By the end of 2021, I was in a creative slump, partially due to working so long on one painting, Crown Point, Vintage. I needed to visit a larger city to find more urban inspiration (I’m missing the cities!). I needed to create a piece that wasn’t time-consuming. Let me clarify. Developing the concept art, preparing the canvas for paint, then completing the painting usually takes me about three months for a 20” x 24” painting.
My goals for the beginning of 2022 are threefold. Complete a couple of pieces in a month per piece. Create work that isn’t overly detailed. Use subject matter that is different from more recent work and NO lettering!
I decided to go back to my roots. When I was 10, I began painting with oil paintings, taking classes at the Art Center of Highland Park. I enjoyed taking classes with Elaine Morrison. Elaine was a free spirit, part hippy, and a complete lover of life.
Painting I completed around 1967.
When first attending classes with Elaine, I learn to paint still-lifes in a realistic style. As I progressed in learning painting skills, I tried to work similarly to the artist Peter Max, and Elaine encouraged me.
I loved Max’s bold, bright colors, playfulness, and flat forms. In my mind, Peter Max’s work is representative of the late 60s in America.
New Orleans, 2016In 2016, I created some pieces reminiscent of Max’s vibe, resulting in New Orleans and New Orleans 2. I enjoyed making those pieces, yet I stopped working on those series for reasons I no longer recall.
Still-life with Fruit and Roses, 2022
It’s a style of work I would not enjoy doing for years on end, and yet it’s enjoyable to revisit.
Still-life with Fruit, 2022