2006 Works on Ayton.net

I've finally gotten around to creating a new page for new works on my "official" web site: http://www.ayton.net/gallery_06.html. There are only about 9 new works up so far, with more on the way. I was hoping to shoot some photos today, but it's gloomy & rainy, & I usually shoot photos outside in indirect sunlight, which seems to give the best results. I tried under the studio lights this morning, but the digital photos were not good.

I've been painting a lot recently for my upcoming solo show in Poughkeepsie -- October 21 through November 18. I'm also planning to do an open house at my studio around my birthday, November 11.

Much of this year has been taken up with moving house & fixing up my new studio. The new studio is the largest working area I've ever had by far. The ground floor alone (main working area) is around 1,200 square feet. So, I feel that I have to spend a lot of time working in the studio, & so far it's working out pretty well...

Young Orpheus

New image:



Acrylic on masonite, 2006, 24" x 24" approx. For the "Myths" solo show in Poughkeepsie in Nov. (if it makes the cut). I think this is the first time I've painted an "Orpheus" image -- there are several drawings throughout the years.

Minotaur

Here's a new painting from the last few days:



Acrylic on masonite, 2006, 24" x 24" approx. The Minotaur is a recurring theme -- see the "Small Drawings" book on lulu.com (plug) for 3 wildly differing examples (including the cover image). This may be the image I use on the postcard invite for my upcoming solo show in Poughkeepsie (Barrett Art Center), which is probably going to be entitled "Myths & Monsters -- New Works by William T. Ayton".

More about the Works In Progress

At this point in time, I'm finding that the blog is getting cluttered with multiple versions of paintings in progress, which even I'm finding confusing. So, here's what I'm going to do: in the next few days, I'm going to start removing them & replacing them with finished (or close enough) versions. I think that, while it's interesting to see an artist's progress with various pieces, less is more & there can be too much of a good thing.

So, they're going to come down...

Submerged Man

Another new image:



Acrylic on masonite, 2006, 24" x 24" approx. More to follow.

The Isle Of The Living

Another new image in progress:



Acrylic on masonite, 24" x 24", 2006.

Basically a variation or subversion of Arnold Böcklin's "Isle Of The Dead". Probably not finished...

Tomb Of Cyclops

This seems to be the finished version:



Acrylic on masonite, 2006, 24" x 24" approx. See study for this painting in previous post.

Concerning Works In Progress

Please note that the works in progress that I upload here may not be finished, may not be photographed under ideal conditions, & may eventually be completely altered, painted over, or even destroyed. The idea here is to open a window into my creative process. That is all. Thanks for your patience & understanding.

Thus endeth the disclaimer.

Colosseum

New image:



Acrylic on unstretched canvas, 52" x 53" approx. Began as a Tower of Babel image, but mutated into something else entirely. It happens.

Morning Over Sparta

New image:



Acrylic on unstretched canvas, 2006, 54" x 53" approx.

Tomb Of Cyclops (study)

Acrylic on board, 2006, 10" x 8". This is a small piece I did a couple of months ago & am considering doing a larger-scale, more developed version. Watch this space, as they say.

Lost Empire

Latest version. See entry below for stats. Could be finished -- not sure...

Narcissus Melts

Updated version, looking better (see entry below for info). The colors are slightly yellower in this photo than in actuality, due to the incandescent lighting in my studio.

2005 painting: Small, Lonely Landscape

Here's another one from the archives:



Acrylic on canvas board, 10" x 8". Somewhat anthropomorphic landscape.

'94 or '95 painting: Man's Head

Here's a painting that's never been photographed before:



Oil on unstretched canvas, 28" x 26" approx. It was done in our first Brooklyn apartment (96 Dean St.), in the tiny spare room which later became our baby daughter's bedroom.

For a long time, it was rolled up in a closet. A year or so ago, I took it out, unrolled it & pinned it to the wall. Now, I've finally documented it.

One of the reasons for doing this blog was to expose obscure works that didn't fit on my regular web site, www.ayton.net.

1992 drawing: Phoenix

Pen & ink on paper, 8.5" x 6.75". From the Small Drawings book, page 63. The "92" in the upper right corner refers to the page number in the Paris (I was living in Paris in '92, which also happens to be the page number here) sketchbook -- there were 120 pages in the book.

2002 drawing: Minotaur Squared

Brush & ink on paper, 9" x 6.8". As seen on the front cover & page 54 of the Small Drawings book. Also can be seen on the Worldwide Art Gallery.

1992 drawing: Leda

Pen & ink on paper, 11.5" x 8.25". As published in the "Small Drawings" book (page 41).

New drawing: The Sleeper Suddenly Awakes

Ink on gray construction paper, 2006, 12" x 12". Tentatively titled.

New painting: A Model Citizen

Acrylic on board, 2006, 16" x 12". It could happen to you.

Regarding the art book...

The "AYTON" art book is currently on hold. I'm working on some new pieces for a solo show & some other things, & might want to put some of the new works in the book. I'm also considering what is the best format & what exactly to put into it. At the moment I think it may be too diverse in content...I'll post something here when there is something to say about it.

Small Drawings Book

I've edited & updated the Small Drawings portfolio to 80 pages (77 drawings):



Cover image is "Minotaur Squared" from 2002.

I kept finding more pieces I wanted to include -- so I created a new version. Interior pages are b/w, cover is color. Price is $9.99 US. Available now from Lulu.com. I'll post some of the new images & more details shortly...