SPECIAL PROJECTS

This piece is one i did for the Attleboro Arts Museum, Celebration of the Seasons.  I donate a few pieces every year, and i always do something that is not typical of my usual work.  This work was done with silver paint by Gamblin.  They have a number of great colors that have a metallic look to them.  Not sure if i i ever would use this in my usual work, but it fun to experiment.  

Silver Tree

Silver Tree

I am heavily involved at the Attleboro Arts Museum, which has led to some interesting projects and "out of my comfort zone' works.  I am sure the delight i have in this comes from multitasking from my toy designer days at Hasbro.  I love when i have much going on, and i switch from one gear to another.  I know that all this gear shifting leads to greater things, and more diversity in my work. As a volunteer and a trustee at the museum, i am heavily influenced by what i see in the many exhibitions they have there.  Again, i know this enriches my and helps me grow.  

HOW I DO IT

MY BEST WORK IS OFTEN THE SMALLEST.  FAVORED SIZE IS 6"X 6".   I TRY TO CREATE A SMALL PAINTING OF A LARGE EXPANSE...BRINGING THE VIEWER INTIMATELY INTO MY WORLD.

 

99.9% of my work starts as a tonal.  I mix my oils and depending on what i am looking for, i might use a more reddish brown mixture, or more blackish. i then wipe off my composition with my gloved hands and paper towels. I add paint, i subtract paint.  I let the painting happen.  When things start to emerge, i let them, and then eventually i make decisions based on the forms.  It is always about the shapes, the negative and positive forms that emerge, and value.  Value is an important tool to help gain interest. and distance,  This is the skeleton of the composition.  If it is strong here, it will remain strong if i decide to go for color.

 Sometimes the work stays as a tonal...i don't always know that at the time, and after drying, i might add color.  This is usually glazed in.and like th tonal, i add and subtract until i get the desired effect.