe Arts district.

For this one I went back to the usual Acrylic on canvas. Its hard to beat acrylics for ease of use and good color. Many people love oils, and I would like to use them again, I haven't since college. This painting is larger then the past few at 20" by 48".

"Rain Shower"
20" x 48"
Acrylic on canvas

Detail

2009-02-06T10:21:00.000-08:00

I debated posting this image for the past few days. It isnt my best work, but it isn't supposed to be either. I am entering this in a competition for painting a mural at Medical Center of the Rockies. The painting(should it be chosen will be painted by me on a 9x13 wall in part of the Emergency Department's behavioral area). The competition will be tough, so im not expecting to win, but you cant win if you don't enter... right?... at least that's what I always hear.
I had a tough time trying to keep it simple, and not get too much gradient in it(the shading areas) because that will be very tough on the side of a wall to make it look good. anyway, big ares of the same shade are much easier for murals(i have a tiny bit of experiance. we painted one on the gym wall of my High School 10 years ago.) It will be a month till I hear if I was chosen, so don't hold your breath or you might pass out. Anyway, its simple for a reason, and they wanted something like " A soothing, natural scene, such as a mountain, beach, landscape, or other setting that is calming to the eye and soul". I hope your soul is calmed by this.

"Front Range Color and Calm"
10" by 7ish"
Watercolor on Canvasboard

2009-02-04T11:54:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it... almost 70 degrees in colorado?.. anyway, back to the real reason for this post. A very talented artist located in Denver named David Castle sent me information on preserving watercolor works. He works on watercolor paper and then preserves it, and places it on gallery wrapped canvas... making it a whole piece, rather then framing it. I share the same belief that it brings the viewer closer to the work...

anywho... linked is his process on how he does it in case you ever wanted to try it, or was wondering.. David, thanks for the note and I appriciate the help.. you can view his blog by clicking on his link to the left, or clicking on the links below. http://davidcastleart.wordpress.com/2007/03/06/how-i-seal-my-watercolors-on-paper/ . or http://davidcastleart.wordpress.com/2007/07/06/mounting-and-sealing-my-watercolors-on-canvas-varnish-update/

2009-02-02T10:45:00.000-08:00

The dry and brown winter Northern Colorado landscape gave way to a inner need for some color. Again, I used watercolor on canvas board. I am really enjoying this, and may actually try a large canvas in the near future with watercolor. I had been using small canvas boards because I wasn't sure of the outcome and vibrancy of the color. I think a larger size of 20/30 or so is in the near future though.

I am also thinking of varnishing these works to preserve them, also it will cause the colors to become more rich. Ive never varnished a watercolor painting though, so if you have any knowledge on this, please let me know. I sprayed fixative on them, and the next step is the varnish(I think?!?)... i just hope the colors dont run... Any experiance with this, email me.

"Balloon Trees"
12" by 9"
Watercolor on canvas board
Click on image for a closer look

2009-01-29T08:20:00.000-08:00

After working with canvas and watercolor on the last project I felt it would be interesting to do another work with it. The Sand Dunes down by Alamosa is the focus of this study. I thought the isolated feeling of the Sand Dunes would make a good muted color painting series. The fun thing about this medium on the canvas is it gives almost a printmaking feeling which I love.. almost a ink straight on fabric feeling too. The low clouds added some drama to what would otherwise be a boring image.

"Low Clouds over Sand Dunes 1"
6" by 8"
Watercolor on canvas board
Click on image for a closer look

"Low Clouds over Sand Dunes 2"
6" by 8"
Watercolor on canvas board
Click on image for a closer look

First Day, First Post, First Painting

2009-01-26T10:29:00.000-08:00

I started this blog basically to have a place to post some of my work. Not that I need reassurance necessarly, but I am just at the infancy stage of getting my name out there a bit more. I love the idea of blogs having viewers that are vocal and can give feedback and criticize when my work needs to be knocked.

I have a list of a few things I would like to do in the next year, including...
1. Create enough good work to be able to approach a gallery about joining a group exhibit or solo exhibit in 2010.
2. Enjoy what I do, all while remaining to work 40hrs a week as a graphic designer, and some weekends as a freelance designer.

3. stretch my work to areas I haven't reached before. I want to learn new techniques and keep my style growing."3 Trees"

7.5" x 7.5"
watercolor on canvas board

"3 Trees" detail
Click on image to see larger image

I thought I would start out posting a painting I recently worked on. On this work, I used Daniel Smith watercolors. I know most water color painters don't use canvas, or if they do, they use water color canvas. Well, I went against the norm and tried this on a regular old canvas board. I thought I would give it a try, and I ended up really liking it. You have to give it a bit extra time to dry sense the canvas soaks up the water a bit, but if you let it soak up the water, it holds color quite well. I think if the work was very vibrant then the colors might have to be painted on very thick, but I will cross that bridge when I get to it. Painting watercolor on canvas, you can also see the texture a bit more then some would like. The last thing I really loved is that you can re-wet spots very easily and lift color still.