Well I took some time off from making “the Art”. I like to take occasional breaks like that because I feel my mind working and solving things way in the deep back, so when I return to making “the Art” again things are clear and interesting.
Not that art ever leaves my brain by any means. I must have spent a fortune the past few weeks on art and design magazines. The other day Rog and I went to visit The Getty here in LA, because I had been meaning to go check out the Tim Hawkinson exhibit for awhile now. They actually had some other exhibits I ended up really enjoying – one called “Radiant Darkness” which featured works of night lighting. I really enjoyed that since Caravaggio has always been one of my favorite painters. They didn’t have any of his work in the exhibit unfortunately. Chiaroscuro has always been extremely interesting to me, and perhaps something I’ll address in the future.
They also had an exhibit called Medieval Beasts which featured a ton of illuminated manuscripts. Those are also one of my favorite things. (I saw the the Book of Kells when we were in Ireland.) Words can’t express how awesome that was for me.
On top of all that they also had an exhibit which I was surprised at how much I liked. It may have even been my favorite of the day. They had an exhibit by photographer John Humble. I certainly appreciate the art of photography, but it is generally rare that I am struck by it either intellectually or emotionally. Usually it’s more of an appreciation of craft. His series of “The Urban Landscape” were really amazing and definitely impacted me.

So now my little break is over and it is time to jump back into things. I have a small pile of Post It Note sketches, random sketches on backs of receipts and Google Maps directions that need attending too.

(Using my Mister Wizard face I explain to you "This may look tedious, but I assure you it is quiet fulfilling. No. Really." )

This next phase of my work is moving into uncharted territory. Yarg adventure! I am going to be taking my style into the medium of oils. This may work it may not, but I feel confident it will. I have been reading a ton of “How to paint with oils” books and conducting scientific experiments in my laboratory. I need to put new images for inspiration up on the corkboard, so that may be a small project for the weekend. I think I shall put a photo of Bob Ross up there and his quote beneath "We don't make mistakes, we just have happy little accidents." to keep me going when I am feeling down and defeated. My work, because of this, is going to go up in format size. I’ll need to rent another apartment just to store my paintings eventually.

Of course I won’t be abandoning the watercolor, acrylic etc method completely since I do enjoy it. But this oil painting is a good challenge for me and I think (hope) it will be awesome and sticky like a giant lollipop.

I would like to thank some people for putting up with me and my mad scramble insanity before the Hyaena show: Rog my Professional Framer, Supporter, and Husband extraordinaire. And the other man in my life, Bob’s Big Boy.

In closing (non-art news)
1. We are apartment hunting again because we need hardwood floors and more light.
2. I found The Lorax:

3. My favorite boxer Wladimir Klitchko is fighting tonight.
4. I think this is the longest post I’ve made yet.

Have a lovely weekend.