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.