2 Abstract Paintings

At my work they created a new conference room and they needed some art for the walls. They elected me to create some abstract paintings for them. I've never really painted anything abstract before, let alone this size, 36"x36". I also used acrylics instead of oils since I figured they would need to be dry, varnished and hung quite soon. I haven't used acrylics before on this scale either. It was definitely a learning experience. I thought the end result came out pretty good though. I like them. Upon seeing my initial sketches, a coworker aptly gave them the names "Friday night" and "Sunday morning," alluding to more of the darker aspects of one and the lightness of the other. When I heard that, I immediately related it to redemption and then painted them with that in mind.

Friday Night
36" x 36". Acrylic on stretched canvas.

Sunday morning
36" x 36". Acrylic on stretched canvas.

Both of them together in the conference room

Writing...

Hello my friends. I've been writing recently. It's helped me to let out my creative-ness that's desiring to soar, on wings like eagles! : ) I've been working on some poems recently. This is one that I've been working on for the last 2 weeks. It's about a man that I envisioned at one point. I really tried to get at the personality and feel of the man here. Perhaps this is just an introduction to him; not sure. I'm gonna have some pictures to go with it at some point as well; perhaps like a children's book. Let me know what you think...


He liked to blow bubbles

How charming a man, of elderly years

who walked through a town, where nobody hears

his clothes were of old, yet perfectly worn

well kept though they stayed, and never were torn

a buttoned-down shirt, always tucked in

brown corduroy pants, were ever so thin

he liked to blow bubbles

A casual stroll, leaning behind

though pomp did he have, with an ever great mind

oh worry he not, the sky it so blue

filled his eyes with a sparkle, and his smile so too

his belly so grand, good portions he had

but something not food, that made him so glad

he liked to blow bubbles

The sound of his voice, was ever so high

few words from his mouth, yet no one asked why

not anxious at all, some bid him a fool

though wisdom he holds, so precious a jewel

oh pleasant he was, the joy of his heart

though not from his own, this treasurest part

he liked to blow bubbles

He hoped in a man, though some say he was

who gave of himself, like anyone does

yet different indeed, than any one man

they called him a son, who opens his hands

he fills you with life, some people did say

so life filled his heart, one incredible day

he liked to blow bubbles

As I gaze at the street, I see him not there

what keeps him today, my minds' not aware

I ponder his peace, and think of his joy

where is this good man, I've seen since a boy

it's been quite a while, that he's walked down our street

I remember his face, when our eyes used to meet

he liked to blow bubbles

My mind fills with thoughts, when I think of him now

the gold-laden streets, he must walk on so proud

what joy he must have, now all's said and done

his hope is fulfilled, and his victory won

and now not alone, as often was here

a family he has, and nothing to fear

he liked to blow bubbles

Time...

Wounds heal over time. Things mend over time. In the midst of difficulty and trials the Lord brings renewal, redemption, and life. It was really good to paint again. Haven't for a long time. This is with acrylic on canvas panel. It's 8" x 10" I believe.

just Him and me

Another sculpture that I created 5 years ago, has been reformatted, if you will. Instead of screaming in the midst of the struggle, I'm crying out to Him. He is the Rock of my salvation.

broken

This is a picture of a sculpture I created 5 years ago (see 2009 post entitled "Struggle") When it fired, the image that's a self portrait exploded. I've had it sitting in a box since then desiring to rebuild/repair it. God has been drawing me closer to himself and this struggle of my holding onto the earth/world is no longer something I want to identify with. I thought it was interesting that the self portrait "me" exploded while the hand/arm of God remained intact. It reminds me to choose Him... every time.

Nice day of drawing

Yeah, it's almost been a year since I posted last. Here's some sketches I did the last couple days. It's great to be drawing again.

Hill and Trees. Simple landscape which was really peaceful to me.

I really liked the way this lantern/light fixture thing looked, especially against the sun-setting, partially cloudy sky.

Rising Above. I drew this for a girl that I support in Nicaragua. The concept just kinda came up all by itself after checking out the landscape and such.

Flipper Floppers. Yeah, sometimes I don't have too much to draw in my room. Those dark areas are scars from some kind of rodent that was chewing on them in Thailand. Crazy stuff.

The tree and the dark reflection in the window looked cool together. And the architecture of the building behind was a great combination.

Digital Sketches

These are a couple of digital sketches using Corel Painter EssentialsThere's some good stuff in this book. This was drawn from life. I like the old tattered look.
Just thinking about bobbers and how they float in the water. Just started with drawing a circle and it went from there.

Estranged Son

It's interesting, I wasn't thinking about September 11th at all when I started painting this, though halfway through it I realized...

Still Sketching

Hey ya'll, sorry I haven't posted too much in a while. These are some sketches I have been doing the last couple months.

A couple of boats in the harbor with houses and such in the background. I had fun doing this one. Haven't really drawn/painted outside too much like this. It was quite enjoyable.

This is my friend's living room. This started as a casual sketch and became a little more involved after a bit.

This is my back pack. Pretty exciting huh. Sometimes I just draw what I got. :) I do like the personality this sketch has though. The pack seems to have this slackin' way about it.

Lastly, I have been experimenting with some watercolor pencils recently. I've never really used them before. They're cool. I only got two diff. colors, so hence the limited palette on this one. I'm diggin' the fabric folds and such. I'll hopefully be posting more of these later. Thanks for lookin'