The Art Blog

The Pleasure Is All Mine - Troy Gua - Acrylic and resin on canvas, 2009, 48 x 48 Artist Troy Gua Solea by Ken Susynski  -2009 oil on canvas- 32" x 38" Artist Kenneth Susynski I am honored to be part of a three person show that opened at the Alexis Hotel this month. I am exhibiting work along with two amazing northwest artists, Troy Gua and Kenneth Susynski. Gua’s work features big graphic portraits in a punchy pop art style done in acrylic and resign. Susynski has a style that is more abstract with a vibrant energy and engaging compositions. I also have four encaustic pieces featured in this show that will be on display now thru August 3rd, 2010.  Here’s the press release for this exhibit: SEATTLE — (March 31, 2010) — The Alexis Hotel’s signature “Gallery Art Walk” will spotlight a new installation beginning Thursday, April 1, featuring three distinct local artists. The display features pop culture-inspired works by Troy Gua, gestural abstractions by Kenneth Susynsk...

Opal - encaustic w/mixed media 2009 Malachite Field -  20" x 30" encaustic w/mixed media 2009 I have enjoyed posting a daily gem these last few weeks leading up to the opening of my show. Thank you for following and to those who have left such generous and encouraging comments. For today’s post I am also including a few more of the larger works. There are several of these large paintings that will be featured in the Second Nature show but so much is lost when reducing them down to a post-it size preview. I am including some detail images so you can get a better feel for the work. The show opens tomorrow and runs until November 28th at the Pacini Lubel Gallery in Seattle. Please come by and introduce yourself if you are in the area. I will post more work from the show tomorrow Water's Edge - encaustic w/mixed media 2009 36" x 48" Water's Edge Detail 1 Water's Edge Detail 2

Painting detail from the Gem Series As part of my upcoming solo show I created this grouping I call the Gem Series . They are small, only 8” x 8”, but there will be about 20 of them and each one will be finished in a deep profile black frame. I am hoping they will have a big visual impact as a group. These photos show them in various stages of completion and I plan to add some wispy botanical elements to each one. I am wrapping up some large 72” x 24” landscapes today and navigating around the studio has been a challenge for me with all these large paintings in the works. I love working large so I may have to get a larger studio space. The final art for my November show will be selected next week and then I will frame and photograph everything and post more sneak peeks in the coming weeks. Studio shot of encaustic " Gems" in progress. Studio shot of two large encaustic triptych landscapes in progress.

It’s a brand New Year and 2009 sounds so futuristic to me. I feel very optimistic about what lies ahead this year despite the dire economic predictions. I have a solo show slated for November at the Pacini Lubel Gallery and several more group exhibitions throughout the year. At the very least it will be a productive and creative 12 months. I posted the photo above because the number nine ties into the year of 09 so neatly. I did this painting several years ago but it is uncanny how it has predicted the year ahead. I have been focused on the pod and cocoon forms and they will be featured prominently in much of my new work. The cocoon dress forms I mentioned in my last post are evolving into some really interesting pieces. I am working on these today and will post some of my results this week. Wishing you all a PEACEFUL, PROSPEROUS and INSPIRING New Year!

Promise - Encaustic w/mixed media 2008 Uncommon Solitude - Encaustic w/mixed media 2008 Winter Carnival- Encaustic w/mixed media 2008 More images of new work coming out of my studio. I have several paintings that I would like to call "finished" before the new year so I am in high gear and painting everyday until 2009. We had our first dusting of snow yesterday and they are predicting cold temperatures and more snow later this week. It's a big deal around here and everything shuts down. I love it. I am planning on hibernating in the studio all week. Will post more progress photos and some of my wire doodles this week.

Here are a few more images of new work created for my show in Sun Valley. I will be at the opening night reception on Friday, August 29th from 5 to 9 so please come by if you are in the area.