Latest Progress

I just took a trip up to the Oregon coast and did some watercolors. I've posted them to the site. Take a peek.

Latest Progress

I finally posted my most recent drawings from my sketchbook! I also finished a few new paintings, well one was a drawing on wood but I still displayed it on my painting page. Another one is about convicts, we currently have 2.25 million people incarcerated, I found that astonishing. I also did a playful sun for my friends' birthday.

I'm currently working on some figure paintings, these are a challenge because I want to display my style but keep true to the nature of the figures. But I think the next piece I want to finish is the mannequin, it's probably about 80% complete, I also have another mannequin that I haven't even started. I still have several unfinished pieces that are in the works.

June 2014 Progress

I'm almost done drawing in my sketchbook and will start scanning soon. I also completed a 16" x 20" called "Victor-tree" a whimsical cute piece about success. I also completed a small 8"x 8" piece called "UNI," united uniforms, with one common goal, peace and love. I was also inspired by Ellen Page and produced a small 11" x 14" piece about change. "Playing the Game," was a piece completely made of donated items or items found in the studio, it's mostly about our civic duty and how we all contribute to live in a better place. "Shot's Fired," is a fun piece I did for a bartender friend.

I'm working on two pieces that are taking up quite a bit of my time. The selfie of my friend is probably taking the longest. It needs to be done just right. I want to do the picture justice. She is WAY more attractive in the photo than the painting right now. I'm also working on another piece that involves a complicated shadow. The object, a monster type creature, has many intricate characteristics and features that make it difficult to represent the shadows accurately. Hopefully I will have these two pieces done by next post.

I still have many unfinished pieces, including the manikins that I will try to finish in the future.

Latest Progress

Again I've been neglecting this blog for some time now. I'll try to do something every month.

I've been trying to finish my sketchbook/journal, I have about 5 pages left before I can start scanning drawings and posting on the site. I've also been working on some fun drawings on black paper with white ink, only 6" x 6". The usual sketches on artist trading cards that I do at the bar make great place holders when you need to take a leak. They also make great personal business/greeting cards. I've come across 2 female torso's (life size) manikins, one with a head and one without, real excited to paint these ladies, ideas are still evolving. I'm also working on a 18" x 36" painting of a selfie, not me but a female friend. I still have a lot of other unfinished paintings, or work that is in progress that I hope to complete soon.

September/October Progress

Currently I'm working on a mask for an upcoming art contest at the store. I'm not sure if I'm eligible because I'm an employee but it's always fun to make a mask. Plus I'll have something for Halloween. I plan on using lots of color and other elements to make this mask unique and stand out among the rest. Will post pics soon.

I also finished a landscape for a really good friend. She enjoys wine so I painted a fall scene of a vineyard with lots of fall colors. I believe the perspective and color really make this piece. I think she was impressed. It was her birthday.

I also finished a piece for the Gavin Jack Benefit. My friends' sons' friend Gavin is in desperate need of a heart transplant due to a rare heart disease. The surgery costs 40k, and you have to find a donor. My friend got involved with the Santa Cruz community and held a benefit and sold donated surfboards and surf gear and other items. Pleasure Pizza even donated some pizza. He also asked artists to donate some of their work too. I painted a piece about Jack O'neill, the legend who invented the wetsuit and sponsors the Cold Water Classic surf event. (I was pressed for time so I used Photoshop and a projector to map out my piece before I painted. This is something I usually don't do, but I like I said I didn't have much time.) Not sure what the painting sold for but it went to a good cause.

I also finished a playful piece with found materials. It's called "Catch and Release" about a funky fish. This is a mixed media piece using small pieces of canvas, a found frame and some fishing line, weight and hook. It's just a real fun piece and it's nice how it all came together.

I still have several unfinished paintings that I need to work on. My goal is to finish one of these unfinished paintings every month, plus continue to paint new ones. I have many ideas.

Latest Progress

For the last few months I've been working on some paintings with some clippings of Biblical images. I'm finally coming to a stopping point and have given away almost all of them to close friends. I found these painting humorous and challenging because I painted creative environments which are out of context. I think their new owners found them strange but interesting.

I've also been working on a new piece, a twist on one of my old paintings, "Bambi." This is one of my favorites and I thought it would be interesting to paint it again. I tried to remain true to the original but added some extra flare to make it contemporary. I kept the composition similar, but changed the color to be more identifiable, or true. Very excited about this piece and will post soon.

I also finished another painting that was stuck in unfinished mode. It's more of a fun piece, or exercise, to keep me loose and playful. The title is playful too, "Just You Wait Til I Get You Home." I ripped off a line from a song by the Pet Shop Boys. I not a big fan of the Pet Shop Boys but I like the lyric.

I also finished up some small 5 x 7's for some friends. One is a pitcher of beer with a face wearing glasses with bare feet. Classic. Another is a snail by a flower. Small cute painting exercises.

Tell next time, keep creating, keep painting.

May Progress

It's been awhile since I've posted, but I am making progress.

I've started a series of paintings working with a little collage. I find interesting images (from an old Bible) and paint them in a surreal environment with a little humor. I've completed three and have two more to complete.

I've also been working on the Joan Riversauras, this is box with a dinosaur in it. It's poking fun at Joan Rivers, who can be a bitch. I should hopefully have it done soon and posted on the website.

 I've started a fresh painting with heavy influence on a past painting, almost painting it again. "Bambi" is one of my all time favorite paintings and I wish to recreate it again, but I little different.

I received some interesting pieces of wood from a friend that I'm really excited about. I'm thinking of doing some three dimensional sculpture/painting pieces. I got some inspiration from an art show on how I can make them look interesting and appealing.

I also have a several unfinished paintings that I''m trying to wrap-up and finish. It's always hard to jump back into a painting that you haven't worked on for awhile.

Tell next month, keep inspiring, keep painting!

March Progress

I posted the drawings that I've been talking about for months. There's about 80 drawings with newspaper clippings. (It wasn't too painful.) I've sort-of stopped reading the newspaper since the Newtown, Sandy Hook school shooting.  I never thought something like this would happen in our own country. I don't like to promote violence in my books, it depresses me and makes me sad but the news isn't always positive. I don't like guns and I'm all for gun control. I try to remain true to what is going on in the world and display what stories are meaningful to me. I plan on reading the newspaper more often in the future.

I've also completed 9 greeting cards that I plan to sell at the store. All are original artwork and priced to sell. I don't plan on making a lot of money off these drawings just some good exposure and advertising for my website.

I have also finished a total of three paintings, "My Lucky Rabbit's Foot," "A Birds' Eye View," and another one that I haven't named yet, which is a house warming gift for a friend. (This is part of a series that involves a collage approach with some humor.) I continue to work on unfinished paintings as well. There are quite a few.

The weather is warming up and the Artwalks are starting to pop up. Real exciting time for me to check out new and fresh artists. I've participated in a few of these but I'm more interested in observing the art.

Tell next month, keep creating.

February Progress

I've almost completed two 18" x 24" paintings, one's about becoming a pescatarian. A big move for me but I see it in my future. The other 18" x 24" is about a rabbits foot and some keys. A little spooky. I'm about half way done with the scroll, it's kind of sexy for a teenager but it's all good, I think he will dig it. I'm also still working on scanning the drawings, if I lag any longer I will have to scan two books. (I ran into a computer/web problem but it's now fixed, and works even better, so I will smooth out any bugs I have real soon.) I still have unfinished paintings to work on and will make some progress on those too. Tell next time... keep creating.

January Progress

So here are the 5" x 7" with the phosphorescent material that I was talking about in my last post. You really need to see these in the dark to experience the piece, they will glow by a light stand for hours. The Tigergator is only tethered and can be moved, leaving a dark shadow.

These are two finished pieces, taking stabs at some celebrities. "...In the City" was the first painting that I have ever signed with my middle name, "Art."

I continue to work on some paintings in the unfinished pile and some new ones for friends and family. I know I should work primarily on unfinished paintings but I paint on inspiration, and sometimes the inspiration can't wait. (Inspiration is what fuels the fire to paint.) I should have at least three more finished by the end of the month. two for friends, and one I've been working on for years, The Player. Then I will focus on the last scroll out of 4, for a family member.

I'm still working on updating my drawings. I have one book done and I'm about half way through another. Scanning drawing can be time consuming, but I'll try to have them done soon.

Til next month, keep painting.

November/December Progress

I'm still working on a lot right now. I just finished about 20 5" x 7" paintings, they were a challenge since they were so small but I think they came out pretty good. I was playing around with the phosphorescent paint and came up with some clever solutions to make these image's pop. I have two paintings that rely a lot on this material and are more like a table pieces than paintings you would hang on your wall (will post some pics soon.) I'm also working on some scrolls for my extended family. I have 3 out of 4 complete. I'd like to have them ready for Christmas but they might have to settle for after New Years. 

I have a large amount of unfinished paintings. I plan on working on these after the Christmas season. My studio is filled with all these unfinished paintings, they are taking up room in my small studio. I'll post images and progress next month.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!

October Progress

Well...... I've seemed to create new projects without finishing the ones I started. I haven't worked on The Player, I feel the painting needs to be bigger and larger than life (I feel this way about a lot of my paintings.) I'm almost finished with Joan Rivers piece. A few more tweaks and a frame and it should be done. Still working on the SJP piece, not too thrilled about this piece, it's not as creative as I would like it to be. I might have to continue in a new direction. I worked a little on the triptych on my vacation to the Oregon coast. I did some drawings that will contribute to the final piece. I don't really have a deadline for this so it's not that important, but I'm excited about the idea. I'm still working on the Megan Fox painting. This has been dragging waaaaayyy too long. Same with the pool player.

I started working on some small paintings (5" x 7") for Christmas presents. These are real fun and simple. The small size make them a challenge but I think the recipients will be impressed. I have several in the works and will be well prepared for Christmas.

One of these days I will do a piece on the San Francisco Giants, the 2012 World Series Champs. I made a small contribution to the 2010 SF Giants World Series Champs in one of my other pieces but I would like to paint something to commemorate their outstanding accomplishments for this year. Watching all the games with my dad and the Giants winning it all made a fabulous season. I see a new painting in my future.

I've been working on my new sketchbook, there's a lot going on in the news of the world and I like to reflect. My last sketchbook is complete, I just need to time to scan and post. I'm still working on the problem with the previous sketches that were posted incorrectly.

Hopefully next post will have some finished paintings.

August Progress

I'm still working on a few that need to be completed, I've just lost the inspiration since it's been so long. Except for "The Player," which use to be "The Queen of SF." She's still the queen but she's the BEST player of all time and taught me everything I know. Hopefully I'll have some of these completed by the end of next month or when I update this blog. I'm also working on the surfing series, I've completed a total of five pieces and have about 8 more to do. I'm always checking surfer mag for ideas. I also have a deadline to complete 6 more scrolls before Christmas. I'm not religious I just enjoy giving.

For new work, I've started a triptych that should be very interesting if it works. Relying on balance and structure this piece could a surprise. I also have found two ready made frames which are perfect for new work. I'm also working on a piece about Joan Rivers. It's a three dimensional piece that will make you laugh. I never get her humor and sometimes I'm offended so I thought I would take a stab at her. Also a piece about SJP.

I've also been working on my sketchbook. I've almost completed another book and should have it posted by the next time I update this blog. I'm having trouble with the last book posting it on the website but hopefully I should have the problem fixed real soon.

Tell next time, peace.

Progress: mermaid, scrolls

I'm not digging the new Blogger look, it's slow and confusing. Why do they have to change something that works just fine.

I just finished a Mermaid for a good friend. I think she will be impressed, it's a little silly but still a good one.

I'm also working on some paintings for some family members, the goal is to have four scrolls complete by Christmas. I've finished one. They rely on color and shape not necessarily content.

I still have the paintings that have been stuck in "complete me" stage; The pool player, Megan Fox (happy for Megan's pregnancy but jealous, so this painting might even take a little longer,) The Queen of SF (I might have to change the tittle of this one and do a major redevelopment, it's just not her and I want to capture her. She is more intelligent and creative than what the painting portrays.) I have a few more that are in the "complete me" but lack a tittle yet. Working on that.

To sum things up, I think I'm in a mode to deliver paintings to my friends and family, not necessarily to sell. This has been my approach for awhile now. I like to paint for my friends and family because I know I will see the painting again plus I like to see their expression when I deliver.

Tell next month, ...stay tuned to see what happens.

A Painter's Update

Well here we go again, it's been a while since I've updated this blog.

I just finished a painting and accomplished something substantial, working with phosphorescent material. I painted a woman with some direct lighting and used the material to high light particular areas. I think I'm going to continue this trend and continue to play with this paint.

I've also been working on a few small collages, working with ink jet prints to create some interesting effects.

I have other paintings that I'm still working on, The Pool Players, Megan Fox, Queen of SF, etc.

This "Occupy" movement is interesting and inspiring.

More Paintings....

Again it's been a long time since I've updated this blog. I've been working on a few new pieces but also trying to finish what I've started.

I'm getting ready to shoot some photos of some of my latest finished pieces for some of my friendly bartenders. These pieces are part of a series of paintings that have an unique presence, they are truly original and personal. They will be posted to the website soon. I've also started a few others, another clown, which is almost complete, I just need to make a few more decisions, and a lovely sexy lady. I tried to go back to my roots of shape, form and color to make this sexy lady interesting and pleasing. I'm still working on paintings about San Francisco, Megan Fox, playing billiards and some other misc. creative expressions.

I will try to update this blog more often. Thanks for taking a peek.

Latest Update

Wow! It's been a long time since I've updated this. I've finished most of those paintings displayed in the few entries. I've been working on Christmas presents for my niece, nephews and aunts. It's a busy time of year.

I've been working on a duo-tone romantic piece that should be finished soon. I'm mostly trying to finish the ones I started, I must have 8 unfinished. But I'm also working on a memorabilia piece that is looking quite nice for a good high school friend of mine.

I'm getting a new camera, so check back for pics of work in progress and check my site for finished works. Happy Holidays!

Work in Progress June 2, 2010

Here are some updates to some of the paintings I've been working on. Currently I'm working small, which is disappointing, but anticipate working larger. I have some ideas and opinions about this Gulf Oil Spill and will be painting something soon. I've also been working hard on a new book/journal with over 100 drawings and entries. Although I won't be posting them on this blog, it's too time consuming, they will be on my website in the near future.

Here is some of my work in progess. The orange one is almost complete.

update

Yes it has been a long time since I've posted on this blog, but I have been busy painting. I will have some new paintings in progress posted soon. I'm currently working on three paintings (actually about 10 paintings but 3 are on top of my list.) One is about a clown, another is about photography and the third, that's almost complete, is a painting about seven faces and a flower.

Although I'm not in a painting class currently, I've developed some skills that I have learned to expand my talents and intend to use them in future paintings. Painting classes are important to me to receive feedback from teachers and other artists but it also can damage or limit an artists vision. There are several ways to paint a painting and everyone has their own opinion on what they consider good art. I don't want to be in a mind-set that everything should look the way the instructor tells you. Advice is good but you want the painting to be your vision with your ideas.

I plan on taking more classes, but for now I'm going to trust myself and paint solo.

Work In Progress II

Here is the latest.

Painter and Viewer II

The importance of the relationship of painter and viewer doesn't necessarily rely on a single piece, but a body of work. If the viewer admires a body of work they believe in the painter, not just a painting. They put their investment in the painting and the painter, thus inspiring the painter. If the viewer doesn't like the work, it can inspire the painter to prove the viewer wrong. Either way the relationship is inevitable, not crucial.

Whats it worth?

The value of the a painting is often miss leading. The viewer might put a price on what they see, "Would this look good in my living room and would it give me some respect as an art collector?" Is the actual price of a painting the definition of what it's worth? Sometimes I don't think people even take it that seriously. They purchase a Thomas Kinkaid because it's the trend, even though it's a print with some extra paint thrown on it to look like an original, it will probably be worthless in 10 years or less. Or maybe they invest in an abstract expressionist painting from Costco to add a splash of color to their room, not even aware of who the artist is. These type of paintings blend into the rooms' environment and have little to say, yet alone express or add to the movement. But maybe they are after the value, and want to invest in more than just a painting. They need to be willing to take a risk and invest in something that contributes to art.

Master painters are before their time. They produce work seeking something new and different then what the typical viewer wants. They sole search and experiment. They paint because painting to them is a never ending puzzle and they are trying to find the solution. They enjoy trying to solve the puzzle, not for money or fame, but because they are inspired. These contributions and trials are what makes a painting precious and valuable before the viewers anticipation of buying it. Originality and creativity is the source that makes this true.

Work In Progress I

With this blog I wish to include works in progress. I won't reveal all my secrets and surprises because the elements of suspense including initial reaction to a piece is valuable and significant, but here are three paintings I'm currently working on. I don't know if I would call these break-through paintings, more like additions to my journey of exploration of style and expression.

Painter and Viewer

The relationship between the painter and viewer is inevitably but not crucial. Should the painter compromise creativity, style, subject matter, etc. to please the viewer? Or should the painter focus on the importance of the movement, take risks and allow the viewer to enter the uncommon? This is why taking risks to advance the movement is important. The artist is the master and without taking risks they will not achieve this status. If all the artist wants to achieve is to please the viewer, no progression will take place and therefore the artist will fail. The challenge is to advance the progression and to please the viewer without compromising. For some, compromising would be considered "selling out."

Moving On

In order for the progression to take place, in order for it to be a movement, I think we need to observe the basic fundamentals in what makes a painting successful. Subject matter and how the painting is painted are two key ingredients to the solution. Of course composition and use of color, shape, form and three dimensional elements add to the piece. But how the painting interacts with it's viewer is also very important. Although interaction is not new to painting, I think this is where painting can progress and has room to expand. It's the interaction that attracts the viewer, it draws them in and keeps them interested. Their experiences are what they remember and what makes them want more. Without exploring these basic characteristics of painting, we will continue to lack movement.

The Movement

The movement is not something to take lightly. It's valuable and important to our culture and our lifestyles. Art is a broad term and relates to everything including fashion to how our cars look. We see art everyday in merchandising, graffiti, nature, personalities, tattoos, etc. It's everywhere. Art needs to breathe and live and hopefully move forward in a progression. Can we get stuck in a rut and return to our old traditional ways of how we welcome art? I think it's possible and I believe we might just be stuck in that rut. What have we accomplished in the last 50 years as painters and artists? We look back to the past and find movements like cubism, surrealism, impressionism, minimalism, etc. Periods that shaped not only the paintings but the artists themselves and the people around them. Today we are over saturated with graffiti styles or dark disturbing subject matters to shock the viewer. We are flooded with the traditional looks of images of landscapes that take no risks and mutual ideas that only look good in a living room but adds nothing to the movement. Abstracts that add color, but no opinions to our complicated political environment. We want change, but we wouldn't know it by observing our modern art. Everyone needs to contribute and everyone does, as an artist, it's our job to emphasise and project that influence and change, enlighten the world with our reflections of our styles and fashion. Paint what people want to see or need to see, something new, something different.

First Blog

Hello, I'm Rob an artist, a painter influenced by the works of Picasso, Matisse and the period of cubism. I've been painting for over 15 years as a serious painter although I've been an artist all my life. I find painting to be therapeutic and a form of stress release. It sooths the sole and gives me the oportunity to express my feelings and opinions.

I recently saw a documentary on Georgia O'Keeffe and how art was in those times. It was very philosophical and there was such a big influence on Modern Art. Of course art should always be modern in my opinion, otherwise we are not progressing and moving forward as artists and art lovers.

I guess these are some of the things I wish to address in the future with this blog.