Painting light and class

My work is inspired by an intimate contemplation of multigenerational poverty. Rooted in the Western still life genre, the imagery is based on personal family artifacts and domestic scenes, while often including the representation of inexpensive, nonnutritive food – illustrating the allure of false bounty. The varying lighting scenarios offer moments of beauty and illumination, but

Visual Culture project

I did it. I submitted the proposal for my visual culture project for my first semester at Vermont College of Fine Arts. I am thrilled to finally begin this journey. I have wanted to work toward an MFA in Visual Art for so long, I can’t remember a time when the idea wasn’t bouncing around

Painting distance

As I start the third painting in my quest to paint orange I can report that my painting practice is starting to feel different. I don’t love orange. I have written about this mild contempt before. I hold this color at a distance, thus, I can look on my practice differently. I can distance myself

Golden

Feeling like it was time, as my new studio space is all set up, I moved on from crimson and red paintings to orange. The first rendezvous with orange was a steaming hot disaster. I am too embarrassed to show you…trust me it was BAD. So, I decided to step back and paint something I

It’s OK

Sometimes try as we might, a painting isn’t what we hoped.  I had a feeling that this painting wouldn’t be my favorite.  I didn’t feel well yesterday and today even after going for a lovely walk in the forrest I couldn’t shake the blues. I tried a couple of compositions but I didn’t love them.

Nutcracker

This time of year can be stressful and fun.  We decorated the house for the holidays.  One of our favorite decorations is our collection of nutcrackers.  We love the ballet and there was even a new Disney movie released this season called, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.  We talked throughout the film comparing the

Change of scenery

Sometimes a change in scenery can lead to a creative burst or a new way of looking at things.  This weekend brought a change of scenery for me.  I got to spend some time doing all the things I love.  I went for a little hike with my love, decorated for the holidays, cuddled up

Camera obscura

I just watched a Netflix documentary about one of my all time favorite Dutch painters, Vermeer.  I have half listened to the ‘controversy’ about him using a camera obscura.  I never really bought into the controversy because I LOVE photo realism.  I like hyper-realism too.  I think that sort of duplication is a gift to

Strategy vs. chance

Are you one of those people who plan everything?  Or are you more of a risk taker?  Let the chips fall where they may?  Do you ever ponder how your life would be different if it weren’t for a few random auspicious/inauspicious incidents?  Is serendipity how you roll? I have been thinking about those things