2021 New Works

Acrylic paintings with stencil work.

I have been doing a lot of reading this year. Three books that I especially liked were A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW, THE AUTHENTICITY PROJECT, and BREAKFAST WITH BUDDHA. Though they are all novels, they each had something to teach about living life to the fullest in the situation you are in. A lesson, I believe, we have all had to learn or at least confront during this second year of the pandemic.

During the first few months of the year I watched YouTube videos of crafters/journal makers and so began my work with STENCILS. I found I could layer them, along with using masking liquid and paper to achieve similar looking surfaces to my textured paintings. I did 47 pieces within 3 months. All labeled “experiments”. I went back to some pieces and re-worked/added focal points, usually birds or flowers.

I hung 17 of those and earlier works up at my Chiropractor's office in June. I sold 2 pieces! I also hung 14 pieces up at my local Starbucks in November and sold one.

I also continued doing portraits. Both self portraits and friends and family. I aimed at postures that were interesting. Hence me with a coffee cup, my friend John with his tilting birthday cake.

Then came the “cloud paintings”. The expansiveness of the sky, once you get away from the city and the mountains, has a special draw for me. It's awe-inspiring and ever changing! I am happy that I have sold 2 of my cloud paintings.

As with everyone, I have no idea what 2022 will bring as far as my artwork. But I know I will continue to paint!

Below are a smattering of the stencil paintings...the ones I feel work the best.