Welcome


I am an artist, not a writer. My Intent is not to educate, enlighten or inspire but rather to clarify my motivations to myself. I find that when I write down the thoughts and reasons that I take certain paths, it helps me to avoid repeating the same mistakes over and over again. Let's face it, authentic work evolves through a series of mistakes, lessons learned and options eliminated.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Bessamer


"Bessamer" 36"x 60" polished cement and dry pigment on panel

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Hard Knock Life


Hard Knock Life 30" x 36" polished lightweight cement & dry pigment on panel

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Slocum


Slocum 29"x 36" polished cement & dry pigment on panel

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Linc's Party


"Linc's Party" 29"x 20.25 polished cement & dry pigment on panel

Friday, July 19, 2013

Genesis


Genesis 36"x 30" polished cement & dry pigment on panel


Detail 1



Detail 2

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Polishing the surface of my work


    I have always been concerned with surface, the way light reveals textures and colors as it is viewed from various angles.  Matte verses glossy, smooth verses rough.  One of the major reasons cement appeals to me is the fact that it's surface can be polished.  I have experimented with many different methods, dry and wet.  I don't want to end up with an overall mirror like surface, I would rather create subtle variances that create interest and character.  I discovered that if I let the surface cure for a few days, it becomes hard enough to hand polish. I get great satisfaction rubbing the surface with steel wool and watching as details are brought to life before my eyes.  When I use mechanical polishers I loose most of the control of what is emphasized and what is not.  I prefer elbow grease and hand pressure, it lets me get more personal and intimate  with the work. Steel wool is followed up with beeswax, to bring out the colors, and a final buffing with paper towels.  It is slow hard work and is usually only visible when viewing the original.

    Below are some detail shots using reflected light, in an attempt to show what I am talking about.



Thursday, June 6, 2013

Ochenta





"Ochenta" 36"x 30" polished cement & pigment on panel

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Serendipity


"Serendipity" 30"x 43.5" cement & pigment on panel

  It never ceases to amaze me how best laid plains never seem to work out, but if you are open to them, "happy accidents" can really generate exciting new directions in your work. If you show up and do the work and are prepared to learn, you will.  This piece did not go as planned.  At first I was surprised and disappointed.  I won't bore you with details about technique, but suffice it to say, the result was something I could not have planned or foreseen.  I believe that the evolution of my work is mainly the result of many of these serendipitous occurrences compounded over time.  My advice, keep accurate notes.


Tuesday, April 16, 2013

The Temptation


"The Temptation" 36"x 30" polished cement and dry pigment on panel

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Singlex


"Singlex" 30"x 36" Polished cement, dry pigments and oil paint on panel

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Signus


"Signus" 30"x 36" polished cement , dry pigments & oil paint on panel

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Hanover


"Hanover" 35"x 30" polished cement, dry pigments & oil paint on panel

Monday, February 18, 2013

Amyria


"Amyria" 30"x 36" polished cement and dry pigments on panel

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

First Successful Piece in 2013


"Falling Into Place" 30"x 35"  polished cement & dry pigments on panel

   I have been going through a painters block since before Christmas.  I have had a series of dismal failures, but now I think I finally got my mind right.