2006 Review

Wow, been a while since my last post. A lot has happened, too much to cover. So I'll try to summarize 2006 from a personal artist accomplishment perspective. As evident form an earlier post, the figure is back in my work. This painting "Study in Contrast #1" is one of a male female pair painted specifically for a figurative group show early in the year. The style complemented "The Southside Favorite" oil on canvas of my Grandfather, Oscar Boehm.

For a drastic change in style, subject and pallet we'll look at another set of oils once again specifically painted for another group show, "The Motorcycle, Life and Lifestyle" about half way through the year. While I enjoyed the change, these two works took their toll on my patience as I probably have over 50 hours in each piece.


Commissions always keep me going and usually stray from my typical subject as well. This piece "Tanya's Apple" once again borrowed its style from some of the figurative work, but also employed some of my still life realism .



Better than half way through 2006, I once again participated in the "Trash to Treasure" benefit. My submission "Momentum, the ATL Express" by far was the most radical break from the norm for the year. Relying more on my industrial design background, there was absolutely no painting involved in this piece. Another back breaker, but well worth the effort.

And then back to a more familiar look and style to complete 2006.

Breaking the law

This is a 1 1/2 hour drawing from the same figure class/studio. Actually I broke from the group to work this piece, the model was to remain in another room while the students were to sketch her from memory. Frank wanted the students to "abstract" their drawings by blending multiple views and angles to the same drawing. I gave it a try but the light casting on the model was way to much of a draw for me, so I moved my easel into the same room and work on this drawing there.

The class did yield some interesting and well done pieces, however, I figure if I have a model to work from I should be able to "look" at the model while I'm drawing regardless of what style. Anyway, this is my attempt at an abstract figure, what do you think?

Figuratively Speaking

I like to do a little figure drawing from time to time. So I'm taking Frank Sheltons figure drawing class at The Roswell Visual Arts Center. I prefer open studio to class, but this is convenient and Frank allows me to do my own thang. Although our taste in art is probably a few miles a part, I do enjoy his enthusiasm and appreciation of artists in general.

Here are a few of my favorite drawings from class. I'm using Conte' crayons on 18" x 24" newsprint, pretty standard stuff. These are some of my 10 to 15 minute sketches. They always seem to me at least, better than my 20 to 30 minute drawings. Usually I can knock out the layout pretty quick. The shorter time periods prevent me from over working the drawing.

I feel drawing from life is quite important as is drawing in general. You can never perfect a drawing, but you can always improve your skill.

Slow Art

Sunday I went back to Oglethorpe U to see the Slow Art Exhibit again. Rachel hadn't seen it yet and was mildly upset with the fact that I'd turned down her request to go to the open (I confused this opening with another show that I really didn't care if I saw or not) only to chase down there alone one day while she was at work. I of course had absolutely no trouble dropping another five bucks to see it again (actually it was Rachel's treat ;-D ) We caught a guided geriatric tour midway when we first arrived and wished we had caught the tour from the beginning.

Slow Art, as the show was called, is supposedly part of the movement against the cult of speed engulfing American society... as someone informed me "there is a lot going on here..." I promise I will come back to both this show and topic again as this is my kind of visual art and as I do have several issues with the Slow movement and how it relates to contemporary realism. So for now...

Rhetorically Yours - cb

In the beginning

Another disaster...

...oh well, time to start painting again.