The Red Wheel Barrow

so much depends
upon

a red wheel
barrow

glazed with rain
water

beside the white
chickens.

William Carlos Williams

I've always liked that one.  It speaks to me about the moment of inspiration.  That time when, after a seemingly endless period of effort, something happens and it's the jumping off point of something very important.  Although I'm not necessarily a religious person anymore I can't seem to get over the fact that things sure do have a funny way of coming together at just the right (or wrong) time.  The last few weeks have been a good example of this and some very unpleasant things have come to pass.  But as things seem to go other doors have opened juuuuust a hair and because of that additional light I have been shown other possibilities that I had lost sight of.  You toil and toil and you get desperate and then you see a picture or hear a song on the radio or an old friend comes up in conversation...  BANG!  You see the logic in it all just for a second.  Best to go with it.  It's how my painting The Numbers Man came up last year.

I kinda like that guy...

And it's how I came to a conclusion today.  There are details that still keep it from becoming more than a conclusion.  They balance everything on the head of a pin.  I'm not sure which way things will go, but it gives me a larger sense of purpose and a more open playing field. Sometimes it's hard to see in which ways you bind yourself.  I really realized today. While I've been thinking about making a change I hadn't really taken it far enough.  It's funny how you can say things to others and it makes perfect sense, but you don't automatically apply it to yourself as well.  I know I've been harping on this topic on and off for a while.

Simplify Simplify Simplify.

What could be more simple than a red wheel barrow glazed with rain water beside the white chickens?

Bawk Bawk


Cheers
R

Something to Cleanse the Palate

Every now and then you have to take a step away from what you're working on... and work on something else.  This is a piece I've been wanting to do for a while, but I've been so wrapped up that I haven't had the time to really explore the idea.

I painted a piece a while back and I was fairly happy with it, but I always felt like I'd missed the mark a bit.  I was trying to get a feeling across, but it really didn't solidify in that piece.  Later on talking with a friend we came across a print of the same piece after the first application of paint.  He said, "I wish you would've stopped painting right there".  So did I.  Every since I've been wanting to go back and try again.

So there you have it.  I do prefer it to my first effort.  I think it's a step in reconciling some of the more figurative, monochromatic work with the architectural stuff.  It's like when your left brain and right brain touch.  Little flashes go off.

Cheers,

R

In Repair

Maintenance.

It's one of the many joys of owning anything large enough to have more than a few moving parts (or software).  We as humans have both.  We need maintenance too.  Not to mention the occasional reboot and system flush.  That second one usually comes somewhere after the holidays.  The funny thing about it is that when things go wrong or break they usually tend to do it all at once.  All of this time floating around and things always seem to happen all at once.

But I'm getting out on a rant here...

So as I take my relatively high-mileage car in for a laundry list of issues of differing severity I also had to consider doing a bit of the same for myself.  I was past due for my 40,000 mile checkup and there was work to be done.   

It's also been a good time to catch up with a few commissioned projects in-waiting.  As I'm nearing the completion of the Aviva work I need to get my ducks in a row.  I need to figure out how to juggle making work for upcoming shows and commissions. I'm looking forward to the studio work because it will give me the opportunity to start exploring the path I started down last year working more figuratively.  I've got a few other ideas bouncing around in my head that I've been waiting to pull the trigger on as well.  I'll be getting the chance soon and that's exciting.  

I love Possibility.  It's one of my favorite things.

Speaking of which the possibility of a new year is upon us if you believe in that anymore.  I'm looking forward to it.  I'll be interested to see how this one pans out.  I've got a few things in mind.

In the meantime keep your eyes peeled.  This round of paintings is due to be completed soon.  You'll want to see them altogether when they're done.  6 canvases of this size (36" x 60") paired up with equally-large wall sculptures... it's going to be a damned sight to behold if I do say so my damned self.

Cheers,

R