new figure new Chirper

I’m a 8mo. old dad and am enjoying myself with the challenges and triumphs of seeing little people grow up so quickly. There are a lot of things going on including some career shifts. Were doing fine with money surprisingly, I still don’t have a main gallery since Canyon Fine Art closed and am taking my time. Mainly, I feel some things happening after the “10 years of Chirps” show. My work is taking me in some directions where a lot is changing or I’m metabolizing some old lessons. Whatever it is I want to be careful about what new influences come in. So I’m cruising on a few commissions and print sales for now and I thank you all for the continued support.

The new big chirp380 (title pending) made a big impact. At this turn, I don’t feel the need to visually justify the different techniques and approaches to creating an image. In other words, I’m letting myself play and multiple ways of creating a recognizable branch, leaf or claw. Most art is creates a consistent and harmonious surface or idea and I think I’m letting go of that notion even more than before. I keep coming back to art as a present moment practice where I bring myself to the image and react to whats happening on the piece and within myself. Not to present a vision that already exists in my mind or a neat and tidy harmonious end product. It’s really freeing and fun.

Which brings me to my new figure piece HungryGhost (parachute)

This piece, I’ve been noodling on for since before the kids were born. The idea that sparked it was the idea of in certain games your perspective is 3rd person. As if we can actually see ourselves. In some ways we do, occasionally I remember a dream and I see myself next to my late Grandfather at his card table, and of course with self-consciousness we, in our minds see ourselves, albeit skewed to our personal sense of shortcomings.

I just read something about Gamers having more access to lucid dreaming because they take on a character in games and control them in this 3rd person way. Well I do game, and have the occasional experience in dreamland. With this piece, I automatically identify with the character in front more than the Titanic giant/demon/Kaiju in the foreground. I wonder if that is true for you?

Well again, Im just trying to “show up” and see what happens and this is the end result. From that point I’m problem solving visually and trying to react and play with what comes up as I stand in front of the work over many hours of change. I’m letting go of the pristineness of watercolor paper and on this piece I was moved to do some cutting and collage to cover or make changes. Watercolor has a large Traditionalist following which can be good and bad, I try to incorporate that Tradition and act with an open mind to the possibilities. Well, I just wanted to share a few thoughts about the pieces. thanks!