Gesture Drawing

Recently I attended an 'art workout' at the Art Students League of New York. Our superb model was Emma Shapiro, a professional figure model and herself an artist. The teacher was James L. McElhinney. As Emma gave us 30 second and minute poses, moving her body through space, James instructed us to find movement in fast gestural marks on each page using vine charcoal. We had to use our strongest hand and weakest hand, face away from the model and draw from memory as we tried to find the movement, energy, twist and turns from within the figure. It's a different way of seeing.

Towards the end of the evening with wine and pizza as fuel, we worked together on on a huge piece of paper on the floor as Emma continuously moved between us making marks herself. Individual drawings linked up, worked over, smudged together to became one large collaborative composition. It was a truly inspiring evening. Here are a few of my gestures that I adapted to color afterwards. I like the pictures I took of Emma stained with charcoal on the collaborative piece.

I'm not sure which gestures I did with my right hand or left hand or from memory!

Emma Shapiro in one of her beautiful poses

Emma Shapiro

Finding the movement in 30 seconds

Model Emma Shapiro and students continuously moving and drawing

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Portraits

I was recently commissioned to draw a portrait of a beautiful nine year old girl. Although I usually create abstract paintings and loose figurative sketches, I was asked to draw this piece in a more traditional style. As my subject lives in the UK, I had to draw from a photograph but I enjoyed drawing and editing it in my own way with a mixture of tone and line. I think it makes for a more interesting portrait.

For pricing information for this kind of portrait, please contact me directly.

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Sum Total of Choice

I named this little painting Sum Total of Choice after hearing 'We are in fact the sum total of our choices' a line from the Woody Allen movie Crimes and Misdemeanors. I couldn't get it out of my head for a couple of days as I contemplated the major choices I've made in my life - which I am mostly happy with - and positively pondered the choices I need to make going forward. Displayed here at Archer's Hall Design Centre in Barbados, the painting is acrylic on panel (9 x 12inches, 22.8 x 30.5cm) and is finished with high gloss epoxy resin.

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Love this Sketch!

Sometimes less really is more. Sketched at Spring Studio in NYC. Archival digital print available.

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Sharing My Sketchbook

A couple more sketches from my life drawing sketchbook. Drawn at Spring Studio in Soho.

Watercolor and black lead (20 mins)

Black lead (2 mins each)

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See.Me in Long Island City

The website see.me is a platform for artists, photographers, designers and musicians to showcase their work, a stone's throw from my studio in Long Island City. It's a great space. An upscale gallery in an up and coming area more used to taxi cab garages, coffee cart depots and commercial enterprises of all sorts. The odd thing about this gallery was that it consisted of many TV screens showcasing hundreds, if not thousands of images. The way of the future for galleries? I found it interesting but there is nothing quite like looking at original art from different angles, trying to figure out how the artist accomplished a certain technique, viewing the true colors, seeing the texture or just being in the presence of great art! Having said that, I'm all for seeing as much art as possible. It should be out there in the world via as many methods as possible so bravo to the see.me team. Check out their article on Long Island City on their blog.

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Addicted to Sketching

I try to get to sketch sessions at least one evening a week. I love drawing the human form and the wonderful thing about fast sketching is not quite knowing what I will end up with at the end of the evening. If I like one sketch, I consider it a good evening. I am my harshest critic of course! Regardless of the outcome though I do believe in training the eye to really see and even if I am not particularly pleased with my sketches, I find I have always learnt something. Here are two from last week. The top is a two minute sketch in black lead. I love this sketch and the shape conjured up by Chris, our model at Spring Studio. The bottom sketch is a twenty minute pose in graphite and ink wash.

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Another Sale, A New Collector

Another painting sale has put a spring in my step. As it was sold though a gallery, I did not get to meet my new collector. I hope he and his family (if he has one) enjoys it every day. I love to think of my paintings in homes and possibly passed down to the next generation and who knows after that!

Confluence, 2012, acrylic on canvas, 36 x 36in (91.4 x 91.4cm)

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Letting Go......

I know why I have named this painting Letting Go but it is personal to me. The name stuck in my head while I was painting it and I feel it suits the work. The viewer can be part of the process by applying the title to his or her own state of mind. I love it when a painting resonates in that way!

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Watercolor and Sanguine Lead Sketch

I really enjoyed drawing this model at Spring Studio last week. He's got a good body to draw and he comes up with inspiring short poses. He also makes me smile as it seems he looks at us artists with wry amusement! I'm sure he thinks we are a strange bunch and he might be right!

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Favorite Picks at Art Southampton

There are many art shows during the summer months in the Hamptons. Last year I visited artMRKT Hamptons in Bridgehampton. This year I looked in at Art Southampton. Located in a rather large and impressive pavilion, the show hosted more than 90 galleries showcasing modern and contemporary art from the 20th and 21st centuries. The following images are a small selection of my favorite picks from the show.

Eric Fischl at Hexton Modern and Contemporary

Eric Fischl at Hexton Modern and Contemporary

Eric Fischl at Hexton Modern and Contemporary

Eric Fischl at Hexton Modern and Contemporary

Edward Burtynsky at Nicholas Metivier Gallery

Edward Burtynsky at Nicholas Metivier Gallery (detail)

William Kentridge at Osborne Samuel

Margaret Garrett at Birnam Wood Galleries

Margaret Garrett at Birnam Wood Galleries (detail)

Earnest Briggs at Abby M Taylor Fine Art

Annemarie Busschers at Witzenhausen Gallery

George Sherwood at Cynthia Reeves

Norman Bluhm at Abby M Taylor Fine Art

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Special Event at the Society

Regular sketchers to the Society of Illustrators were shaken but not stirred by a special event last Thursday. Hosted by guest illustrator Ted Michalowski, the model was instructed to move very slowly rather than standing still. He gradually moved from pose to pose as we tried to capture action and movement. This was a little different to the usual Thursday sketch night that usually involves drawing a clothed model. It was great fun though and I think most people enjoyed the challenge. Here are a few of my sketches. To view more please visit my pinterest page.

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Sketches Around Town

It may be 'Gotham' but we are blessed here in NYC with fabulous parks. I love the long, hot sunny days of summer. I don't care about the humidity either which I often hear fellow New Yorkers or visitors complain of. All I know is that summer here is far better than London where I grew up. I adore London but the weather is a bit depressing a lot of the time. My mum calls it suicide weather. Not so here in NYC! Here are two pieces from my sketchbook, one in Central Park on a very hot Sunday afternoon looking towards Central Park South, the other on a warm evening in Bryant Park.

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Abstract Figuaration

I am beginning to merge my two worlds together. No easy task! I love the adventure, excitement and drama of abstract painting. That is to say, not quite knowing where the painting will end up. I may have an idea initially but then the painting takes on a life of it's own and it's a push and pull sort of feeling as I am led in a direction and then seize back control and so on. Obviously it's not quite the same when drawing the figure but my instinct is to bring together my two passions.

Free Spirit, 2013, oil on canvas, 68 x 40in, 172.8 x 101.6cm

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Mixed Media

I am always bothered when I come across paintings that say 'mixed media' and then I have to try and figure out what medium has been used. I confess I am guilty of making the same statement! So from now on I am going to indicate what exactly has been used.

Eminent #2, 2013, watercolor, ink, brown chalk on Arches paper, 22 x 15in, 55.9 x 38.1cm

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Molly Barnes at Susan Eley Gallery

On snowy Monday evening this week, I found myself at a lecture at the Susan Eley Gallery on NYC's Upper West Side. Molly Barnes is a Los Angeles based art dealer, curator, collector, teacher AND radio host! I was riveted by her excellent presentation about collecting art. I was drawn into her personal story that inflamed her passion for collecting art and greatly amused by her stories of friendships with the likes of artists Joan Mitchell, Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollack among others. Check out Molly Barnes on YouTube. Brava to Susan Eley for hosting the event!

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Armory Arts Week and The Armory Show 2013

Last week was Armory ArtsWeek. There were so many art events going on in NYC. It was hard to keep up! There were shows in different neighborhoods, open studios, art tours, performances, discussions and of course, parties. The Armory Show gets it's name from the original event that was hosted at the Armory on Lexington Avenue and 25th Street in 1913. That show was shocking at the time as it was the moment when Modernism revealed itself to the public. These days The Armory Show is at Piers 92 and 94 on the Hudson River. I managed to trot around both piers, the Fountain Art Fair at the original Armory venue on Lexington Avenue and The Art Show at the uptown Park Avenue Armory at 67th Street organized by the Art Dealers Association of America. I know, it gets a bit confusing with the word 'Armory' being used for two different venues, an art week and a particular art show at the piers!

So here are a few images from the events including, firstly, my own painting that was exhibited with the Hullaballoo Collective at the Fountain Art Fair. I must say, it was rather nice being part of the event especially on the 100th Anniversary of the original 1913 show and in the same venue!

Eleanor Rahim, 2013, Lithe #5, 30x22 inches, Watercolor on Arches Paper

Edgar Degas at Peter Findlay Gallery (The Armory Show)

Elizabeth Peyton at Two Palms Gallery (The Armory Show)

Eric Fischl at David Klein Gallery (The Armory Show)

The Armory Show 2013 at Pier 94

Lorna Simpson at Galerie Nathalie Obadia (The Armory Show)

Katharina Grosse at Galerie Nachtst St. Stephan

Irving Penn at Robert Klein Gallery (The Armory Show)

Max Neumann at Bruce Silverstein Gallery (The Armory Show)

Moto Waganari at Hollis Taggart Galleries (The Armory Show)

Rachel Howard at Blain Southern (The Armory Show)

Eric Aho at DC Moore Gallery (The Armory Show)

Norman Bluhm at Jerald Melberg Gallery (The Armory Show)

Tracey Emin at Galleria Lorcan O'Neill Roma (The Armory Show)

Mary Abbott at McCormick Gallery (The Armory Show)

The Empire State Building lit up for Armory Arts Week

The Art Crowd at Fountain Art Fair

Gorgeous Girl at Fountain Art Fair

Karen Fitzgerald (top) at Fountain Art Fair

Partygoers at Fountain Art Fair Opening Reception

Fountain Art Fair

Damien Hirst at Van de Weghe (The Art Show)

Myself at The Art Show

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