The first weekend in June, I hosted my first open studio. I have only been in the space a couple short months but thought it would be a good way to get some feedback. It was fun to have people visit the space that I have been spending most of my time. My most exciting visitor was an 87 year old gentleman who arrived via bicycle and asked for me by name. He was very encouraging about my photographic work and told me about his own studies and friendship with Ansel Adams.
This past weekend, I visited other open studios. I enjoyed seeing what other artists are up to and learning about their ideas, techniques and daily practice. I bought some handmade wooden panels to experiment with and also bought some new brushes.
I have been working on a few different projects and mediums in order to see what sticks. My photos via bicycle continue but are a bit less due to my time in the studio. I have also been working on painting, photo collage, and wire/junk metal sculpture.
Here are some images of the studio in its current state. It changes often and I have been documenting it frequently. It will be fun to look back a year from now.
This is my desk where I do my computer work and play with found photos. The two images on the left are collages I have been working on. They are works in progress, but I like the direction they are taking.
Last summer I had a photo exhibit at a local bike shop. These are some of the prints from that show. I made a banner for the shop's mechanic's station which they still have up. It is fun to see it when I go in to get work done on my bike (most recently a tune up and ordering of new bar tape).
These images are 8x10, but ideally their format would be quite a bit larger.
This is my other desk where I play with wire and old rusted metal. The photos on the wall are my own mixed with a few found images. On the right is the original saddle from my Surly. It is full of glitter and makes me smile, but now I ride on a leather one.
When I was taking a welding class, I bought a bunch of old casters. It turns out most of them could not be welded using the techniques I had learned, so I have started to make snails out of them.
I made a hand out of wire and scrap metal. The scraps represent my scar, the screws and plate. (The whole hand can be seen two images up) I want to add a wood element so plan to make another one of these.
A while ago, I wore out my bike chain and had it replaced. These are a bunch of bracelets made from the used chain and an old tube.
Recovering from my wrist break was kind of difficult, but I came through it pretty well. My first few works in the studio were a result of that experience.
It has been a long time since I have painted but I really enjoy it. I decided not to worry about my skill level or even the validity of my ideas. I just want to paint. It has been really calming and clears my head. The bicycle has been a huge component in all my work, visible or not. This image was initially about swimming.
Detail of one on my two right hands
Rat Skull referencing a photo titled Rat Saddle
Detail of skull painting
I bought this weird monkey/bear creature at the flea market. I brought it to the studio thinking it would keep me smiling. I waffle between thinking he is cute and creepy, but it is hard not to laugh when I look at him.
Since I am now indoors for long periods of time, I brought in some plants as well.
The window gets a ton of light, so succulents were the only thing that would survive here.
...and whatever this is, which had to be moved out of the window.
I ride my bicycle to studio and park it here. Some days it is a struggle to not abandon the art for pedaling but I am balancing both.
Chain detail
My right foot goes here.
The very first thing I did when I moved into the studio was to paint these images of my wrist and knee x-rays. If anything, my injuries have helped to build my character. I am still getting used to the wrist scar but eventually it will be as familiar as the ones on my knee.
Detail of staples in my knee
I am a messy painter and not that careful with my brushes. I believe tools are made to be used with great intent and equal abandon.
Paint rag
I am currently working on this bird painting. Today I will work on the seagulls and fill out a bit of the negative space.
I am not sure how this will turn out, but in my mind, I have moved on to my next painting. Working with a brush does not have the immediacy of the camera, and I have a tendency to be impatient. I'm working on it.
Wing detail
Seagull head
I took this photo many years ago at the Gallery of Palaeontology and Comparative Anatomy in Paris. I printed it back when I used to work in darkroom and still love it. (You can see it above without such a strong reflection.)
When I was gathering up my art supplies to move into the studio, I found this. I am a huge fan of the fortune telling machines at the Musee Mechanique. They are often wise.
Back to painting.....
