Painting North of the Arctic Circle

I am honored that the Kemijärvi Artist Residence in Kemijärvi, Finland has invited me to spend the month of July 2010 in residence painting and exhibiting my work. I am looking forward to a new perspective painting North of the Arctic Circle. I am not sure of the effects that the land of the midnight sun will have on my work, but I can’t wait to find out. I am excited to document my experiences while I am in residence and will share them with you here… stay tuned!

Lake Kemijärvi. Photo courtesy of wikipedia.

Pinhole Perspectives

Two weeks ago I wrote a post about my idea to build a pinhole camera, in the effort to find a new hazy, dreamlike perspective. I was hoping to apply those results to my paintings. After three hours of camera construction I had built my first pinhole, and was ready to shoot some photos.

It took a bit of time and adjustment to get used to the idea that I would not have instant results with these photos. I wasn’t sure if any would turn out, but in a way, that anticipation was refreshing. Below are some of the best shots from my first roll of film. I would like to take some of the elements and distorted light from these photos, and apply that in my next painting. Although I don’t work from photos, I feel this was a nice project to see light and sky a bit differently. As an artist, the pinhole perspective inspires me. My current direction is dreamlike and soft. I would like my next painting to appear as if the viewer is seeing beautiful dreams through the lens of a pinhole. I will keep you posted on my next painting influenced by my pinhole experiment.

P.S. Interesting fact: Pinhole photography is the oldest form of photography dating back to as early as 500 B.C.

School Report on Golden Chalice

I received a nice email yesterday from a junior high school student that wanted to do an art report on my work, in particular, my painting Golden Chalice. I have never had such a request and I felt very honored.

She had asked me for some background information on my painting and inspiration behind Golden Chalice. I thought I would share my response with you here, perhaps to shed a little more insight into my work.

Golden Chalice, 2009. Oil and oilbar on canvas, 56 x 78.

Here’s my response:

I am a native of Colorado, and Golden Chalice is inspired by the Colorado skies I have come to know so well. I create my paintings from things I have imagined, memories, places I want to go, and beautiful skies that I would like to see. Golden Chalice is a sky that I imagined. I want to create the sense of peace, serenity and beauty in this painting. My goal as an artist is to transport the viewer of the painting away from worries to a more peaceful place. I feel we could all use more moments of tranquility. That is what I strive to do with my work.

I like to make large paintings because I feel the large paintings best communicate the vast and infinite sky. I like my paintings to engulf the viewer, so that when looking at my paintings, all that is in the immediate range of sight is sky. I love vibrant, bright colors, which is why I chose such strong colors in Golden Chalice. I imagine Golden Chalice to be a late evening summer sky, just as the sun is setting. It is right after a storm, and the dark clouds are moving away from the setting sun, allowing for a beautiful display of color and light. I love the idea that after a storm there can be such a stunning sky. I find it very hopeful.

Golden Chalice took me a month to create, working every day. I don't always have a very clear idea of the way the painting will turn out until I start working. As I am painting I decide how it will evolve. I don't do any planning or sketching beforehand. I just let my mind wander.

The Pinhole Project

Months ago I had the idea to construct a pinhole camera to photograph my paintings and whatever else struck my eye. A pinhole camera is the simplest of cameras with no lens and a small aperture. I wanted to see how the pinhole would distort my paintings primarily for the sake of a new perspective on my work, and to continue with the dreamlike, surreal quality I have been striving to achieve in my paintings. I am interested in the otherworldly aspect often evoked with a pinhole camera. I am seeking the same aspect in my work.

Months have passed and I have still yet to begin this project. I bought a pinhole camera kit that currently still remains in the box. I decided I would be held most accountable to complete this idea by posting the stages here on my blog. I will begin construction on the camera this weekend and post the progress here very soon. Please stay tuned!

First Friday Open Studio Is Tonight!

Just a reminder that I am having open studio tonight as a part of Denver's Art District on Santa Fe First Friday from 6 to 9 PM. Please stop by if you are in the area!

My studio is located at:

Space Gallery

765 Santa Fe Dr

Denver, CO 80204

Have a great weekend!

Golden Crucible, 2009. Oil and oilbar on canvas. 52 x 44.

One Small Challenge

This week I went from working on a 56” x 78” painting to three 4” x 6” paintings. Such a vast difference in scale! I was recently invited to participate in a show that required the size of all paintings to be 4” x 6.” Not one to turn down a challenge, I welcomed the chance to create something outside of my normal painting practices. In the end it was a good exercise in scale, and it allowed me to work on some new ideas for larger pieces. Needless to say, I enjoyed this small challenge.

Here’s the info for the upcoming the show:

Micro Whitney Counterweight 100 Artists in Mail Art Show

H215 Gallery, 55 Bethune St, New York, NY 1001

Opening March 12, 7-11 PM

All paintings are oil on watercolor paper, 4 x 6.