CAC residency - new work

I have been working now for about a week at the CAC. The residency is in a beautiful church built in the 1880s which has been restored and converted into an artist workspace and exhibition space. The detail is truly amazing in these buildings, not to mention all the windows are stained glass.

I have been able to focus on developing new pieces; mostly printmaking (linocuts), sculpture, and watercolors. I am experimenting with layering different media and building on my current work focused on the internal body. Here's an example of one of the linocuts. 

detail of the block in progress

Branch Study - 6 x 12" on Japanese Mulberry paper

detail

I decided to mix a very pale blue for the print because I want to play with subtle tones. The CAC doesn't have a press so I've been learning how to print by hand using a baren (a flat disc with a handle on top). It's labor intensive but allows me to have an even more direct connection with the production of my prints, which I love. 

Art All Day

Last month, I participated in an open studios event in Trenton called Art All Day, organized by ArtWorks, Trenton's community art center. Since I don't have a studio in Trenton, I was connected with Segal LaBate Real Estate, a local business which opened its doors to local artists for the day. We had at least 100 visitors, and I enjoyed meeting everyone and discussing my prints. ArtWorks also organized an exhibit of one piece from each of the participating artists (see pics below).

Hanging my prints the night before

I showed my newest prints from my Look Inside series

The day of!

Powerful installation at the Art All Day exhibit by my friend Jamaila Hernandez

My framed print at the exhibition

Tiny art at Single Fare 3

Single Fare 3 opened to a crowd last night at RH Gallery in Tribeca showcasing works of art made on/with/of used Metrocards.. Here's some great press: http://animalnewyork.com/2013/single-fare-3/

My Metrocard paintings are on display along with nearly 2500 other witty and well-crafted works of sculpture, painting, drawing and printmaking. All of the work is available for purchase at http://www.shop-single-fare.com/

New Meat / Old Meat

Continuing the "Meat" series... The paintings so far have been small panels but I'm thinking of doing some large-scale works next.

Meat #3 - atmospheric

Meat #2 - cut and hung

New work!

Hey everyone, as you may know my first year of grad school is done! I am elated and very proud and amazed at the progress I have made. What a great year it has been. Now for a slew of posts re-capping my best work...

A charcoal figure drawing of Morgan (approx. 22x28 inches)

A copy after Italian Renaissance master Andrea del Sarto

Recent work

These are a few recent still lifes, the first is a Japanese toy (which also happens to be a stapler) on a Dixie cup. When I was composing this image, I felt like the kitty was regarding me from her perch, almost like she's on a throne.

The second image is one of my favorites. I was elated when it sold at the New York Academy of Art's Deck the Walls event to raise money for the school.

Please post your thoughts and impressions!

Portraiture through still life

This is a painting I created as a commission for my friend Arturo. He picked all of the objects and we composed the still life together. Each one tells a story about his passions in life.

Kim

Here's a charcoal drawing I recently did of my best friend Kim. She was sitting in her apartment next to the kitchen window with the late afternoon light coming in. After it was finished, Kim liked her portrait so much that I gave it to her. It used to be hard for me to give my artwork away, but I've come to learn that there are others who will love my work even more than I do.

Meat #1

I began painting meat after an unexpected moment of inspiration at a butcher shop in my hometown. I went in to buy some meat for a cookout and found myself transfixed staring at all the different textures and colors. Many phone calls later, the owner let me come to the shop to take photos for my work. I'm not sure he believed I was an artist genuinely interested in the shop until I showed up with camera and sketchbook in hand. This was my first 'meat' painting. More coming soon...

DeerVulture

Here is another painting I did awhile back, sort of a dark comedy.

Painting in Tuscany

Here is some of my artwork from my trip to Italy last summer. We painted outside in Tuscany and traveled around - it was an amazing experience. This is an alla prima, completed in one session. The immediacy of direct painting has a great appeal to me.