Treading Pigment

I am officially chest deep in acrylic paint at this point. I feel so busy, though most of my work has been placed upon my shoulders by me. This coming Friday marks the commencement of a new stage of my life, and I am not certain that I feel completely prepared for it. This fall marks a continuation and perhaps a culmination of everything that I have been doing for 7 years. I speak of course of graduate school and of my solo show at Blue Bottle.

I know that I am supposed to learn in graduate school and that there is no need to "be" a complete product when I show up, but I do, however, want to be in a proper state of mind, ready to learn, ready to paint at warp speed, so I have been practicing and reading and trying to expand my mind. The next 2 years will be the most rigorous of my life thus far. I am certain of that. My natural inclination is to take this sort of atmosphere and focus on it, and convince myself that I am behind and then focus on it more. I know this, this is who I am, and I am so looking forward to this.

In preparation of some new concepts that I have going on, I taken the train concept a little further. In sketchbooks it has gone still further and more paintings and perhaps combine paintings will be coming to fruition shortly. Here, however, is the beginning:

Admittedly this is not the greatest photo, but you get the general idea. It is all based off of the cover illustration that I did for OVS magazine, which by the way should be available for purchase from ovsmag.com very soon.

The second piece that I have for folks today is another from the series for "Wings of Fury". This show is really turning into a marathon for me. I'm trying to finish as many small and relevant pieces as possible and it is making me focus more on the elements of art and production value than I have in the past.


On a personal note. The reason I call the solo show at Blue Bottle a culmination of the last 7 years is because, when I started this, 7 years ago, I was submitting work on consignment to Blue Bottle and wanted very badly to have a show there. I felt that if I did have a show there that that would mean I was finally successful. Well, I guess this September under those beliefs, I will be successful. But as one race is finished the next starting line is waiting right around the corner.

It has been a long crazy ride. I am sure it will continue to be so. Here's hoping that it remains interesting for all of you to stay on the train.

Peace
-Mike

A Quick Update

I have been working feverishly enough that I am having trouble keeping track of time. Here is the fruit that I bore so far today. Hopefully I can do some more after I am done with the day job today. Sometimes I feel so exhausted afterwords that I have nothing left.

I think this is done. Not sure yet. I'm going to sit with it and see tomorrow. But for now, it's at least come a long way.

More to come soon. Keep checking in people.
Peace
-Mike

A Study in Miniature: Continued

The onslaught of small paintings continues. I am really digging working tiny. I've been working on small paintings for the past five years, but these are tiny paintings. I love it. It really allows me to focus on character more and plot less. Plot is great, but I'm feeling more interested in 1 shots right now. The goal to completely litter the walls of the Blue Bottle, I think is completely attainable.

Here is a piece in progress. I drew it out a few times before I arrived at this particular composition, and I'm glad of it, because I think it is more successful than when I started.

To be honest, I don't think, I know. The original was truly a concept drawing. So static. I'm glad that Beth advised me to sketch more. It has really helped.


I love the simplicity that I feel I can get away with in these smaller pieces. There are a lot more in the works. I don't think any of them are going to cost more than 50 bucks either. So those of you with a budget like mine, that have been wanting a piece, pay close attention to the Blue Bottle website once September rolls around.

Til next time.
Peace
-Mike

Staying the Course

It has been busy in Lewis Acrylics land. Very busy, and it is time to catch folks up just a little bit. First off, the Goonies Reunion show in Astoria at Lunar Boy Gallery was an incredible success. I sold both pieces that I had hanging in the show. That's better sales than I sometimes manage in a solo show. There are still some great pieces available in the show though, so be sure to check out some of the other Artist's work here.

Second. Paying for school is crazy beans. I've had trouble convincing the loan company that I live where I say I live. I thought that this was because of my PO Box, but now realize that originally I had started looking at MECA while living at my old place in Ashland a little over a year ago. MECA still had what seems like an address from months ago and were in turn sending the wrong address to JP Chase. It goes without saying that that wasn't going to work, but now everything is fine and in a mere 2 weeks I will begin attending classes at MECA. Woot!

Third. I have 2 weeks until school, which leaves me a very limited time period to finish my show for this September, but I have been putting in a grueling effort and think that I will manage just fine. Last night I pulled together 3 small pieces. I've decided to keep most of the paintings in this show very small and to do a lot of them on paper in random thrift store frames. Barry McGee style. If you don't know Barry McGee, check him out on PBS's Art 21 site. He's amazing.

Anywho, here is the first piece.

This is Rita, who I painted in a more transparent acrylic manner. It's kind of nice for a little change, and gives me a chance to do some ink work, which I haven't worked on since the first time I was in college.

I call this one, "Here to Save the Day". I'm having a bit more fun with the actual paintings of the Mighty Lark now. If you're interested at all in the Mighty Lark too, there is a comic that is going along with this show in September. Page 2 will be going up tomorrow. Mightylark.blogspot.com

This is Albie, Rita's hubby. I'm really enjoying trying to carry my characters a little further here. Albie is a carpet bagger, hence the derby and the carpet bag.

There is more to come soon. Stop back often.
Peace
-Mike

Catching Up...

I am starting to gain a little bit of momentum. Slowly but surely I am digging my way out of this hole that I've created for myself. Sometimes I bite off a bit more than I can chew. I will be the first to admit that.

I've settled up with MECA, though seeing the numbers in front of me definitely made my heart take a flying leap and dropkick my brain, but I've survived that and have moved on to the creation of more work.

Today was the first day of the "Wings of Fury" saga on Mightylark.blogspot.com. I am stoked to be working with the Mighty Lark again, and am progressing much more smartly with the web comic this time. I already have the first 3 pages drawn out, but am posting 1 a week. Just to be certain I don't miss a week, and that there is a little more suspense and room for revision. The show that is going in tandem with the comic has also taken a very positive turn.

I have started working a bit more feverishly while at the easel and the results have left me immensely pleased. Here is the first piece that I cranked out with a bit more energy:

The scan is not great, but you can get the idea from this image at least.

I've also started doing some really small pieces for the show. The majority of these are going to be on paper and framed, Barry McGee style, crowding the corner of a wall. I want to really unload a lot of paintings on the Blue Bottle this fall. I have so much pent up nervousness and energy, it seems better to unleash it on art. Here is the first out of that series:

I am really stoked about this little paper piece. Beth made me draw it several times before the finish. It was flat and awful with a decent concept, now not flat and awful and I am very pleased with it.

Lastly, I finished my Sean Astin portrait for the 2nd piece in the Goonies show. Now I just need to pack the box and get it out.

Awww....Mikey. Now that I look at this piece a little closer, I should probably have put the inhaler in, but as it is I am pretty pleased with one of the first portraits I've painted in several years.

For now that is it, I must get back to work. So much to do and so very little time.
Til the next time.

Peace
-Mike