The Convalescent.

Today I am working on "The Convalescent", a piece I have recently begun. As with every piece, it seems to be painting itself far away from my original plan. As usual, I have the option to focus, or "go with the flow", even if it veers away completely from the plan I made originally. Pictured below you will find the original blue print. It includes doberman pinschers, a strange veiled figure, a simple four-post bed, and a room that is cold, like a hospital.
Part of my problem in making art is my unwillingness to focus. I get excited by a "lead", and move forward, completely abandoning the map. Maybe it has something to do with being Californian. Regardless, I am at a place where I continuously work on the bed and the walls, avoiding the true subject.

Will the piece be dreary, or fabulous? I am inclined to be dreary, but I want to be fabulous. As I noted earlier, a tarot reading told me I'm dishonest with my work. It is true I continue to mourn about Renata, which this piece is about. But Renata, pictured below, obviously wasn't dreary, or in any way the convalescent that she is now.

If this is a portrait of a person's spirit, it certainly shouldn't be sad. But I do want to own that her life is a tragedy.

Miniatures

The miniatures of Will and I gift-wrapped for delivery!

The Show

Feeling a level of gratification, gratefulness, and a "tip-top tenuousness" of exhaustion. Yes, I feel like collapsing.

But the show was a success! I cannot harp on the turn out, which was plentiful and fun. I sold 6 pieces, including the miniature portraits of me and Will, a salacious tribute painting to a seedy gay man, an abstract, and I don't even remember what else.

It was wild! By the end of the night my face hurt from smiling so much. As you can see from the picture below, I was talking a lot.


There was a little drama, thankfully, involving homeless people pretending to be interested in art as they shuffled pointlessly from one piece to the next and demanded champagne. Unfortunately, nothing else exciting took place, which is a shame since that's what stories are made of.

But of course it is my art and we hate party poopers. Luckily, nobody's party was pooped and each dainty child wine glass with it's perfect pink bow was filled gratuitously with wine!

Please note the giddy zeal of my expression as I'm given hydrangeas, the flower of the evening. Not only do I wildly appreciate hydrangeas, but nothing is more fabulous to me than receiving gifts in public. It creates a mystique, or a sense that indeed you are worthy of goodness, which I've worked my ass off to achieve.


And now I have to process everything. I am worthy of goodness. And it was quite good.

But now I must rest.

My Show

Please come to my art show!
It is located at 1345 Grant Avenue in North Beach.

Opening reception is on January 27th, starting at 8pm and running til 11pm.

Otherwise, the show runs January 26th through the 28th, 9am-9pm.

Be there or be square!!!

Train Tracks

Well, the commission no longer looks a painting of someone from Lord of the Rings with his date, The Muppet. But a rendering of an attractive human couple.

And somehow I managed to work with such a terribly lifeless and flat photo-reference and execute a modelled and beautiful painting.

I can breathe again.

As for the opening, it was random. I arrived and a table in the center of the room was populated by a group of seated artists, all silent, which I found a bit alarming. But at least I didn't see a Heineken and the people were nice. I do believe I saw glitter, and I think a child was present. But my friends came and supported me and I was given flowers. I certainly enjoy receiving gifts, and being seen with an entourage. It makes me feel like Jennifer Lopez.

Opening.

I'm included in a group show at Five Points Art House, until the 27th. It is located at 72 Tehama st, cross street is 2nd. Watch out for the crackheads.

The Haircut

I've resumed work on "The Haircut", a two year old piece I've already exhibited and thankfully didn't sell. It is a watercolor and the first I've done since graduation. I prefer this medium because it's less fatiguing, more mentally-demanding, and somehow more satisfying.

The piece is largely unfinished, unrealized, and plain. When I started it in 2007, I was lazy, and the piece reflects the laziness. It is unpleasantly crude, unpolished, and crying for mercy! I have added sconces, moulding, and decorative details to previously lifeless walls. The doorway, which opens to a puzzling black abyss, remains vacant, for I don't know what to do. It is on it's way however and will be a great piece!