The Engineer

This one reminds me for a number of reasons of the metaphysical works of Giorgio de Chirico.

The Engineer, 2013, acrylic on cardboard, 48" x 36".

In the Land Beyond the Mountains

My monochrome paintings are becoming more complex, moving away from single heads and figures in shallow spaces and expanding to multiple figures and more detailed scenes.

In the Land Beyond the Mountains, 2013, acrylic on cardboard, 48" x 36".

Keeper of the Flame

Another angelic/mystical monochrome painting.

Keeper of the Flame, 2013, acrylic on cardboard, 48" x 36".

The Tragic Hero, Framed

Here are some in-studio shots of "The Strange Case of the Tragic Hero" all framed up & ready for the Limner Gallery's "Show of Heads" coming up in a few weeks. Special thanks to Jim Stevenson for all his work in making this possible.

Et in Arcadia

I don't normally use lettering in my artwork, but this is an exception to that rule. "Et in arcadia ego" means "even in paradise am I", the "I" being death. An homage to Nicolas Poussin, perhaps, who painted a famous version of this subject...

Et in Arcadia, 2013, acrylic on cardboard, 48" x 36".

The Chosen

I was considering titling this "The Chosen One" or even "The Chosen Few", but decided it would be more ambiguous & enigmatic to simply title it "The Chosen"...

The Chosen, 2013, acrylic on cardboard, 48" x 36".

Liqhaphite, again.

Here (see previous post) is the front of the Liquaphite pencil packet, with the product proudly displayed among genuine upstate New York fall foliage bits. As you can see, I haven't actually opened it yet. I really hope that it works efficiently after all this. Stay tuned for more on this exciting breaking news story.

Please note: I am in no way affiliated with Liquaphite.

Liquid Graphite, again...

I've been down this road before, searching for an alternative to the trusty but smudgy "lead" pencil. I've tried silverpoint...good but faint (and you have to gesso the drawing surface). I've tried liquid graphite in an earlier incarnation, but it clotted a lot & was not what I was looking for. I was just at the local art store in Rhinebeck buying some cardboard sheets to paint on, when I saw this item hanging on the wall. It's called "Liquaphite", which I assume is a portmanteau word derived from "liquid" & "graphite". I haven't opened it or used it yet, as I'm busy with other things, but here is a scan of the back of the packet, including the price tag of $1.89 (seems reasonable). I was going to scan the front, but as it includes the "pencil" in its 3d see-through plastic holder, it didn't come out very well. I may fire up my digital camera later, but here, for now is the back with the essential information.

Some observations:
1. The name of the product is not incredibly good. Makes you wonder what was rejected by the focus group.
2. It comes with 3 eraser refills, which seems excessive.
3. It doesn't come with graphite refills, but maybe it will last for ages.
4. What about non-standard tests?

Anyway, I'll let you know, in case you're interested.

The Day of the Prophet

This ink drawing took longer than expected, but then it came out quite well...

The Day of the Prophet, 2013, brush & ink on paper, 16.5" x 14".

The Boy Who Dreamed of Babel

Here is another painting depicting the Tower of Babel, though in this case it is relegated to a background element.

The Boy Who Dreamed of Babel, 2013, acrylic on cardboard, 48" x 36".

Caught in a Dream

This is a new brush & ink drawing that went beyond its original intention.

Caught in a Dream, 2013, brush & ink on paper, 16.5" x 14".

Figure Scaling an Obelisk (for JS)

This piece is unusual for me, in that it was inspired directly by a work from another artist...take a bow, Jim Steranko, I've appropriated your splash page from Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 from back in June 1968...this is my interpretation & done from memory, so hopefully I'm taking it in a slightly different direction here...

Figure Scaling an Obelisk (for JS), 2013, acrylic on cardboard, 48" x 36".

Here you can view a scan of the original. Having refreshed my memory, my version is very different, which is fine by me...

Crossing Over

I toyed with the title "Crossing the River Styx" before deciding on the final one.

Crossing Over, 2013, acrylic on cardboard, 48" x 36".

The Listening Hour

I've been here before...

The Listening Hour, 2013, acrylic on cardboard, 48" x 36".