New work in the works

Although I've taken a break from the daily doodle entries, that doesn't mean I've stopped making any art. In fact, I started 2 new pieces this weekend based on recent journal doodles. Above is a 12"x12" painting that I started this weekend. It's not yet finished, but it's far enough along to share with you. I've got a second one that's about half way complete. I'm hoping to have them both complete in time for my art opening/open house event this Saturday. I'm not sure of the titles yet or if this is the start of a new series, but I'm enjoying doing something different from my other work.

I'm not sure where I got the quote from, but it really hit home. These unintended consequences. In an effort to stop having nightmares, you stop having any dreams. Or in an effort numb the pain heartbreak, you numb your heart so entirely that you stop feeling joy or love.

Recommended listening: "Novacaine" by Amber Rubarth

Nearing completion - Cross #8 16"x20"

Cross #8 (almost completed) - acrylic - 16" x 20" - $170 plus shipping if required

I've got another of my another of my popular cross paintings nearly finished. These tend to sell pretty quickly if you're interested. I sold one in Dec and another as recently at the end of March. I try to keep one in stock at all times. This puppy brings home the bacon so I can buy more paint and other supplies for new concepts and paintings.

This Year I'm going Pro

That's right. I'm going Pro. Not in football or some other sport, but as an artist. Ok, I'm not quitting my day job, it's not that drastic or daring. But at least I've now got corporate sponsorship - sorta. I just signed on for the largest painting I've ever done. Two 4 ft by 6 ft canvases combined to create one massive painting. I'm going to need a bigger easel (hah, when i read this i think of "you're going to need a bigger boat"). I ordered the custom canvas yesterday, and will be placing an order with cheapjoes.com for other supplies soon.

Not Alone – proposed set for a grief counseling center for children. This is just a rough sketch.

Also in the "i cant believe im doing this" art news, I'm working on a children's book with 2 very talented writers based on my "To Send a Prayer" series. The thing is. I have to create like 15 new paintings at a size that is better suited for the book's layout. In 4-6 months, I should be able to sell you a book that I illustrated. Crazy! 

I have one of my 12"x36" paintings that I sold through Facebook and need to ship to.... wait for it... Sierra Madre, CA. Does that make me a nationally known artist?  ;)   - Update, so I went to Fedex at the suggestion of Deeann Rieves who ships her work all the time. I couldnt find a good box so I just took the painting there and hoped they had one. they did have one for paintings but it was huge! We boxed it up using that box and then weighted it and figured the shipping. It was going to be 100 bucks. After I picked myself off the floor, i suggested we cut down the box and try again. It took at lot of work (on the Fedex girl's part not mine. I just supervised.) but we got cut the box down to about a third of the original size. At the new size, it was only going to cost 30 and that included the box i purchased. WIN

Now I just need to get commissioned to illustrate a favorite band's cover art (just give me a call Over The Rhine, Avett Brothers, Amber Rubarth, A Fine Frenzy, I'll be happy to cut you a deal. hey if we're going to pretend, let's shoot for the moon.) Or I could be represented by a fancy art gallery. It'd have to be something pretty BIG to top what's already happened. I've pretty much surpassed any expectations or goals I had set for myself this year. 

Art Studio Renovations

I love shopping at antique stores. Oh the cool old things you can find! I dont know what this was originally - a large card catalog, storage cabinet? All I know is it can hold art supplies really well and looks super cool. Fellow artists who love antiques, eat your heart out.

Erin's Grove - untitled #2

This is the second painting from my new series called Erin's Grove. These paintings are bright abstracts inspired by trees and branches in my backyard.

This is how the painting would hang with the darker brown at the bottom. I was lazy and didn't get out a second easel. I wouldn't call this complete. It still needs some work but it's at least three quarters of the way there. But you can see where its going. It's made up of 2 canvases -- a 20"w by 16" h and a 18" w x 24" h. It's also intended to be hung with a small gap between the canvases but again i was lazy this morning.

Three Panels at Once

I am not sure that this truly counts as a triptych. I had the impression that the middle panel had to be larger than the outer panels. Either way this is my first shot at doing one. It was also my first time to paint three canvas at once and to do a project that was so wide. Each panel is 16" w by 20" h which makes the total size 48" w x 20" h.

Nearing completion

Untitled and unfinished fish 

 acrylic on canvas – size? 24"x18"

So this started out as a heart with flames bursting out of it, but i was never fond of the heart or the background of that painting. Also, i kept seeing this fish shape in the flame. So I took gesso to most of the painting till it was just blank canvas and the fish. Now it's a fish in this fiery current. I might play with it some more or i just leave it as is. Tough call. 

Oh and Cross #6 is 95% done. 

Starting new painting - Cross #6

I've got this painting down to a cake recipe. I know step by step how to make this cross and could almost paint it blindfolded. Why keep painting it? People love it, and the sales keep me well stocked in canvas and paint. I'm going to try some little modifications and experiments with it so that I'm not bored. Going on vacation was great, but I need to get back into a painting groove. This should be a nice way to ease into it. 

PS: I was in the Bartlett/Cordova Commercial Appeal last Saturday credited with writing a short article with photo about the current show at the Stirring Art Gallery. A full color photo of "Passage Cross" with a caption about my show at Java Cabana was also in the Memphis Flyer this past week. Pretty cool stuff. I'm very thankful.     

PSS: I had to check just out of curiosity. I can't believe it. The Memphis Flyer's current issue has a BIG four color photo and caption about the Chris Reed's art show at the Stirring Gallery. That's back to back coverage in the Flyer. Awesome.