Breaking up with Jill #3

My latest painting
Breaking up with Jill #3
Acrylic and graphite
20" x 37"

Names have been changed to protect the innocent. That is, until this painting reaches a gallery or publication. Because there's no protecting the victim on an official gallery label.

The piece is inspired in large part by the lifestyle and panache of my long-time friend, Andy Link. Slightly less importantly, the project also gave me an excuse to paint my favorite couch of all time, affectionately known by all as "The Rust Couch". He who sleeps on it is assured a night of vivid, magical dreams.

New Work: Age 24, Behind

Here, finally, are some paintings I finished in December.

This is a commission I did for my dear friend James. I was asked to paint a portrait of his father. Though there were many excellent sources to choose from, I was inspired by mid-twenties Mr. Ewart's general style and taste in sweaters. I painted father and son together, at similar ages.

Age 24, Father and Son
14" x 24"
Acrylic and graphite on wood

I've also finished a painting that I started back in March of 2009. I began this painting during my stay at the Vermont Studio Center. Unfortunately, 10 days into the residency, I contracted a case of mono, and spent the remainder of my stay in Vermont sleeping and unsuccessfully attempting to swallow. (This may or may not have been related to the jogs taken in 20-degree weather for the first few days at the residency).

Upon recovery, I stashed the painting in my basement, to be worked on as soon I stopped inadvertently associating illness with working on the beast. I finally overcame my unfortunate classical conditioning, and here is the result:

Behind
33" x 66"
Acrylic and graphite on paper

I will update my website in the next few days with larger images.

More updates to come soon- I've decided that the drawings I finished in December are going to become paintings I finish in January.