Progress on Week One's painting

Hi, I wanted to show what I've started with Week 1. Still need to add a little detail in the figures and work on the transition between today and the future me.

One Week down

Wow, the week just flew by. I was busy tying up loose ends and getting ready for Open Studios. Thanks so much to those of you who made it out this time. I know it was tough for some with the Bay Bridge out of commission. I had a good week with exercise and eating, losing 2 pounds; a great start. During some downtime this weekend I've sketched out my first painting. In many ways, I'm excited and nervous but glad that I've gotten started. Typically I'd be spending time over the weekend working on the painting for the week, but this time I was busy with visitors, so you'll have to wait a little longer to see the results.

New Year-long Project

I was coming home from a trip to Toronto a month or so ago and got to thinking about ways that I might have better success achieving my personal goals. Specifically I want to exercise and paint more consistently. I seem to be very good at doing one or the other with some intensity, but it never quite lasts. I guess I'm a bit of a binger by nature. So, the idea came to me that I should find a way to combine them and focus my energy. A few friends thought that setting up an easel on a treadmill was the way to go. However, I can only imagine the mess and not the success. Instead I will be embarking on a new project. For the next 52 weeks, I will exercise and otherwise maintain healthy eating habits. At the end of each week, I'll complete a painting reflecting my thoughts and feelings from that week. So on Monday Oct 26th I'll be getting started. Come back every week, if you want to keep up on my activities.

still working

It's been a busy week. I have been super busy at the office so I haven't gotten much time in at the studio. I've finished another painting and started on one last one. I still need to leave time to varnish and clean up before next weekend.

more painting updates

I have been mostly absorbed with painting and getting ready for open studios. Since it's only a few weeks away, I'm happy to say that I have 4 pieces finished, one halfway there, and another still in the starting blocks. I'm feeling good about having some smaller (and cheaper) work to show. I'm still enjoying my San Francisco Close Up series. To see the work I did for last Spring, you'll have to go to my website. Here are some sneak peeks that I will post to the website next weekend or so. First up is the completed Askew painting. 127 lightbulbs in that A, I'll have you know. Next to it is the just started, yet almost done A Grey day, still missing some lightbulb detailing.

Under that are two smaller clock detail paintings. First is Almost Eleven and next is Half Past Six. The two clocks are my first completed acrylic paintings.

Fall 2008 Update

Well I'm happy to report that I've been painting, since I haven't been here updating the blog. I'm still painting things I see around San Francisco too. Things that are new are some new work in acrylic on wood panel and stretching watercolor paper over wood stretcher bars. The latest work is a little smaller in size but it seems bigger without the glass to hide behind. You can't tell by the photos, so you'll really need to come by and see it for yourself. Everyone is worried about the market. While I can't speak for everyone, it does seem like I've been painting more.

Work in Progress

This is just an update of some work in progress. I've got to finish one for the Artspan Gallery as part of this year's Fall Open Studios. The last time I was able to show here I sold the painting. That one was also a last minute paint and hang piece and I don't even have a photo of it. This year I am doing some smaller pieces based on my San Francisco Close Up series. The first one is an abstract Sutro tower, which may be just about done. It's interesting how looking at the painting through a photograph helps to see what isn't quite done or when it's finished.

The second one is an A from the Ghiradelli sign. This particular one is called Askew. Not only is the perspective a little askew (I even got a little dizzy taking my reference photos from this odd angle) but the frame I used to wrap the paper is also not square. I don't know if anyone will notice, but I'll be sure to tell whoever buys it, since it can't be framed in a normal squared frame. I still need to do a lot of work on the Askew painting. I'm definitely putting off the painting of the light bulbs. I liked the idea of them, but the actual painting of 50+ bulbs is less exciting.



Both of these paintings are done in a wrap-around style. The painting extends around the edges. I saw a painting in the CCSF gallery done this way and I was intrigued. Doing these painting was also fun, so if it's well received, you can be sure to see a lot more of these. Both are still in regular watercolor and will be spray varnished so that no additional glass is needed. I intend to do some smaller acrylic paintings with a watercolor technique. I've already prepped the wood panels, so all that's left is the painting.