New BIG Acrylic Painting
Windowsill, 2021
24" x 36"
In 2021, I decided it was about time to make a large acrylic painting. My mom took a lovely photograph of our cat Jasper that inspired me both with its subject and indoor/outdoor light composition. With acrylic, I find I use a lot more layers, both because the paint is more transparent than oils and because I know it will dry faster and I can paint over it on the same day. The layering helped achieve the fluffiness of the cat's fur. Like usual, I spent quite a bit of time on the patterned fabric.
This painting and Rachael were featured in the Golden Employee Art Show along with many other lovely paintings by my coworkers.
Now that I've got a proper large easel, I think more large paintings will be coming (after many hours of labor over several months, of course)!
Posted on: January 30, 2022
Continue ReadingNew Song: Endlessly
My lastest a cappella cover is Endlessly by Muse. Arranged, performed, and mixed by me, it took me quite a while, but I am very proud of it. I worked on my range at the top end but especially at the low end in order to actually sing my arrangement. I thought I was picking the "simplest" song by Muse, but I managed to make it exceedingly complex. If a group wanted to sing this arrangement, I would have to rework it for sure to make it more streamlined and...possible to sing live. After countless hours of mixing, it is complete!
Check out the rest of my music on my Music page.
Posted on: October 31, 2020
Continue ReadingNew Painting: Self Portrait Still Life
Self Portrait Still Life, 2020
11" x 14"
I continue my fascination with mirrors and patterned fabrics with my most recent painting, creatively named "Self Portrait Still Life." In college, the professors always made us do at least one self portrait per year, making my portfolio a bit narcissistic. I didn't do a self-portrait in 2019, so I thought I would do one this year, mainly because painting faces is my truest interest. It was nice to have the art deparment's models and my college friends around to sit for me. Alas, in 2020, my only model is me.
I started this painting in February and finished in October. I certainly got distracted by other projects (music) along the way. At least I finished it in the same year!
Posted on: October 24, 2020
Continue ReadingPoem: Generosity
Misty Day at Golden, 2020
A photo to set the mood
Being good is laced with sacrifice and guilt
The rain beats down on the windows
The sound is too close
Like the water is inside
Drenching all my possessions
Bacteria and mold growing
Stains forming
I check every time
Only to find everything is dry
My ears at odds with reality
Thunder rolling
Neighbors stomping
Cars passing by
How can I be truly generous
When I see the bad before the good?
When I see shallowness and stupidity in the stranger?
When I anticipate hurt and loss?
My senses feed filtered information to my brain
How then, to give wholeheartedly?
Interrupt my alluring inner world
Pitter-patter on my window
Walk across my ceiling and remind me
You have a whole life
Without fully understanding you
If the game of life is to be heard
And to be understood
It’s a losing game
But we must play nonetheless.
Posted on: October 20, 2020
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