Being Judged

"Varnold's Paradise" (top)

"Where the Varnold's Play" (bottom)

sketches in moleskine

If you scroll back and look at "Bunny Brave Looks to Home" you can see a winner. It won an honorable mention at the juried exhibition at Gallery 50 in Bridgeton. This gallery also has shown the works of artists like Stan Sperlak, Glenn Rudderow and Bobbie Berg. There, my work was well received, sold and even got me the offerings of a possible one man show. All in all I should have walked away feeling like a success. Let's face it, 75 other works at the show did not place in the judging. Yet, the experience left me unsettled. Really, being judged made me feel like I needed a good bath.

Let me explain. Truly, I am grateful for the honor of the award and the great people I met that night that had such flattering things to say. In my college years I was accused of painting without heart and too much technical showmanship. Now, I paint with all heart and put every emotion out there for all to see. I'm getting better at this all the time. Though I do understand the need in this world for ranking things, it is uncomfortable to have one's soul measured against another's. Ok, I hear you guys out there telling me to stop taking myself so seriously or to act like a professional who knows the judging is subjective and based on many criteria. Others would tell me not to detract from my success and rather to play it up to get more business. You are all correct.

Still, as I become more adept at being who I really want to be as a person and as an artist, I have less need to see where I fall amongst my peers. I used to paint for something to do, for acceptance, for a grade or for the money. Now, I paint because it is my way of putting my world in order. It is my language. It is my connection with The Creator. How can something this sacred be judged?

Again, I realize how silly I'm being. Why do I share this with you then? Simply put, my goal here is always to help you understand what being an artist is all about. People often think it is just about making pretty pictures and playing with paint. It is so much more. How and why you create the work is just part it. What you do with the work is a whole other story. Depending on where you show your work and what others say about it can sometimes alter the course of everything. Van Gogh's paintings did not sell while he was alive and yet many are in awe of him now. Being judged is a dangerous playground.

Now that I'm done ranting, I'd like you to go back and enjoy the above sketches from some recent outings to my happy place. Maybe I need to take a trip back there and cleanse myself in the pond.

Where Is Your Garden of Eden?

"Bunny Brave's Garden of Eden"
5x7
acrylic on panel
$165

A farmer's field is practically our backyard. Hawks frequent our property because mice in the field make for a nice snack. Being mindful of this, I try to feed my sweet rabbits and birds under the protection of the tree that shades my studio. The squirrels are on their own and frankly, I could use less of those.

I notice the rabbits love to sit under the lilac bush and relax or munch. Obviously this is a safer place to be than running in the open space. All creatures seem to have their favorite spots that provide food, shelter and sometimes just a place to breathe without threat.

I try to create places like this for myself but often life gets in the way. A quiet corner with a good book gets interrupted by the phone or family need. To combat that, I drive or walk and find a place in someone else's paradise to rest. My new found hideout is by the pond on the property owned by our local veterinarian. Their backyard is like the Garden of Eden. Sheep, birds, fish and turtles of many types flourish here. Always I am awestruck by the serenity and beauty of it all. That leaves me wondering. Do the people that live there feel as if it is paradise or do they have to escape Eden for some peace?

Soulful Studios - Horse Portrait - Ibbie

"Ibbie"
16 x 20
graphite on paper
private commission

Monday morning I packaged this drawing and shipped it off to Pennsylvania. This horse portrait was a challenge because the photos were poor and the information given to me was minimal. I agreed to do this piece because I was so touched by the person that contacted me, I did not want to let him down. The graphite drawing is a gift to his future bride for their wedding day. If you've ever loved an animal you know how touching this gift truly is. The future groom explained to me how his lady has had some serious trials in her life and that it is her horse that brings her solace. Ibbie can be considered difficult to others but to her he is purely refuge. Nobody better understands this than I do, so I made it happen. My hope is that you can see in his face what I see. Graphite never photographs well, so all I can say is tha,t in person, this piece is dramatic.

I have more paintings and pet portraits on the horizon but first I want to share a little fun news. Christine of Websketching was kind enough to make a little video for the Woodstown website , featuring Alex Alampi and yours truly during the Arts in Bloom event. On the Visit Salem County website, Alex is again famous by being included in what I understand will be a television commercial to promote tourism to Salem County. A couple of years ago I was told that if I want to take my art seriously I would have to move out of Salem County because nothing "goes on" there. Well, I can tell you that I am starting to be a big fish in a small pond that it turning into one heck of a lake! Who knows what’s next?!

Bunny Brave Paintings

"Bunny Brave Looks to Home"
5"x7"
acrylic on panel
$165

"Bunny Brave"
5"x7"
acrylic on panel
$165

"Flee Bunny Brave Flee"

5"x7"

acrylic on panel

$165


Bunny Brave has brought me much joy. I may continue working with this format and perhaps expand his story. You can read previous posts to read the meaning behind these works. This Friday at First Impressions Gallery in Salem you can see these paintings at the show opening.

I've been so busy with finishing the horse portrait. It is one of the more difficult pieces of done in a while as the photograph does not hold much information and I must create detail and drama from my own experience and anatomy knowledge. Luckily I am surrounded by horse farms and constantly photograph other horses to help me fill in the blanks. Work like this really pushes me with my pet portraits and makes me a much better artist. I think this may be one of my best horse commissions because of the stretch I've made. Photos will be provided next post. I know Soulful Studios has kept you waiting!

Soulful Studios Open House Was A Success

I thought I would share a few photos of the studio with you in case you couldn't make it to the Arts in Bloom Art Studio Tour this past Saturday and Sunday. These photos were taken before the crowds came and all the goodies were eaten. Joel and I had an opportunity to sit under the canopy of the tree before the busy days began.

We had beautiful weather and so many great people stopped by. The event was a success for the artists of Salem County because most people mentioned that they had no idea so much talent lived in this area. Personally the event was excellent because I not only got to share my new studio and work but I also now have new students, commissions and less work hanging on the walls. It always feels good to see my work find a new home. Blank spaces on the walls push me to paint more and faster.

I want to thank everyone that took the time to visit and enjoy my art. Big hugs and thanks are sent out to the friends and family that stopped by to support me. More thanks is given to my new patrons and friends as well. Finally, I am very grateful for my friendship with fellow artist, Alex Alampi, because he has taught me so much and never holds back. He is an amazing artist and a good friend. His wife, Dot, keeps me in stitches and always is there to help me "hold it together". If you didn't get the chance to see either of our studios you will have another chance the first weekend of December when Alex and I will both open our studios to the public and show new work.

If you look closely at one of the photos you can see the horse portrait in progress on my drawing table. Also to be there is a new pet portrait of a fine service dog. Soulful Studios is very busy. Next post I will share the 3 bunny paintings that will next be shown at First Impressions Art Gallery on Friday, June 12th in Salem. Stay tuned!

All About Rabbits

"Flee Bunny Flee"

sketch in moleskine

Sometimes Bunny Brave just has to flee. Maybe the danger isn't clear or even present but a smart bunny follows his instinct. The trees watch his escape, unmoving. They know that tomorrow Bunny Brave will return.

Bunny Brave now lives in full color. I just finished three paintings based off of these sketches. I am consumed by the small animal world around my studio.

It has been mentioned to me in the past that the animals I draw and paint look pensive, serious and rarely joyful. Though I do believe animals experience happiness, I focus on what I see in their eyes in terms of survival. I see it in humans as well. Only when we recognize it in each other do we have a sense of compassion. I create keeping that message in mind. So if you are looking for happy trees and paintings of light, go check out the Thomas Kinkade galleries. That is understandable. If you want to feel something deeper, visit Soulful Studios during the Arts in Bloom tour of studios. I will be here to share my work with you on Saturday May 30th from 10-5 and on Sunday the 31st from 12-5. Another fine artist with an important message as he is preserving our rural heritage is Alex Alampi. His studio will be open and is only 1 mile from mine so you can truly enjoy a special day.

Stay tuned for the horse portrait and the full color versions of Bunny Brave.

Birds and Rabbits

"Bunny Brave Looks to Home"

graphite sketch in moleskine

Sometimes Bunny Brave knows he must go but remains still all the same. The sun sets through the trees inviting him home into the glow and splendor. Yet, even with a destination so beautiful, the journey can still be frightening.

I know, I know, you are waiting to see the horse portrait. Well, if it weren't for the wonderful sightings of an Indigo Bunting again and a Bluebird, all in one day, I would have photographed my progress to share. Sometimes my birds are a priority. They feed my work. That's how I stay soulful at Soulful Studios.