Completed about ten minutes ago, the image size on this one is 8" x 19".

There is light showing dimly at the end of this particular tunnel, I do believe this will be the penultimate posting on this one and hope to finish up tomorrow, unless I get antsy tonight and decide to burn some midnight oil.

Got a little work done on the gentlemen today. My, it's getting dusty!

Time for a little team work . . .

Merrily we roll along . . .

There is work going on in the studio. Slow going with all this rigging and etc. to deal with, but fun nevertheless. Had a nice time on Sunday at the reception for Each One Invites One at McBride Gallery in Annapolis. The show hangs for another three weeks, so if in the area stop in and see some fine art.

The online magazine, Wildlife Art Journal, has authored a timely article regarding the proposed paved, high-speed highway that would cut through the northern reaches of the vast and spectacular Serengeti Plains ecosystem in northern Tanzania. I have talked about this situation before and my personal feelings about how disastrous this proposal could be for the last great migratory spectacle on this planet. A number of artists were asked to submit works that embodied our personal views on this and I am pleased to be one of a dozen or so, whose works are represented in the article. Take a look and read the article and think about the prospects of such an undertaking as the proposed roadway and what effect it would have on the tens of thousands of animals that depend upon unhindered movement around and through this fabulous place on their yearly migration in search of green pastures. If you feel as strongly as I and the other artists represented do, find some way to engage in the discussion and add your support to a worldwide effort to keep this possibly devastating roadway from being built. There are alternatives far less invasive that would result in less impact on the wildlife of the Serengeti and still offer the touted benefits that an alternate routing of the roadway would bring to the people of the interior of western Tanzania.

On another note, tomorrow is the opening reception for Each One Invites One at McBride Gallery in Annapolis. I am pleased to be one of five gallery artists whose works will be spotlighted in this interesting show idea in which we five were each asked to invite one artist whose work we respect and admire to be a guest for this show. My invited artist is friend and fabulous pastel artist, Cindy House. At 2PM tomorrow afternoon, I and the other gallery artists will each introduce our invitees by speaking about their work and why we admire it. Stop into the gallery between 1 and 4 tomorrow and see some unique artwork.

Play
day
today!

Well, maybe not all play; a couple hours at the National Zoo to check out the lion cubs born early last fall. Perfect day for it, sunny, warm, bright blue sky and, until I was reminded that today was St. Pat's Day, marveling at and wondering why all the people were wearing green! I bet you can't figure out what might be coming up on the drawing board sometime soon?

As anticipated, this one finished up about ten minutes ago. Image size on this one is 13" x 9". I've had a few inquiries this week as I have worked on this piece as to who this lady is? Well, in reality, I have no idea. As you will see in the photo below, this work is based upon reference material gathered at New York City's famous Woodlawn Cemetery.

A day trip north to the City several years ago in search of material for the series of works I did with bridges as the theme for my solo exhibition at the Woodson Art Museum in the summer of 2008 gave me the opportunity to spend some time at Woodlawn marveling at some of the beautiful, intricate and inspiring large scale mausoleums and memorials. This particular one was quite appealing with beautifully carved stone statues on each of the several sides of the structure. I am not sure what significance each had nor what they might have represented in a way of remembrance, but they caught my eye at the time and I knew they would make excellent reference for a drawing or two. I have no doubt that I will dig into this material in the future and see what interesting compositional idea I can come up with yet again.

Running around today, delivering the work for this Sunday's opening at McBride Gallery in Annapolis as well as new works to my other Maryland gallery, Troika, on the eastern shore. Consequently, not a lot of studio draw time today, but I have managed an hour or so and here is where things stand today. I expect this one to be completed by tomorrow evening. The nitty gritty of work comes now, tightening up, adding spark and depth with a stroke of 4B here, there and over there . . . as well as finishing out the carving, lots of noodling there yet to come . . . and then a final go around to see where things need a gentle touch to make it all sing. I hope my 'voice' is in good pitch tomorrow!

Managed a bit of work on this over the weekend, so here is where 'she' stands at the moment as I sit down to begin work today. Ah yes, 'who is she?' Well, 'she' is pretty much complete now and all shall be revealed soon. Anyone wish to hazard a guess as to what special event this one might be earmarked for?

I am quite enjoying working on this piece. It's something a bit different for me and it is always nice to shake things up a bit and keep from getting bored or stale with ideas and work. Lots of over layering in this one to develop the even tonality of the various gray values so the progress is slow. That's fine as this one might just be earmarked for something special and I have time to be cautious.

Something new taking shape on the drawing board. It's tough making stone come to life, either in three dimensions or two!

Recently opened, the Society of Animal Artists' Virtual Museum Exhibition
of the 50th Anniversary edition of the annual member's juried show, is now available for viewing online. Click the link for a look at some fine works of art, including one of mine!

As I was standing at the bathroom sink this morning, washing my face and getting ready for the first cup of tea of the morning, I thought I detected some sort of grayish vision out the window downstairs in my backyard. Since I did not have my glasses on, I went quickly and got them off the night stand and bingo . . . four deer parading around in my backyard at 5 past 8 in the morning.
I ran downstairs and into the kitchen just in time to snap a couple of shots, unfortunately with the long lens on the camera since I had been photographing the spring robins the other day, but at least a documentation of sorts!
I've seen deer along the creek near my neighborhood when I walk there, but never up here in the middle of the neighborhood. What a unique experience to wake up to on a rainy Sunday morning.

Two weeks from tomorrow, on Sunday, March 20, McBride Gallery will hold a reception for the opening of a very special new show, Each One Invites One.

I am quite pleased to be one of the five gallery artists to have their work spotlighted and most happy to have the opportunity to introduce the glorious pastel work of my friend, Cindy House,
to a new audience. During the reception, there will be a short discussion about each of the special invited guest artists and what about their work inspired each of the five gallery artists to invite them to participate. I could speak volumes about Cindy's work, but will have to pare down to the highlights of what it is about her work that has always captivated me from the first time I saw her subtle, brilliant landscapes at some long distant Birds in Art opening.
If you are near Annapolis and can come into town on the 20th, you will be treated to some incredible art work and have a chance to meet five guest artists whose works not only are respected by their fellows, but will also offer inspiration to all who view them for the first time.

About to head to the work table to frame this one, Spring Runoff is just under 10" x 13" . This work, appropriately titled for a spring show, will be heading to Troika Gallery for their April group show. Perhaps it is time to move away from bovine territory? Hmm, I wonder what shall be next on the drawing board?

Today, worked on the 'fun' part . . . all that bloody water, as well as tightening up the background.