Spring is time to write

What if there was a way? 48 x 48"

I did this painting a few months ago. It's one of my favorite paintings I've ever done. It used to look a lot different, like most of my other paintings. I got really sick of it, nothing was looking right or going well- the colors were off, and the composition was way too simple. It used to have a white bird in the center and there was another figure on the bottom left. Also the typewrite wasn't there and the arms of the figure were different. So I completely overhauled the whole right side. I'm so much happier with it now. It has its memory of the past composition, and because I added more layers, it all fits together like it never could if I hadn't added all the other parts. It always amazes me how that kind of thing works out. But it turned out to be one of my favorites, and at my last big show a married artist couple bought it! You can't ask for anything better than other artists appreciating your work. I look forward to the days when I can buy the artists' work that I admire.
Well, on another note, I just graduated from the Art Institute with my MFA! hooray! Two long years of hard work and it's finished. I'm happy to be moving onward and upward. Here's a little tidbit for you- ArtInfo featured my work in their "new talent" section. Check it out!

Vernissage opening

I just want to let you know I'll be participating in the Master of Fine arts graduate exhibition of the San Francisco Art Institute on May 19th, from 6-9 pm. It takes place at the Herbst Pavilion of Fort Mason Center in the Fisherman's Wharf area of San Francisco. I'd love it if anyone in the area could come and see some great art! It's been a long road to get here, and I'd love it if you would come and share this accomplishment with me!

up and out

Be that as it may (48 x 36")

This was a recent painting I made quickly, but also struggled with a bit. I use a lot of layers when I paint, layers of painting over and over in places. Most of the time, though, I don't plan out the various layers. I'll be working on the painting in a way I think will be good for it, then I step back and it isn't hitting me right, so I start to rework it with more line and another layer right on top of the previous painting. The best paintings are usually the ones where I've disliked, and painted over about five or six times. Only then does it have the depth and history of my struggle with it to make it really rich. It works the same with the etchings. Anyway, such is the case with this painting. I like how there became kind of a pinwheel composition with the figures, and the change in scale of the figures (the top one is bigger than the other two) is something else I use a lot to give an unsettling play in the interaction of the figures. Well, this week I'll be getting ready for my final MFA show as graduation is only two weeks away!