Winter Break 2012 - Works on Paper

I'll be showing all my new works on paper together for the first time.
If you are local - join me for a drink at the reception!

Commission for T.

I've just finished a commission for a client. The brief asked for a multi-panel pier painting with a repeated architectural module. I was also asked to include names and birthdates of family members.
Here are images showing it's development: 

Five seperate panels developed with acrylic paint and collage.

Backing frame glued to panels.

One painting. Structure of pier added - acrylic.

More development with acrylic paint.

Development with oil paint. Finished piece. 30" x 60"

I really enjoyed working on this piece. Although I have done many paintings of old piers my interest in decaying structures is unflagging and I have great fun creating the water effect.

The Old Mint - San Francisco

Old Mint SF (diptych)
60" x 72". Acrylic and Oil on wood panel.

A few years ago I had the opportunity to explore the Old Mint building on Mission Street in San Francisco. I had enough time to take photos and do some quick sketches. From this information I did a painting which was intended to be the first of many exploring the old empty spaces as they went through the changes proposed by the current restoration plan.

Unfortunately I found it impossible to gain  further access to the building (apart from a wonderful late-night dance performance a couple of years ago). I submitted a proposal to the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society suggesting that they nominate several artists to record the changes to the building as the construction works were in progress - the Tate Modern did this so why not the most important historical building in San Francisco? But my pleas went unheard and this painting remains alone at the beginning of an idea.

It has been hanging on a wall in my studio for years now, attracting interest but never a buyer. And this week, as I am starting to clear out my studio for my impending move (more later), it has suddenly sold and will be shipped to its new home in San Diego.

Perhaps the idea still has life and this sale will galvanize me to resubmit my proposal!  

New Bike Art Book

I'm excited to announce that some of my bicycle paintings and drawings have been included in a lovely coffee-table book recently published called Bike Art by Kiriakos Iosifides. It is full of bicycle related art from all over the world.

More Wooden Pier Posts...

Pier Posts No 2.  48" x 60".
Oil and mixed media on wood panel.

Here is another painting where, instead of looking at the whole pier building which I usually do, I've zoomed in on the old wooden posts and concrete columns which support these structures over the water. The wooden posts - rotting and discolored - give the impression of structural fragility which is only dispelled when we look into the shadows and discover the sturdy concrete columns beyond. In this piece I have tried to convey the contrast between the deep shadows beneath the pier and the sun-soaked colors of the activities above.