Moon Hanger

New painting of dance model, Chelsea S. Not sure where I was going with this...just wanted to paint something wondrous...magical. 24x30. Debuts at the Newnan Artwalk, March 25th. I'll be at Flint Gallery...featured artist!

Paintings Delivered

All the work for the upcoming Pate family show has been delivered. Just got back from a trip to Hartsville SC to drop off mine. Nice gallery space and some exceptional work there. 12 family members will be showing paintings, drawings, photographs, architecture, animation, stained glass and jewelry. The opening is next week, March 3rd. The show will be up through the end of April. See more at one of the following links
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=152880711436669
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=149781028413025
http://www.blackcreekarts.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33%3Athe-pate-family-exhibit&catid=2%3Aevent-descriptions&Itemid=3

Emily Sings...Finally!

I started this painting 8-10 years ago...if memory serves. It has gone through a series of changes over that time...white dress, black sweater, several choir robes, white background, all dark background, hands, no hands, and on and on. I always loved the face, however, and that's what kept me going back to it. The model, Emily S, sang in church one Sunday and I asked her if she'd pose for some photos..singing. She has since graduated from high school and college, gotten married and had a child. I'm just glad this wasn't a demo...I think I would have lost my audience some while ago. 24x30 oil.

Byrdtown

Landscape of a scene in Byrdtown SC...just outside Hartsville. This is right behind where my wife lived when we were dating. I titled it "Hidden House" as the house is barely visible from the road. It's a mid winter scene...I kind of like the subdued colors. Painted for a family show coming up in March in Hartsville. 12 family members including a painting by my grandmother will be displayed at the Black Creek Arts Council gallery,116 West College Avenue Hartsville, SC. Opening is March 3... show runs through April.
12X36 oil
$1850

Say Yes to the Tutu

New dance model, Melinda S, did a great job for us last night. A couple of 12-13 minute sketches shown here. Conte and pastel. Motown music from "The Big Chill" kept us entertained as we drew. Good turnout.
Top sketch- NFS
Bottom sketch- $225.

Take it Easy

The Eagles provided our music last night as we drew Ashleigh F. Outstanding poses and a fun outfit made for a good night. This conte and pastel wasn't drawn in a New York minute but 15 minutes goes pretty fast. I guess that's life in the fast lane. Ashleigh, the girl from yesterday, definitely does not need to learn to be still...excellent composure. OK, I'll quit.

Hair!

Dance model Katie C sitting on stool, leaning against the bar. Detail of a 15 minute conte and pastel. Delightful poses last night and a good group of 7 artists. Music by the 5th Dimension, hence, the "Hair!" title. Here's a little music trivia:

In 1969, the musical "Hair" was on Broadway. It was interesting how the Fifth Dimension ended up recording "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In". Florence said, "It was a real fluke. We were performing in New York City and Billy lost his wallet in a taxi. The man who returned it invited us to see a play he produced. The play of course was Hair. Well we heard Aquarius and we all just looked at each other and said ‘We’ve got to sing this song. It’s great.'" It was producer Howe who suggested splicing Aquarius together with lyrics from another number in the musical which became "Let The Sunshine In". He got together with arranger Bob Alcivar & put the two songs together, making them work as one single. "We recorded that song in Las Vegas, in this small studio," says LaRue. "Our voices were all tired, we’d been performing there for over a month. It was the quickest thing we ever recorded and it was one of our biggest hits." They were very close to the railroad tracks, and while they were singing the final chorus, a train rumbled by. You can still hear the locomotive, though, just barely, on the final master.