In Progress : Freeing My Mind And Hands

There’s a lot of pressure when you do realistic paintings. Your style, the content and choices to use a reference or not, it’s all overwhelming sometimes. So when I did a few paintings recently where there was no objective – you’re in the moment – I felt so free. Here are some of the latest abstract pieces I’ve begun. They’re certainly not done – let’s see where my brain takes them next.

In Progress : Hold On – 8 Hands So Far

It’s coming! A few more important details and I’m going to call this painting done.

In Progress : Pen To Paper : “Choices”

I started this drawing in the winter (2015) and I keep going back to it and adding to it. I’m interested to see all the choices that come out in the open. It’s interesting the things you draw when you don’t draw with a plan. What does it mean?!

In Progress : Underground – 2 1/2′ x 2 1/2′ Painting

This is the first time I’ve got out a sketch book and tried to come up with a painting idea before I start painting. I did, however, paint this background first and came up with an idea after staring at it a while. We’ll see if I actually paint what I sketched. I just like the idea of coming up with an idea and trying to execute that instead of my usual fly by the seat of my pants. Keep an eye on my Instagram to see more frequent updates.

In Progress : ‘Occupy’ Acrylic Painting

It’s funny how you can think you’re finished with a painting and then realize it was only the beginning. I had posted this painting (flower explosion) months ago and put it to the side, not on a wall or anything, but almost subconsciously left it out to have it in sight. I never really liked it and maybe I thought I would paint over it…and then this happened. I’m calling it Occupy. Mrs Frog, Mr Turtle and Snail have claimed this rock as their own…little do they know Mrs Octopus has her eye on the prized rock. Octopus is coming next.

In Progress : Attraction – Giraffe Is Here

Giraffe is getting anxious…he just wants to be on that island so bad.

In Progress : Massive Painting “Attraction” – Butterflies Have Arrived

In Progress : Children’s Book For Phoenix

I’ve started rewriting the story one sentence at a time and then going back to the beginning to see how it can improve. I’m not a writer so I’m going to have someone look at it before I start designing the pages. The layout of the book has also begun in thumbnail form. It’s about 20 pages long but making this children’s book involves much more planning and work than I’m used to. My paintings are spontaneous and my wood projects are barely drawn out.

I’m excited to show Phoenix our book when it’s done. I hope she’ll be proud of it one day.

In Progress : Storytelling & Book Making

I’ve decided to take on a new challenge/project. It all started when Phoenix asked me to climb into bed with her and tell her a story. I’m not one to make up stories so I was a bit hesitant. I managed to get out a short story and I even kept my little girl on the edge of the bed – not a tough thing to do as she’s a big lover of stories. I decided the next step was to write out the story so I could remember it, and she helped me remember some of the details, and, obviously, next I’ll try and turn it into a book. I’ll illustrate the pages, fix up the writing a bit and design a children’s book just for Phoenix. That’s a pretty cool idea! If I wanted to go the extra mile I could even print it out and produce it all right in my home. I used to make books for people and I really enjoyed it…back when I had time for it.

In Progress : Massive Canvas – Attraction – Raft Occupant and Castle

Finally, someone has occupied one of the three rafts on the Massive Canvas. A panda bear! Now who will take the other two spots?

See my progress on Attraction here.