Through the Fears

New Small Painting - Ribbons 2

2008-07-14T07:55:00.003-05:00

Ribbons 2
6X6 inches
oil on canvas

I'm working to bring the depth and substance of recent paintings together with the movement of my previous work. This little study is a step in that direction.

Details from current paintings

2008-07-14T06:59:00.000-05:00

I'm always working on half a dozen or more paintings, but I'm focusing right now primarily on two large pieces... one is 60 x60 inches, the largest square piece I've done, and the other is 44X44 inches, a new size for me.

Definitely work in progress.

My latest series of work, part of the ongoing Internal Landscape Series, is very rich, with a luscious paint surface built up over time. These two new paintings may build to that level in time, but for now, I'm also enjoying the sketchy sense of movement and immediacy in these initial layers. I hope to retain some of that sketchy flavor, and incorporate it into a new series of work, with a very rich, lively, evocative spirit.

For now, I'm enjoying every stage.

Here are some glimpses of the work in progress.

In Progress - As It Stands

2008-07-14T06:30:00.000-05:00

Here's the painting detailed above, as it currently stands. I'll show this one again when it's finished.

As It Stands
60 X 60 inches
oil on canvas
(a work in progress)

Two new small paintings

2008-06-16T21:27:00.002-05:00

Each 12 X 12
oil on canvas

New oil painting

2008-06-09T02:57:00.001-05:00

36 x 36 inches
oil on canvas

New oil painting

2008-06-09T02:56:00.003-05:00

From Mine to Yours
40 x 40 inches
oil on canvas

New Oil Painting

2008-05-13T20:39:00.000-05:00

untitled
24 X 24 inches
oil on canvas

New oil painting Book of Dreams

2008-05-13T20:29:00.001-05:00

Book of Dreams
oil on canvas
40X40 inches

New oil painting - Internal Landscape Series

2008-05-13T20:23:00.000-05:00

The Other Side
oil on canvas
40X40 inches

New small painting - Internal Landscape Series

2008-05-13T20:16:00.001-05:00

Sunday's Dream
oil on canvas
12X12 inches

Reception next week

2008-05-10T12:29:00.004-05:00

Sirus B CD release party May 3

2008-04-29T08:00:00.005-05:00

Hope to see you there! Tickets are only $8, and there's a teaser burlesque show... here's a link to buy either tickets or a cd. Tix are cheap at $8 in advance, $10 at the door. I hear drinks are cheap.

You won't find more absurdist bang for your buck anywhere, not to mention more gypsy folk punk funk!

Obama at Independence Hall

2008-04-20T08:18:00.000-05:00

Madonna of the Totems

2008-04-16T22:10:00.000-05:00

40 X 10 inches
oil on canvas
©2008

Another Internal Landscape

2008-04-13T20:58:00.007-05:00

Half a Day
40 X 40 inches
oil on canvas
©2008

details below:

One more landscape-y abstract

2008-04-13T20:58:00.006-05:00

The Single Pool
12 X 12 inches
oil on canvas
©2008

detail images below.

New Internal Landscape Painting

2008-04-13T20:48:00.002-05:00

The Other Half
12X12 inches
oil on canvas
©2008
detail below:

Bill Moyers speaks the truth yet again

2008-04-12T07:29:00.005-05:00

The job of trying to tell the truth about people whose job it is to hide the truth is almost as complicated and difficult as trying to hide it in the first place. We journalists are of course obliged to cover the news, but our deeper mission is to uncover the news that powerful people would prefer to keep hidden.

Read the rest of Moyers' acceptance speech for the Ridenhour Courage Prize here.

The quintessential lesson of my life came from another Texan named John Henry Faulk. He was a graduate, as am I, of the University of Texas. He served in the Merchant Marines, the American Red Cross and the U.S. Army during World War II, and came home to become a celebrated raconteur and popular national radio host whose career was shattered when right-wingers inspired by Joseph McCarthy smeared him as a communist. He lost his sponsors and was fired. But he fought back with a lawsuit that lasted five years and cost him every penny he owned. Financial help from Edward R. Murrow and a few others helped him to hang on. In the end, John Henry Faulk won, and his courage helped to end the Hollywood era of blacklisting. You should read his book, Fear on Trial, and see the movie starring George C. Scott. John Henry's courage was contagious.

Before his death I produced a documentary about him, and during our interview he told me the story of how he and his friend, Boots Cooper, were playing in the chicken house there in central Texas when they were about 12 years old. They spotted a chicken snake in the top tier of the nest, so close it looked like a boa constrictor. As John Henry told it, "All of our frontier courage drained out of our heels. Actually, it trickled down our overall legs. And Boots and I made a new door through the hen house." His momma came out to see what all of the fuss was about, and she said to Boots and John Henry, "Don't you know chicken snakes are harmless? They can't hurt you." Rubbing his forehead and his behind at the same time, Boots said, "Yes, Mrs. Faulk, I know, but they can scare you so bad you'll hurt yourself."

Solid Ground

2008-04-10T21:54:00.001-05:00

Breach in Blue

2008-04-10T21:51:00.002-05:00

30 X 30
oil on canvas

This piece is on its way to Chrysalis Gallery in Southampton, NY.

The Red Rises

2008-04-10T21:49:00.000-05:00

New Painting - Untitled (so far)

2008-03-29T14:23:00.002-05:00

24 X 24
oil on canvas

The Open Book - full image

2008-03-29T14:21:00.000-05:00

The Open Book
60 X 80 inch diptych
oil on canvas

Boundary

2008-03-25T11:41:00.000-05:00

Boundary
36X48 inches
oil on canvas

As It Opens

2008-03-24T23:10:00.000-05:00

As It Opens
40X40
oil on canvas