I am continuing to experiment with using the cholla in my frames~ I really like extending the southwestern feeling beyond the content of my paintings. Not only is it an opportunity to customize a frame~ I think it's an opportunity to add depth to how the viewer actually see's the subject (literally & figuratively). I can't wait to try another one!
Just a quick study of a little southwestern school my son attends. I can only imagine the student daydreams induced from looking out the window...
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Just a peek at what I've been up to... The "woolen-loom frame" construction is underway (still in progress). If you look closely at the red layer under the painting, you're seeing the felted wool blanket which covers the entire back of the canvas~ that will create the resistance when the individual strips are stretched to the outer frame (& cholla)~ that is in the garage waiting to be assembled and attached to the frame extensions.
I set these two up back in college... a few years later, they are finally getting hitched! Best wishes to my friends Pete & Jen.
I keep chipping away at this one... lots of fun color and texture starting to develop in the wool! A couple more productive sessions like this one and then I can start planning a design for the frame (maniacal laughter)!
I have been experimenting a little more with Cholla cactus bark (I made my first frame back in Dec.). I really liked how the "wool" woven into the frame, served as an extension of the painting. I am starting to see new possibilities as my prototype versions start to evolve. Have any of you messed-around with framing materials? Thinking out loud/going forward, I would like to figure out a treatment for the corners that would be structurally sound, but not obscure as much of the frame. Any ideas?
Started to block-in a near life size sheep~ based on the small "Southwestern Sheep" study I did back in May (Scroll down).
The documentation is a bit crude, but here is a basic break-down of the steps I go through on a typical painting (I will promise to do this again when the subject matter is larger). From Bottom to Top: 1) If the subject is somewhat complicated (like this one), I will sometimes do a quick sketch into the wet background tone. 2) This is usually where I start on less complicated subject matter (Blocking in basic shapes). 3-5) In this painting, I already had the "shadows"established because of the dark background color, so I started with midtones and moved to highlights- redefining shadows last. 
The wonderful Mr. Edward Burton nudged me the other day and told me to check out his blog, where he has listed me among some other pretty fantastic artists for "A Passion for Painting" Award. Edward is a great artist and friend to his fellow artist. Thank you Edward! If you haven't seen Edward's latest submission for the DSFDF blog, or just need some UV exposure, make sure you check him out!
Some of you know I like to employ very expressive brushwork in my paintings... apparently my two year old has been paying close attention! :>) This is a scene from some kind of divine comedy that is playing out in my life right now. I have finally got my act together and jumped back into the painting saddle- I had successfully blocked in my VERY simple composition on a painting for the DSFDF Wig Challenge (strangely- sans wig)- so I got up to put on a pot of coffee. In that time, Owen's inner artist manifested itself (again) :>) This is the first time he has saw fit to add to my work (and his hair). Usually he paints the carpet or the furniture. When my seven year old said "Dad- Owen has your paintbrush..." the vision that flashed before my eyes represented about two gallons of turpentine, a tree's worth of paper towels and about fifty hours of scrubbing- I was cringing when I rounded the corner to walk into my "studio". I busted out laughing when I saw THIS.
In an effort to post something "new"- I am posting something "old"... I painted this Tijeras landmark over the summer. On a very personal note: I apologize for not being around lately- I have not felt like painting since my spouse of 13 yrs. (20- if you count high school & college) told me she wants a divorce. I am in total shock/crushed- not sure of my own whereabouts right now... Im hoping to find some traction when I finally do get back to the easel.
I have had the pleasure of discovering many birds-of-the-feather through numerous artists blogs over the past 3 or 4 months when I began posting my work. One of which, is my friend Douglas Hoover who I seem to share MORE things in common with than either of us should so openly admit :>)- Doug recently revealed through "7 unusual things"about himself that he was a bit of a Glam Rock aficionado- (see #5 of Artistic Comrades) from back in the day. Being a bit of an instigator- I challenged Doug to post a picture of himself in full regalia (with my own damaging pics on the table as collateral). Soooo, here ya' go Doug! Anyone is welcome to join the party...
I recently had a friend commission me to paint a landscape that serves as a permanent warm memory of evening hikes in the New Mexican desert (and a bright accent for some earth toned walls). It was originally intended as a Christmas gift, but unfortunately- the final is STILL drying on my easel! Instead, a small color study I made was given as a promissory place holder. 
I participated in another painting challenge at DSFDF and had a blast doing a portrait swap with Akiko Watanabe. She did an amazing job with my portrait, so I had to TRY and keep up. It wasn't until she had posted my portrait, that I was able to figure out who she was, so I had the advantage of being able to do a little research on her blog to learn a little more about her. I discovered through her blog that she is an avid animal lover AND that her favorite flower is the Poppy. I had originally planned to paint a mini gallery of her animals in the background- but it was too busy/silly, which did not match the mood of her picture, which is that of an intelligent person with a quiet dignity and reserved smile. The poppies seemed to match her perfectly. I'm afraid the likeness of Akiko ends at the juxtapositioning of her next to the flowers...my signature painterly brush strokes seem to make her look older than she really is! Sorry Akiko! A very happy new year to you all- Tom
I hope you have had a wonderful holiday- I wanted to share some of the projects I have been working on for friends and loved ones over the past week (and apologize for neglecting the blog). I have been wanting to do something with the beautiful bark from the dead cholla cacti in the yard - here is my first attempt at building a frame which I am pretty pleased with. The organic pattern of holes is irresistable/mesmorizing! The rustic and sculptural qualities, really serve as an extension of the southwestern genre.
I did a quick portrait of the family pet. My wife picked out her "steady" companion at the humane society 13 years ago so that there was another warm body in the house while I toiled deep into the night/morning at various Ad agencies! These days, she keeps ME company while I work deep into the night in the lonesome high desert of New Mexico :>)
I am infatuated with how wide-open everything looks and feels here in New Mexico. The sky vaults over your head in an amazing way! I was struck by this motorcyclist (no- not literally), heading into a passage of light, just as you round the last corner of the Sandia mountain pass on Rt. 40, heading into Albuquerque (which replaced Rt. 66). The contrast in scale between him and the sky, and the impression of heat and asphalt really capture the essence of the road trip experience here in the southwest.
