Art Progress

Two books in the Japanese style

Both Books:
5.5 X 8.5 X .5”
Paper, waxed linen, acrylic, collage,

Both of these books were experiments in Japanese style book binding.

I enjoyed the simplicity of the binding and the Japanese influence led to a very simple composition for each cover. They are essentially a single patch of color on a monochromatic ground. There’s always more detail to be seen but that simplicity is the foundation of the design.

Book 1

Book 2

Emily’s Notebook

5 X 7.5 X 1.25”
Mixed media, acrylic, and collage on panels; antique buttons; waxed linen; and paper.

I made this book for my wife. She is a professional harpist so I wanted to create a playful image reminiscent of music in general and harps in particular.

Notebook 1

7 X 6 X 1.25”
Graphite, acrylic, and collage on panel; wood; ink; paper; and waxed linen

The cover of this blank book s a subtle exercise of tone and finish. As with much that lies on the art/craft border it’s hard to get a real sense of the pleasure of a piece like this without holing it and feeling the weight and texture of it. Still the two details give a little sense of the direction of the book.

Sketchbook 2004

6 X 8.5 X 1”
Mixed media, acrylic and collage on wood panels.

Not a whole lot to explain. I made this book to use for sketching ideas and tracking progress. The numbers are the first 10000 decimal places after pi (or maybe only the first 7500). They were printed using a font generated from my handwriting. The palate swatches were from a bad print of something for a costume design project I’m working on. The head is intended to make people think of a Mozart-like musician and there’s a little cut out from some catalog that continues the musical theme.

The colors and images were meant to be compelling but not necessarily comfortable. That’s what the drawing process is like for me.

The details showcase the numbers and the waxed linen that holds the signatures in place.

As a bonus, here’s an image and detail of the sketch book it replaces.

Yesterdays Vine

8.5 X 11.25”
mixed media, collage, comic book panels, and acrylic on paper
(previously Progress 001)

Yesterdays wine is an edgy work that examines the influence that comic books have had on my art work. When I was first introduced to Comic books they were a kind of rubiyat for me – a joyful expression of the relationship between text and image.

I’m not as optimistic about the potential of comic books as I used to be and that comes through in the work. There’s also a little cautionary theme about the attractiveness of violence in this work.

ARC Structures

7 X 9.5
mixed media, collage and acrylic on paper

This work is an exercise in subtlety. Fairly tight geometric drawing is layered with other mark-making structures including handwriting. The contrast of tight and loose was intended as a statement about the paradoxical nature of linguistic definition.

I was particularly pleased with the extremely subtle color and texture that I achieved. I don’t know if it comes across well in these small JPGs but the details should hint at it at least.

Finished Greenville Pieces

Acrylics, Toner, graphite, and collage on wood panel boxes.
7 X 11 X 1.75” each

Here are the Greenville-SC-inspired finished works. They each deal with an aspect of Greenville’s past and future.

Greenville 1

“Greenville 1” combines photos of two angles the old family courthouse that was recently renovated by Design Strategies. This is a great example of the power of design in revitalization. Design strategies has preserved the beauty of the old architecture while making use of an essentially derelict building.

I’ve combined these photographs with images and painting that focus on mathematical design and its potential for preservation of the past as well as construction of the future.

Greenville 2

This work is really about history. From long past handwriting to a more recent Greenville parking garage. Sometimes it’s hard to think of more recent things in a historical perspective. New buildings are constructed, sometimes without regard for their future impact.

Greenville 3

“Greenville 3” focuses on Greenville’s history of faith. Open religious activity is part of a growing and active community. To underscore this organic relationship I have paired digital photos of one of Greenville’s historic downtown churches and a loose landscape like passage.

MA in FA

In the category of recently completed work, I’m happy to say that I have completed my Masters of Arts in Fine Art. My particular degree was a composite art masters combining visual art and theatrical art. If you are interested in seeing a selection of my masters thesis show you can visit the Greer campus of Greenville Tech.

A Universe That Works (2004)

9 X 11” Acrylic, graphite, color laser transfer, ink, and colored pencil on Paper

“A universe that works” is basically a landscape – A celebration at the amazing way the world functions. Nature isn’t just a beautiful thing, it is a beautiful setting in which to exist.

A8 (2004)

6.5 X 8” Powdered graphite, clear matte medium, white acrylic paint, and photocopies on paper.

With the exception of the photocopied digits, All the darks were created using powdered graphite. The thick darks are a result of layering.

This little piece is about the danger of secrecy.