"Fetishism"

After finishing my traditional paintings, I enjoy immersing myself in the world of abstract art. I affectionately refer to this practice as "mindless painting," where I allow my thoughts to wander freely as I translate them onto canvas. In my latest piece, titled "Fetishism," I explore the abstract representation of various body parts.

Self-Portrait. 17th Century Style

Beginning of glazing application

Beginning of self-portrait

The only aspect of this painting that resonated with me was the dress. Despite my efforts to achieve accurate proportions, I found myself struggling. In frustration, I resorted to tracing other images to ensure my painting resembled the individual rather than a monstrous interpretation.

Despite dedicating ample time to sketching my subjects, I continually fall short of capturing their essence. However, I recognize that patience and practice are essential companions on the journey to mastery.

"Mt Palisades" Completed

This painting has undergone numerous transformations, and as of now, it stands as a completed piece! Initially, my perspective was skewed by the amalgamation of two photos. The interplay of lighting, shadows, and the arrangement of foliage led to a series of evolving changes in the piece.

Before painting over the foliage on the left side of the painting, I found it to be overly busy. However, after making the adjustment, I found myself wishing I had left it untouched. Adding more paint created an unintended texture to the leaves, resulting in an appearance that didn't quite sit well with the overall composition. Ah, the joys of the learning curve!

Black-Eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susans symbolize encouragement, motivation, and resilience. They are often associated with positivity, determination, and the ability to overcome obstacles. Additionally, they can represent admiration and appreciation for someone's strength and endurance.

These sunny flowers evoke bittersweet memories of my childhood. I remember one summer vividly: I was just a kid, splashing in my kiddy pool next to the flower garden my mom had painstakingly planted near our backyard play area. The air was filled with laughter and joy until a bumblebee, drawn by the commotion, appeared. Suddenly, a piercing scream escaped my throat, shattering the tranquility. My mother, sitting nearby, rushed over in a panic. I remember the terror as I saw something lodged in my arm—a black, sticky object, pulsating and oozing. My skin swelled up, red and inflamed, like a grotesque balloon. The pain was excruciating, a stark contrast to the blissful moments that had just passed.

The sight of these beautiful golden blooms stirs painful memories, yet I love having them as part of my garden. I foggily recall the moment when my divorce was imminent—I had just finished planting my Black-Eyed Susans, their bright petals shimmering in the sunlight. It struck me then, the irony of how such delicate flowers could evoke contrasting emotions: the pain of a chapter closing, and a reminder of resilience and the beauty that can emerge from difficult times.

As for my artistic pursuits, painting flowers remains a challenging subject for me. Despite my reluctance, I persist in capturing their likeness on canvas, and maybe one day I will be happy with the result. In the meantime, I find solace in the way their natural beauty mirrors the complexities of life.

"Mt Palisades" update

"Mt Palisades"

A work in progress. Will post more when completed.

New Addition "Mt Palisades"

Here's a glimpse of my latest painting, inspired by a photo captured during a hike at Mississippi Palisades Park in Savanna, IL. Upon reviewing the photo, I felt compelled to introduce mountains into the background to enhance visual interest. Drawing inspiration from the work of my favorite photographer,

Thomas Mangelsen, I embarked on my first venture into mountain landscapes, also experimenting with a palette knife for the first time, a departure from my usual brush technique.

Initially, wielding the palette knife felt awkward, given my familiarity with brushes. As I navigated the interplay of knife and paint, realizing my envisioned image proved challenging. Over the years, this painting underwent numerous transformations. There were moments where I contemplated starting anew, yet I persisted, layering paint upon paint.

At times, I found satisfaction in its evolution, only to later mar it with additional textures that detracted from its essence. For nearly a decade, the canvas languished in a corner, until I resolved to reinvigorate it with fresh strokes.

Photograph by Diana Van Baale
at Mississippi Palisades Park

Photograph by Thomas Mangelsen

How Many Steps Does It Take To Create A Painting?

The painting process varies with each painting.

Update 2024: More than a decade later and I still have yet to sign it into completion.

"Emalee" Oil Portrait Complete

After six long months...I finally called it quits on this painting. I had so many issues with this painting that I must say I am relieved to move on to my next project. When learning how to's....on a painting that means so much can cause much unwanted stress. This portrait was not a commissioned piece but one I am planning on giving my daughter for a graduation gift. My goal was realism but as you can see it is far from that. I need to get real and realize, realism is not my thing.