The Devil is in the Details - original tonal drawing

Feels great to check something else off the list! 'The Devil is in the Details' is now completed. The original painting is available and the original tonal study drawing is also available for sale on my online store here.  

I will be posting more of the development from the painting soon.

List of paintings to complete for 2015

('Fetch' is a painting I'm looking forward to creating, but I've had to postpone it. The vision I have for it is a larger painting too detailed to complete before the end of the year. I'm going to continue creating some smaller more affordable works for now.)

   

Small Wonders 4

Excited to be part of Arch Enemy Arts (http://www.archenemyarts.com/) solid lineup in their upcoming Small Wonders 4 group exhibition! I will not be attending the opening in person, however, if you are in Philadelphia on Nov. 6, you are quite welcome to attend (free).

You can find the facebook event info here. 

'The Devil is in the Details'

Here is the final painting at last!

 'The Devil is in the Details'

 acrylic on wood panel 10"x12" 

 $ available (contact me here if you are interested)

The painting was inspired by the old adage that is also the title of the painting. (If you look closely, the pen the devil hands you to sign with is dripping blood. Always read the fine print...)

What am I saying, that ALL contracts are evil?? 

NO. Contracts are a useful and recommended draft of legal terms of a deal to protect BOTH parties. What I'm saying is (and the nature of the adage above) you want to read the details thoroughly. 

What else can you do to protect yourself? If there is something written in the contract that you don't understand, it's OK to ask for clarification. Don't sign anything unless you really do understand it and agree to the terms. You may also want to hire a lawyer to look over the contract with you, albeit, for a fee.

Ergonomics for artists

Something that is not talked about enough in art making is ergonomics. You want to sit in a comfortable chair, keep your back straight, get up and stretch periodically... Among those things, you also want to guard your wrists. Before a drawing session or when I get up in the morning, I like to use these adjustable hand squeezers and do a couple sets. Start from a low pressure level and work your way up. These help warm up my wrists and get all the 'kinks' out.  (And as a bonus - you'll build up some forearm strength!)  

Saint Michel Market, Montreal

In Montreal, Saint Michel Market is king of flea markets! Definitely worth the visit. I finally checked it out this past Sunday with friend and fellow fine artist & illustrator, Peter Ferguson (you can view his artwork here) Our mission? To find some used frames.  

Oh, THEY'VE GOT frames!

Parts of the market can be very claustrophobic. The facility (featuring two treasure finding floors) is a curiously curated over stimulated maze of vintage visuals and jumbled junk.   

You can find practically anything there. Yes, ANYthing! Even stuffed bears?? Sure. 

Peter with all his new found frames. He jested that carrying all those frames around made him a 'mark': 'Oh, you like frames?? I GOT frames!'

I picked up these 3 frames from two separate vendors. Can't wait to create works for them - especially the larger one. Old frames have so much character in them. (The image in the small frame at the lower right is a reproduction, not an original.)