Painting with Purpose

One of my resolutions for this coming year is to spend more time appreciating my family.  I try to take time at least once a week to visit either my mother or sister regularly, but I come from a really big family on both sides, so in order to truly stay close and in touch with all of them it takes considerable effort.  One of my first efforts in this direction was to make two paintings; one for each of my grandmothers.  When I set these canvases in front of me, this was my only intention, and visually they could have ended up as anything.  Oddly enough, they both ended up as portraits.  While they are not portraits of the women they are being given to, I think there's some subconscious symbolism to be spoken for that make them non-literal representations of my grandmothers.

Ana
8" x 10"
Acrylic on Canvas

This is the one for my paternal grandmother, Ana.  We (the family) don't actually call her by this name, but I think its beautiful and fitting.  The woman's stature is strong and calm, which is what I wish for my grandmother... strength and serenity.  The warm, glowing yellow and peacefully cascading blues and greens remind me of the energy I remember surrounding her when I was a child.  Warmth and comfort, the most you could wish for from a family.

Joanne
8" x 10"
Acrylic on Canvas

So of course this one is for my mother's mother, Joanne.  She and I have always been a lot alike, which she credits to the fact that my middle name was given to me for her (Giovanna = Joanna in Italian).  I like this piece as a representation of her because she is such a strong and forceful woman in most aspects of her life, but beneath the hard exterior she has such a big heart and so much love and compassion for her family, in spite of a fair share of craziness we've all been through in our lives. 

In conclusion, I'd like to dedicate this post and these two paintings to two of the most amazing and beautiful women I know... and thank you for being there to make me who I am today and our family what it is today.   I'm so incredibly grateful to have you both in my life. 

Void

Negative Space

21" x 36"
Acrylic on Unstretched Canvas

I think it well enough goes without saying that I was in a pretty dark place when this was conjured up.  The main emotion behind it is one of loss... of emptiness.  It is the feeling that remains when something once present is removed.... if that thing had never been present in the first place, you wouldn't think twice now about why it is not there... but the void left in its wake can be an all-consuming vacuum of nothingness, so big it threatens to tear you apart.  This piece, for me, explores the growing emptiness that can wrench a soul into pieces if left untamed, and also how the literal negative space in our lives creates a figurative negative space for us to place ourselves in.

It was hard to capture in a photograph, but in this detail you can sort of see the effect achieved by laying clear acrylic varnish over her eyes so it fell like tears.  On a completely aesthetic level, the addition of several textures to a painting is something I've found myself doing a lot of lately..

A Few New Cardboard Paintings

These little paint doodles will be available for sale in my Etsy shop later today, $5ea.

Fever Dream Arts

What is That Though? Shows up on Sachem Patch

Last month's installment of the What is That Though? Art Show at Field 10 Studios in Ronkonkoma, which also happened to be the one year anniversary of the first show, ended up on our local Sachem Patch.

I'm actually sort of in this picture, but you only see my foot poking out here behind the guy in the winter hat, who is one of the featured artists, Justin C. Mayer.

The large piece centered here was done by my good friend Joey Damm, and the one with the heart in the skull to the left of it was done by another good friend and newcomer to the show, Victoria Palma.

Unfortunately out of focus, but this was the photo snapped of this month's merch table.  On it you can find some of my cardboard paintings as well as hats and pottery by Reid Kelly. 

My pieces in this show are all the very tiny ones in the lower center of the wall space (it was crowded this month!).  The other collection of small works arranged above left of mine are by Anjipan, the host of the show and another good friend.

These photos were taken by Zachary Reichner for the Sachem Patch, but the info given in the article was a little off so I'll clarify here.  The What is That Though? Art Show is held the fourth Saturday of every month at Field 10 Studios, 952 S. 2nd Street Ronkonkoma, NY.  The show goes from about 7pm-12am, and any artist is welcome to come put up their work, so long as there is space available on the walls when they arrive.  Live musical performances are scheduled at different times throughout the night in the various rooms, and sometimes live collaborative painting as well (if you're interested in performing at one of the shows, contact Anjipan).  Most of the artists have affordable handmade merchandise for sale, from t-shirts and hats to jewelry, prints, and small original paintings.  Guests also enjoy free bagels and ice water, and beer and wine are available for adults. 

WITT? is a unique and inspiring experience every month.  Though there is a recognizable crew of regular artists who show, there are always new faces coming to present work, play music, or just enjoy all the evening has to offer.  If you're looking for a relaxed yet creatively-charged environment to chill out, meet some cool people, and buy/sell/make/see some art, this is the place to be. 

The next What is That Though? is Saturday February 23rd.  Hope to see you there!