Whereas both are essentially rectangular holes in otherwise solid walls, doors provide mystery and erstwhile safety, while windows reveal clarity, illumination and present an element of risk.
Window and Batako (Nusa Ceningan)
acrylic with oil pastel on canvas
2019
“Do you ever try to open these doors that you see?“ she asked.
“Only the ones that are locked,“ I replied.
Blue Door (Nusa Ceningan)
acrylic with oil pastel on canvas
2019
My pal Chris Trottier gifted me a painting which i quite adore. Its stashed in a locker faraway so i share a poorly photographed facsimile here so i can enjoy from time to time.
Made with (I suspect) acrylic on canvas board, approx 30cm x 20cm.
In 2005, i wandered Europa (Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal) by train, car and tram. Along the way, i wrote an extensive cycle of poetry, and completed a solid dozen or so paintings (acrylic, watercolour and charcoal) – some of which you may have seen along the way.
I also started a load of other pieces which haven’t had a day in the easel yet — mostly because i like to let art ferment but also because i can never decide which medium to use to “finish” these. Acrylics were more exciting in the white hot moment of creating en plein, watercolour teases my rather clumsy and aggressive touch and i am tempted to use simple black ink and make something colour-able by kids and adults. Not sure how to go about this as its not a technique i am polished at (yet) but these do need a life beyond a shoebox.
Maybe you kind folks and artists can offer a word of advice or idea?
Regardless, they are nowhere near and as such, lonely and sad. So, here are rough drafts in ragged spontaneity and various forms and mediums.
This is Vol. 3 of a few (last one i think), pardon repeats and redundancies.
bonus: another version of Fishing Boats near cliffs in Salema, Portugal. copied and coloured
Continue reading Europa (unfinished) / sketches and remixes – vol. 3
On a 2005 ramble through a few western European countries (Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal), i carried a satchel of art supplies and painted / sketched along the way. Mostly on 11″x17″ canvas sheet and watercolour paper.
In most cases, i “finished” the pieces in one sitting using acrylics or sometimes watercolour pencils or pastels (these are catalogued, sold/gifted and posted elsewhere).
Anyhow, i have a several which never quite got finished and now sit in a folio in a storage locker elsewhere. I snapped photos and have considered how to finish – even soliciting advice which ranged from “they are finished” to “consider gouache” or “make a colouring book” which i did for my nieces and nephews.
Regardless, they are nowhere near and as such, lonely and sad. So, here are rough drafts in ragged spontaneity and various forms and mediums.
This is Vol. 2 of a few (maybe), pardon repeats and redundancies.
On a 2005 ramble through a few western European countries (Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal), i carried a satchel of art supplies and painted / sketched along the way. Mostly on 11″x17″ canvas sheet and watercolour paper.
In most cases, i “finished” the pieces in one sitting using acrylics or sometimes watercolour pencils or pastels (these are catalogued, sold/gifted and posted elsewhere).
Anyhow, i have a several which never quite got finished and now sit in a folio in a storage locker elsewhere. I snapped photos and have considered how to finish – even soliciting advice which ranged from “they are finished” to “consider gouache” or “make a colouring book” which i did for my nieces and nephews.
Regardless, they are nowhere near and as such, lonely and sad. So, here are rough drafts in ragged spontaneity and various forms and mediums.
This is Vol. 1 of a few (maybe), pardon repeats and redundancies.
Oh art and creative expression soothes the savage tension of day in slow transit through suburban bus depots.
Here’s one in watercolor pencil washes with bits of pastels painted (mostly) in Barcelona, Espana in 2005.
I’d lost my glasses on day 4 of a 25 day trip and finding the fuzziness an impetus for painting all over Europa.
This one is a daytime impression from out Juliet porch at Pension Dali, and presented to my Mom to match the acrylic night scene facing the other direction (alas no photo at this time).
Does this feel like you are a block and a half from Las Ramblas and La Boceria about to stroll out to find the finest paella?
Made in collaboration with artist/singer/arborist Ryoko Fujita (藤田良子) of Okayama, Japan.
Rural Postbox (Okayama)
acrylic on stretched canvas
2018
Rural Caprine Farm and Market (Okayama)
acrylic on stretched canvas
2018