Trapped Man

I said, there would be more to come...
I have to admit when I signed in to my blog account and saw that my last post was from 2010 with the title "More to Come" I couldn't help but laugh, but anyway...

I will now attempt to revamp this blog by giving insights into my work as well into the process of its creation. I will start things off with this painting titled "Trapped Man"

Due to the lack of models and money for models in my area I often look to other sources of reference to create new figurative work. In this case I was looking at a very specific moment in the latest Superman movie "Man of Steel" In the seen it is rumored that the director Zack Snyder imposed Christopher Reeve face over Henry Cavill in a sort of tribute to him in the movie. I decided to use that as my point of reference, not so much for Superman fandom but I like the idea of painting two people at once in a single image.

As I was working on the painting I became frustrated with my results started to continually construct and deconstruct the painting to the point  where I didn't really care for it anymore. So I started to paint over it. Then I stopped and suddenly identified with it. I then left it alone for a few months intending to work back into it, but all my ideas didn't seem to fit. At this point I totally related to it in a unintended way. I guess the only way to finish the painting was to not finish it.

Other than the strange sense connection to the painting I thought is kind of looked like Michael C Hall as Dexter and I thought that was kind of funny.

I titled the painting "Trapped Man" because he looks a looks trapped, doesn't he?

If you would like to purchase this painting or prints of this painting. Please click HERE

More to come...

New Work

Here is the first painting of a possible series or Triptych. Overall I'm pleased with how it's turned out. I'm encouraged by the potential of this series, both aesthetically and conceptually. I'm looking forward to its continuation. As of late I've been working on portrait commissions for the holidays. So it's been taking some precedence over my other work. I'll be posting some of the portraits soon.

Desktop on Minimal Mac

Quick side note, my desktop was featured at minimalmac.com and was re-posted to a few other blogs as well. I know this doesn't have much to do with painting, but the nerd in me is a little excited. It's featured primarily due to the desktop image, I created with an old photo of Bella Lugosi. I've got a fairly good response so far. I'm considering posting some homemade desktops for free download in the future.
As for painting, I've got a few commissions I'm working on for the holiday season as well as a new series. I should have a new painting posted sometime this week.
Till then, Happy Halloween!

Ayla

This is a portrait of Ayla, the daughter of my friend Colleen. In many ways this portrait was like many others before it, in that I spent way too much time on it and probably repainted it five times, but it was also very different. This is the first portrait I've ever done of a child, first flower printed sweatshirt I ever painted (so close to painting it black), and one of the few portraits I have done in which I have never met the subject. But what interested me was the conversation I was having with myself throughout the process of the painting.
I often think about why I choose to paint what I paint. What is it about painting a simple portrait that's so gratifying. I believe it's due to the illusion of connection mixed with the act of creation. While I paint a portrait I tend to project my thoughts, emotions and memories on to the subject to build a connection while simultaneously being neutral towards what the painting needs. I couldn't help but think about the life Ayla will lead, the subtlety of her personality and the person she will become, yet I have never met her. I guess that could be a drawback or an intellectual asset when working from photographs. It's my job as the painter to fill in that blank in order for the viewer to have a connection with the painting. I try to find my place between the logical and the illogical, a harmony and dissonance between the eye, the mind and the hand.
Numbers of thoughts, fears, hope and frustration can be found within the markings of a painting. These marks accumulate to a sum, with any luck greater than the sum of it's parts. Even if the painting fails, the struggle is never lost. With in that struggle lies experience and growth that stay with you to aid you in your next work.
From what I know of the "Art World" it is often frowned upon to omit sentimentality in your work depending on your school of thought. While I can agree too much sentimentality can often seem trite and cliche. I guess I discovered that I am a hopeless, unapologetic romantic in my attitude towards painting and life in general, and will continue to be...Until the Dinosaurs come back to rule us all. (I was getting too serious.) This painting further illuminated to me that it is ok to just like to paint and create that illusion of connection between me the subject and the viewer. I hope this all makes sense.
I would also like to thank Colleen for giving me the privilege of painting Ayla. I hope you enjoy the painting as much as I enjoyed painting it.
Thanks.
Todd

New Series

Here’s a quick study of a potential new series I’m working on. I was hoping to start preparing the surfaces this weekend but my bank account had other plans. I’ve also started preliminary work on some new portraits. An overall feeling of productivity this week.

Frank

This is the finished painting of Frank.