Their Giant Problem

"Their Giant Problem" 30 X 40 Oil on Canvas 2012

Their Giant Problem was a really fun painting to work on. It took over a month, and I probably drank many gallons of coffee while working on this. The concept is a little bizarre: This painting deals with bi-polar issues. In the last few months I have had several friends dealing with this, and spent so much time thinking about bi-polar disorders, that I really felt that I needed to do a painting about the subject. I had no intention of expressing an opinion on the matter, but just wanted to show what it might feel like to deal and worry about a friend or a loved who is experiencing these cycles of mania and depression. The two girls represent both of these moods. I pictured one of them as depressed and the other as manic. Also, and at the same time they could also be having a conversation about someone who is severely manic....perhaps wondering what to do. The giant wildman absolutely represents mania, and at the same time, he is also the elephant in the room, or....their giant problem. 

Yes, the old man's body is covered in fur!!! In creating this character, I took a cue from medieval heraldry. Often this Bigfoot-like creature was depicted in medieval stories, in art, and on family crests. I thought he fit the subject perfectly. 

The images above are depictions of my new favorite medieval beast: the Wildman!!!

"Haunted House #1" 11 X 14 Oil on Panel 2012

Haunted House #1 came about as the need for a brief departure during the painting of Their Giant Problem. This painting is my smallest to date, and only took a few days. Out of sheer laziness, I used the same color pallet as the painting above, because I didn't feel like mixing new paint. I often have reoccurring dreams about haunted houses, and figured this would be one of many haunted house paintings. I also believe my old house in Springfield to be haunted. After an unsettling visit to the old place, I felt that I really needed to make this painting.

According to something cheesy that I read online, dreaming of haunted houses represents unfinished emotional business,  relating to family, or repressed memories and feelings. Wow, that's a bit much to ponder. I think I'll go to the bar repress some more memories if you know what I mean.

Guns and Tattoos

Hi Everyone,

Jeez I have been really slacking on this whole blog thing..... Well, I have been up to a bunch of art and have had a couple of very rad things happen in the past month. I am super excited to announce that I will be apprenticing to be a tattooer under Demian Thompson at The Parlour Tattoo in downtown Eugene.  Demian is a totally awesome artist and tattooer, and I feel super fortunate for this opportunity. I have been getting tattooed at The Parlour for over a decade, and I couldn't dream of a better place to apprentice. The other tattooers there are some of my favorite people, and completely stellar artists. I can't wait to get started!!!!

My new home.

The Parlour Tattoo Eugene, Oregon

Also I had a birthday last week! What a better way to celebrate than blowing stuff up, and then drinking tons of whiskey!!!

Bang!

This was my first time shooting, but it felt surprisingly natural. I must be a real American.

So, this blog is supposed to be about art, and I have recently completed two new paintings. Hopefully I will get a chance to photograph and post them tomorrow. I'll be back.

Work in Progress

Hey everybody,

Here is what I have been working on for the last little while:

"Their Giant Problem" work-in-progress

And here is something fun that I drew last night at the bar:

I think it would be fun to have a balloon that looked like a giant floating skull.

Their Giant Problem

Gosh everyone, I was not getting good feeling about the last drawing I posted, so I re-worked my drawing and came up with a new title. I suppose I was unhappy with the main character in the last drawing. He wasn't charming enough and it did quit fit what I was going for conceptually. So, now I changed the old character to this really weird old "Wild Man" type of guy smoking a pipe. His body will be entirely covered in hair just like mine is. The subject matter is the same, but my next painting will now be called, "Their Giant Problem". I have actually already started painting this bad boy, and it is really fun. 

"Their Giant Problem" sketch.......I think the photograph warped the drawing a little. It isn't that crooked in real life. :)

Dead Rockstars show at Blunt Graffix

Also the other day I had a really fun time at the Blunt Graffix studio here in Eugene. They were hosting a group show called, "Dead Rockstars". There were many of contributing artists displaying beautiful screen printed posters depicting a wonderful mix of deceased musicians from Amy Winehouse and Curt Cobain, to the Ramones and Motzart. It was super fun. You can check the Blunt Graffix website here.

Some Random stuff!

Hey Everyone,

I have a couple new things today. First I have a new sketch for a painting that I will start tomorrow. The painting will be 18 X 24, and will be called, "The Bitter Unveiling".

Sketch for "The Bitter Unveiling" 9 X 12

Here is a photo of my hands drawing a girl holding a skull that was taken a few months ago at Max's. I think the skull is my own.

Next I have a photo from the WAVE gallery in Eugene during my solo show from November. As far as I know, this is the only existing photo. My brother is a photographer and sadly, his camera was stolen after he took pictures at the opening.  

The WAVE gallery, Eugene, Oregon

And finally, this is what I did last night. I think this photo is hilarious. It looks like I am having second thoughts about shotgunning PBR with my friend Sam, either that, or I am worried about having my face sprayed with beer. Well, until next time friends....  

Out With the Old

Hey Friends,

I know it has been a while, but I finally completed a new painting that I have been working on for a little while, entitled, "Out With the Old". This is my divorce painting.

"Out With the Old" 48 X 36 Oil on Canvas 2012 

Here is a detail photo. I actually have a coffee mug with a skull and crossbones on it.

When the Shit Hits the Fan

Wow!!!

I don't really know where to begin. Sorry I haven't posted anything for a while, but this has been the craziest month of my life...

I drew this at Max's (a bar next to my house) one night with too much whiskey.

1. My wife and I are getting a divorce. Didn't really see it coming.

An awesome break-up album. I have almost worn out this record.

2. I had my best solo art show to date at the WAVE gallery here in Eugene. My brother took a ton of photos, which I will post as soon as I get them back. I gave an art talk too. I'm sort of a nervous public speaker, but after a few beers, I think everything went okay.

3. I moved. I have my own place now, and I actually have the sweetest studio space an artist could hope for.

my new studio!!! work in progress...the studio and the painting

4. I was too broke to make it up to Portland to attend the group show that I was involved in at Good Gallery....hope it went okay. Funny story though...when I took the train up there to deliver my painting, I got shitfaced at Mississippi Studios and stayed in the the seediest hotel I have ever stayed in. Cash only. Anyway, at about 7 am, I was awoken by two crack-heads looking for, "A-1 and his skinny, white girlfriend". I was still drunk at the time, and decided to smoke cigarettes with these fine gentlemen. They really wanted to use my cell phone charger, and sadly I didn't have any gas money for them, but eventually they did find "A-1 and his skinny white girl friend," who were staying the in the room next to mine. I hope they are still alive.

5. I am going to trial for bankrupcy tomorrow morning. That should be fun.

An awesome drunken moment of self-loathing.

6. I love booze. Thought out this entire thing I have had a ton of bizarre adventures, I have drawn more than I have ever in my life, and I have discovered that I am married to making art.

Another one of my weird adventures involved having my Tarot cards read at a strangely surreal party I didn't know I was going to until fifteen minutes before I left my house.  This is my future....my past, and my present.

The sketch for my current painting, entitled, "Out with the Old"

Well friends, seeing that I am single and slightly depressed, expect regular updates and spooky paintings. I have about a million ideas and I can't wait to paint them all. I'll see you at the bars.

...oh yeah, I also met the Sex Advice columnist, Dan Savage. Weird month.