Seeing red - prep, sand and prime

I am in an upcoming show titled Vanegeddon, a tribute to van murals.
The show opens July 19th at House Gallery - 2607 - 35th st SW.
facebook event page 

It just so happens I have my old truck hood, I've been saving it for an event just like this.

It is however is pretty rough shape. The clear coat has worn away and chipped off some areas and has to be removed.

Ben lent me his palm sander and some 220 grit pads. With a little spit and sweat I get prepping.

I have to take down all the brittle clear coat to ensure my primer and the following paint layers adhere.

I had to make a quick run to the Home Depot to get some rougher 80 grit disks to help the process. I also picked up some primer and clear coat while there.

This is what the layers reveal. The clear coat turns pastel and pink, then there is the red paint and the two primer coats underneath followed by the shiny metal. I think this pattern looks really cool.

There were lots of dents and nicks but I sanded it down with a higher grit sandpaper then wiped it clear of dust particles with solvent.

I began with the first coat of flat black primer.

The fresh coat is drying.

Just as I predicted, red ruined my clothes.

Stay tuned for the exciting development of my tribute to one of my heroes - Carl Sagan!

Painted Elephants

I created these two new pieces for the Inshala festival while on my Cypress Hills residency.

I started with brush drawing with black Gesso on the primed support. I like this method, it's fast!

I added the brightest paint colours to the surface. It killed back all the wrinkles which I will revisit.

I used a plastic bag and really watery paint to texture over the skin surface to take back a bit of the colour and make the piece more homogenous.

I went in with the white and highlights, right out of the tube.

I went in with some line and neutral gray and began with some bright green in the eye.

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I started another on the same size canvas.

I threw down some texture before starting in on the second elephant head.

I drew in the elephant face quickly. I'm a bit attached to the plain black and white drawing, it looks kinda like an ink drawing.

I add the punchy neon acrylic colour as the elephant paint, it sits far on top visually so I will have to take it down like before.

Here is is after I apply a bluish grey and revisit some of the wrinkle lines. I went into the eyes with some sparkles.

 I am really happy with how these two new pieces turned out and how quickly they came together.

Cypress Hills Artist in Residency - final week

My time here is nearly up and after the week long of pissing down rain great weather has broken thru.

Here is a shot from the cabin porch from any given day this week.

In contrast with a view from the Butte on a sunny day.

I spotted this skull while out hiking. I'm sure ray would have liked me to pick it up and take it home to add to the collection. However, The only thing I'm taking from nature is pictures.

Some pretties.

Everyday I sit in this chair outside the cabin and read "the Believing Brain" by Micheal Shermer. It was a fantastic read and helped me get into the groove to make art. While sitting here the other day a huge moose turned the corner and was trotting toward me. I put down my book in shock and we made eye contact, the kind where I knew we both felt like shitting out britches. It recognized I was a people and gave a grunt as it bound past me. If I had stuck out my arm I would have brushed its enormoose face. Now that is close!!!!!

I was a bit stunned but went inside the cabin to grab my camera for some proof and snap a shot of the moose's behind as it walked away.

Here is an action shot of the stunt flying swallows that have become accustomed to me and swoop at me at the front door now. I think they are protecting their nest.

The internet signal is very weak and unstable, it has taken over 2 hours to make this blog post so I'm going to get back to the cabin and post again when I am back in town =:D