New diptych in progress

The painting of the lamb is the counterpart to the swim painting. Although the painting is a bit more loose I think they speak to one another. Please note both are still in progress.

I finally feel that I have a dialogue with the brush and I understand the voice that is my own.

New painting for The Wapsipinicon album

The current stage of the painting still doing some glazing and color tweaking. The painting is the inside cover art. The painting is acrylic on hardboard 24" x 48".

Another shot of the painting. My studio is quite narrow so I have to shoot it from the side.

The painting in the drawing stage. I usually improv most of my paintings but I wanted to plan this out a bit more to reflect to complexity of album lyrics.

New Painting 7/27/09

This is a new painting done in the studio.  This is a painting that was commissioned to be a nature influenced abstract.  The painting took over and it is a little more representational than I intended.  I have posted the progression of the work.  I thought it might be interesting to review my process on this.  The element I wanted to focus on was composition.  I felt it were important to have a play between 2d and 3d space.  Like many of my works I started out with line and movement inspired by music.

At this early point I was still working the painting while flipping it vertical and horizontal.  Much of the composition was determined by looking at it backwards in a mirror.

At this point I had chosen a format to work in.  Line being equal to shape and color.  The color was again dictated the music.

This is the final painting.  I am disappointed in the photo.  I don't think you can capture the layers of paint and texture.  I will take a quality photo for the gallery page in my site (www.myritual.com).  

Portland - 5/10/09

I am revisiting the concept juggling archetypes.  This live painting is titled Eliminate the bad ones.  I have to apologize for the poor photo of this painting the lighting was a low yellow light.  The painting actually had lots of greens and blues involved.  In this photo it appears very washed out.

The Portland crowd was really awesome!  I think this is one city I could see myself living in.  It just has a positive vibe to it.

Vancouver - 5/9/09 Headed back to Canada!

Giving in to monsters is the title of the live painting in Vancouver Canada.

A some what abstract shot of dancers at the show.  I tend to enjoy the abstract elements of photography.  The things that happen in lens that are not in reality.  It gives the images a sense of time.

Eric from Say Hi.  They will be touring with us on the west coast.  Eric is a incredible song writer.

I have to say that Say Hi have some incredibly tight drums.  Check the show out if you can.  Good times!

Seattle - 5/8/09

Live painting titled Reluctantly dancing with bears.

A photo of my paints while setting up for the show.  

Cloud Cult during sound check in Seattle.

Craig Minowa checking mics at sound check.

Shawn Neary warming up his horn.

Sarah Young checking her monitors.

Shawn Neary asking for just a little more of Craig in his monitor.

Shannon Frid waiting to check mics.

Connie Minowa practicing her keyboard part.

Adam Sorensen of Ice Palace showing Seattle who is who.  They gave a great show!

Amy of Ice Palace singing backups during the set.

Jacob of Ice Palace giving Adam backup.

My trumpet shot on stage before we went on.

A photo of my hat hanging on my easel.  Funny that I took this shot, I lost the hat after the Seattle show.

Missoula Montana - 5/6/09

The live painting done in Missoula is titled Flying lessons.  I was thinking of the mountains we were about to drive thought the next morning.  Actually this painting is about reminding yourself to take the moments you have to fly.  Forget the past, never mind the future, enjoy the moment you have.  While on tour this is the reality.  Back home I seem to get lost in routine, always looking to the future for a better moments.

The crowd in Missoula getting crazy after the song Take your medicine.

The next morning on our drive to Seattle we stopped off on the Columbia river scenic overlook.  The winds coming off of the cliff were so strong Shawn had to lean into the wind to remain standing.

Amazing views.

Shawn Neary taking in the views.

Jeff D. Johnson making the most of the moment.

Wild flowers growing on the cliff.  If you have the opportunity hop in your car and drive across the country.  There are so many wonderful things to see and experience.  I feel lucky to have the opportunity.