Play in the Sunshine

Play in the Sunshine, acrylic on canvas, 24" x 48"

May U Live 2 See the Dawn

I've written so many times about my icon of icons, Prince. If you are a long time reader of this blog you can probably imagine how I must be feeling at the moment. My life has not come to a halt, as I didn't personally know the man, but I have shed a few tears and am deeply saddened to know that I will never again feel the excitement of standing a few feet or rows away, seeing him work his magic on a stage. I will never await, with anticipation, the release of new purple music. I will never again be inspired by a Prince song, just written. I am thankful for the vast catalog he left behind and what might be to come if the vaults are opened and its contents released.

Farewell, Prince.

May U Live 2 See the Dawn (Farewell, Prince)
acrylic and ink on canvas, 16" x 20", original and prints available.

Limited edition prints available.

Candy

Candy, acrylic and ink on canvas, 11" x 14", available.

I Haz Studio Againz!

YAY!
We moved into our new home in St. Pete, Florida back in October. I have barely lifted a paint brush (excluding the painting of walls) since then. Initially I was going to convert the garage into my studio, but I never was able to settle into that space. The spare bedroom has now become my home studio and I couldn't be happier. I feel re-charged and ready to paint once more.

Wishing for Sun

I sometimes have a tough time getting inspired on dreary days.

Yesterday and today have been very grey, cold and wet here in the DC area, but I'm learning to work with what the day brings.

Wishing for Sun 1, acrylic on paper, 5" x 7"/Matted

Wishing for Sun 2, acrylic on paper, 5" x 7"/Matted

Both of these paintings are available from Studio 4, Old Town or Latin Pop Shop on Etsy.

Fierce Fridays: Sarah Vaughan

The effortless fierceness of Ms. Sarah Vaughan is timeless and inspiring.
My favorite singer of all...ever.









Have a fabulous weekend, all.

Excuses For Bad Behavior Part 1

I was obsessed with this album when it was first released in 1991. I played it (on tape) over and over and over. I still love it and I am still enamored with Sandra's picture on the cover. Fashion!



This song and "Phone Sex" (of which I can only find remixes on youtube, sigh!) are personal favorites.

Frame Inspiration

I seldom frame my work. I paint mostly on canvas and either let the composition spill onto the sides or finish the edges off in a color that complements the painting. Every now and then, however, I see a frame and am inspired by it. This weekend I came across a pair while browsing through an indoor antiques market.



The second I laid eyes on the frames I imagined cubist-inspired compositions in them and knew I would regret not leaving the store with them. Sold!
I love the decorative hangers on top of the frame rather than the standard wire on the back.



Now I need to order some Masonite 5x7's and cut them down just a bit so that they will fit into the frames properly.

Here are some of the styles that are floating around my brain:


Still Life With Violin
Georges Braque


The Guitar
Juan Gris

...or even


Composition
Stuart Davis

Zu-wa! Zu-wa!

The sun is shining on the wet grass and the warm breeze reminds me that summer is on its way.

I just want to hear a good beat.



HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!

Painting Music: Ingrid Chavez

Currently on heavy rotation in my studio:

Ingrid Chavez' A Flutter And Some Words

Aboriginal Inspiration

As I mentioned in a previous post, I've been re-exploring my early inspirations.
I am allowing myself to be influenced by Aboriginal art in the execution of this series of small abstracts. Perhaps larger pieces will follow.


Untitled 1
Acrylic on canvas
4" x 6"


Untitled 2
Acrylic on canvas
4" x 6"

Both available through www.latinpopshop.com

Current Inspiration: Back to Square One

As the new year kicks off, I find myself revisiting some of my original stylistic interests in art. Aboriginal art has been a big influence in my work from the beginning. Keith Haring was the first artist who's work I related to on a personal level. I am currently working on a series of images which combine the two.

I Couldn't Relate More

I think I was born an artist.
I think I have the responsibility to live up to that.

-Keith Haring

Prince Inspiration Week Pt. 4

Jazz Trio
acrylic on canvas/11x14"/sold

This painting is available as a print.

I ended up naming this piece Jazz Trio, but it was actually painted while I listened to the song Musicology incessantly.

Prince Inspiration Week Pt. 3

She said, Love me...


Joy in Repetition
acrylic on canvas/24x36"/original sold

This painting is available as a print.

The movie Graffiti Bridge might have been a box office flop and little more than a corny-at-best overblown music video, but the soundtrack included some very good songs like The Question of U, the hit Thieves in The Temple and my all time favorite Prince song...Joy in Repetition.

Prince Inspiration Week Pt. 2

Every day is a yellow day.
I'm blinded by the daisies in your yard.
-Prince


inspired by Condition of The Heart
acrylic on canvas/16x20"
available

This painting is available as a print.

This painting was inspired by Condition of The Heart, arguably one of Prince's most beautiful and melodramatic ballads, from the album Around The World in a Day.

Prince Inspiration Week Pt.1

Music is as much a part of my creative process as are paint and canvas. Walk into my studio during work hours and you will be greeted by a variety of rhythms, vocals and musical styles. R&B, Pop, Electronica, Salsa, Jazz...each inspires me in its own unique manner.

Unless you're new to this blog, you probably know by now that for better or worse...brilliant or just downright out-there and kooky, I am a huge Prince fan.
This week I'll post a few paintings (some new, some not so new) that were inspired by the music of the Great Purple One.


inspired by Friend, Lover, Sister, Mother/Wife
acrylic on canvas/18x24"
available

This painting is also available as a print.

Friend, Lover, Sister, Mother/Wife, is an amazing ballad from Prince's 1996 triple album Emancipation. The song is one of several in the album which celebrates his then-wife, the beautiful Mayte Garcia, and their union.

New Huffington Post Piece

Painting Femininity

Mexican Inspiration

There's always been Mexican influences in my work, but at the moment I'm fixated on all the pottery I wish I'd been able to bring home with me from our recent trip. As a result I've begun a series of Mexican "tile" paintings on wood.

Inspiration Outing: Pt 1

Yesterday was a gray and gloomy day.
I dedicated the day to soaking in some inspiration and headed to the gallery and boutique-lined streets of Old Town Alexandria.

There is no better way to recharge one's artistic batteries, than by seeing other creative folk at work or visiting an artful space.


The Torpedo Factory offers plenty of both. As the name suggests, this tremendous space was actually a torpedo factory many years ago. Located on the Potomac waterfront, it now houses six galleries, two workshops and eighty-two artist studios.






You guessed it: I would SO love some space there!
On my way home I stopped by the art supply store and treated myself to some supplies for a series of mixed media collage pieces I'm planning.