"Where I Found You"

2013. Acrylic & charcoal.  48" x 60" + 48" x 60".

In Studio. 09/20/2013

In Studio. 09/20/2013.

This week has been long. I was stuck in lock down on a military base next to the naval yards where the tragic shootings took place in D.C. on Monday for hours. At different times during the day, we didn't know if it was safe to go outside because or rumors that there were still other possible shooters unaccounted for in the area. Tuesday and Wednesday I drove to look at grad schools in PA and in DE, then back to NC. Yesterday I found out that a solo show I was supposed to have at the school I graduated from was canceled and has to be rescheduled because the school email system did not deliver  the files of the images I sent to my former professors. But I'm back in studio today, working and pushing through. Things happen, both good and bad. Things we want to happen and things we don't. It's life and I'm trying to make the best of it all.

"The Smell of Cigarettes and Swimming Pools"

2013. 30" x 40". Acrylic & charcoal.


I spent about a week working on this painting and filmed the process. I am going to have a friend edit the video and add some music. Music will also be by some friends of mine. So that is something to look forward to in the not too distant future.

My First Official Case of Censorship

The image above is called "Let me Know the Struggle Ends." I entered it in an online art competiton on the Facebook page of Fawn Review Magazine, in  an open competition for any and all comers. I posted the link on my personal Facebook page asking my friends to share and "like." The image recieved several "likes" and after being posted for around two hours was deleted by Facebook and removed from the competition. I was informed in a very polite e-mail from the editor of Fawn Review of this occurance and invited to submit another image. This is not Fawn Review's fault, but Facebook's or someone who took offense to this image. It is censorship. I have been censored. By Facebook. Had this image been the other way round, with the male figure on bottum, bare chested and the female on top, breast obscured, would it be such a "problem"? I don't know, I can't answer that.
 But there it is: My first official case of censorship. And a friend of mine once told me, you aren't really a real Artist until you have been censored. So, the question is; How do I add this to my resume?

The Sampson Arts Council 5th Annual Juried Art Show

 Pictures from the Sampson Arts Council's 5th Annual Juried Art Show in Clinton, NC. My painting "I Hope This Town Gets Bigger in All the Right Ways" was selected for the show. The Council gave all the participating artist identification tags. Most of the enteries were paintings or photographs. Mine was one of two pure abstract works.

A Short Video of me Painting

A short video of me painting, then taking a moment to look contemplative.

 The music is Aphex Twin's "Avril 14th." 

"Ordinary Day Petition"

2013. 36" x 48". Acrylic & charcoal. 

"When the Wind Spoke in Cinders"

2012/13. 24" x 36". Acrylic & charcoal.

(I recently went back and reworked this piece. I was never really satisfied with the early version. I am pleased now and feel it fits into my larger  body of  work.)

"Automotive Augury"

2012. 22" x 24" Acrylic & Charcoal.