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

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!

New Year, New Work

I have yet to do much posting on this site, but that will now change. The past few months—or year for that matter has been one of great transition and transformation for me. This past year has been a good one and I feel an immense amount of gratitude for all that I was able to accomplish and all the good that has come my way.
That being said, it was a less then stellar year in way of new painting. Little work has found it’s way to completion, and aside from an art fair I participated in, my work hasn’t seen the light of day. In the last few gasps of 2008 I was able to squeeze out a few new works which I’m really excited about. The pictures taken by the Phoenix of the Martian landscape was a main source of inspiration for the newest paintings. The whole idea that we can see snapshots from a whole other planet fascinates and inspires me.
Aside from continuing with the landscapes I have been working with the past few years, I am also looking forward to doing more figurative and portrait work with in the New Year. If anyone out there in the vast abyss known, as the Internet doesn’t mind posing for some pictures please let me know.
I have great hopes for 2009. My work is going to take a MUCH more dominate role and I look forward to future shows and meeting other artists. I hope to start some type of painters/artist meet-up group in the Portsmouth, NH region, I’m not totally sure how yet it’s just an idea so far, but it should be a lot of fun.
Hope this finds you well.
Happy New Year,
Todd