Don't Afraid: My Paintings

The Atelier
Minneapolis, MN
2008-2010
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18x22, oil on linen, May 10

20x20, oil on linen, May 10

32x42 oil on linen, February 10

18x24 oil on linen, March 10

18x24 oil on linen, December 09

18x24 oil on linen, August 09

oil on linen, January 10

oil on linen, February 10
This was a shorter pose -- and not the best start. I wish I could say every painting is a success, but it's nice to feel ok about letting some things go in the process of learning and experimenting.

oil on linen, July 09
This was my first figure in color. I think I had about twelve sessions on this one. I would have liked to have worked a bit longer on it.

oil on linen, October 09

oil on linen, April 09

13x14 oil on linen, March 09

16x20 oil on linen, January 09

Colorado Academy of Art
Boulder, CO
2007-2008
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Instructor David Larsson. Course: Still-life Painting. May 2008.

Instructor David Larsson. Course: Cast Painting (first painting). Spring 2008.

The Cast Painting course builds upon first trimester's Cast Drawing course. We first draw out the general form and shadows of a cast using the sight size method, then transfer the drawing to a canvas. The painting is then built up through several layers: The first few layers are paint without any medium, layed on thickly. Once a layer dries (which takes about a week) we scrape down any areas of paint that aren't smooth (the first layer uses only four values and leaves raised peaks all over the canvas), then add a next layer, increasing detail and the range of values. Once the painting has reached a certain stage, we start glazing with a medium that is 50/50 damar varnish and stand oil. Glazing is also done on a weekly basis, going over the entire painting (but not painting everything) and building up layers.

Instructor David Larsson. Course: Cast Painting (second painting). Spring 2008.

Instructor Michelle Philip. Course: Color Theory. Spring 2008.

The final assignment for our color theory class was to create an abstract (or abstracted in my case) painting using an aspect of the color theory. I used used a triad of colors--alizarin crimson, cadmium yellow deep, and pthalo blue-green--to create this self-portrait from imagination.

The Art Students League of New York
New York, NY
2005-2007
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This work follows a reverse order--beginning with the more recent work and ending with my first painting. All work is in oil, unless otherwise indicated in the description.

For the most part, my painting classes at the Art Students League were held five days a week, 3-1/2 hour sessions, with the teacher coming in to critique work twice a week. Classes were full--these are some great artist instructors--with about 32 students in a room. Much of my personal growth occured through daily practice and watching the better students in class as they worked.

The League has a great atmosphere and history. I have posted links to the League Web site and to those instructors who have their own Web sites.

Workshop with Leonid Gervits. August 2007. (unfinished)

Private instruction with Leonid Gervits. Winter 2006-07.

Instructor Dan Gheno. Winter 2006-07.

Instructor Dan Gheno. Winter 2006.

Instructor Mary Beth McKenzie. 2006.

Instructor Mary Beth McKenzie. 2005.

Instructor Ken McIndoe. My third painting. Acrylic. September 2004. (unfinished)

Instructor Ken McIndoe. My first painting. Acrylic. September 2004.

Instructor Rick Brosen. Watercolor. 2006.

Bridgeview School of Fine Art
Queens, NY
2005-2006
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I saw an exhibit of Russian Impressionist art at the Smithsonian in March 2005 and was inspired to seek out Russian training specifically. Bridgeview is a school created in the Russian academic tradition. Classes were held at night, twice a week. This blog was first created in response to my experience at the school (read my first blog entry).

Instructor Alex Razin. 2006.

Instructor Polina Osnachuk. After Rembrant. 2006.

Instructor Polina Osnachuk. After Fechin. 2006.

Instructor Polina Osnachuk. After Modigliani. 2006.

Instructor Polina Osnachuk. After Rembrant. 2006.

Instructor Alex Razin. 2005.

Instructor Polina Osnachuk. 2006.

Instructor Samuel Kudish. 2005.

Instructor Samuel Kudish. Grisaille underpainting in acrylic. 2006.

Repin Academy
St. Petersburg, Russia
July 2006
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I spent the month of July 2006 studying with a group of ten students at the Repin Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia. This was during the white nights, and almost felt like a month of dreaming--dreaming and drawing and painting. The experience in Russia brought me to the realization that all I want to do is be an artist. It is no longer about what I want to do with art--what kind of job I can find to make money using my artistic skills and training--but just that I want to create art for the sake of creating art. And I need to pursue serious study.

Thumbnail sketch looking at value range for painting below.

Other Work
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Deliberation. 2006. This was my first attempt at abstract art. It and the following work developed from a series of photos of Jeff and a guide ice climbing on Kennicot glacier during our 2005 trip to Alaska.