99 Pieces of Art on the Wall

I entered a painting in the "99 Pieces of Art on the Wall" charity auction for the VSA, the Colorado society for disabled artists.
I was delighted that my new abstract piece sold, and raised money for the charity:


Here I am with Mickey McVey, who invited me to participate in the show:


Here I am with Trish, the proud new owner of the painting:

Trish was excited to acquire the painting, I was happy that the piece sold, and we raised money for the charity. Everybody wins!!!

NEW "Wall-O-Matic" rig!!!

I had an idea for my new "Wall-o-Matic" (originally named "Wall-o-rama") rig that would allow me to work as large as I want to. The simple materials (inexpensive 'butcher paper' on a continuous roll...) would facilitate working freely without hesitations or intimidation, and just keep the sketches flowing. So I went out to get the materials. FOUR HOURS... later, I came home with the materials. I had no idea that plain old 'butcher paper' was so difficult to find!
But I LOVE it!!! Here is a snapshot of the setup:

New experimental painting!

I am working on a new experimental painting, inspired by the photographs taken by the Hubble space telescope. It's very exciting, and unlike anything I've done in the past. I am donating the painting to the "99 Pieces of Art on the Wall" charity event at the VSA - Colorado's disabled artists association.
They gave each artist a 10" x 10" panel and told us to do whatever we wanted. So I decided it was a perfect time to try some experiments with glazing that I had been thinking about, and the images from the Hubble Space Telescope were the perfect inspiration. I like to think of it as an image of raw, creative energy. The piece was totally experimental, spontaneous, responding to what was happening on the surface.

Nebula 2010_001
Acrylic on panel, 10x10"

New painting finished!!!

05/2010:
Here are pix of the final painting. I loved working on this type of panel.

03/05/10:
I just finished a humorous portrait, commissioned by Carla Wright, owner of Carla Wright Gallery in Denver. The painting is of her husband... I hope he likes it!!!
Unfortunately, I misplaced the USB cable for my camera, so I will have to wait to post a picture.

Arvada Fine Arts Guild 51st Annual Membership Show

Public Reception & Awards Ceremony:
Sat. March 6th, 3-5 pm
Exhibition dates:
Fri. March 5 - Sun. March 26
Artful Things Gallery
3918 Tennyson Street, Denver CO
Map to the gallery
Gallery hours: 11am - 5pm Wed - Sat.
First Fridays 6-9pm

This is my first show as a new member of the Guild. I have two paintings in the exhibit:
Tiger Eyes 01

Acrylic, 9x12"

Red Rocks Afternoon

Acrylic, 11x14"
Stop by the gallery for the reception on Saturday. I'd love to see you there!

Tiger Eyes FINISHED!

Tiger Eyes 01 (working title)

Acrylic on canvas, 9x12"
I scanned the image before applying the final varnish coat (to reduce the reflection.) Now the varnish coat is on, and it's off to the frame shop!

FYI, I am having a contest to come up with a final title for this piece! Visit my facebook page and submit your suggestion!!!
mikeyzart title contest on Facebook

Updates on works in progress

Tiger Eyes 01:

[Almost done!!!]
Acrylic, 9x12"

Lady In White:

Graphite, 18x24"

Virgil:

Charcoal, 14x17"

Studio pix

Is it just me, or is having a floating skull in your studio the coolest thing ever!!!!???!!!


I recently discovered the coolest thing in the world, (next to having an ominous floating skull in your studio):

Empty paint tubes. You mix your paint, fill 'em up and crimp 'em.
Then, anytime you need that shade, it's ready to go!!!

Skulls

Work in progress:

I'm temporarily calling this one Virgil
Charcoal, 14x17"

MORE TIGERS!

Work in progress:

Tiger Eyes 01
Acrylic, 9x12"

The more closely I look at nature, the more I am in awe at the intelligence of its design. It's all there: drama, tension, composition. Everything about the structure, pattern and coloration is designed to direct the viewer's attention to the tiger's eyes.

Here is a step-by-step of the painting so far: