Sunday, March 6, 2016

Slacking Off


"Should Lanterns Shine"
48" x 48"

I know, I know...I've been slacking off.  I haven't posted anything for quite a while.  Fortunately, I don't have too many followers upset with me...or too many followers in general.  I'm going to try and get my act together.  So what have I been up to?

First off, I started a portrait project I've had in mind for a while now.  The whole idea is to invite a bunch of people to my home, have them sit for a portrait, have good conversation, hopefully make a decent picture of their head and shoulders, and eventually show the entire group of paintings in one massive space.  I opened this up to my Facebook friends, hoping to get a few more volunteers...this turned out to be a best and worst decision.  I've got plenty of models for the project...let's just leave it at that for now.  I'll post about the progress in the near future.  It's been a whole lot of fun so far...I'm just afraid there's no end in sight...

I also received a bit of good news.  Turns out my painting, "Should Lanterns Shine", was accepted into the Oil Painters of America 25th Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils...evidently, the more words in the title, the more prestigious the show.  I don't typically have much success applying to national juried shows like this one, so I was excited to hear about a stroke of good luck.  The show is in Dallas, Texas at the Southwest Gallery.  My wife and I are going to make the opening reception a good reason for a long weekend.  If you're in that neck of the woods in mid-May, I might see you there.  

Teaching high school art is as fun as it's ever been.  I'm having a great time with my students.  As the school year winds down, however, things are getting increasingly hectic.  I teach grades 7-12, 2D and 3D, Drawing and Painting, Sculpture and Ceramics, Art History and Digital Design...it's a multiple prep per class, multiple grade and skill levels, not enough chairs in the room nor supplies in the cabinets situation...but I really love it.  Right now, we're gearing up our Art Club for a field trip to the Eiteljorg Museum of Native American and Western Art in Indianapolis.  I've got a lot of great students keeping me in line!

Oh, and I'm remodeling a bathroom...or trying to that is.  Seeing as it's one of the only places in our house that doesn't have paintings stacked 10 deep, I owe it to my wife to finish the work ASAP.  I don't know how she puts up with me...

I'll try to post again soon...but if I don't, just know that it's because I'm painting...

or putting in a new bathtub...