my resolution to pick up on my painting is becoming a failure. instead i’ve been focusing all my time on my new job and doing work for the arts non-profit that i work for. it’s an understatement to say i’m a little disappointed in myself. i still have a few days left to get some pieces done for my show in l.a., but i also have a stack of paintings already done that i can resort to if necessary (although they aren’t ones i’m very happy with). oh well! that’s what i get for procrastinating, but at the moment i do have three paintings that are ready to be worked on. i’m just a little burnt out i suppose. part of it is also because of the fact that for the last few months i’ve been having some major issues with my fingers and wrists. i’m suspecting carpal tunnel, but i’ve been putting off actually getting it checked out in fear that it might be (or maybe worse). it’s very stupid on my part since i know as soon as i pick up a paint brush, i’m going to be hurting again.
this is a sacrifice i was willing to make for this new job, which i am continuing to love. the only concern at the moment is that the gallery owner and i have completely different tastes in art. he’s very much into very bright and bold work while i am into very sleek, modern, muted art. this isn’t a good or bad thing but an observation i’ve made. right now the only artist that i’ve suggested to him that he really seems to enjoy is a local illustrator, guy burwell.
for those of you that are portland natives, you may recognize his work from the PDX POP posters or the many other rock posters that he does. i met him briefly a few years ago when i was still curating my own gallery and i really loved his work. hopefully he’ll be working with artful goods (the gallery i’m working at now). if so, you’ll be able to buy his giclee prints when the gallery opens. the gallery owner, myself and guy will be meeting tomorrow to work out details.
if you haven’t seen his work before, visit his website HERE. he is definitely worth checking out and one of the best local illustrators we have in my opinion. he’s a wonderful asset to the portland art scene.
just and fyi also, i may be having a last minute show at pala this upcoming first thursday depending on whether or not i can pick up my work in time from my current show. i’ll let you all know if i do.
