Slacking, reflecting, anticipating

Last night, I had fully intended to paint. Sure, I did lay a tiny amount of paint on canvas. A pathetically small amount of paint. Not enough paint to make any difference to the canvas. Instead, I recently became reacquainted with an old portfolio of drawings from Victor's (my favorite (and when I say favorite, I mean full out flirting with in class in front of everyone even though he was in his late 70s at the time...) teacher from art school) life drawing class from a few years ago.
I think that this drawing is my favorite from the selected drawings. I really like the pose. I like the definition of the model's back. I just like it. My next favorite drawing is the following pose:

These 2 poses share 1 thing in common. For them, I was testing out a "new" drawing style... for me anyways. My normal drawing style can be seen below:


I have been thinking since I moved to Vancouver of restarting life drawing classes. I think I am going to start on Sunday by attending Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art Class... an alternative life drawing class with non-classical models and poses, but rather with punks, burlesque women, and goths. Nudes and non-nudes. The class is not a regular class. It is held when the organizers get around to organizing. It is also usually held in a bar or pub. Drink prizes can be won during model breaks for the sketches. I think this week's class is a western theme. I suppose I will find out for sure once I show up!

The VAG brings no inspiration...

I went to the VAG (Vancouver Art Gallery) tonight. Tuesday nights are by donation. All other times is either 17.50$ or 20.50$ for the summer. I gave 2$ and change. I am happy I only donated that much. I DID NOT LIKE IT!!! Yep. I thought it was shoddy. Sure, there were 1 or 2 pieces that I liked, but the rest was dark, muted, bland, outdated, or even been done a few hundred times already.
The third floor had scenery paintings and drawings. There was one painting (yet another that I didn't like) that reminded me of mshmsh. Although it lacked the excitement of colours (it had whited down blues, pinks and purples) it did share a bit of the use of sharp geometric shape. Perhaps I should have viewed it as a possible close up of mshmsh work. Even so, it still didn't work for me. I don't want anyone to think that I think I am the best or that my work (or group work) is the best. It is not the best. But I do feel that the vibrancy and suddenness of sharp color does make it exciting. And the use of the colors do work together. Case in point: The newest mshmsh painting: "Mshy #2" acrylic on canvas 30"x36"

But something has been bothering me since I completed the painting. The upper left corner. The colors DO NOT WORK!!! Does anyone agree with me on this point? So my issue is that this corner is disconnected from the painting. Both in its use of parallel lines, but also in lacking the exciting "flashy" colors that the main body of color has. I am waiting to hear opinions about this...

A Squishy (or is it Mshy) Feeling...

Once upon a time in a far away land there lived a person. The person was a master at changing subjects. Sometimes never returning to the original subject. Sometimes returning. . . Okay. I am the person. And the subjects are my paintings.
I often start paintings only to put them "away" to work on other things that strike my excitement. For instance, you can quickly see this "habit" of mine if you look into the few posts that show my "works in progress" and then never to hear of them again... Well, I thought I would gave a quick update on the last painting I started. I think it should be called "Chasing Chickens"... it is on hold while I think more about what type of chicken I want to depict.

All of this being said, the last post I made was talking about a new exciting project I have started with my cousin Colby. He took the time to draw several things of the same style and/or theme. I can admit that I do not know where Colby is going with these drawings, but I can see lots of space in them. I am thinking that for me, the drawings represent a rupture of sorts. Something comes spewing out towards the viewer. In this case, the something is vibrant blocks of color. It may look chaotic, but there is a certain amount of order in the disorder. Layers. Containment. Perhaps this is Colby's way of letting his personality be known in layers. Layers with many parts. Contained in neat, organized sections (much like all of his little collections of things). Anyhow, I will stop giving my interpretation of the work and leave it to you, the viewer to decide what you see and perhaps get brave enough to let me know what you see.

"Mushy #1" acrylic on canvas 30"x36"

Until the next post, enjoy life and look for order in all things that look chaotic!

Introducing mshmsh and their future adventures in art

So I haven't been too busy being artsy lately. I took a time out to read a few more books. Then I spent the Easter weekend in Victoria hanging out with family and friends. I know that it is not the best excuse, but it is my excuse. Good things have come from this temporary time out from art.
My cousin Colby and I spent some time on the weekend drawing together. At first we would draw a line in the other's sketch book and then we would have to make something out of that line. Colby did amazing. In fact, it really got his creative juices flowing... to the point of obsession. A moment of clarity came to me about an hour before leaving to come back home. Colby was busy drawing, asking my opinions, drawing more, etc. He was really loving what he was doing SO I decided to make a proposal to him. The result of the proposal was the creation of "mshmsh".
"mshmsh" is the collaborative efforts of Colby, age 7 and myself, age 35. What the plan is is as follows. 1. Colby will be the "brains behind the designs" 2. I will be the "hands" of the operation, doing all the paintings and chosing the colors. Eventually, we will have enough paintings and designs and will then have a show.


I have yet to start any of the paintings. But that being said, I have prepped a canvas tonight. I shall start the first "mshmsh" painting tomorrow. All will be done in acrylic. Only because it is fast drying and will therefore allow me to paint faster... = MORE PAINTINGS FASTER!!! (Colby will be happy about that...)
And so, I leave you now to ponder on the works of mshmsh and perhaps try and understand the art work of Mr. Colby Condon.