I've been back in the Sandpaper Factory for a month now thanks to Scott Ketcham's artistically generous spirit. This is the third Summer he has given me rein over the space while he is away at the Vermont Studio Center (I MUST go there someday).
I've been getting tons of work done and am absolutely thrilled about it. I am also currently thrilled about the opening I will be having in the space on July 21st. My girl Zheyu will have some work up as well; she has been busy making gigantic things in there lately. Check that link I made through her name in that last sentence, her work is amazing.
Lots of portraits have been happing. Originally I started making them as practice for a piece I am doing for a friend, but I've been getting into them a lot more than I imagined. I'm having a lot of fun working the oil pastels in with the paint and searching for a rhythmic balance back and forth between them. This portrait above kinda looks like there is a swollen mouth situation going on, but I think I'm over it. I suspect that my precision in portraiture will increase with more practice. While I do care a lot about the growth of that precision, I am equally as invested in the compositional quality of each piece. I want to add another sentence here figuring out that equation and what it means for my paintings, but this is all very new work for me and I am still working on those answers.
Been getting outside a bit too:
And what I feel to be an obligatory "Serious Painter" portrait.
I truly hope that if you are reading this you will be able to come to the exhibition.
"Summer 2012"
July 21, 2012
7p-9p, party to follow
83 East Water Street.
4th Floor
Rockland, MA
