I prefer girls

Work in Progress

Its been too long since I posted, but that's in large part because I have many blocks which have been carved, but yet to be printed. I also have a project going which I haven't figured out the finishing part of.

It started like this: I have these postcards of politely smutty 50's pulp novels. They are a guilty pleasure, certainly. But seem ripe for something. I've always been nervous about using text in my work, its hard for me to use well. Recently I did a series of portrait prints and laid text from interviews with the subjects on top. This seemed to work well to allow a second point of view in the portrait. Anyway, it has emboldened me. So I've done watercolors of these pulpy novels (the cards and other novels) and plan on layering it with text.

The only issue is that I don't know what kind of text to be using yet. What to use? What should it do? I am thinking areas of uncomfortable harmony and pointed contrast. I'm looking at a Linda Lovelace autobiography, which is pretty depressing. Excerpts from smutty novels, but with Male rather than female sexy characters. Or high minded criticism drawing out the manipulative signs in these images from someone like Susan Sontag.

Anyone have suggestions?

Mary Louise

My portrait of Mary Louise, a very youthful 90.

Amsterdam Canal

Niut Meer

For some reason still unknown to me, I did not want to take my paints to Amsterdam. Katie convinced me to bring something, soI chose to bring some acrylics, which I had used ony once before without incident. It was a bit of a disaster. Instead of working outside, I had to work only in my studio to keep them from drying out instantly. This painting, was the culmination of my acrylic adventure. The subject is the nearby park, which housed the memorial to Amsterdam jews killed at Auschwitz, which is barely noted on the extreme right of the composition. Each panel is 18"x24".

postcards home

So, one day in Amsterdam, I went took my large drawing pad to the Van Gogh museum to copy a painting. I found the painting I wanted, a poster of which hangs in the entry of Simon's school. I had to go out to call home before I could sit down to draw and when i came back, they wouldno longer let me take the drawing pad inside. Instead, I purchased postcards to send home and made watercolor copies of them before I would send them back to the states.

home again

Ahhh, the pleasures of being home.

Yesterday I returned home after being in Amsterdam for a month. Whew!.

It has been wonderful. Simon ran down the security ramp to give me a huge leaping hug. Followed by about 3 seconds by Eloise who toddled over in her Spider costume. That was some serious cute, let me tell you. It was a wonderful night. we got home and Simon and I went out Trick-or-treating on our block. I think we went to about 5 houses, but Simon was pretty nervous for the first couple. But he got into the mood of it all after trick-or-treating our own house. After which, Eloise wanted to join in the fun so I got to carry her around the block.

(What's new about Eloise in the last Month?

She's extra squishy.
She loves candy--I mean LOVES candy.
She's talking alot and will tell you when she does not like what you are doing)

After getting a sack of candy, we came back to the house fo the first dinner as a family in a long long time. Katie made pot roast (incredibly yummy) and Simon made a smoothie. Katie also made a fire which we settled around to snuggle and play until time for bed. I gave out the presents I had brought back with me and showed the art which had actually made it to Omaha (one bag was delivered about 2:00 in the morning). It was a great night.

I got to put both kiddos to bed, reading Simon an extra new book so he would "go right to sleep, i promise". Eloise got books and a nice long snuggle with a bottle. It was great.

Exhausted, Katie and I were in bed at 9:30.

My best night in a long long time.