The new happenings

So, as I've posted on facebook- I'm beginning a new body of work, with a little bit of a different flavor. After some reassessing and reevaluation from myself and my peers, I've finally decided I'm ready to merge my drawing and painting styles.

I got on my first painting last night, a member of the Grand Pecking Order series. The first and main thing worth noting is that this process is hard. It's about unlearning everything that I worked so hard to do, and doing what I can to paint with honesty rather than fear of change or "not doing well".

When I have a couple down, I'll post them up here for viewing. Until then....

New Painting

Hello everyone

So, Sam's Farm and Cash Only are on hold for now. Need to work those ones out a little further before I go ahead and start declaring things finished pieces and all. I'm also currently working on a piece titled Standing on a Bridge to Nowhere. Until then, here's my latest:

Noah's Ark Sailing White Seas (36"x24") Much like Preachings of the Baron, this painting is very much focused on my religious confusions, and the questions I ask myself every time someone asks me what I believe in.

I've recently decided recently to hold off more on formal explanations of my work. I'm more interested in what they say to others, rather than what I have to say about them. Should be interesting to see how they line up. Having said that, I hope to post something new soon.

Update on paintings and such

Hello All-

For those of you who were worried about my work production- have no fear, my studio practice is alive and well. I've got one new painting ready for posting, and one retouched since I last posted it. And, just so I can get you guys quivering with anticipation, I've got 3 more paintings in the works: "Noah's Ark on White Waves", "Sam's Farm" and "Cash Only".

That said, I thought I would post the completed stuff, and maybe explain a little bit...


Babble (24x48") This painting was inspired by debates I had with an ultra conservative guy I knew in college, strangely because we finally agreed on something after many nights of debate- you simply can't trust everything you hear (or anything you hear) from the media. It's the representation of the obsession with, and almost divine placement of the media and it's roll in modern society.

And now for the Touch-up:

Preachings of the Baron The meaning of the painting can be seen in a previous post, should it peak your interest. Since last posted, I added details to the figures in the background. Hair, shirt patterns, facial hair, and even things like a tie and newspaper. Featured in the background of the work are a priest clutching an umbrella and a bible, a business man in a suit with his newspaper and brief case, and people milling about their day.

Dropping a line

Thought I would drop a line about more stuff going on.

Currently finishing up another painting titled Babble. This one is a bit different in both structure and content than my usual work (in a good way), though its a little bit more mild in message. In any case, that'll be making it's way to the internet soon, so when it's up feel free to have a look. Also, just started a painting that I have been planning for a couple of months now, and going to start yet another. Expect to see at least a couple of more works before January 15th (grad school apps deadline for my program of choice).

Anyway, also, if you can get out there- make sure you head to MoMA. Just went yesterday to see Monet's waterlillies, the Tim Burton exhibit, and Gabiel Orozco. It was a bit overwhelming, and there were A LOT of people there, so I may even have to go again. In any case- no disappointments here.

Until next time.

Getting out and about

Last night I went with my friend, and fellow artist Petros Pappalas to see whats going on out there in Soho. So we went to the Opera Gallery last night to see the Ron English show "Immortal Underground". It was a great showing, as he filled up the gallery space with all works he completed within the past year or so. It's always exciting to see his work- even more so to see it in person. I suggest some of ya'll get down there and have a look see (all though when you guys get there, there won't be any half naked cow girls or a big morbidly obece Ronald McDonald (in person anyway).

2 More

so I've gotten 2 more paintings under my belt-

The Grand Pecking Order II is a revisit on the Grand Pecking Order series.


Preachings of the Baron, has been, what I consider a huge step for me. It is one of the first true efforts in a long time in which I've created not just a multi-figural dynamic, but a full environment and context for the figures to act inside of.
the actual subject of piece is centered around religion. This piece is basically asking how the modern man would view the biblical prophets- if a man stumbled out of the desert with no food or water saying he had seen visions of God, what would your response to that man be? The truth is, we hear outlandish things every day of our lives and we choose to dismiss or accept information unquestioningly because of the source- verifiable or not.

Until Next Time

Learning Piece

So in the midst of all the other paintings I'm working on, I thought I would post one that was pretty much complete. for those of you that are curious, this is the first oil painting I've done in about 3 years, and it also has some added elements of mixed media (litho crayon, charcoal, and oil pastel).
I have no actual title for this, but it serves two main functions for me. 1- Having wanted to branch out into more dynamic, multi-figured compositions I thought a good start would be to execute a message I had been all along trying to communicate in a different way. 2- I specifically painted in monochrome so that I could cut out the complexities and possible distractions and complications color might have to offer in a situation where the most important focus is composition.
I titled this post "Learning Piece" because that is truly what this is- an image in which I can forget about "will someone want to buy this" or "will anyone get this" or "is this subtle enough". Through this I was able to remember the most important thing about creating a work of art- when you're alone with the paint and the canvas in the studio treat it as such- just you (or in this case, me) and the canvas.

The forthcoming work is somehing I am truly excited about. This learning piece has served itself as a very helpful launching point for me to be more daring, experivmental, and less rigid and anxious about how I execute my work. The next update (both to my blog, and my website) will undoubtedly include a small group of new paintings.

Until next time.