Well, the portfolio is up to date - more or less. In fact, I got there just before Xmas and I've been letting things settle since then.
I now think, by sheer force of numbers, my life drawings seem to dominate the portfolio pages. It isn't what I envisaged - but at the same time, they do prevent the more colourful paintings and drawings from clashing; from appearing "samey" and confusing the eye.
A friend commented on the imbalance in favour of female over male drawings. I had to explain that I don't organise the models. I take what comes - and every Life group I've ever attended prefers female models. Consequently, I have many more female drawings. Generally though, I do prefer to draw women too. For me, women are far more sensual - and sensuality has always been a major theme in my work. However, there are other themes and ideas I enjoy exploring - some of which are antithetical to the idea of sensuality. But Life Drawings are simply life drawings - not important themes or ideas.
Yesterday a man came into the gallery with his grandson - about age 12. Currently on display, amongst a whole range of other works, are 3 small life drawing developments (eg. below) which drew a question from the boy, "Why did you paint these"? Before I could answer, grandpa - apparently thinking the boy was making some moral judgement of my propensity to draw & paint the female form - and so sensing a possible awkward moment for me - answered, "Why not"
The boy then explained his question by saying that, at first glance he thought this particular piece was a painting of hills. So I said, 'That's a good observation - and it almost answers your question. We and the hills are all made of the same stuff - and one of the things I'm most interested in drawing and painting is the sensuality of it all - of life'.
The title of the above work comes about because it is a "development" from an original drawing of a life model who goes by the name of Passion.
Continuing the uploading of images into the portfolio - re-discovering the piece below and, despite the consistant diversity in my work, recognising it as a theme/idea I've pursued many times. But then, so are all the other themes and ideas.
Art: drawing, painting, form, shape, space (negative & positive), colour, tone, light, slow line quick, scribble, gesture, solid, liquid, suggestive, mysterious, defined, rhythm, sensual, full, austere, ascetic, feeling, idea, forest, rock, body, inside, out, depth, surface............. all things are equal in the eyes of................
I need more photographs of drawings for the portfolio pages. You'll note that I've been using them on some pages to break up the saminess of other images - trying to make the portfolio pages attractive to the eye.
I spent yesterday sorting through hundreds of life drawings - looking for those that're more or less finished - or otherwise presentable - to photograph them. Many of them are deserving of more development - which I'll sooner or later get to - but I offer some such things for those who like them as they are.
"Finished" is a relative term. Drawings and paintings are never "finished" until they are overworked and ruined - or they satisfy. The general aim is to acheive satisfaction sooner rather than later.
Mixed media life drawing development.
I use the word "development (in relation to some of my "life" sketches and studies) to differentiate between the pieces that've been entirely worked "from life" and the pieces that've been developed to a more finished state ex-"life" - in the studio.
Am still loading images into the portfolio. I'll probably be doing this for weeks to come - off and on - a laborious task - but not entirely devoid of pleasure when one rediscovers the qualities in a work one hasn't seen for a while.
Still learning how/what life, art & websites are good for.
"One of Life's Little Experiments"
Original life sketch experimentally developed.
Thursday night: Finally - we are online with these website improvements - this blog and the new portfolio system. Further improvements are planned for next year. Can't do everything at once!
Tonight, I have nothing else to say.
Here's hoping things will come together this week. These mods to the website, the drawing table I'm building and the creative muse I'm trying to keep in touch with - should all find full expression without the distractions of the last few weeks.
A new week - after being preoccupied with domestic issues for some time - perhaps I can now concentrate on creative issues? Hmmm, what's in mind?
I think I want to pursue the paper trail - that is; "works on paper" - which often start as drawings but end up closer to being paintings.
No life drawing today. Other distractions (always) encroach - so I search for a handle (an arty idea/approach to pursue) to distract myself from the distractions and drive me down to the studio. Hmmmmm?
"Cathedral" circa 2006
About 60cm(2ft) x 90cm(3ft)
A free form creative exploration - not aimed at anything in particular - which turned into another forest painting reminding me of a cathedral. Would that all such creative exercises be so successful!
Am about to go to the studio - hopefully to have another good day like yesterday - the first full day's painting for months it seems. Perhaps it hasn't been that long though? Hmmm - anyhow, what I'm doing is free and good - like the piccie below -
- only not so nude.
Words fail me.........................................
Acrylic on canvas 183cm x 122cm
Just a little ditty to fill today's post.
A reminder of good times
on the Central Coast
 1994 acrylic on mdf.JPG "Island")
"Island" circa 1996
Acrylic and enamel on hardboard.
30cm x 30cm approx
Distractions, distractions! Fires, medical appointments, neighbourly interactions, website modifications, correspondence with collegues and friends (no, I haven't learned to use my face book account yet) general domestic duties - everything seems to conspire against maintaining a creative focus sometimes. Hmmm? Is their a pertinent image in my larder....................?
"Domestic Dynamics" circa 1982/83.
Approx 60cm x 75cm + frame
A composition assisted by my 5 or 6 yr old daughter's artistry.
Supposed to be with my Life Drawing group but a bush fire is threatening to burn our house - so I'm at home watching the situation. All is calm outside. Hope it stays that way while I test this blog system and sort out a few other IT issues.
"Angst" circa 1980
Acrylic on particle board - 120cm x 90cm
Will attend life drawing this afternoon. As usual, I'm wondering whether it isn't more of a distraction from studio creativity than it's worth as a regular discipline? But I remind myself that it's never ONLY discipline. Indeed, every session throws up at least one little idea to experiment with - and most sessions result in a good drawing or two. And it gets me out and about; stops me from becoming a complete hermit.
Acrylic brush drawing on gesso paper - approx 60cm x 75cm
"WILD ASSERTIONS I" 2006
Mixed media on paper 50cm 70cm + frame
"What is ART"? is a question which inspires much of what I do. Sometimes the need to draw or paint figuratively is the thing - but inspiration is fickle. It can come from anywhere at any time and it won't necessarilly comply with any notional rules about what sort of artist I am - and therein lies the diversity in my approach to ART.
The encouragement of diversity is one of the great virtues of post modern attitudes to art. And as confusing and annoying as post-modern ideas might sometimes be, I've come to the conclusion that Marshal McLuhan and Andy Warhol were more right than wrong when they said, "ART is whatever you can get away with"! I think this is as good a verbal definition of ART as you can get. In the end though, verbal descriptions, explanations and definitions of visual ART don't tell us nearly as much as the art itself.
In the above piece I've played with this idea using a sort of calligraphic scribble or make-believe "writing". Something I invented to express the irony and irritation I've long felt about the way people talk and write about art and art practice. For me, the ART value of a painting like this, lies partly in this concept, partly in the process of making it and partly in its aesthetic virtue as objec d'arte. And I can assure everyone who reads this, the irony of my making these notes and running this blog is not lost. Indeed, it too might be ART!