painting update

good news, i finally know where my city hall painting is going. it struck me tonight, giving me a title. it's progressed quite away since the earlier photo below.

the new title: fresno's diamond in the rough.

as i painted and thought about fresno's city hall, i searched for its heart. i thought of confusion, i thought of politics as usual, and i also thought of the change that is about take place as a new mayor takes office.

the painting is currently a side view of the city hall, a view that i've always loved more than the front or back. something about the dramatic lines, the roof, etc. in my painting it really takes on a diamond shape, especially because of the trees and such the limit the view near ground level.

so, as i work on this painting, i know that fresno has potential. city hall could be a precious gem. or, it could just stay a diamond in the rough.

upcoming work

here are two photos of the current piece i'm working on. this first one was taken with a flash, and then i dropped the brightness to reduce the flash glare.



the second photo was taken without the flash, and then brightened to try and pick up the colors a little better.



obviously, the colors are somewhere in between. obviously, this painting will continue to evolve, as it's far from done. right now it's just sort of abstract, and as it dries and i add more to it, the piece will take on much more of my feel to it. hopefully.

for those that don't know the subject, it's based on fresno's city hall. it should be one of three or four pieces i'll be showing in the roque 2009 festival. hopefully they'll all be based on fresno subjects.

recommendations?

so, i've been wanting to expand my fresno building paintings to beyond the tower theater. i'll keep painting the tower, but i'd like to do some other meaningful/cool/interesting fresno buildings.

so, some that i've been considering are:
st. therese church (another recognizable tower locale)
city hall (love it)
security pacific building
the county jail

thoughts? other buildings you'd like to see me take on?

tower 3 - sold

tower 3
oil on canvas

sold to someone that saw it @ the parkway show

parkway benefit show

3 pieces for sale @ a river parkway benefit



shades of love
oil on canvas
$250



tower 3
oil on canvas, polyurethane finish
$200 -SOLD



tower 4
oil on wood, polyurethane canvas
$200 - SOLD

in progress work

here's a painting i'm currently working on. it's untitled right now, and is 3'x3'



the beauty about working in oils is that if you don't like something, paint over it. i guess that you can do that w/acrylics, too, but i really like it in oil because of the weight that it'll give as you go over what you didn't like.

in this piece, i originally had a bunch of swirls. you can still see them in the photo, although they're covered. they start @ the bottom left and move up through the center. i was planning on just a light cover over them, and as i first started i thought it looked alright. the more i did, the less i liked. but i also got paint coverage over everything and color wise this is definitely where i'm headed on the piece. of course, i've got something i'm going to try on it as i continue to layer over the swirls, we'll see how i like that.

edward stewart may art show

fading away
oil on canvas
$250


tower 2
oil on canvas, polyurethane finish
$150


tower 2
oil on canvas, polyurethane finish
$200


tower 3
oil on wood, polyurethane finish
$200


the scent of war burns my nostrils
oil on wood
$600


shades of love
oil on canvas
$200


orange crush
oil on canvas
$100


walking together
oil on wood
$250


living in it
oil on wood

welcome

if you're looking for photos of my work, click on the month titles in the right sidebar. many photos can be found in the 2007 section

may art hop

i just booked my next show. i had talked with the people during my last art hop show, but finally confirmed all the details

art hop reception
thursday, may 1, 2008.
5-8 pm

california arts academy
severance building - tower district
1401 n. wishon, at floradora

i also went over to view the space. it'll be interesting to show there, and i was able to plan some of the lighting for the event. it'll be a smaller show, probably 8 pieces.

as i thought about the upcoming show, it reminds me that in some ways i need to really think of my art as a business. well, at least to consider the business aspect of it. think of taxes; can i write off the money spent on flyers for shows? i know i can write off some of my materials purchased. i guess i need to keep better records for all of these things, as well as make sure i'm booking things (officially) further out. because, now i'm up against a show that's a little over a week away. flyers to be done asap. and that definitely means the show won't feature anything completely new, as i haven't finished the three i'm really working on right now. well, maybe one will get done. who knows.

fortunately, the set up should be relatively easy, as it's located right across the street from my place. seriously, i could hit this place with a rock from my driveway.

through the clouds - april art hop flier

three in progress paintings

here are 3 paintings that i'm currently working on. not sure if any of them will be at a point where i want to show them for my april show @ cafe corazon.



living it it



tower 4



shema


all three of these pieces are oil on wood.

edward stewart rogue show

i set up my show yesterday (sunday) over at ashtree studio (1035 n fulton)


walking together
2'x4', oil on wood, $250


untitled 2007
18"x24",oil on canvas board, $100


tower 3
2'x2' (i think), oil on canvas, $200


the scent of war burns my nostrils
4'x5' (about), oil on wood, $600.

upcoming art shows

@ the end of this month, i'll be showing as a part of the rogue festival.



here's the flyer. if you'd like one, let me know. if you'd like a handful to pass out, i'll give you some.

and, i've just confirmed that i will be showing @ my favorite coffee shop, cafe corazon, in april. so flyers will be coming for that too.

fresno philharmonic unabashed romanticism

if you'd like tickets to see the philharmonic this weekend, along with my artwork, you've got to hurry! online sales end friday.

Unabashed Romanticism
Valentina Lisitsa, piano
Sat. & Sun. January 26-27, 2008
$24-59 adult
$10 student rush

rogue 2008

rogue flyer

today i did my flyers for the rogue show. i'll be handing out a lot of these, hopefully, this weekend @ my show @ the philharmonic.

Fresno Philharmonic Show

so, i know i've mentioned it before, but it is almost upon us. i am showing my art @ the fresno philharmonic show on january 26 & 27. the phil has been working with local artists to showcase their art, as well as stimulate the connection between the visual and performing arts. so, i will be showing at least 15 of my pieces in the lobby of the saroyan theater.

(shoot, i need to get cracking on my promo materials for the upcoming rogue festival. i'm planning on using this as a big part of my rogue promo, as well as plugging my own work. the phil recommends bringing 1500 flyers to each performance!)

anyone want to come and hear the symphony?