Feel Free to Wander

One Act

2011-04-29T00:58:00.003-04:00

One Act
New Paintings by Michael McDevitt
April 9-May 24
Reception: May 14th, 6-9
Food, refreshments, and live music by Bric-a-brac

Georgetown Arts & Cultural Center

5511 1/2 Airport Way S

Seattle WA, 98108

georgetownartcenter.org

Good is Evil

2010-09-28T11:14:00.004-04:00

Radix Malorum (The Campsite on the Mound)
Acrylic on Canvas
10" x 10"

Through some cosmic legerdemain, Summer has disappeared, and Fall is upon us. With it comes the gloom and the rain and all the other wonderful things that Autumn has to offer.

In honor of the onset of darkness, Portland's Good Gallery is hosting a group show entitled Good is Evil. I painted the picture above specifically for this exhibition. The title is an oblique reference to the Pardoner's Tale, but the setting is pure backwoods Virginia... not the real backwoods Virginia, of course, but the dark, swampy Virginia of my dreams.

Happy Fall!

The Date

2010-08-06T12:36:00.011-04:00

Though I've been neglecting this blog, I have been keeping myself quite busy. I've been active on a new series with the working title of Glorious Fictions. It is the product of nearly a year of introspection, research, and sketching. I intend for it to be the flagship of my fleet and look forward to going a good distance with it.

The first of these paintings (The Date, shown below) is included in The Cutting Edge, a group show at Portland's Good Gallery. The show opens this evening and hangs through the month.

The Date
Acrylic on Canvas
16"x 8"

These days I'm doing a lot more preparatory work than I used to. (Thanks Kang-O'Higgins Atelier!). Counter-intuitively, I find that the more studies I do, the faster I get to the finish line. If you'd like to check out what I'm working on and see my process, go to my Facebook page The Art of Michael McDevitt. On it I regularly post studies and sketches like the one below. Additionally, I sometimes offer special deals for folks who 'Like' my page.

So, thanks for stopping by, and stay tuned for new work.

Study for The Date
Charcoal on Paper
16" x 8"

Recent Commissions

2010-05-26T18:07:00.004-04:00

Although haven't been posting much, I've been keeping myself quite busy. I've been plotting the course of my next body of work and doing some commission pieces for folks across the country.
Below are two of the latest. Stay tuned for more about what's to come.

Austen at the Window
20" x 16"
Acrylic on Panel
Private Commission

Evening Crow
11" x 14"
Acrylic on Panel
Private Commission

'And If Only' CD Release

2010-04-16T15:59:00.003-04:00

Check out the new CD by Seattle-area gypsy-jazz band, Hot Club Sandwich!

This new album is the fourth by HCS and features the legendary Dan Hicks on vocals and accordion by Pearl Django's David Lange. It's hot off the presses of Stumptown Printers and CDForge with original artwork by yours truly.

If you're in the Pacific Northwest, swing by one of the upcoming CD release shows or catch them at Seattle's Folklife Festival.

For more info visit
www.hotclubsandwich.com

RIP Mark Linkous

2010-03-08T22:56:00.006-05:00

Dim Interior
Ink, Gouache, & Watercolor on Paper
2003

In 2002 I moved into a dim, weathered apartment in Richmond, VA. Much of the square footage was devoted to one long, dark hallway connecting to the inner stairwell shared by all the apartments. The only windows overlooked an odd, U-shaped alley, full of garbage and cobblestones. In the summer it stunk of rotten meat and backed up sewage. In the spring it crawled with ants, and, though I never saw them in my apartment, the telltale signs of rats were all around the exterior. The beaten hardwood floors held decades of accumulated dust, which no sweeping could banish. The bedroom door had dozens claw marks scratched into it, which, when coupled with the iron bars covering the bedroom window, gave the impression that something terrible had been trapped inside it... and perhaps still was.

In short it was the perfect place for a melancholy art student, living in a new city without friends. I spent six lonely months in that apartment, consumed by the pursuit of beauty and the ubiquity of sadness. Throughout it all, the music of Mark Linkous was my Virgil. In the bright light of morning it was a rousing call to joy. In the darkest times it became a one of the most sincere prayers that I have ever offered.

Please send me more yellow birds for the dim interior

Thank you, Mark Linkous. Thank you so very much.

Splendorporium Opening (2/5/10)

2010-02-23T00:52:00.008-05:00

It was a mild night, and people were out and about.

Bike parking was limited.

The folks from Voodoo Donuts pulled their truck into the gallery to sell sugary treats.

Some people had a lot of sugar.

Everybody had a good time...

Except this guy.

The end.

'The Pink Show' Opening Tonight at Splendorporium

2010-02-05T13:09:00.005-05:00

The Pink Show at Splendorporium
2/5-2/26
Opening Reception Tonight 2/5 from 7-9
3421 SE 21st Ave, Portland, OR

Back in my day, art class was a venue for rampant hooliganism. We destroyed random objects on grinders, glued magazine cutouts into school closets, incinerated flies in mini-kilns, made lewd things out of clay... In fact, art was the only class in which I was ever set on fire. Had I paid more attention, I might be a big name artist right now, because those are the kind of shenanigans that can get you lots of press and peanuts.

Yet, with our schools in such disrepair, many children don't get a chance to learn even the basics of nihilistic, avant garde performance art. That's why the folks at Art4Life bring arts and culture to six Portland Public Schools through their after school programs. They also operate Splendorporium and the adjoined Children's Art Gallery. All told, it's a pretty sweet deal for Portland, kids, and the art community.

More and Then Some
36"x24"
Oil on Canvas
Available

In addition to the painting above, the Pink Show features an eclectic mix of local talent. So swing by tonight, grab a donut or two, and listen to some Flamenco. Then be sure to buy some art, because 25% of the proceeds go to Art4Life.*

*The other 75% of the proceeds go towards keeping grown up artists off of welfare. They can't be puppies forever!

Spaghetti Western

2010-01-22T21:34:00.002-05:00

Spaghetti Western
14"x11"
Watercolor on Paper

I'm off to watch A Fist Full of Dollars, so I thought I'd post this beesty from a while ago. I used to do a lot more of these guys. Maybe I'll get back to it sometime.

Cat on Donkey!

2010-01-19T01:03:00.004-05:00

Cat on Donkey!
10"x10"
Acrylic on Panel

A commission from the same folks that brought you Goat on Cow!

Richmond, VA

2009-12-21T11:28:00.000-05:00

As you may know, I love seeing images of my work as it exists out in the world. These come from where Sara and Andrew who live in Richmond with two of my paintings.

She Was Thus Protected hanging alongside some lovely, but unidentified paintings. Cool lampshade, huh? I think that the little toy person should be wary of the mutant pear creature that is poised in striking distance and attempting to look inconspicuous.

Here the Astounding Tide adorns a nice, broad windowsill. The thick sides of the little canvas allow it to stand on its own as a decorative object, which is pretty sweet.

I recognize the building through the window, and it makes me miss Richmond. The rubber mallet/window prop would be pretty handy for repelling potential invaders. Very useful in that town. In fact, I seem to recall both Andrew and I being burglarized by the same prowler-- only Andrew and his housemates caught him in the act. The guy would wander around looking for people that were hanging out on their front porches and then go around the back, dash in, grab something valuable, and run out. In my case, he swiped a woman's purse off my kitchen table, and I had a devil of a time convincing her that my housemate hadn't made off with it. Ah, Richmond!

Nice light too.

Thanks for the photos!

The Enemy Guns

2009-12-14T12:28:00.003-05:00

The Enemy Guns
Digital
9"x 9.5"

Which is meant to be viewed with this as a soundtrack...

The Futility of Banishment (Work in Progress)

2009-12-11T01:38:00.005-05:00

Up until this point I have been averse to posting images of works in progress. I suppose that I've wanted to retain the full freedom that obscurity provides, treating each piece as a bit of a secret until completion. Yet, I love looking at progress shots from other artists, so I have come to rethink my approach. In keeping with the new thrust of my blog, here is a peek into what's banging around my easel these days.

Entitled The Futility of Banishment, this painting is part of the Lysis series, which also includes In the Absence of Memory. I first painted this on Friday the 13th, though I'd already been playing around on the panel quite a bit. I've been experimenting with paper collage, though not in the manner of Hannah Hoch and Max Ernst. Instead I'm simply using paper to augment my ability to control the ground and specific images on it. Check out Perpetual Revision to see a different application of this same idea.

A week after the initial session, I spent a tumultuous Friday painting the panel to this state. While I like the added texture and the differentiation of the reds, I feel like I drove the painting into the mud... but it's nothing a paint scraper can't fix. (or at least obliterate)

We'll see where it goes...

New Website & Prints by Plywerk

2009-11-30T22:44:00.007-05:00

When I first started this blog, I simply intended for it to be a place that I could post images of my work. Over the years it has grown into something more than that, but I have been perpetually hemmed in by my original mission. I've kept the editorializing to a minimum and avoided both process shots and shop talk. I felt this was necessary in order to maintain the blog as an online portfolio. It's done its job fabulously, but I am now releasing it from these constraints.

My new website is up at www.MMcDevitt.com.

It will take over as my primary venue for displaying finished work online. What's more, you can now purchase work directly through the site via Paypal. In the weeks to come I'll be adding more content and tweaking the form, so you might want to stop by a few times. I'll continue to maintain this blog, but will now use it to focus more on my process, practice, and progress. Of course, I'll keep having fun over at Letters from the Inquisition and plan on launching some new projects there in the next month.

In the mean time, I've added a new product to my art endeavor. I am now offering over a dozen images as high-quality, durable prints. These aren't just pieces of paper that I'm talking about either. I'm having the images professionally printed by Plywerk here in Portland, and their product is something else entirely.

The images are printed on silver-halide paper and mounted on 3/4” carbonized bamboo plywood using a durable, PH neutral adhesive. With a keyhole hanger on the back, the whole thing looks impeccably sharp and is ready to hang.

Shazam!

Check it out.

Image used with permission from Plywerk

Perpetual Revision

2009-10-10T18:56:00.004-04:00

Perpetual Revision
From the series Quotidiana
30"x40"
Acrylic and Paper on Canvas
2009
Available

There Was Little He Could Do

2009-09-29T00:58:00.001-04:00

There Was Little He Could Do
12"x9"
Acrylic on Canvas
Available

Quotidiana Studies

2009-09-21T17:20:00.003-04:00

Dire Warnings
5"x5"
Acrylic on Paper
Available
--------------------------

An Excess of Zeal
5"x5"
Acrylic on Paper
Available
--------------------------

Volition
5"x5"
Acrylic on Paper
Available
--------------------------

Vainglorious
10"x10"
Acrylic on Paper
Available

A Benefit Concert for Maggie Kim

2009-08-10T10:58:00.007-04:00

If you're in the Seattle area on August 16th, I highly recommend swinging by the Tractor Tavern for this benefit concert. Not only will you hear fabulous music in one of Seattle's most enjoyable venues, but you'll be doing your part to help out a wonderful lady.

Maggie Kim is a very talented musician and a very kind soul. She played at the the opening of my show "Fog & Other Mysteries" at the late Gallery 070 on Vashon Island (above). Lately she's fallen on some rough times and has racked up some hefty medical bills. While musicians don't have health care, they do have friends that care, and benefit concerts like this are our 'public option.' That's why all the musicians are donating their time, and I whipped up the above poster to help publicize the event.

So come take part in a bit of DIY health care reform, and have a great evening in the process.

Voilà!

2009-07-20T15:35:00.003-04:00

L'Incertitude des lumières
36"x24"
Oil on Canvas
Available

If you happen to be in downtown Portland swing by Cafe Voilà to see some of my work. I'm displaying nine paintings, most of which are part of the series Fog & Other Mysteries.

I'm also working on a new series for an upcoming show here in Portland. I'll post more information once I've nailed down the details.

Dust My Broom

2009-06-01T14:25:00.006-04:00

~~I'm moving into a smaller studio and need to make a little space. For a limited time I'm offering a 20-50% discount on selected pieces.~~

Thanks for a good sale folks! Now back to the art...

Still

2009-05-08T18:05:00.004-04:00

Still
Hand-drawn on Wacom Tablet in Photoshop
Dimensions Variable

Vigilance Eternal

2009-05-01T16:40:00.004-04:00

Last night, I reunited with some old acquaintances, including the former editor of a newspaper called Vigilance. Based out of Port Townsend, Vigilance was an independent newspaper serving the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. I had the pleasure of working with the folks at Vigilance and wanted to post a couple of images that ran in the paper back in the early 2000's.

This image ran as the banner for the column Community Roundtable, which published letters to the editor and short essays.
Watchdog, as the name implies, was a column that kept an eye on local and national current events. I don't usually use photo collages as finished products, but fit the mood of the column.
When Vigilance folded in 2005, I was working on this vertical banner for a column called the Grapevine. It never ran, but I had a fun time making it.

I did other work for Vigilance, including a two-part comic called Liam and the Crow, and I was sad to see them close their doors. They had a good run, and the memories live on.

Goats, Dogs, and the People That Make It All Worthwhile

2009-03-20T13:48:00.006-04:00

I'm pleased to report that my painting Into the Wilderness has found a good home with Miguel Guerrero, author of the blog Your Brain on Eggs. This is the kind of picture that makes me very happy.

Coincidentally, I recently received images from my friends, Craig and Tricia Besley, showing my Polaroid Portrait of Jonas in its home.

I executed this piece back in 2003 for a Polaroid-themed show in Richmond, VA. I based the piece on an actual Polaroid of Jonas taken in Craig and Tricia's kitchen. Using photoshop, I sliced the image up into 'topographic' layers and resized them. I used watercolors and acrylics to create the color and texture on corresponding paper pieces that I created. After stitching it all together, I mounted it on a wooded frame and used mylar and thick white paper to mimic the look of an actual Polaroid. After the original show, Polaroid Portrait of Jonas hung in the Anderson Gallery's annual juried show.

This is Jonas. She's a pink-nosed pitbull and one of the sweetest dogs that I have ever met. She's blind in one eye as a result of an injury received when she was a puppy. If I could, I would tackle her right now. Here she poses with the portrait in Craig and Tricia's Florida home.

Thanks again to all of you that have sent me your photos, links, and kind words. You make it all worthwhile. If you own one of my pieces, please send me some pictures so that I can post them (if you prefer anonymity, just let me know and I will happily oblige).

'Voyage of the Manticore' purchasing information

2009-03-20T13:40:00.003-04:00

The Sinking of the Bafflethwaite
Acrylic on Canvas
20” x 16”
2009
Available

I've received a few inquiries and realized that I neglected to post one very important detail. If you are interested in purchasing work, please contact the show's curator, Chris Crites, at cchris13@bagpainter.com.

The Voyage of the Manticore

2009-03-13T18:53:00.015-04:00

The Fearsome Manticore
Acrylic on Canvas
Available

The Mighty Storm
Acrylic on Canvas
Available

The Sailor’s Sweetheart
Acrylic on Canvas
Sold

The Melancholy Sailor
Acrylic on Canvas
Available

A Damnable Position
Acrylic on Canvas
Sold

The Raft of the Mutineers Hailing a Very Strange Vessel
Acrylic on Canvas
Available

The Schooner Manticore
Acrylic on Canvas
Sold

The Voyage of the Manticore

2009-03-13T17:38:00.008-04:00

Moonrise Over the Desolate Island

12" x 24"
Acrylic on Panel
Available

The Night Mission
11" x 14"
Acrylic on Canvas
Available

Evening in the Harbor
12" x 12"
Acrylic on Canvas
Available

The Manticore Anchored Before the Volcano
8" x 10"

Acrylic on Canvas
Available

The Voyage of the Manticore

2009-03-12T03:01:00.006-04:00

A Portait of the “Mad Bosun,” Caleb Domino
Acrylic on Canvas

36" x 24"
Sold

The Levitation of the Manticore
Acrylic on Canvas
18" x 24"

Available

The Astounding Tide
Acrylic on Canvas

3" x 3"
Sold

Voyage of the Manticore Update

2009-03-04T18:21:00.004-05:00

Due to technical difficulties, I'll be posting images of my work after the opening reception [Tonight from 6-8!]. Look for them tonight or tomorrow. I suppose it's only fair to give first dibs to the folks that actually show up... no offense to my far-flung friends.

The Voyage of the Manticore

2009-02-17T21:49:00.007-05:00

The Sinking of the Bafflethwaite
Acrylic on Canvas
20” x 16”

2009

Available

I'm happy to announce that my new show, The Voyage of the Manticore, will be hanging next month at Joe Bar in Seattle's Capital Hill.

The Voyage of the Manticore chronicles the adventures of a fictitious 19th century schooner. The series takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the romantic exploits of the great Age of Sail. From the melodramatic to the absurd, each vignette illuminates a brief moment in the untold story of the Manticore. Based on the schooner Chasseur, a historic blockade runner, the Manticore is a 14-gun Baltimore Clipper typical of the early 1800’s. Inspired by 19th century maritime art, the paintings draw from both vintage and contemporary sources to tell a story that is equal parts tall-tale and satire.

Come down on for the opening reception.

The Voyage of the Manticore
Wednesday, March 4th
6PM-8PM

Joe Bar Cafe
810 E. Roy
Seattle, WA 98102
(206)324-0407

All Apologies...

2009-02-11T14:47:00.003-05:00

I've been up to my eyeballs in work and drama, so the posts have been lacking. I assure you, dear reader, that the dam is about to break, and I'll be filling this site with new work. But not just yet...

Perching Magpie

2009-01-27T01:47:00.007-05:00

Perching Magpie

Approx. 17" x 12"

Woodblock on Mulberry Paper

2003
Available

This print required six blocks and was executed in the Japanese style under the tutelage of Hiroki Morinoue.

Love Among the Ugly (diptych)

2009-01-23T01:41:00.005-05:00

Love Among the Ugly (diptych)

Acrylic and Enamel on Panel

Each Panel Approx. 36" x 24"

2003

Sold

The sides of these panels were painted in the same textured, bright red enamel as the red stripe through the center.

The Juggler (Half a Circle)

2009-01-14T17:13:00.004-05:00

The Juggler (Half a Circle)

48" x 24"

Oil on Canvas

2004

Destroyed

There are a lot of stories around this painting-- some of them funny, some of them quite sad-- but I'm not writing any of them down. So, you can buy me a beer, if you'd like, and I'll tell you all about it.

The Heirophant

2009-01-09T14:42:00.003-05:00

The Heirophant

48" x 24"

Acrylic on Panel

2003

Sold

I am going to continue digging through the archives for the next few weeks, but new work is forthcoming. I'm neck deep in producing work for my upcoming show, The Voyage of the Manticore. It's a fun one, and I'll post more about it soon.

Hoc Corpusculum

2009-01-05T02:29:00.002-05:00

Hoc Corpusculum

Acrylic on Panel

48" x 24"

2003

Sold

The inscription across the bottom reads HOC CORPUSCULUM QUO INDUTI SUMUS. A quote from Augustine, it translates to This little body which we wear.

The Old and the New

2009-01-01T16:08:00.011-05:00

As you may know, I love it when people send me pictures of my work in its new home. These come from my brother Sean and his wife, Pam.
Here, Samsara hangs on the walls of their new house. It's a particularly cozy and festive Christmas, as it's the first one for my brand new nephew, Colin. Birth and rebirth, indeed.
In this photo, you can see Samsara in it's old locale. It shares the wall with some Ansel Adams prints. I can't quite remember if the brown water in the fish tank is the result of naturally occurring tannins or of medicine to treat a fungal infection called 'the Ick.'

This painting is one of my first "real paintings." Done in 1994-1995, it depicts our late dog, Loki, sniffing around in the alley between Hanover and Grove in Richmond, VA. This very alley would later be the centerfold for my book 'Grace,' which was a homage to the alleys and buildings of Richmond.
This painting, is also an oldie. Done in 1996, it depicts an oni-esque angel hurling a lightning bolt from the heart of an expressionistic storm. In this picture it hangs in the original corporate headquarters of Ideas2Image.
This little print belongs to Pam. It is the endplate from my series The Spider and the Dog. It shares this artfully lit shelf with a neat ceramic monster from Argentina and a handmade bowl from somewhere in the chilly north.

It's a little hard to see, but nestled behind keepsakes and curios, a colored pencil Beastie grins.

Thanks to Sean and Pam for the photos, and 'Happy New Year!' to little Colin.

Again, if you own some of my art, I'd love it if you'd send me your pictures of it in its new home. Of course, if you don't any of my art, then you should probably buy a piece so that you can send me a picture of it. Right?

Samsara

2008-12-31T20:38:00.002-05:00

Samsara

From the series Lost in the Park

24" x 12"

Acrylic on Panel

2006

Sold

Happy New Year!

As we go around the sun one more time, I thought this painting would be a fitting post. It's title, Samsara, is the name given to the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and other related religions.

So here we go again. Good luck everybody. Please keep your arms and legs within the vehicle at all times.

Also, my thanks to all of you that paid a visit to my Fatten the Goose blog. The sale was a great success, and I've pulled the blog down. Many of you that had no hay-penny still found some kind words to toss into the old man's hat. As always, your attention and support are greatly appreciated. Special thanks, of course, to those that chose to buy my work. Your patronage is what keeps this chariot rolling along.

Patchwork

2008-12-30T03:25:00.002-05:00

Patchwork

24" x 12"

Acrylic on Panel

2007

Sold

She Was Thus Protected

2008-12-28T16:03:00.004-05:00

She Was Thus Protected

From the series Lost in the Park

24" x 12"

Acrylic on Panel

2006
Sold

Most people assume that the Lioness is attacking the the girl. She is, in fact, her guardian.

The Great Fire

2008-12-26T16:33:00.003-05:00

The Great Fire
From the series Lost in the Park
24" x 12"
Acrylic on Panel

2006
Available

Jolly!

2008-12-24T21:52:00.005-05:00

Goat on Cow!

14" x 11"

Acrylic on Panel

This is a holiday commission. It's a specific steer (technically not a cow, but c'mon). It was one of the funnest commissions that I've had.

If your holiday gift-giving has fallen flat or failed to materialize, have no fear! I've added some new stuff to Fatten the Goose, and it's never too late to book a commission.

So Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! Festive Yule! Jovial Hanukkah! Awesome Kwanza! Etc!

Dubious Tabernacle

2008-12-20T00:35:00.005-05:00

Dubious Tabernacle
24" x 12"
Acrylic on Panel
2006

Sold

I've been digging through a lot of old work lately-- sorting, scanning, and reformatting. Some of it has never been published on Feel Free to Wander, and I think I'd like it to be. Over the next few weeks, I will be posting some images from the vault.

This one is from the series Lost in the Park.

Choppity Chop

2008-12-18T03:14:00.005-05:00

Vintage Cleaver

Digital

I've been doing a lot of side jobs recently. This vintage cleaver is for the employee shirts at Seattle's new Oddfellows Cafe & Bar. It took a lot of revisions, but I'm quite happy with the results. I can't wait to get my hands on some of the shirts when they come out. I'm also pretty excited to try out the new eatery... as soon as I get out from under this pile of unfinished business.

Thanks to Ryann from Schoolyard Heroes for the connection.

Implied Theology

2008-12-14T02:21:00.003-05:00

Implied Theology

40" x 30"

Oil on Canvas

I have been busy applying to MFA programs recently. As part of that process, I've been procuring letters of recommendation from former teachers. Yesterday morning I awoke to find an email from one of my recommenders* in my inbox. The message cut was incisive, and I felt that it was worth posting in its (slightly edited) entirety along with my reply.

Dear Michael,

I've gotten requests from several of the schools and will write them within the next few days, I enjoyed seeing your blog and your new images, also your very thorough CV. Your work has developed strongly. Still, I am a little confused by the disparate nature of images produced in the same year; for example between FOG and IN THE ABSENCE OF MEMORY. I tend to gravitate toward the more naturalistic images, finding them very evocative of memory and place. Could you tell me a little more about the other images?

Thanks,
Xxxx

Dear Xxx,
Thank you for your thoughtful response. You've hit on one of the central tensions in my body of work and also the largest challenge that I face today. I hope you will forgive the long message. I have tried to be succinct, but the answer is not a short one.

As you astutely mentioned, my work is fundamentally about place, and the disparate images are my attempts to wrangle with some of the many facets of 'place.' The more naturalistic images deal either with direct observation (Gatehouse Study , assorted cast and figure drawings) or the selective and often nostalgic nature of memory (Selective Memory, in which the trees have been arranged into straight lines, or the Handsome Derelict, in which a shabby, rat-infested, old GMC momentarily regains the luster of youth).

Memory, however, is only one element in the conglomerate that we call 'place.' Imagination colors our perception of place and radically reorganizes our recollection of it. From the toy-box inferno of Still Life with Hellmouth to the back alley apocalypse of Into the Wilderness imagination plays a vital part in many of my paintings.

Yet as soon as I begin stray from memory, I find myself entering into the land of logic and analytical thought. Paintings such as Not the Birthday Girl and its companions from the Lost in the Park Series occupy a borderline place where intellect slices away at perception, but the overall impact is still loosely naturalistic. With works such as Transect and In the Absence of Memory, I have tried to push deeper into the analytical realm where representation can be simultaneously diagrammatic, iconic, and illusionistic. Of course, the logic that I see is more the absurd, nihilistic machine of Duchamp than the streamlined industry of le Corbusier. In the absence of memory logic becomes a hellish, dysfunctional monster. This is the essence of many of my nightmares and the root of much of our digital-age anxiety. In fact, in many ways, these paintings are my lo-fi, analog attempt to engage with digital-age visual sensibilities.

I hope this addresses your questions without being too verbose. Big questions, big answers, I suppose. I cannot profess to have adequately addressed the concerns that I've outlined above. Indeed, one of my stated goals in seeking to enroll in an MFA program is to enter into a crucible-like environment where I can figure out how to fuse these disparate elements into a more stable amalgam. That said, I know that selection committees prefer a stylistically similar body of work, so I will not be surprised if this scuttles my application. I've been tempted to lop off whole sections of my body of work in an attempt to be more uniform, but I think that the internal tension is too vital to be left out.

Thanks again,
m

I post this message along with this painting, because I was literally working on this painting at the same time as I was working on In the Absence of Memory. I switched back and forth (obviously, one is acrylic and the other oil), but would paint on them in the same session. I think this throws some people, but it doesn't seem odd at all to me. It's not weird to think of someone was IMing in broken, online slang while writing a formal, technical document and chatting with the nearest co-worker. Each of these requires a very different form of language, and we switch easily from one to the next. Why not in art?

*This is a dreadful word, but it is what these kind folk are called on the official forms.

In Life...

2008-12-10T02:28:00.005-05:00

It is important to have good friends, because good friends know good people. With any luck, those people become your friends. Then you are friends with more good people.

Leigh Anne let me stay in her basement for a month. Because of her I was able to get a foothold in this mossy city. Luckily, I was able to repay my debts as she left for warmer climates.

She sent this dispatch from the road.

Broken Porthole

Acrylic on Canvas

I am envious when my paintings lead a more exciting life than I do.

PS- If you have any artwork of mine, please send me pictures of it in its new life. It makes me happy.

Fatten the Goose

2008-12-02T02:24:00.006-05:00

Christmas is coming, and the goose is looking mighty skinny.

The holidays are upon us, and this year I've decided to celebrate by having an art sale. After a great year of showing and selling, I'm content to offer many of my favorite works at studio prices.

To check out what's on sale, surf over to Fatten the Goose, the temporary blog that I've put together. The artwork spans several media and ranges from older pieces to recently completed work. Much of it has been shown before, but some has never been in the public eye.

Fatten the Goose will run for through the month of December, and I'll be adding work to it as I see fit. To purchase work or set up a viewing appointment, send me an email by clicking on the email link in my Blogger profile.

I hope this sale will help make things easier for those of you that would like to buy art but are feeling the pinch of these lean times. My art is meant to be a part of other peoples lives, and I try to do what I can to make that possible.

Happy holidays!

The Handsome Derelict

2008-11-12T15:55:00.002-05:00

The Handsome Derelict

12"x 12"

Oil on Canvas
Sold

Standard Decay

2008-11-11T01:42:00.005-05:00

Standard Decay

48"x30"

Oil on Panel
Sold

Experimentation and Execution

2008-11-04T00:52:00.010-05:00

Transect (Early stage in progress)

I've been thinking a good deal about process lately, so I thought I'd post this photo. It shows an early stage in the development of my recent painting Transect. Like many of my paintings, the image emerged from abstraction, and assumed solidity as it developed. [An earlier stage of the painting can be seen in the lower right corner of this photo]. During the early, non-representational phase of the painting, I established the basic composition and movement of the canvas. As I stirred the canvas with my brush, I let the content rise to the surface. I'd been working with earwig imagery for a while, but without bolting it firmly to a finished painting. After several false starts, the earwig joined with the anatomical diagram and marine engine illustration, and achieved stability.

I love the convergence of ideas as they fuse into a final painting. I try no to be overly intellectual during this process, as intuition and impulse tend to guide me more faithfully than rationality. Sometimes the final work succeeds, and sometimes it doesn't, but something of worth always transpires in the process.

While I frequently employ this experimental mode of painting, I also work in an executive, goal-oriented manner. As can be seen in The Persistence of Hope in the Face of Doubt, the initial study is almost identical to the finished painting. When working in this mode, I attempt to execute the painting in the most efficient manner possible, moving from sketch to underdrawing to final painting in the least number of moves. Paradoxically, the constraints imposed by a predetermined image allow me a greater freedom of expression. The preexisting framework liberates the act of painting from the concerns of composition. Like a jazz musician improvising on an existing song, I am able to paint with greater abandon, thinking only of the marks themselves.

Of course, these two methods are not incompatible. They are the right and left hands of painting, and I alternate between them as need dictates. In Transect, for example, the experimental gave way to the executive as the painting matured. Likewise, The Persistence of Hope required a great deal of experimentation during the endgame to resolve issues inherent in the initial plan's execution.

My goal, then, is to cultivate an open, intuitive experimental mode while honing my skills of execution. In the end, I hope to develop the ability to switch seamlessly between the two modes, striving always for increased facility and verisimilitude.

In the Absence of Memory

2008-11-01T17:00:00.005-04:00

In the Absence of Memory

24"x36"

Acrylic on Canvas
(In Progress)

Transect: Artist Statement

2008-10-12T13:10:00.001-04:00

A transect is a path used by researchers to survey a geographic area. The path follows a predetermined course that does not deviate for topography or local conditions. This allows researchers to gather data about the location, density, and composition of the subject being studied. Often, a transect will be marked in advance and surveyed multiple times in order to observe changes in the same region.

Several years ago, I worked as a member of a research team in the rainforests of the western Olympic Peninsula. As a part of my job, I followed pre-marked transects and collected data about vegetation and potential nest-predators. I quickly realized the difference between the theoretical transect of textbooks and the grueling, messy act of holding one’s course in an uncooperative world. Through ravines full of Devil’s Club and over the blasted landscape of clear-cuts, I clung fast to my compass and searched desperately for the next sign marking my path. In these tense moments of uncertainty I learned important lessons about purpose, perseverance, and the mechanics of faith.

The paintings included in this show are the products of my own personal transect. Through them I am slowly piecing together an understanding of the world in which I live. They span a period of approximately six years, in which I have covered a great deal of ground and learned many hard-earned lessons. They vary in both subject and style according to the nature of the landscape at the time of their creation.

I am still walking my transect, and though it occasionally passes through patches of Blue Berries and forests lined with Wood Sorrel, I know that the real value is to be found in the dense and thorny brambles of doubt and difficulty.

-Michael McDevitt, 2008

Transect Postcard

2008-10-08T02:02:00.003-04:00

Open Studio Tonight

2008-10-02T14:40:00.002-04:00

619 Western

6th Floor South

6-9PM

Transect

2008-09-26T17:35:00.004-04:00

Transect

Acrylic on Canvas

20"x16"
Available

This painting is both the namesake and the post-card image for my upcoming show at Georgetown Art Center in Seattle. I'll be posting more about it soon, but two points are especially relevant. First, the opening will be Saturday, October 11 from 6-9. Second, if you would like me to mail a post card to you, please email your address to mcdevittmailinglist@yahoo.com.

Sheep on the Auction Block

2008-09-19T15:48:00.004-04:00

Sold

Tonight my painting, The Persistence of Hope in the Face of Doubt, will be auctioned as part of Vashon Allied Arts' annual fundraiser. This year the theme is the Mad Hatter's Ball. I believe proxy bids are accepted... y'know, if you're interested...

Check out the VAA website for details.

Male Model with Stick

2008-09-09T03:21:00.003-04:00

Charcoal on Paper
Approx. 12" x 9"

I can't remember the name of this model, but he was one of my favorites in the KOH Atelier. He was an older gentleman who walked with a stick but looked like he could throw a boulder. Indeed, I wouldn't be surprised to find him on a secluded path in a distant folktale. He was straight out of a picture by NC Wyeth or Arthur Rackham.

The Persistence of Hope in the Face of Doubt (study)

2008-09-04T00:24:00.001-04:00

Charcoal on Paper
Approx. 20"x13"

The August Struggle

2008-08-13T14:52:00.002-04:00

After a bit of a hiatus, I am back in the studio and gearing up for my October show at the Georgetown Art Center here in Seattle. Since completing my term in the Painting & Drawing Atelier at Gage, I've been wrestling with big questions about my art.

What do I want it to embody? How do I want it to look? What methods do I want to employ in its creation?

I can't say that I've answered even one of those questions, but I've got enough of a handhold to move forward. What I do know is that I am not satisfied making strictly Realist art. Realism and representation are central to my artistic view, and I have no interest in discarding them. Yet, as a product of the A.D.D. world of digital postmodernism, I want my art to be both stylistically dynamic and philosophically sound. To that end, I am currently working on reintegrating some of the more disparate elements of my art. I hope that with some effort, I can push my art to the point where it can simultaneously engage with the visceral beauty of the observed world, the mysterious poetry of dreams, and the analytical complexity of the inner landscape.

Of course, I intend to always leaven that dense mixture with a healthy dose of Dada-infused absurdity and good, old-fashioned gallows humor.

I know that's a tall order, but a fella's gotta dream.

So, now I'm off to the studio to try to make that dream a reality... one brushstroke at a time.

Volunteer Park Gatehouse study

2008-08-01T04:20:00.006-04:00

Oil on canvas board
9"x12"
Sold

I painted this study in two afternoon sessions at Seattle's Volunteer Park. The gatehouse, just off stage right, is a stone tower that reminds me of something out of New York City. The barbwire fence surrounds a circular reservoir, which was originally built to supply water for fire control after the Great Seattle Fire.

I learned this neat bit of trivia from Larry, the reservoir guard. He phoned into HQ to make sure that it was alright for me to be painting where I was. I think that Larry was secretly thrilled to have something to do and someone to with whom to pass the time of day.

A Tree Through the Seasons

2008-07-15T16:09:00.003-04:00

The images below show, in order, the front, inside, and back of a wedding invitation. The clients, who are dear friends and avid gardeners, requested that the invitation depict an apple tree in various stages of the year. I designed the invitation with an unorthodox construction that provided the recipient with a novel and unrepeatable opening experience. Upon arrival, the invitation was sealed and bore no words. A string had been embedded discreetly in the front page with a tab instructing the recipient to pull it. As the string was pulled, it tore the paper, creating a door that revealed the inner portion of the invitation and transformed winter into summer. (In this version names and personal information have been purged) The client was very happy, and the invitations created a quite a stir among their friends.

The First Thursday

2008-07-03T15:02:00.004-04:00

The Prince Fool
Intaglio, Ink, Watercolor, Gouache, and Acrylic on Paper with Stitchwork and Antique Frame
7"x5"
Sold

Tonight will be the inaugural 1st Thursday Art Walk for our studio. Drop by anytime between 6 and 9. I'll be holding it down with Jason Sho Green. We're in the 619 Western Building on the South side of the 6th floor.

I'm All Ears...

2008-06-28T15:20:00.003-04:00

Cast of Ears
Charcoal on Paper

Over the years I have been incrementally improving my game. In time, I intend to be a A-1, ironclad, all-boxes-checked, fully annotated, every-dime-accounted-for Businessman. Right now, that means tackling one of my organizational nemeses-- the mailing list.

To that end, I have created a new email account to use exclusively for mailings. I'll only be using it for show notifications, open-studio announcements, and other related items. I solemnly swear that I will not email pictures of cute kittens, links to YouTube videos of people falling down, or any other drivel.

SO... if you'd like to be added to the list, send an email to:

McDevittmailinglist@yahoo.com

Use the subject 'add me,' and I'll do just that. If you'd like to receive show postcards, please include your snail mail address in the body of the message.

Thanks for stopping by, and thanks for your support.

First is the worst. Second is the best. Third is the one-- well you know the rest.

2008-06-22T23:08:00.004-04:00

I'm happy to say that Billy Howard selected my painting More and Then Some as the Second Place winner of the Still Life category in the Best of Gage Show. At the award ceremony, the Kang-O'Higgins Atelier was rolling strong. My studiomates won First Place in Landscape (Jason Sho Green), Third Place Figurative (Aaron Hart), First Place Sculpture (Tamara Stephas), and the People's Choice award (Tenley DuBois). As you can see, the air at the ceremony was so charged with emotion that it actually became blurry. It was something to behold.

I also recently had the pleasure of being awarded the Second Place prize in the Seattle Co-Arts scholarship competition. Officially there is only one prize, but when they feel it is necessary they petition the board for the creation of a second award. Of course First Place has its own panache, but it's pretty flattering to have an award created just for you.

The Best of Gage

2008-06-20T12:12:00.004-04:00

Tonight is the opening for the Best of Gage show at Gage Academy of Art. There will be a ton of work from the entire Gage community. Special guest juror Billy Howard of Howard House Gallery will present prizes. There will also be artist demos as well as free food and booze.

Did I mention free food and booze?

Gage Academy of Art
1501 10th Ave. E
Seattle, WA

6:00PM to 9:00PM

Miscellany

2008-06-11T02:07:00.004-04:00

After nearly nine months at Gage I am considering selling my life drawings by the pound... please remember to write down your PLU on the tags provided.

Cast of Hermes Praxiteles

Pigeon

Randy

Ruth

Apocalypse Now! (and a little more later)

2008-06-04T01:49:00.005-04:00

Despite the Damage He Could Recognize His Own Face
Acrylic on Panel
12"x 24"
Available

As the days grow longer and Spring turns to Summer, people all across America are thinking about one thing-- the Apocalypse.
Flowers. Sunshine. Hellfire. Plagues. It's pretty much a matched set.
To celebrate this festive season, I'll be taking part in Ouch My Eye's June show, Apocalypse Now. I'll be including Still Life with Hellmouth, Still Life with Virgin Mary, and the painting above, which is part of the Lost in the Park Series.
Looking past the cookouts, camping trips, and rivers of fire, Fall is beginning to show her colors. In October I'll be having a solo show at the Georgetown Art center. I'll be branching out from the work that I've been doing at Gage, pushing for more ambiguous space and using composite elements. Like my 2005 October show, On Dark Ground, I'll be dealing with themes of memory, mortality, and the connections between the past and the present.
So, come down to scenic SoDo on June 13 and help ring in the new season with a bit of apocalyptic cheer.

Letters from the Inquisition

2008-06-01T04:14:00.004-04:00

For some time now I've been meaning to start a second blog. Feel Free to Wander is dedicated primarily to displaying my work, publicizing events, and generally keeping folks informed about my whereabouts. I've made it a general rule to only post images that are my own. There are a few exceptions, but mostly I've limited myself to linking to images that belong to other people. Likewise, I've tried to keep the rambling and meandering to a minimum. While I've been quite happy with the results, I've had a nagging desire expand a little. I'd like to post interesting photos, write some essays, share the occasional poem, and tell a few stories. Furthermore, I'd like to be able to display and discuss the work of my peers and predecessors (properly linked and credited, of course).
To this end, I have begun work on Letters from the Inquisition. I'll be looking to blogs like Hungry Hyaena, Bioephemera, and Monkeys For Helping for inspiration. I'll be continuing to post about my work here, so please do keep stopping by.

New Digs

2008-05-25T16:27:00.005-04:00

My time at Gage is coming to an end. While I hope to continue taking classes and workshops, I will be leaving the Drawing & Painting Atelier in just over a month. As one thing comes to a close, however, something new begins to open. With the arrival of summer, I move into a new studio on the 6th floor of the 619 Western Building in historic Pioneer Square. I'll be sharing the space with Jason Sho Green, a sculptor named Mathew, Ryann Donelly of Schoolyard Heroes, and her mother, Linda.

The space is open, bright, and airy with an entire wall of windows. The floors are beat up hardwood, and everything has an industrial feel. The building is a warren of studios and gallery spaces. It gets a great turn-out every 1st Thursday during the Pioneer Square Gallery Walk. We also have a sound-proof recording booth (structure with door above) that was left to us by the former tenant (a music producer whose name I am supposed to know but can't remember).

My space is next to the windows. It has a great view. I look forward to painting the ivy-choked buildings shown above. The smaller of the two is actually slanting at a remarkable angle.

Here you can see how the camouflage of the wild Sho Green allows it to blend into its native habitat.

So, stand back kids, there's gonna be some art goin' down.

"A Dialog from the McDevitt Show"

2008-05-22T02:24:00.004-04:00

[As related in an email from Curtis Bathurst]

Three people in their late 50s and 60s wander to the back of the gallery.

Person 1: Is it snow?

Person 2: It could be snow.

Person 3: It could be snow or it could be sand.

Person 1: It says, "Return to distance."

Person 3: It could be snow on the sand, too. This guy has on special shoes.

Person 2: I wonder if there was a computer used.

Fog & Other Mysteries

2008-05-02T14:31:00.003-04:00

Artist's Reception
Friday May 2nd
6-9PM
Gallery 070, Vashon

This evening is the opening of my new show at Gallery 070 on Vashon Island. In addition to the requisite food and booze, my opening will feature the mysterious musettes and foggy tangos of Maggie Kim on the accordion and the incredible voice of Maeg O'Donoghue-Williams as she performs traditional Javanese songs and original compositions. While you are out on Vashon, you can enjoy the rest of the first Friday art walk featuring... more food, booze, and music!

Also, my show is included on the Vashon Studio tour, which will be going on Saturday and Sunday of this both weekend and the next.

Here is the artist statement that accompanies the paintings:

The paintings in this show are from the series ‘Fog & Other Mysteries,’ which explores the mysterious within the mundane. The work, all of which is new, is executed in both oils and acrylics. I made numerous preliminary studies, drawing on a combination of direct observation, photographic reference, and imagination. It is my first major return to oil painting in five years, and the first time that I have combined oils with extensive acrylic underpainting.

When I began ‘Fog & Other Mysteries’ I intended to create a series of monochromatic paintings that used tone and atmosphere to evoke a sense of light and space. My goals, as you can see, changed significantly between conception and completion. My initial sketches focused on scenes of fog, snow, and dusk, and it was from these images that the series earned its name. As I worked, the series grew to encompass a range of imagery far wider than the original dim scenes. The sunny fields, craggy heights, and ramshackle greenhouses that emerged pushed me to open my palette, increase the size of my canvases, and create the work that hangs before you.

‘Fog & Other Mysteries’ was both challenging and rewarding to paint. The process of its creation involved both technical and spiritual struggles. I emerge from this process with a greater knowledge of my craft and a deeper appreciation for the mystery that is at its core.

Fog & Other Mysteries

2008-05-02T13:10:00.017-04:00

The following images are from the series "Fog & Other Mysteries," which is currently hanging in Gallery 070 on Vashon Island. ~~For purchasing information, contact the gallery at 206-463-9280 or email info@gallery070.com~~

[Note-Two paintings that are included in the show are not posted here.]

Fog #3
10"x8"
Acrylic on Canvas
Sold
........................................

Hoodoo (Yellowstone#3)
12"x12"
Oil & Acrylic on Canvas

Sold
........................................

Seaside Shrine
12"x12"
Oil on Canvas

Sold
........................................

Filigree
5"x7"
Oil & Acrylic on Canvas
Available
........................................

Undone (Yellowstone #1)
12"x12"
Oil & Acrylic on Canvas
Available
........................................

Selective Memory (Yellowstone #2)
12"x12"
Oil & Acrylic on Canvas

Sold
........................................

The Persistence of hope in the Face of Doubt
48"x36"
Oil on Canvas

Sold
........................................

L'Incertitude des lumières
36"x24"
Oil on Canvas
Available

Fog & Other Mysteries

2008-05-02T12:38:00.011-04:00

More and Then Some
36"x24"
Oil & Acrylic on Canvas
Available
........................................

The Oral Tradition
36"x24"
Oil & Acrylic on Canvas
Available
........................................

On Progress
12"x12"
Oil on Canvas
Available
........................................

Return to Distance
45"x72"
Oil on Canvas
Available
........................................

The Thin Line Between Dreams and Memories
36"x24"
Oil & Acrylic on Canvas
Sold
........................................

The Trials of Dismas
36"x18"
Oil on Panel

Sold
........................................

The Solace of Heartache
12"x12"
Oil & Acrylic on Canvas

Sold

Maeg O'Donoghue-Williams

2008-04-22T03:11:00.012-04:00

I just finished this poster for Maeg O'Donoghue-Williams, a talented Seattle singer. Maeg sings traditional Javanese music as well as original compositions. If you can't catch her at this recital, you will be able to hear her perform at the opening of my new show, Fog & Other Mysteries on May 2nd. Catch her if you can, because soon she will be flying across the Pacific to study her adopted music at its source.
My reception will also feature the music of Maggie Kim on accordion, who can be seen performing at the Pink Door every Thursday.
For a sneak peak of a painting in progress (and a silly picture) click here.

Hard Candy

2008-04-13T04:41:00.004-04:00

Crocodiles will do all sorts of neat tricks to get a giant lollipop.
Look how excited the little guy is.

Updates

2008-04-10T04:00:00.005-04:00

study for The Oral Tradition
Charcoal on Paper
18"x12"

We're entering the home stretch for "Fog & Other Mysteries." The paintings are lining up, and I am preparing for a new semester.
While I get the work together, I am also working on other projects and booking new shows. Next March I'll be showing "the Voyage of the Manticore" at the Joe Bar on Capital Hill. Look for new Hard Candy posters, and there's a chance that I'll be seeing some interesting print possibilities in the near future.
I'll be posting images of all the paintings in "Fog & Other Mysteries" on the morning of the opening. Presales will be handled by Gallery 070.

Well Google My Socks Off!

2008-03-26T02:22:00.004-04:00

Sketchbook page circa 2002

I think Google is weird. I've had total strangers say that they googled me. Just like that. "I googled you." No shame or shyness. Once, I met with a professor to inquire about the UW's MFA program. The whole time we talked I kept expecting him to want to see my portfolio. In the end I had to ask if he wanted to see it. "I googled you," he said. Sheesh. I guess it makes sense, but it still feels odd.
Anyway, I'm proud to announce that I am the top Michael McDevitt on Google. Hang on to the confetti, because I don't feel like vacuuming.
While I was googling myself (I feel dirty just saying that), I noticed that 'Just Like Any Other Morning' is exhibited on the Circo dell'Arte website. It is kind of a stark photograph, but it does not suffer from the glare problems that mar the image I posted. I'm kind of surprised that the website is still there, but I suppose these things tend to linger.
So, let's drink a cup to all the other 'Michael McDevitt's (+) (+) (+)and get back to our googling.

Grimm Spots

2008-03-25T02:09:00.003-04:00

Recently, as you may have noticed, I've been posting odds and ends both recent and old. I'm working feverishly on my upcoming shows and thought this was a nice way to keep the content flowing.
These images are spot illustrations for 'Grimm: An Illustrated Collection,' which was (is?) to be published by the Richmond Illustrators Club. A number of illustrators collaborated to put together a handsome volume of selected Grimm tales. I did illustrations for "The Willow Wren and the Bear" as well as for the back cover. The story is silly, and you should read it.

The Gnat is the spy for the army of winged creatures.

Here, the Bear bows down before the little palace of the willow wren.
Both of these images were executed in Photoshop with a Wacom tablet (my digital weapon of choice). It's amazing what can be done with the graphics tablet. Still, I must confess that I spent great deal of time on my computer fussing unsuccessfully with the faux celtic knot-work, Eventually I threw my hands up and went to my favorite coffee shop. I sat down with a pencil and a cup of coffee and banged it out in 15 minutes. Just goes to show ya what the old #2 can do...

Fog & Other Mysteries

2008-03-20T21:43:00.004-04:00

Fog #3
Acrylic on Canvas
10"x8"

Sold

This image will be featured on the promotional postcard for my upcoming show at Gallery 070. The reception will be on the first Friday of May (5/2) from 6-9PM.

I am also proud to announce that I will be participating in a show at the Gage Academy's Rosen Gallery. It will feature the work of the Kang-O'higgins Painting and Drawing Atelier. It also opens May 2nd 6-8:30.

I encourage all of you to attend both openings simultaneously via the 4th dimension. Just remember... even though you'll be in two places at once, drinks are cumulative. Teleport responsibly.

Music and Tomfoolery

2008-03-17T23:55:00.011-04:00

I'm at home and under the weather, so I thought I'd post a couple of odds and ends just for fun. These images are all digital, though most are reworked from some sort of physical sketch.

This is the poster for the second Hard Candy night at the Showbox SoDo. The organizers wanted the poster to feature a naked man this time. I'd just spent weeks drawing from a plaster bust of Hermes, so I brought in the obvious choice. I based the figure on a conglomeration of two statues of Hermes, one by Praxiteles and one by Giambologna (actually Mercury). I nixed the wings, swapped the rod for a lollipop, and called it a day. Originally he was tossing candy to the crocodiles, but I liked the simplicity and ambiguity of the image without the candy.

It's at this point that I confess that I not only have an imaginary record label, but a whole gaggle of imaginary bands. It's a fun game that I play to keep myself amused and interested. This is the CD art for the debut album of Hermes, a prog rock band from the suburbs of St. Paul, Minnesota. They signed to Pepperhouse last year and are touring with the Null Set, whose third album is due this summer.

I did this T-shirt design on spec for Sixer, a band that actually exists. Evidently, they are the Greatest Rock Band in the World. I used to work with Casey back in Richmond. He asked me to do an image of a guy digging the grave of Rock & Roll. Hey, sure, whatever. I don't think they ever used it, but it was fun to draw.

I sure do hate traffic. Don't you? Someday maybe I'll get shirts made from this design. There's a second image for another part of the shirt. It has a tiny, yellow chick preposterously seated on a mountain bike with a doomful Latin banner. I'd post it, but I never fully rendered it.

That's all from the land of incipient illness. I hope I didn't breathe on you while you were reading this.

...And So Forth

2008-03-16T14:10:00.005-04:00

Death by Musette performing "Ushti, Ushti Baba" live at Frostburg's Mountain City Coffeehouse and Creamery, October 20, 2006

I am a regular reader of Christopher Reiger's blog, Hungry Hyaena. Aside from being an old and respected friend, Reiger is a voracious reader, astute art critic, and skilled writer. In a recent series of posts(+), Reiger wrote about his participation in the online, curatorial experiment "And So On..." The project asks artists to select two works by different artists who then select two works by other artists... and so on. What patterns would emerge in the organic network of aesthetic taste? I was intrigued and surfed right over to have a look.

To my surprise I discovered that the work of Michael Lease was among those selected. Lease collaborates with five other artists to create the online project, Sametime. Each night at 7:15, the artists take a photo and submit it with a caption. The result is more than a collection of beautiful photos. It is a small window into six lives-- humorous, mundane, and sometimes incredibly touching. Lease is a Richmond artist whose acquaintance I had the pleasure of making two years ago.

To my amusement, I not only knew two of the selected artists, but had actually once caused them to be in the same room. In 2006 I saw Michael Lease perform at opening of "Waiting..." as part of the duo Death By Musette. I was lucky enough to book them to play at the opening of my show "Lost In the Park." Christopher Reiger came down from New York to see the show. Thus on the night of April 7th 2006 Michael Lease played the accordion several feet away from where Christopher Reiger snapped photos and drank wine.

While it's a pretty small item on the grand list of coincidence, it still makes me smile. There's a nice bit of symmetry between "And So On..." and the informal relationship of Lease, Reiger and myself. I wonder what other relationships exist behind jpegs on the screen. I don't expect that I'll ever know, but I take comfort in knowing that the relationships exist.

Ahem...

2008-03-11T14:20:00.004-04:00

I recently discovered that I have accidentally had the comment feature disabled on all posts published after January 2007. Ahem... sorry 'bout that. I wondered why I stopped hearing from folks. I'll be going back and manually fixing the problem post by post. I hope that you will all feel free to comment on prior posts or on posts in the future. I value your feedback and take great reassurance in knowing that you are, in fact, out there.
Thanks for stopping by, and sorry for the mistake.

Still Life with Hellmouth

2008-02-19T02:48:00.008-05:00

Ink on paper

Available

The Hellmouth is a medieval theatrical motif that found its way into religious art. It can be found in engravings(+), illuminated manuscripts(+), Renaissance paintings, and contemporary pop culture.

For this still life I used a carved jaguar head that my brother brought back from Mexico. The figures were based on toys from Archee McPhee's, which I turned into devils. A visiting artist dubbed the whole setup 'Bosch in a Box.'

During my research for the piece, I stumbled upon one image in which the artist had rendered the flames in a manner resembling leaves. I liked the idea so much that I ran out and gathered a fistful of the freshly fallen Autumn leaves. As they dried their shapes grew more convoluted and flame-like.

Fog & Other Mysteries

2008-02-19T02:26:00.005-05:00

The Thin Line Between Dreams and Memory (study)
Gouache on Paper
7"x5"

Sold

I am happy to announce that I will be exhibiting a new series of paintings at Gallery 070 in May. The series is entitled Fog & Other Mysteries. The work, which is executed in oils and acrylics, is a tonal investigation of space, light, and atmosphere. I will post more images in the future, and look forward to seeing many familiar faces at the opening.

Posting Notice

2008-02-19T02:05:00.005-05:00

Despite my best intentions, my rigorous schedule has kept me from posting frequently. I have a great deal of accumulated work that I would like to share, and I hope to post much of it in the near future. In the meantime, the the backlog grows daily and most of my energy goes into learning, creating, and desperately struggling to keep the wolves at bay.

Photo: The Chaos of my life... (clockwise from top) der Junggeselle, Little But Hope (cropped at right), Irascible Desires (partially obscured), Standard Decay (sideways), The Missionary's Daughter.

Hard Candy

2008-02-01T00:49:00.001-05:00

This poster is for Seattle's Showbox SoDo. Hard Candy is an bi-monthly event showcasing local and national bands. I reworked the Tantalus motif to fit the sweet, edgy vibe of the event.
If you're in town and up for a fun night, come check out Hard Candy at the Showbox SoDo lounge. Guaranteed delicious, just remember to brush afterwards.

Matchbox Reliquary

2008-01-19T17:07:00.002-05:00

Acrylic on Matchbox
Available

This is a wee reliquary for the devout traveler. I was shooting for a feeling of street-fair preciousness.

The front features an Agnus Dei and a wandering vine. The side is an ornamental Memento Mori.

On the back are the Four Evangelists.

Inside, we find a little Crucifixion. Look! It's the Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalene, and St. John. Up by the cross is Longinus with the spear. The angled bar of the cross points up to Dismas, the repentant thief, and down to Gestas, the unrepentant. It is a symbol of the possibility of last minute redemption. Also, at the foot of the cross is the skull of Adam. The river is my own addition referencing St. Christopher.

Inside, where any little relics would reside, we find St. Christopher, patron saint of travelers. He was a giant (hence the dog head in the Orthodox depictions) who carried the infant Jesus across a river. As he crossed, the tot got heavier and heavier until Christopher carried the weight of the world's sins on his shoulder. The Vatican removed him from the calendar of saints in '69, saying it was unclear as to whether the whole story was historically accurate. I'll limit myself to saying that that's a mighty slippery slope for the old Vatican to be traversing.

Still Life with Virgin Mary

2008-01-11T00:45:00.002-05:00

Conte and Chalk on Paper
Approx. 8"x12"
Available

Pigeon

2008-01-10T15:08:00.005-05:00

Charcoal on Paper
26"x18"

Pigeon is one of the best models at the Gage Academy. As a result of her striking features and her skill as a model, she has been painted, drawn, and sculpted more times than I can count. Here the likeness is not exact, and there are some anatomical problems, but I enjoy the drawing nonetheless.

The Tears of Sleeping Birds

2008-01-09T15:06:00.002-05:00

Oil on Panel
24"x26"
Available

This painting came in response to a news story about a moth that drinks the tears of sleeping birds with a harpoon-like proboscus. Originally, the painting had an additional area on the left, depicting a doorway through which a lamp-lit bedroom could be seen. On the wall of the bedroom was a painting that gave rise to the previously-posted Leviathan drawing. After some deliberation, I took a saw to the panel, removing about 8", which greatly improved the composition. Ironically, the cropped portion sold immediately as a separate work.

Leviathan

2008-01-09T02:33:00.004-05:00

Pen on Paper
8"x12"
Sold

I based this drawing on the engravings of the age of exploration. There were several types of sea monsters that were commonly depicted. This whale-like creature is my favorite. Here, a passing vessel (upper right) bears witness to the sinking of an unknown ship. I took the liberty of substituting a Pacific Northwest landscape for the psuedo-tropical landscape more commonly depicted in this era.

Into the Wilderness study (detail)

2007-12-11T05:27:00.006-05:00

Into the Wilderness Study
Watercolor and Pencil on Paper
Original Dimensions Approx. 17"x13"
Destroyed

This study was a late version of the sketches for Into the Wilderness (image below). I came across this file in a folder of bits and pieces on my computer. In addition to the traveller on the right, the original sketches called for a dark, distant figure in the space to the left of the building. The size of the paper exceeded the limits of the scanner that I used, which caused both the figure and corresponding space to be cropped out. I based the distant figure on this illustration that I made in 1998 for my poem 'Attempts to Map the Genome.'

"Trick: Banality is Adaptation"
Ink on Paper
17"x11"
Available

As I worked on the final painting I removed both people from the painting, which greatly simplified the composition. I was happy with the decision and quickly finished the work.
Unfortunately, calamity struck during the creation of the painting. A miscast cigarette butt ignited the building that was under construction across the street. Fanned by heavy winds, the fire advanced on the surrounding neighborhood of Carver. Burning insulation rained from the sky and set secondary fires that made many homeless. At its peak, the column of fire lay horizontally across the street and was twice the height of the VCU Fine Arts Building. The firefighters saturated the surrounding buildings for approximately eight hours. Many burnt, but the FAB was only mildly scorched.
Inside, the studios were soaked and much work was destroyed. Many of my fellow students lost their entire body of work. I lucked out and lost only some small drawings, photographs, and this study.
For eight hours, Into the Wilderness teetered on the brink of destruction. I was grateful to see my unfinished painting intact when I was allowed to return days later. My gratefulness has only increased with time as my painting has travelled the country and served me well. I am also thankful for this haphazard scan, and lament all that was lost in that fire.
Imagine if one could open a museum exhibiting the art that has been lost throughout history. I'm sure it would outshine the Met and the Louvre.

Into the Wilderness
Oil on Panel
48"x30"
Sold

My Art Space Featured Artist

2007-12-09T15:23:00.001-05:00

I joined My Art Space at the recommendation of Christopher Reiger. It is an interesting and bustling free website that allows artists to exhibit their images and network. Artists can organize their artwork into 'galleries' and 'portfolios,' which gives the artist a great deal of flexibility in sorting work. Shortly after uploading images, I was notified that I am one of this month's featured artists. Surf on over and check it out.
Above Image:
Scribe
Digital
2007

Blue Heron Gallery with David Carmack Lewis

2007-12-07T15:35:00.001-05:00

Not the Birthday Girl
Acrylic on Panel
12"x24"
Sold

Last month I had the pleasure of showing work at the Blue Heron Gallery in Vashon, WA. I shared the gallery with Portland Painter David Carmack Lewis. The show was a great success, and I bid farewell to a number of my favorite paintings, including the one pictured above. In the process of publicizing the show, an astute staff member noticed that David and I both earned our degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University. Our work dovetailed eerily well, and the coincidence of alma mater simply drove the point home. Perhaps Richmond leaves its indelible mark on those that have sweated and soaked in the city on the James.

Hero

2007-11-30T01:41:00.002-05:00

Hero
Watercolor on Paper
6"x4"
Sold

This little watercolor is from 1999. Of all the work I was doing at that time, I think it's held up well over time. I took a long time painting it, and eventually sold it at a VCU Student Art Sale.
Sometimes I miss the past.

Fed By Ravens

2007-11-29T23:28:00.001-05:00

Elijah in the Wilderness
Hand Drawn Digital

For quite while, I have not been posting as often as I would like to be. The delay has been a result of both technical difficulties and a busy schedule. Since September I have been enrolled in the Drawing & Painting Atelier at the Gage Academy of Art. I have the great privilege to study with Mark Kang-O'Higgins. He is a keen wit and a fine teacher, not to mention a skilled artist.
The atelier is a constant challenge, and it is a pleasure to spend so much time studying and drawing. I feel that my skills have increased greatly, especially in the life room. I have great hopes for the upcoming Winter and Spring.
I am also lucky to have come in contact with Gage's talented staff, students, and alumni, including Spyder, Jason Sho Green, Sam Hamrick, and Crystal Barbre.
The image above was drawn as one in a series of weekly conceptual exercises. In addition to these projects, we have technical exercises, cast drawings, and personal projects-- and that's just before lunch. After lunch we spend three hours in the life room drawing the human body through direct observation. I will post more images of recent work as time and technology allow.

On Dark Ground

2007-10-10T01:57:00.000-04:00

As promised, I am posting some images from the series 'On Dark Ground.' I will post more in the future, though the quality of some of the phtograhs are too poor to include. All are acrylic on panel. Sizes are approximate. All are sold.

In Good Company
20"x 8.5"

And Then She Knew
24"x12"

On a Lucky Morning
20"x10"

Circo dell'Arte

2007-10-05T20:01:00.003-04:00

Like Any Other Morning
Acrylic on Panel
30" x 8"

Sold

Vashon Allied Arts recently held their annual art auction in the Blue Heron Gallery in Vashon, WA. I was invited to participate and included this piece from the series 'On Dark Ground.' The series consisted of 16 paintings. It originally hung in the Harrison St. Coffeeshop in October of 2005. This was the last piece in my possession, and I was happy to include it in the auction. I never posted images of the series because of glare in my photos, but I think that I may post some in an upcoming entry-- glare and all.

Far From Home

2007-07-18T21:50:00.003-04:00

The following paintings make up the show 'Far From Home,' which hangs through July at the Selvedge Studio in Missoula, MT.

Suffer a Witch
Acrylic on Panel
24"x36"
Sold

Noli me Tangere
Acrylic on Panel
24"x12"
Sold

Sheep May Safely Graze
(In the Course of a Dream #1)
Acrylic on Panel
24"x12"
Sold

A Quiet Place
(In the Course of a Dream #2)
Acrylic on Panel
20"x10"
Sold

Wind & Weather
(In the Course of a Dream #3)
Acrylic on Panel
20"x10"
Sold

Far From Home

2007-07-18T21:44:00.003-04:00

Fishing in the Night Sky
Acrylic on Canvas
2.5"x3"
Available

Her Grip Was Unsteady, But Her Aim Was True
Acrylic on Panel
12"x24"
Sold

Far From Home

2007-07-18T21:24:00.002-04:00

Ibex
Acrylic on Panel
2"x3"
Sold
Apocastasis
Acrylic on Canvas
6"x4"
Sold

The Missionary's Daughter
Acrylic on Canvas
8"x10"
Sold