A Question of Faith – New Paintings

I’ve been working on two new nonobjective paintings for the past 3 weeks now and the canvases are constantly changing as my ideas about what I am trying to communicate evolve. The more I paint the more   clarity I get as far as the direction of this work. I’m excited about this new series of abstract paintings with religious imagery embedded into them. I was raised in a very strict Irish Catholic home and my faith has been an important (integral) part of my life. I constantly struggle with a variety of issues concerning my religious faith and spirituality.  I see this new body of work as addressing and possibly helping me work through things like guilt, questioning, God’s plan for me redemption and salvation.

A Question of Faith #1

I must say it’s incredibly difficult to paint in a purely abstract mode. I constantly scrutinize my brush strokes, colors, lines and shapes and never am totally satisfied with the end result. So much of painting for me is intensely emotional and even gestural like Pollock’s action paintings. People think its just a matter of slapping paint on a canvas and it is not. Far from it IF you’re trying to communicate without relying on subject matter. It is so much harder to express ones innermost feelings and emotions strictly through the interrelationship of the visual elements of design – especially color.

Question of Faith #2

So I continue to work on these two paintings and I feel as though I’m getting closer to completing them. My next step is to write some religious (possibly prayer) references directly into the negative space of my compositions. Here is where I am with them so far. I just added the rosary beads to this one yesterday. Comments always welcome!

Thoughts on Summer Ending – Painting Again!

I can’t believe the college starts up for fall semester tomorrow. The summer screamed by and even though we are in the dog days of August it’ll be autumn before I know it. I have a little different perspective on my job now that I’ve gone past the 25 years of state service mark. I started working for the state back in 1979 at a little college (Central Carolina) in the middle of NC, after I was discharged from the army almost 30 years ago. I blinked and now I’m just a few short years away from retirement.

I want to retire from my regular day job so I can pursue more creative endeavors like writing, photography and painting. I have two canvases in progress right now back in my make shift studio in the shed. I have a new concept for some mixed media pieces incorporating religious icons and subject matter into my expressive non-objective paintings.

One thing I always realize when it comes to writing or painting – the act itself – the process leads one to identify the direction of the work – just putting paint on canvas (or words on paper) is a journey into unknown territory and the artist must trust his/her personal sensibility – ones own intuitive vision and trust in the creative process.

I’m also looking forward to my daughter Andei coming for a few months this fall. It’s been too long since I’ve seen her. She wants me to teach her how to develop film and make photographic prints in the darkroom the old fashioned way. That will be fun and something we can do together. I have been really impressed with the images she has been making lately. (Love this composition of skate boards.)

There is something nourishing to the soul about the creative process – something intangible, yet incredibly fulfilling when making art. I’m never that concerned about the final product, the framed photo or painting that makes it on the wall of my home or gallery. It’s in the exploration and experimentation – the creative act itself that brings me the most joy. I no longer worry that much if the painting is going to meet my expectations – I just emerge myself in the moment by moment act itself – those hundreds of little decisions concerning what color to place where, what brush stroke, what line, shape and form to add to my composition .

I never really know where its going to lead however, if I trust in my intuition and in the creative process I’m usually not disappointed, and if I am I just paint over the canvas and begin again.

So as a new semester unfolds tomorrow. I want to strive for balance between the teaching, administrative duties as a director of Distance Learning, making art, writing and hopefully spending a time with my daughter. That in itself will be a very high priority for me – we can explore our creativity and our mutual love for photography together.

It all goes back to living and being in the moment. No matter how many times I remind myself of this I find myself forgetting to just “be present” – it’s so easy to dwell on the past or think about or even fear (look forward to) the future. The NOW is really all we have and life is lived at its fullest when we are totally aware of each and every present moment – savor those precious moments – live them and enjoy them. If we don’t we wake up one day and the journey is over and we forgot to enjoy the ride.

I Survived ART CAMP

It’s been a very busy week considering I’m off from teaching at the college for semester break. I coordinated an Art Camp sponsored by the Arts Council of Carteret County for about 50 kids between the ages of 10-15 years old. Even though it was hectic and a little exhausting at times the experience was also very rewarding for me and my staff of art / photo teachers and volunteers.

It takes great patience to work with the middle school age group, but I must admit they loved drawing and painting, learning about photography and making digital images with Photoshop on the computer.

Photography Group horsing around for the camera.

I was absolutely amazed at how quickly they picked up the imaging software and their computer literacy in general. I really enjoyed working with the kids and seeing what they all came up with on the computer, in addition to doing group abstract paintings with them the last day after my Art Appreciation presentation.

Painting Group working on their self portraits

CCC Art Instructor Jason Smith assisting a young student with her painting

The kids and parents gave us very positive feedback about the camp so I suppose I’ll organize another one for next year. You never know how these experiences can impact and inspire some child – I don’t think young people get enough time in school to truly explore their creative side.

Shannon teaches the kids how to develop film the old fashioned way

The Fall semester kicks back into gear with registration next week so looks like this has been a very short break for me – that’s ok though. Teaching art and photography to 50 enthusiastic and very creative kids was well worth it.

Kids Love to Draw!

Art Camp Photos taken by Photography Program Graduate Tina Taylor

The Young Dubliners – BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!

I went to see The Young Dubliners one of my favorite Irish Bands last night (that’s me with lead singer Keith Roberts) in Annapolis Maryland. I can’t put into words just how unbelievably fantastic these guys were – they absolutely ROCKED THE HOUSE with their traditional and high intensity Irish songs – no one could stay in their seats including me. I posted some video below shot from my little digital point and shoot camera. Here are some photos from the show just to give you a glimpse of these guys. More to come….stay tuned!

This guy could rip that fiddle!

All I can say is this band is AWESOME!!!

Enjoy the Video – shot with my point and shoot Olympus Camera