Category Archives for Art

If You Wanna Draw Maps

Being an artist of any kind is an obsessive kind of lifestyle. To many, it may seem like we’re wasting time, but we’re not. Artists (of every stripe) are consciously, or subconsciously, making something or thinking about making something. It’s a 24/7 type of life. There’s no on or off. Just tuned up or tuned down. Ask any artist, they’ll tell you. It’s an natural born fact.

In that vein, here are some of my recent daily doodles. I’ve been making a lot of these. Small pieces of the larger concept.

It’s a long way to the top, if you wanna draw maps.

New Year, Big News

Hello, and Happy New Year. I know, it’s been a while since I posted. I thought I’d catch up a little while on break but I’ve been quite busy with life in general. I did manage a little time in the studio this week. Not enough, but better than none.

The main reason for this post is the big news. I have been chosen as the local artist in residence for June 2023 at Stove Works, the internationally recognized artist residency in Chattanooga. I am excited about this opportunity and look forward to it with great anticipation.

https://www.stoveworks.org/home

Full Schedule

Hey there. Yes, I know it’s been a while since I made a post. That’s because my work schedule is jam packed. Finding a free moment to post has been difficult. This semester I am teaching five classes at two universities and it’s kicking my ass.

I’m presently teaching three different classes at Kennesaw State University (KSU); Drawing I, Drawing II, and 2D Design/Color. I’m also teaching two sessions of Observational Drawing at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). That’s quite a load. 80 students total.

As it is with writing and posting, finding a free moment to work on my art has been difficult. Hopefully I will be able to get back to my current studio work. Hoping to post more often too.

In the meantime, here are a few pictures from my Observational Drawing classes at UTC.

Ten Years Ago Today

Wow. Today is my ten year anniversary. That’s right, I started this portfolio blog ten years ago today. I’ve made 1,235 posts in those ten years too. Kind of hard to believe.

Not much to add at the moment. I just wanted to acknowledge the big anniversary.

I’m buried under class preparation. This semester I am teaching three classes at Kennesaw State University, and two classes at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Yep, I’m gonna be busy as hell this semester. All good though, I love the teaching part of teaching.

Here’s to ten years!

Would’ve never remembered the anniversary if I didn’t leave a note for myself.

Continued Progress

I made it to the art studio the day after returning from Chicago. I’m trying to ride the wave of creative energy as much as I can. Therefore, I was in the studio every day last week.

I’m also motivated to make more progress on this series because summer break is coming to a close. Soon I will have to switch gears and put on my professor cap. Lots of prep work coming over the next few weeks. This month I start a very busy Fall Semester. I will be teaching three class at Kennesaw State University and two classes at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga!

Here are some work-in-progress images of this series. Still have lots of layers to add. More work left, but I do like how these are coming along.

Rolling Along

Spent another Saturday afternoon in the studio. It feels great to get some regular studio time again.

I am rolling along on my new series of boombox paintings. Got a lot done today. Feeling good about that. Here’s a few pictures of all that happened today.

Even More Twisted

The moral contortions so many Americans make are getting more severe. It’s far beyond typical cognitive dissonance. This affliction is worst within the Evangelical community. Back in 2018, I made a series of paintings called Mastering the Art of Contradiction about this part of our contemporary culture. Four years later, it’s even more twisted.

Here is Moral Contortionists, from that series. Every day, and in so many ways, I am reminded of this painting.

Boombox Series 1

Yesterday I completed my first series of boombox paintings. All ten paintings are mixed media (acrylic paint, color pencil, graphite, and paper) on canvas mounted on panel.

Watch this space. I’m starting series two straight away.