Three self portraits

I decided to do a few self portraits using plexiglas as a canvas. I wanted to see what would be possible painting on one side of the plexiglas and then flipping it over to see what was painted. It is a little like water color, but it is possible to build up layers of paint in reverse. Because the wet paint does not soak in, the water dries over time leaving the pigment on the surface. It is a new method for me and feels interesting because I am building up to a final picture that I cannot see until I flip over the plexiglas. I tried to wait to view the finished side so that I would utilize my intuition more.

I decided to have a neutral look to my face with eyes closed because I had seen another artist create portraits with eyes closed. For me it makes the viewer consider more of the color, technique and the features of the face in the painting. I didn't want the viewer to look too closely at the painted eyes for information.

I chose to focus on my face because I feel that my art is attracting certain experiences to me. I have been observing for some time that I have experienced events based on my work. And in fact, I have been creating works based on experiences I would like to have. Like the law of attraction, what I place attention on, the universe provides. This, however, has to my knowledge never been explained in terms of spiritual paths or events even. And so there has been a bit of experimentation to each work that I create. In the end, I make what I feel will fulfill a need of mine, and with these works I felt that I needed to focus in on my body. I had been feeling kind of spacey and hoped to be able to feel more awareness of my body as a result of this work. To some extent I believe that it worked. For example, I noticed how much more I could smile.

All in all, I am happy with the technique and with the self portraits. I feel that there is a certain way that emotion is conveyed through the paint that is right on target.
All works are acrylic on plexiglas, 2007. Enjoy.

Detail of above

New Body Artworks

I am working on a new technique utilizing both sides of plexiglas. I have used plexi before but now am exploring the clarity as a way to meld the physical body with the energy body. So you will see four painting explorations using images derived from medical illustrations followed by a self portrait that started as a photo of me. I am pleased with the results of these studies and am continuing to explore this technique.

Untitled (bust), acrylic on plexiglas, 14 x 8 inches, 2008

Cosmic Head, acrylic on plexiglas, 14 x 8 inches, 2008

Cosmic Heart, acrylic on plexiglas, 14 x 8 inches, 2008

Heart Aura in Space, acrylic on plexiglas, 28 x 24 inches, 2008

(Blue) Self Portrait, acrylic on plexiglas, 14 x 8 inches, 2008

Hallway Mural

I have been working for the past 6 weeks on this mural at a homeless shelter called Hesed House. It is a busy hallway where guests, staff and volunteers are constantly walking through, doing laundry or commiserating. It was my first mural and I wanted to start with a sky scene because the majority of the painting was to happen on the top third of the walls and ceiling. But as the painting progressed, I decided to forgo the clouds for fun, colorful circles and dotted lines. Many people have commented positively and said that they enjoyed the painting. By the end, when I showed up to paint, the guests were letting everyone know, "the artist is here."

All in all it was a great project that expanded my horizons, and it was interesting to try to work with the space of the hallway, while including the different personalities of the people there. Before and after pictures of the hallway follow. Thanks.

Before

After

Hand Language

More proof of the playful ways of my art. I created a secret hand language that I did drawings about. There are ink drawings in my sketchbook (9 x 11 inches) followed by a painting on a found panel. Titles below drawings. Enjoy.

Staying Me

The Right Path

Letting Go

Holding On

Receiving (Forgiveness)

The Claw

Wringing Out

A Gift

Got It

Really Letting Go

The Blue Hand

The Painted Hand in a Vortex

New Mandalas

Gotsta keep on postin'... here are some more Mandalas in ink and watercolor. Each one approximately 12-14 inches square in size. Completed over the past month.

Cooling Off and Becoming One

This series is about the self. I had a vision for a painting that I have yet to begin, but these photos are based on that vision. They are sort of a study with that painting in mind. In the vision, there are three me's. One is dark, one is light and one is physical. The dark and the light bodies are more energetic and the combination of the two create the physical being in the center. I actually like that the dark and light bodies are indistinguishable in this series, probably because they have much in common in my experience. Both have similar likes and dislikes. The blue is about cooling off, I've had enough fire and hot light for now. And finishing up with the full color and physicality of life, inclusive of the dark and light bodies. Thank you for viewing.

I've created a new blog which has a story I wrote posted. Check it out at www.stevepanella.blogspot.com
See you there!!

Ready to Fly

Hi. I don't want to ruin the progression of art with words in between, so I am writing titles and whatnot at the end here.

From top: "Letting Go," Paint in Plexiglas tray, 20 x 14 in., 2008.
"Night Sky," Paint on paper, 30 x 20 in., 2008
"Cosmic Hand," Paint on paper, 30 x 20 in., 2008
"Steve #2," Digital image, 2008
"Steve #3 (Ready to Fly)," Digital image, 2008

I am planning to make books and prints of these and other images on my blog. Email me for more information about getting your own prints. I do plan to post more information as the books and prints become available.

Also, I'd like your feedback. I wonder if you could help me with your opinion about Steve #2 and Steve #3. Which one do you prefer?

Thanks and Ready to Fly,
Steve

Body Mask

This is the photographic progression of a work I call "Body Mask". It is acrylic paint on plexiglas over a gridded photograph, printed in color and black and white. Size 24 x 9 inches, 2008.

Love, Lover and Beloved

"Love," Paint on Canvas, 70 x 57 inches, 2008

"Lover," Paint on Canvas, 61 x 50 inches, 2008

"Beloved," Paint on Canvas, 96 x 58 inches, 2008

Sufis believe that all is connected as part of God. One way to describe God is through the phrase "God is Love, Lover and Beloved," made known by the famous poet Rumi. I've created 3 paintings to describe my idea of what it means to be human, have feelings and be part of all that is connected.

Hand, Heart and Skull

This is a series of three works that I feel are connected. It is like an update of human body paintings I have done in the past, but also about the now. Probably the first interest I had in painting the body was 10 years ago, and I felt that I was somehow revising that work. In those paintings from a decade ago, I worked with depicting parts of the body in fields of black & white. Hands, torsos, hearts and skulls were the majority of the subjects.
So this is also a return to the body after much artwork revolving around energy.

I hope you enjoy the art.


"Hand", Paint and Egg Yolk on Plexiglas, 12 x 8.5 inches, 2008
The first painting was this Hand. I posed for myself. Does it look like my hand?

"Heart of Allah", Paint and Egg Yolk on Plexiglas, 12 x 8.5 inches, 2008
This is the reverse side of the Hand painting. On the heart is an Arabic script for the word Allah.

"Skull of Light", Paint and Egg Yolk on Wood Panel, 12 x 13 inches, 2008
This was the third painting and as I painted I felt an increasing pull toward light. There is a glow around this skull. Praise to the human body!

Flatfile Show

Hi friends. Here are a couple of pics of my work in a current show. I've included selections of the work that might not be on my website (www.stevepanella.com), as well as a couple of views of the whole show of my work. Click on images for larger views. Enjoy!

View upon entering the basement level of Flatfile Gallery.

View of Steve Panella's wall of text-based work.

"b I ble", Transformed Book, Approx. 20 x 12 x 2 inches, 2006

"b I ble" Detail. Feel free to click on image for larger image.

"b I ble" Detail. Can you see the ''I's" under all the other text.

"Cigarette Butts", Transformed Books, sizes variable, 2004

"Skeleton of a Page", Transformed Book Page, 7 x 10 inches, 2004-2008. The page is perforated and displayed to create a cast shadow. The art hangs between the wall and a piece of plexiglas.

"Skeleton of a Page" Detail.

"Book Stones", Transformed Books, Sizes Variable, 2003-2007
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I am thankful for Andy Thomas and Flatfile Gallery in Chicago who made this show possible. I met Andy two years ago while I was peddling my art around the Chicago area. He liked my work and later scheduled a show of text-based art at Flatfile Gallery for their next available opening in February 2008. I believe it was early in 2006 when we met. Thanks Andy!
The other three artists in the show are Nate Larson, Monika Wulfers and Rachel Foster. Glad to meet you all!

HiTea Show

These are a couple of photos of my art on the walls at HiTea (link here) tea house in Chicago. Located at 14 East 11th Street, it is a nice place with good atmosphere and very friendly staff. I am grateful to them for hosting a show of my artwork, as well as to Brantley Roden for his assistance in setting things up. Brantley arranges for art to be shown at HiTea and is an artist himself. Here is a link to his website.
The folks in the photos are some chaps enjoying the atmosphere, tea, food and free internet the establishment has to offer. Thank you guys!

"Sun" Acrylic on Canvas, 2008. I will probably paint over this canvas. :^D

"Unititled" Acrylic on Canvas, 2007. Approximately 30 inches x 20 inches. This painting started out with a painting of a body, then a heart and finally ended up as a black and white and color field of energy.

"Space" Acrylic on Canvas, 2008. This painting is about 6 feet tall x 4.5 feet wide. Good painting, not so good photo. I promise to get a better photo posted soon as this is part of a triptych that I am eager to post here and show in public.

Moon, Blue

This painting is a revision of the previous painting (just below). Almost like an entirely different painting now.

Two Paintings

Paint on canvas, 60 x 96 inches, 2008

Paint on Canvas, 49 x 61 inches, 2007

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I can't help but think of the bleak days and the cold days here in Chicago when I look at these paintings. They were as difficult to keep going on as it is to get out of bed some days. Alas, when I estimate their value, they helped me cope with a few winter days.. and gave me something greater to put my energy toward.

I plan on showing these and other paintings in various establishments in Chicago. I will update my blog with photos when the shows go up. Happy New Year friends!

Big Red

Acrylic Paint on Canvas, 8 x 8 feet, 2007

Paintings and Studio

"Pink and Green," Acrylic Paint, 18 x 18 inches, 2007

"Red Soul and Flows," Acrylic Paint, 24 x 24 inches, 2007

"Red Radiating," Acrylic Paint, 40 x 30 inches, 2007


"Yellow Ring," Acrylic Paint on Canvas, 36 x 36 inches, 2007


"Black and White Radiating," Acrylic Paint on Unstretched Canvas, 78 x 70 inches, 2007


My Studio (and Bedroom)
On the ground is a canvas I am stretching that is 8 x 8 Feet!


Lulu the Cat (overseer and art critic)

Me in my Studio standing in front of my just begun 8 x 8 Feet Painting!

Shelf Tower

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Something purely fun: I transformed a bunch of ABC blocks that children like to play with into a shelving unit that resembles a tower. I used some found wood, ABC blocks I bought on Ebay, glue and nails to create this artwork.

The second photo has my hand in it so you can get a sense for the size of the shelves. There are a couple of knick-knacks on the bottom shelf, and it's likely that knick-knacks are what the shelves could be used to hold.

Thanks for viewing.

Original Artwork by Steve Panella, 2007

Fabric Mandala

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Fabric Mandala, approx 40 x 40 inches, Cut fabric triangles arranged on canvas according to color.

Original Artwork by Steve Panella, 2007

Magic Chakra

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Magic Chakra, approx 3 feet x 3 feet, constructed of magazine covers in which the images change when you hold the cover at an angle.
The Chakra artworks I've done have become crowd favorites and I plan to make more. Please let me know if ever you are interested in a print... I can have them available immediately and shipped out within a day.

As always thank you for viewing my work, I love to hear your comments!

Art by Steve Panella, 2007

An Orange Soul

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Immediately after taking the top photo, I thought this is what a soul looks like. I have no proof except for the belief I have in my intuition.
Top photo is the soul, bottom photo is the same artwork in focus.

Artwork by Steve Panella, 2007

Radiating Heart

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Radiating Heart, Approx 4 feet tall x 3 feet wide, Created using paint on plexiglas, paint on both front and back can be seen. Inspired by a specific teacher who continually has showed me how to feel and be in my heart. Thank you.

Artwork by Steve Panella, 2007

Magic I (Eye)

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Magic I (Eye), approx 3 feet x 3 feet, created with a "Magic Eye" book
that was shredded in a paper shredder and arranged in a circular pattern to resemble the iris and pupil of an eye.

Art by Steve Panella, 2006

Body Mandala

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Body Mandala, 7 x 7 feet in dimension. Constructed of cut 3 Dimensional Anatomical Charts - these are the shiny or colored diamond shaped pieces that construct the entire mandala.
I've included an image of the anatomy charts used to create the artwork.

Artwork by Steve Panella, 2007

Chakras

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From Top:

Jeweled Chakra, Collaged 3D Images, 12 x 12 in., 2007
Orange-Black Chakra, Collaged magazine image, 16 x 16 in., 2007
Orange-Green Chakra, Collaged magazine images, 26 x 26 in., 2007
Earth Chakra, Collaged magazine image, 20 x 20 in., 2007
Aqua Chakra, Collaged book images, 26 x 26 in., 2007
Blue Chakra, Collaged book images, 26 x 26 in., 2007

Body - Internal and Energy

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Intestines, Paint on Glass, 17 x 16 1/4 in., 2007
Energy and Torso, Paint on Glass, 20 1/2 x 16 in., 2007

New Selection of Art Works - color and the body

All works: Paint on plastic with black paper backing, 2007.

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Some new works for the heart and soul to feel by and heal by.
Best wishes to all.

All works for sale, laser prints may be purchased - I will sell them according to what you can afford if you like or $25 each. Contact artist here for details.

Body Art Works

From Top:
Internal Body with Energy, Paint on Plexiglas, 17.5 x 11 in., 2007
Skeleton with Energy (2 views: front and back), Paint on Plexiglas, 22 x 15.5 in., 2007
Energy Body and Skeleton (2 views: back and front), Paint on Plexiglas, 30 x 17 in., 2007

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I will let the art speak once again.. and just let you know that all pieces are painted on Plexiglas, so are 2-sided. Front and back views are shown for two of the pieces.

All works are for sale. 11 x 17 laser prints are also available for $25 each. Contact the artist for details.

Assorted Works

Titles: Liver, Internal Body, Skeleton with Flowers and Grass, Electric Man, Kidneys

All works Paint on Plexiglas, 9.5 x 6 inches, 2007










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Here are a few assorted works of various body interests- internal structures, body energy, and the connection of body with nature.

I appreciate the artists who have created wonderful informative paintings of the internal structures of the body which I have learned from. I used this book for reference in some of the works above.

All works are for sale, please contact artist here for further information.
I do commissions and shows, please contact artist here for further info.

Flow and Body

Flow and Body (front and back views), Paint on Acetate over Black Paper, 22 x 14 in., 2007
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As promised and now that I have good pics, here is a piece painted in the past few weeks. The figure and white flowing curving form are painted on acetate, or shiny plastic. For the purpose of creating a digital image, the painting on acetate is displayed on black paper so that it may be easily seen. The piece would normally be displayed without the black paper so that both sides can be viewed by walking around the art. So both sides are shown above.

I know I have much to say about this work.. but for now I'd rather let the work speak for itself.



This artwork or laser copies can be purchased - see my complete profile for contact info. and email me for details.

An Energy Body

An Energy Body (Front and Back views), Paint, Ink and Collage Element on Plexiglas, 8 x 5 inches, 2007
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This is one of many artworks I am making on Plexiglas now, so they have 2 sides that can be viewed. This one has a collaged or cut out printed image of a body with internal structures. As I like to do, I transform that "physical" body to an "energy" body on the other side of the piece. Maybe this is healing... definitely expanding awareness to energy.

This is kind of a quick sketch, I am working on more in depth works now.. I'll post more of these kind of 2-sided works when I get good pics!

A Radiating Heart

Radiating Heart, Paint on Plexiglas, 8 x 5 inches, 2007
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This is a piece painted directly on plexiglas, so there are a few areas you can see through.

It came out of me quickly. I was working on another large painting and I suddenly had this idea to do a heart that radiates energy. I was struggling to decide what size to make this painting because I knew it was a good idea. I felt like I wanted to make it quickly (and I had only a couple of sizes of plexiglas) so I opted for a pretty small piece. It painted itself with a flurry of creative energy. I just stepped back and let it happen.

Hands with Energy - Heating the Heart

Hands with Energy, Paint and Ink on Paper, 32 x 20 in., 2007
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This is a piece I painted just after the previous Aura of a Burning Heart. It kind of came to me as a vision of these hands that would be "healing" the viewer. But then I began to think that the viewer could be the one doing the healing, so I decided to paint the back of the hands as if they could be the viewer's.

The heart found it's way into the work in an interesting way. After I painted the hands, I noticed the space between the hands looked a bit like a rib cage, and so suggested a place where the heart sits.

The energy coming from the hands is energizing the heart and setting it aflame. It could be understood like reiki energy which after a simple attunement anyone can perform. And fortunately, viewing art requires no attunement at all.. Thanks for looking!

Aura of a Burning Heart

Aura of a Burning Heart, Paint and Ink on Paper, 30 x 18 in., 2007
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I painted this piece about 3 weeks ago. It came about as an extension of other work where I envisioned the body burning down into a pile of ashes at the bottom. And rising like a phoenix, the burning heart full of vital auric energy. Circling the heart, there is a little ring of white with "abstract" text written upon it (you can't really read 99% of it), representing the loosening of language's grip on the heart.

The white paper is painted black, upon that surface is painted a white slightly raised surface, followed by the addition of color. I think it's partly this process that achieves the "glow" of the heart and aura. The rest is a nice combination of luck, skill and inspiration. Thank you to those friends who helped guide my way to this work.

You may click on the image for a much improved image.

Energy Man

Energy Man, 14 x 10 in., Paint and ink on paper, 2006

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This work represents a shift in focus from the physical body to the energetic body in my work. Within this piece, both are "visible".

I wanted to get beyond the body in this artwork.

I've had a drive, an urge and a craving to experience life.

Now I am concerned with the energy of life which I've experienced in many ways, among them are unexplainable feelings, ideas, intuitions. I've been fortunate enough to meet and learn from many people who have taught me about what is beyond the world of labels for muscles and measurements for body parts.
I have recorded and urged on my own awareness of the energy of life through my art. I would like to share some of my experience with others through my artwork.

(Clicking on the image will bring up a much improved image.)

Enjoy!

Langue Man

Langue Man, 12 x 18 in., paint and collage, 2005
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As this man finds that there are no transitions, just Now..
A rememberance comes across his excited and energized body.
That language... is just a symbol.
The experience
is the energy...
the energy
of life.