I painted today using chance as a theme and method. I have this large piece of wood I recently found and Ive also been utilizing some old house paint- I like it. Using discarded objects to give them new purpose I enjoy. 

Im almost finished with Richters book, September.  In it regarding painting he writes "Above all, its never a blind chance. Its a chance that is always planned, but also always surprising. And I need it in order to carry on, in order to eradicate my mistakes, to destroy what Ive worked out wrong, to introduce something different and disruptive. Im often astonished to find how much better chance is than I."

Sumersault, 2014

                                                           

It flew, as I slept  2014

childs play

One of my favorite artists, and best exhibits I have yet seen, was a Damien Hirst exhibit at the Tate in London a few years ago.  The space he created was tangible, and the ideas drew an emotional response from the crowd. It created questions that you didnt know could exist, I enjoyed and appreciated that. A tactile environment where we become the subjects ourselves draws the term art of participation. 

I came across this article on him today here.   I agree at the end how he talked about how adults are more timid and kids will just throw the paint around. I think in my painting  I used to be an adult and now became a big kid. I look forward to the day I have a room to fill and install something that can create more questions than answers. 

I enjoy the way he thinks like a child, explores and creates the absurd. Below is a photo I snuck at his exhibit of a cow head being eaten by flies, along with a first layer of new work I am creating with no restrictions.

             Damien Hirst Exhibit, 2013

Trampoline,  2014 

Queen of Hearts

Tonight I enjoyed looking out the window at nature growing. Something small, to take and disappear into. Wonderland. This idea was quickly captured, but made me think of a series that would be fun to do on my surroundings and the contrast we have. 

Tonight I resurfaced some old travel photos. I've been thinking a lot lately how I miss the dirt on the road. Below are some captures of central america. 

Tonight I started a new series, I will be documenting the layers on different canvases that I create.  Over the last few years I've been drawn to express myself through abstraction, and I am now looking to combine this with storytelling.  I've always left it up to the viewer to convey their own emotion, and in a sense, improvisation.  But now I'm going to go back to figures to tell the storyline. I see it as theater and creating a set to be played. 

These are my beginnings that will encompass my story. Once dried, and many new layers applied, Ill start to incorporate some figurative work to set the stage for the desired outcome.

I was inspired by reading some of William Kentridges work and his plays he did, plus I need to reroute back to some of my drawing days. I miss those days of shading and pen and ink. 

basics

At least my $30 tulips from Whole Foods came in handy for night of lessons in pastels.