The Joy of Experimentation

Aaron is progressing as I try a new technique of painting all over and building transparent layers of pigment. At times it has the feel of watercolors without the fear of immediacy or mistakes. Or maybe it's my Zen approach to painting. 

Today I wondered if my attraction to single isolated firgures in an existenialistic space has something to do with my introversion...

Aaron Progresses

Laying down base color this past Thursday as Aaron begins to take shape. 

Gratitude

Someday I hope to sit down and list all the people I'm grateful for in the support for my craft. The Dougs, Kens, Harolds, Kates, Julies, Angies, Larrys, Kathleen, Jons, Sarahs, Jennys and hundreds of others who contributed in their own special way. But right now a special thanks to Sue Sawyer without whom I wouldn't have this very nice chair for the studio. I'd been looking for months since I set this space up trying to find the perfect chair. I think I'll name her "Sue."

Aaron

Aaron was sketched on March 30 and I've begun to layout background colors. Painting has been a lot more freer in brushwork but within the tradition of color theory. I don't want to get too "Rothko" and end up with a portrait overlapping a Rothko imitation. 

I realized today I miss my (In)Visible Men and the Dietz portraits. So I dropped by Milner Library to peek at the men and by the President's office to see the portrait. Maybe I needed to see them to build my confidence...

The web site launched yesterday and responses have been positive. Check it out at ricardoandrelewisart.com  

Presidential Commission Published

I woke up on Sunday to find the local newspaper published a story on the presidential commission.  

Photos by Lori Cook-Neisler.

http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/smile-had-to-be-part-of-dietz-portrait-artist-said/article_63ce7d84-10c2-51d3-b258-24bd77752e72.html#utm_source=pantagraph&utm_campaign=hot-topics-2&utm_medium=direct

The Pantagraph is seeing Black men

Top of the fold front page story on the (In)Visible Men Artist Talk. The men raised some critical concerns about how they are treated in the classroom on my campus. I hope faculty will read this and reflect on how they engage all students of color.

I could not have predicted the response to this body of work...

Artist Talk at Milner Library

The Artist Talk at Milner Library went very well (from the comments others told me). I'm usually oblivious to the moments and focused on ensuring most of the issues get addrssed but of course an hour is never enough for a topic as racism. I'm most proud of the models who served as panel members and especially the spoken word performance by Nate Aikens.

The day also included an interview with the Pantagraph and President Dietz in preparation to release the portrait commission news. It will probably run as a secondary story to the Artist Talk that will have Pantagraph coverage.

Photo courtesy of Doug Johnson.