Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Another Art Festival Approaches . . .



Friday, Saturday and Sunday will bring the Waxahachie "Heart of Texas" Art Festival to their Civic Center. The past two weeks have been intense, as I've sought to complete new work and set up new limited editions of my watercolors. Most recently, I've completed "Waxahachie Blue," which features an ancient baby blue Plymouth parked one block off the Waxahachie town square in front of this fascinating eclectic shop. I had hoped to sell the painting to a local who might recognize the vehicle and store, but alas, the print shop purchased the original this morning when I took it in to have it imaged and reproduced in a limited edition series. Perhaps the Waxahachie folk will take interest in the prints.

I've spent the better part of this day doing the Andy Warhol "Factory" experience--printing 5 x 7" greeting cards of all the watercolors I've completed during this 2008 season. I have completely covered our dining room table with the cards!

Another recently completed watercolor features an El train inside the Chicago City Loop. I've also had limited editions printed of this one, and will be able to put the original watercolor on display in this weekend's festival.

As the festival day draws nearer, I'm growing more excited, and workdays are lengthening. With sadness I realize that this will end my festival actitivity till well after school begins. My next show will be Fort Worth's Jazz by the Boulevard, the weekend of September 19, 20, and 21.
Oh well . . . back to the Factory.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Return to the Art Studio



How long has it been? Writing a sermon for last Sunday took me out of the studio for a few days (well, I was still in the studio, but writing instead of painting). It gets a little cramped in here--a 10 x 12 third bedroom that serves as library, art studio, and music room. Book cases, drafting table, writing desk and guitars and amps barely leave room for my body.

At any rate, I've found a new burst of creative fire. I have nine watercolors in progress, along with a series of sketches that will support additional watercolor compositions. I'm particularly excited over a pair of Chicago watercolors barely underway--one of Buddy Guy's Legends blues club, the other of an El train moving past a Columbia College billboard splashed all over the side of a building. The drawing of the latter took place this morning at the local Arlington Coffee Haus, in the company of Dan Darr and Jose Barbaro. When the three of us get together to make art in a coffee house, time stands still. We worked three hours today--long enough for me to draw in all the details needed for the El train, fire escape, and surrounding buildings.

Tomorrow I travel with my wife Sandi to Lyndon Acres where she will ride Andante, her pride and joy. This 3-year-old bay horse is a gentle giant--half thoroughbred, quarter Belgian and a quarter Hanavarian. He is so huge that she looks like a jockey riding him. While she rides, I will work in my "studio beneath the trees"--one of my favorite environs for watercolor exploration. Over the past two summers, I have created over half a dozen watercolors at the horse ranch.

Until next time (hopefully tomorrow) . . .

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Buddy Guy

I'm motivated by the sale of my Chicago watercolor today. This September, I'll be exhibiting at the Jazz by the Boulevard festival in Fort Worth. The headline act will be Buddy Guy. Last April I visited his Legends blues club a couple of times and took a number of photos. I've laid out my supplies to begin a watercolor study of his club, hopefully first thing in the morning. As for tonight, I have livestock to feed.

Sold an original today

The Burson Gallery show continues to do well. Today I sold an original watercolor, "Sweet Home Chicago." It is my newest painting, and has yet to be added to my website. Four days after the opening, I have sold one original and four prints. I find that very satisfying. It certainly gives impetus to my creating new work in the studio.