Hyde Park Art Center

The artist with his happy patron.

7-year-old artist a 'mini Monet'

New Painting In Progress

Well, my wife really likes my book paintings. I composed this 8 x 10 inch still life this weekend. This will be a fun painting to do and it gives me a chance to paint some gourds as well. I will keep all of you posted on the progress.

John Pence Gallery Still Life Exhibition 2016

It feels good to see both my paintings hanging together at the John Pence Gallery.

"We Wear The Mask"

This is my new painting that will be going to the John Pence Gallery for the still life exhibition. The opening is October 7th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The John Pence Gallery is a beautiful space and I'm excited to be apart of such a wonder show. If you are in the San Francisco area on this Friday, please stop by for drinks and art.

Newcity Art Review

Skillful, Stunning Trompe L’oeil Painting

A Review of Hard to Believe at the Bridgeport Art Gallery

RECOMMENDED

Not every painting in “Hard to Believe” is trompe l’oeil, but the amazing works by Russell Harris, Anthony Adcock and Kyle Surges probably inspired that title. The nine artists involved are mimetic in a variety of ways. All were participants in the annual competitions sponsored by the Bridgeport Art Center. The eleven paintings by Harris span his work in portraiture, still-life and genre scene. His trompe l’oeil of a pneumatic airbrush is scarily good. It took all of my self-control not to touch the hose to make sure it was flat. His evening genre scene is just as remarkable; it defines the character of an older woman by the claustrophobic perfection of her kitchen. The most mind-bending illusion is offered by Kyle Surges. The horizontal edges of his shaped canvas recede to a vanishing point on the right, so the viewer seems always to be standing at the left. The most puzzling illusions are offered by Anthony Adcock. He is best known for amazing copies of complex and recognizable surfaces like weathered road signs, but neither skill nor form appear to be the issue in these copies of white primed canvases. Apparently, he is now participating in the contemporary discourse of conceptual art.

Like good illustration, most of the pieces in this show skillfully confront the viewer with an idea, especially the six life-sized portraits of customer service attendants painted by Jennifer Cronin. Sharp characterization of heads and hands bring her subjects into the gallery space, while misty visions float above each, showing where their minds may be wandering. Other artists display skills in architectural and/or monochrome drawing. None of them weld form to idea so intensely that the mind is endlessly curious about how it all fits together, except perhaps the tribute to early Surrealism painted by Zespo, a graduating art student. Its Baroque space is energetically filled with recognizable objects, yet it is thoroughly enigmatic.

Under the curatorship of Lelde Kalmite, the Bridgeport Art Center has developed an ambitious calendar of group shows. Hopefully it will draw from an ever widening circle of Chicago artists. (Chris Miller)

Through September 30 at the Bridgeport Art Gallery, 1200 West 35th

 

American Art Collector Magazine

Thank you American Art Collector for including my painting "Sugar Skulls" in the October issue. The article covers the exhibition at the John Pence Gallery that will be on display from October 7th to November 12th.

Portrait Commission

I just finished framing this 7 x 5 inch portrait commission. The frame looks great and the painting works well. I love doing alla prima paintings!

Bridgeport Art Exhibition

What a memorable night at the Bridgeport Art Gallery! It was great seeing family and friends enjoying the amazing artwork at the show and celebrating a milestone in my art career.

Masks (in progress)

I'm making some progress with my still life painting of masks.  I started on August 1st and now it's the 9th. The painting will go into the still life exhibition at the John Pence Gallery on October 7, 2016. If you are in the Bay area, I hope to see you at the opening reception from 6 to 8 pm on October 7th.

Working In The Studio

This is a new still life painting I'm working on this morning. I hope that it will be done for the still life exhibition at the John Pence Gallery this October. 

Not Just Another Pretty Face Art Exhibition

I am excited to be one of the artists that have been commissioned to do a painting for the art exhibition, Not Just Another Pretty Face. The opening reception will be held on Friday, December 9, 2016 at 7:00 pm at the Hyde Park Art Center located on 5020 S. Cornell Ave. Chicago, IL. Below is a beautiful description of the exhibition written by the art center.

Created by Hyde Park Art Center, Not Just Another Pretty Face allows the Art Center to play matchmaker for artists and potential art buyers, facilitating a fun, accessible commissioning process that builds lasting relationships between artists and patrons, creates a new base of support for artists, and invests in the vitality of Chicago’s cultural community.
The program takes place every three years and is meant to involve a broad range of patrons and artists, with commissions ranging from in the hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars. To date, the Art Center has raised over $700,000—half of which goes directly into the hands of artists, with the other half going to support Art Center programs. All of this results in an exhibition of the original works of art, a catalog documenting the process, and a lively event to unveil the finished pieces, which will make their way to the patrons’ homes following the exhibition. Not Just Another Pretty Face has been replicated in five cities.

Bridgeport Art Gallery

Bridgeport Art Gallery - 1200 W. 35th Street, Chicago, IL 60609, 4th Floor
Dates: August 19 – September 30
Opening reception: August 19, 7-10PM
This exhibition of hyper-realism features art work by nine artists who have been accepted into Bridgeport Art Center’s Annual Art Competitions over the past four years, including several award-winners. These artists create paintings and drawings that are so skillfully representational that it is difficult to distinguish them from photographs. The exhibit naturally raises questions about the effect of photography on fine art, the definition of “realism” in art, and why such art is so popular.

Artists Include: Anthony Adcock, Javier Chavira, Jennifer Cronin, Tracy Frein, Russell Harris, Roland Kulla, Jack Nixon, Kyle Surges and Zespo

Butler Institute of American Art

I was honored to have my artwork displayed at the Butler Institute Of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio.  My painting, Ace, received an honorable mention at the exhibition, and I saw some incredible artwork and met some talented artists. This was a memorable experience and I look forward to seeing my paintings again when they return to the John Pence Gallery in San Francisco

In The Studio

This is a painting I am working on for a show in December.  The exhibition is in Chicago at the Hyde Park Art Center.  I will keep you posted on the date and time.

"Sugar Skulls"

My painting, "Sugar Skulls" , will be going to the John Pence Gallery for the still life exhibition this October.

Drawing Workshop with Steven Assael

Eric Joyner Corey Helford Gallery

Diasporal Rhythms 2013-The Founders Touch

Butler Institute of American Art

I'm excited to announce that two of my paintings were accepted onto the Butler Institute Of American Art 80th National Midyear Exhibition. The show opens Sunday, June 26, 2016 and ends August 28th. If you are in Youngstown, Ohio, the artist reception is from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 26th.

Sugar Skulls (in progress)

This painting is still on the easel and is slowly evolving into a odd little still life.  I still need to put more texture into the table cloth and the skulls. You might also notice I have not painting in the legs of the butterfly.  I'm hoping to have this painting done by mid May so that I can start on my next still life.

Art Visit

This week, I had an opportunity to visit the home of one of my collectors.  It was great seeing a few of my old paintings in one place.  I feel I have more paintings to do in my life time.  These paintings were done before I became one of the stable artists at the John Pence Gallery in San Francisco.

Prayer Books

This is a completed commission that I will be delivering to my client today. The painting was a joint effort in its design and meaning. It feel good to call it done.

Daniel Sprick Documentary Promo

In Progress

This six inch alligator head has been sitting in my studio for about a year now and thought it was time for me to do a painting of it.  This painting is 6 x 8 inches and is oil on linen on wood. I'm still working on colors and form, but I think it a good start so far.  I'll have more time to work on it during my spring break along with many other paintings.

Alla Prima Portrait Commission

This is a portrait a friend of mine asked me to paint of his wife for a surprise anniversary gift.  It around 10 x 8 inches and it linen on panel. By best critique, my wife, said it looks just like her.

4th Annual Bridgeport Art Competition

I’m excited to announce my painting "Apparition" was selected to be in the 4th Annual Bridgeport Art Competition. The opening reception and award ceremony will take place on Friday, February 26 at 7PM at the Bridgeport Art Center Gallery. If you are in the area, stop by and check out the exhibition.

Selfie with Puma and Will Wilson

What a great trip to San Francisco! I had a chance to spend some time with my close friend and favorite artist, Will Wilson. When I walked into his studio, I was surprised to see a taxidermy puma sitting on his table.  We had to put him in our selfie! It was so fun to see Will working on other animal paintings and hear him talking about having a solo exhibition this year. As soon as I get the date for the show, I heading back to SF. Keep painting Will!

Visiting the John Pence Gallery

I had a great time visiting the John Pence Gallery on yesterday.  John Pence even took the time to take a picture with Will, Lucas, and myself.  Although my visit was short, I got to see artwork by some of the most talented and gifted artists represented by the gallery.  I look forward to returning sometime this year.

Me with Sean Cheetham

I had a phenomenal time at my three day figure painting workshop with Sean Cheetham. He is not only a gifted artist, but a great guy as well. I hope I can find the time to take more of his classes.

In Progress

I thought it would be fun to show the drawing stage of my new painting.  The size is 24 x 22 inches and the painting is on linen on wood.  The two figures are on a steam train putting coal in the firebox. I will keep you posted on my progress. I am still planning out the color scheme, so I hope to make a few small color studies before going to the larger painting.