Seat Yourself

oil - 50x50 inches

A private conversation in a public place was the prompt for this painting. The cropped exit sign, broken Dos Equis bottle, table and chair legs, and more subtle hints throughout, all give hints as to the topic of this conversation.

Seat Yourself - detail

Across the River Same

oil - 44x72 inches

Heraclitus said we cannot step into the same river twice. We hold on to things as representations of moments, people, places, and past self-images. This fictional, née mythological Atlas Storage facility bears these things we cannot bear to lose.

Prometheus Band

oil - 70x60 inches

After seeing another artist’s painting of Prometheus bound, I started thinking about how I could make the subject my own. I also had in my head an image of one of my generic drone types cutting a little rug. By the time it all came together I had cast one of my favorite local bands, Annabelle’s Curse, as Prometheus and painter and picker Sam Morrow as Man. My go-to bar, Machiavelli’s, sets the stage. My friend Brian Andrews plays Epimetheus in the background across from Pandora.

Prometheus is called the Fire Bringer and in some readings of the myth this fire is the very spark of consciousness. Music here is not only the metaphor but the conduit for this fire.
Much of my work is about the alienation and dehumanization of worker drones. Music, and art in general, can remind and remold us – making us more human.

I usually have a few colors that I become enchanted with during a painting. Cobalt Turquoise Light was a favorite here.

Toole Creek Falls

20x28 in. oil

A relaxed morning in a cool grotto with my painting buddy Kyle, a Heineken, and no sound but rushing water.

Creeper Trail

On the Creeper Trail in Abingdon, VA.

Painted on the grounds of the William King Museum.

Self Portrait at 34

oil on panel - 24x24 inches

This was yesterday’s painting; I thought I’d whip out a self portrait before my birthday. I pulled out some colors I don’t usually use, starting with Green Earth and some Cobalt Violet Light, Stil de Grain, Lapis Lazuli. All of these were low tinting strength.

Under the Bridge

The back side of Bristol.

Unicoi

Fast and loose by a babbling brook.