Teladega

'Teladega" 31"x36" lightweight cement and dry pigment on panel

It has been awhile since I last posted. I have been engaged in soul searching and deep trench digging into my psyche.  What one finds is not always pretty but hopefully it is honest.

A video of my process as promised

This video should give added insight into the way I work.  Keep in mind, my process is continually changing and I do my best to avoid any set formula.

Verdero

"Verdero" 36"x 30" pigmented cement on panel

I filmed the process of this piece from start to finish.  It is interesting to contemplate how starting and stopping, fiddling with the camera or playing with the angle of the shot, effected the final outcome of the work. Anyway, I plan on posting the video as soon as it is edited.

Can't leave well enough alone.

"Sanguine" 36"x 39.5" pigmented cement on panel

I added more image to the left side of this piece because it just felt like it needed it. Check out 2 posts ago to see it before. One of the advantages of this medium is I can ad to it without having to make it a diptych.

Haute couture

“Haute couture”  36”x 30” polished cement & pigment on panel

I visited the Dallas Museum of Art and saw the Jean Paul Gaultier fashion exhibition.  It was incredible! The lines were to!  I visited the museum during the last day of the show. At the end of the day it was at least a 2 hour wait to get into the show but it was worth it.  I was inspired to produce the image above, my tribute to Jean Paul.

Sanguine

"Sanguine" 36"x 30" cement and pigment on panel

My most recent piece, polished it out this morning. Wish you could see the mirror-like surface.

Orbis

"Orbis" 18.5"x 20" cement & pigment on panel

I have found that is difficult to just let the chips fall where they may.  That is sort of what it feels like as I'm doing in my work.  But I do believe that many years of experience fosters an unconscious knowing that guides my hand.  I find that too much dependence on conscious effort can lead to a trite outcome devoid of surprise and  opportunities to learn and grow. I continually ask myself, "what If".  If I already know the answer, it's time to move on.  My art is about discovering new problems, not solving them.

Granger

"Granger" 30"x 36" cement on panel

I am starting to get back into the flow of things.  I feel that this a very important circumstance.  The creative flow can't be forced, you just have to surrender to it. Don't over think, just do. 

If it ain't fixed, break it!

Respite (rework) 40"x 33"

If the point is to make something that's simply "okay", better.  You have to be willing to take a chance.  This piece was "okay" (see previous post) but it did not excite me.  So, I decided to break it, literally!  The anticipation of the uncertain result was exhilarating but the fear of killing the "bird in the hand", was palpable.  I mustered all my courage and forged ahead.  I know what my feelings are with the results but I would like to get your honest feedback.

First piece of 2012

“Respite”  30”x 36” polished cement & dry pigment on panel

Hope everyone had a great holiday.  I took some much needed time off from my art but now it is time to return to my passion.
Every time I remove myself from my work for a period of time, it seems that doubts about it's validity creep into my mind. This always enables a state of debilitating depression.  The only cure seems to be to push on through and do the work.  I am tentative at first but hope that confidence will return as new pieces emerge.