Making Props

Normally I would go to Main Street and buy the thickest darkest slice o' cake they have.

But this is for a client whose redo of her fifties home is good old American Style. We are doing a few larger pieces to hang in her baker's area. Are we jealous? Yep. Even though I make a killer Hershey Bar Chocolate Cake, it isn't right for this. So my favorite classic comes up to bat. Duncan Hines. Never fails. Consistent AND yummy moist. No not a commercial, just a reminder. Good tools, good materials....you know the drill... more satisfaction...okay now Mick Jagger is singing in my head, but unlike him , we will have satisfaction.



And did you see the note? "w/strawberries"...yeah, tough job. But somebody has to do it. Here's where the tough part comes in. I just committed to a high protein, slow carb regimen. No white carbs. Hmmm...chocolate and strawberries aren't white. I see sepia and red...hey maybe this is easier than I think. Augh, Where's the angst? I am an artist, we were told we had to suffer. Just a Monday morning in the studio here. Betcha there will be chocolate cake in tomorrow's post. Wanna a bet?

Peach Juice Two

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I think we have juice. Or L'abricotage as Paris Breakfasts would say. I needed the sunniness today. I have been ill unexpectedly. Fell in love this week...with my heating pad. Why it still amazes me when I am laid low I have no idea. It is like when we trip over a bump in a sidewalk and look back totally surprised that it happened. But I am beginning to feel better and what's more, I am very eager to paint. I think it shows here. Totally stunned that it looks nothing like I have been feeling...perhaps it is true that art can be about desire and aspiration as much as reality. Well, let's hope so anyway. Just don't try to take my heating pad or tea from me and we're good. I am thinking what I really need is a juicy raspberry square...hmmm...too bad they don't deliver.

Kiwi Juice One

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Juice or no juice? If the bounce of light counts as juice, we 're in. If we ask if I am totally satisfied, we are only in the ball park. Here's the truth about artists. WE ARE RARELY SATISFIED. If I nail something, I will tell you. I have. The feeling is so resonant, it is undeniable. Am I saying to you this is a bad painting? No. As a matter of fact it is a fairly decent one. I achieved the most important goal, it lives. It more than lives, it has a spark about it. It works. What I am saying is that I literally ached to describe in infinite detail the shapes and tones of the drizzles. And here is the point. Sometimes enough is enough. More isn't always more effective. Knowing when to stop yourself is important. Now refine that stopping yourself skill and bam...to borrow a phrase, you nail it more often than not. Just like words. Each stroke, each line, each shape needs to be essential to your point. All else is... perhaps... juice for the next painting.

Can She Deliver The Juice?

The canvas arrived. The brush is at the ready...

Really tempting to go grey with my pencil to lick up these lines and catch the light sans color.

But the forms are rich, and the color is pleading. So opulently oozing with glaze are these, so dancing around in a circle. Can she do it? Can she find the right way to make them speak, to tell you a bit of a story? To speak languidly with paint and brush? To set up color call and response? Can she deliver the juice?

Mardi Gras Moleskine Love

Bon bons for Hemingway, Picasso and anyone else who discovers the perfection of Moleskine sketchbooks.



Who says you can't have your chocolate and eat it too?


I am as rich as the Queen of England on a day when I have a finely sharpened Faber Castell pencil or two, a nice Moleskine sketchbook, some bon bons and some time. Pure luxury my friends...hmm...perhaps I shall paint them too. Do you have a favorite luxury? Something that is just so fine and complete that in that time and place, life is soooo good...your heart just beats better.

One Plus One for Fun

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Here's the current cake for sale. I liked the fancy drape of cream whipped on top. And the yellow cheer. It speaks of possibilities, perhaps of spring to come.

And here's a little cake color mixing.

Some of which became a Chocolate Trianon, because some days we just need chocolate. It is going to Ashley's house. I have a few chocolate bon bons in store...tune in tomorrow...there will be more and by the way, a huge hooray for Eli Manning and his defense team...told you it was all about heart. ;-) One personal best after another...hmm, now what's to do in the studio today?

Naughty Friday Lazy Liquid Lines

Lithography. I am thinking color lithography would be a way to go on these tarts.



This is how a lot of my work begins. Plans.


Here's the under structure for the left side of the Keller library piece. I love to draw. SO I am thinking how to get more drawing from the cakes.



I am seeing these color lines as litho lines, ink on really fine paper... or as monotypes. Well, I spent some intense time with John T. Scott so it is only to be expected...this playing with what if's, riffs on line and color... You have to play to keep it fresh. And lines, lines are language. Keeping them fluid and articulate....well that' s just pleasure.