Sublime

This painting (oil on board) is of my little granddaughter, Avarie Ann, born on January 13, 2015. 
The title of the work is Sublime. The painting is 5" x 7"...yes inches, size of a postcard.

 

On The Move

Once again I am on the move.  I will be starting my MFA studies at UMass Dartmouth this Fall.  My work will be posted as I progress through the program. 

I also wanted to add that I reworked one of my paintings posted earlier in this blog. I titled the work Fadeout.

Dog Portrait

Animal portraits are not my forte, but I have tackled a dog portrait. This work is in graphite.

Stuck - graphite on paper, 8"x 10"

Starting a New Self-Portrait

I am currently working on a new self-portrait, again on canvas board, 6" x 8". Pictures will follow in the near future.

Recently Completed Self-Portrait

Fadeout - oil on canvas board, 8" x 10"

Working on a Portrait

I am currently painting another portrait. Yesterday, I painted eight hours straight. Today, exhausted. I will pick up the brush again tomorrow. Images will be posted shortly.

Update to Another Drawing...

I recently reworked the portrait, titled The Connoisseur. I was not pleased with how the body just cut off at the base of the drawing, so I gave it weight by adding more smoke curling around the base and brought the shirt down into the smoke. This balances the drawing and really anchors the portrait.

Finally at a Stopping Point!

This drawing has taken me over 72 hours of drawing time. I have constructed, deconstructed, reconstructed this image more than twenty times! I am happy to post an image of the portrait. The angle of the portrait and the foreshortening of the pipe really gave me a battle. I wanted the beard to have a sense of depth and skin visible from beneath the beard. Facial hair is so difficult and tedious. I am pleased, though, with my hard work.

The Connoisseur -

It has been a while since I last checked in, but I have been very busy.  I completed this portrait and am very happy with the results.  Graphite on paper, titled The Connoisseur.

Working on A Doggy Logo for a Local Art Show

This is my logo design:

Recently Completed Painting

The Airplane Ride - Newly Completed Illustration

How Many Times Have You Heard....Think Positive!?

Here is my response to think positive; 

I just completed this little illustration today.  

Please remember all work posted on this blog

 is copyright protected.  

40 Inspiring Workspaces of the Famously Creative

This is worth clicking through, there are some really awesome photos of famous writers, artists, illustrators, and designers–so worth seeing.  It's amazing the different ways they worked, and how they liked their workspace environments.  Some are messy fire hazards, others are austere.  Please take a moment and view them.  It might inspire the artist in you. 

http://www.buzzfeed.com/summeranne/40-inspiring-workspaces-of-the-famously-creative

Beautifully, Expressive Art

https://rmcad.digication.com/IreneMcCray/Welcome/published

Too Funny

So I am sitting in a coffee shop (no commercial plug here) when a young man walks in with a painting in his hands, sits down at a table (no drink purchase) and hangs out for a couple of hours.  I am busy doing research for my graduate studies.  My BF walks in and chats with the guy asking him questions about his art.  The guy at the table next to them hears that the artwork is for sale at the very low price of $100.00 and buys it on the spot.  He also just happens to have $100.00 cash in his pocket.  WHAT!?!?!?  Now don't get me wrong, I am very happy for the artist, but this would never happen for me! 

This is what my scenario would be:  I walk into the coffee establishment (green and white is the color of their cups).  I buy a drink because that's what you should do if you are in a retail establishment.  I would sit for a few minutes, the manager would walk up and ask what I am doing.  I would say that I am just sitting, drinking my coffee.  The manager insists that I leave, that selling art in their establishment is not allowed.  I answer, "I'm not selling it; it's just sitting there resting against the window."  I would then be reprimanded and asked to "take down the art and/or leave."  People are staring, I am turning red with embarrassment..... I leave with my painting and chuck it in the dumpster on the way out of the parking lot. 

This kid, no problems, no "hey bud get that out of here," just so cool, too cool and the art is sold.  My BF ends up being the best shill on the planet for THAT GUY! 

New Work - Watercolor Frustrations

I recently completed a portrait painting.  I attempted to do it entirely in watercolor.  Quickly becoming frustrated with the lack of depth to the painting, I decided to use gouache for the background and then layered washes of watercolor over it.  The woman is, however, entirely painted in watercolor.  It was hard for me to switch up from oil to watercolor.  I wasn't capturing the nuances at first, but I am pleased with the outcome.  I mainly switched from oil to watercolor because I was needing to work indoors with very little ventilation.  I am happy to be back at work with my oil on canvas.  The watercolor/gouache painting below:  Untitled, 16" x 20"-watercolor and gouache on watercolor board. 

Work Accepted in Museum of The Living Artist

Good news!  Out of 1200 entries and only 95 accepted works, my work was one of them!  My painting, titled Night Terrors will be exhibited at the Art Institute, Museum of the Living Artist in Balboa Park–showing for the month of April. 

My Journey From Middle School to College...

The Superhero Within: My Journey From Middle School to College. 

Press Releases Really Do Work...

A friend of mine, Eddy, wrote up a nice press release for my political work.  The local paper picked up the story.  A nice way to get your name and work out there, and it's free!  Thanks Eddy.