Painting Frames

The Last Thing

Making frames. Sometimes it would be real cool to have a studio assistant.

Paul Thek

Paul Thek, Uncle Tom´s Cabin with Tower of Babel, 1976. The Personal Effects of the Pied Piper.

In the Studio

Making sculpey snowmen and listening to Grand Funk. Is this really a career?

Best Wishes to Miller & Jason

Lovely wedding yesterday although outdoors and hot as hell, it was still a wonderful day. May they have years of love .

The cake topper was made by Ev- pretty cool huh? It really looks like a miniature Jason + Miller.

Studio in Summer

There are so many outside forces that influence and shape my art work. One of the most important to me is the actual environment I work in. My studio is cramped and small. On the inside it looks like a messy cave or maybe the cocoon of some slob of a catepillar, but I don't think I could produce anything in a large open warehouse type building. I suppose every artist wishes they had more space, but I'm sure even if I did. it would end up looking like the chaotic disaster zone of your typical 17 year old boy's room. At least from the outside, there is some sense of order and I think beauty and it lifts my spirit just to walk across the backyard every morning.

Still Afloat

Well, it's been a week and it's still floating, so I guess it's ok for the show.

New Sketch Book

I got a new sketch book made by my pal, Amanda Michael Harris ( you can see more at her etsy store- rainbowwrangler ). Over the past few years, Amanda has made me several sketch books and I've gotten totally spoiled- I can't use anything else (ok- I probably could if I were forced at gun point, but why would that happen?). Anyway - I love these books. I love that they are handmade and that they can stand up to what ever abuse I can think up. Thanks Amanda Michael.

Walking and Sanity

I had been walking at least 5 mornings a week for several months and then due to schedule changes here in the Crowder household, I found it easy to quit about 4 months ago. I didn't realize how much I have missed this morning ritual. It certainly helps physically, but I think the mental benefits are greater. I can't believe how much clearer my thoughts are after a couple of days of walking. Jeez- who would have thought eating right and exercise would be good?

Beth Edwards @ Lusk

Man! I saw Beth Edwards show at David Lusk yesterday. It's great. Amazing skill w/paint and they make me laugh. What a combo. Go see!

Experiment/ Test

This might be in upcoming show, but I have to see if it will stay afloat for a month. I'll leave it floating for a week or so and see how it does.

Residue

The downside of having a show of current work is the inevitable return of old unsold pieces. What do you do with this stuff? Yard sale? Goodwill? Probably storage. I've been showing my work for almost 30 years. I have a lot of leftovers. Every few years I go through and weed out the really bad stuff, but I still have a sizable amount stacked and leaned and boxed. Sometimes I daydream about an accidental fire... but it would be hard to confine a fire to just artwork. I mean, it's sitting beside old toys, high chairs, clothes and precious family memorabilia. I suppose I'll keep piling it up. Maybe I should start limiting production. I don't know. I can't come up w/ a good answer to this one. -T

Done

OK, call me "Quiter". I decided to forget about finishing the last painting. It was looking like crap and I had lost my enthusiasm. Enough is enough and I think I have plenty for the show. Now I have to build a few frames.

photo above of the empty wall in the studio.

Belated B-Day for the O-Man

Grandson Oliver turned 6 this past week. He also turned into some sort of movie star bear. -T

Break Time

I took the day off today and spent my time reading, lazing around and building this bench for the morning glory and moonflower sprouts. Back to work tomorrow. 1/2 a painting left to finish. -T

Snowman w/ Wasp

Ah, a new friendship is blossoming in the studio. I can't convince the wasp to leave the Snowman alone. -T

Real Close

I just might pull this off. Here's two more that (although not finished in this photo) are finished now. I need to finish this cup o'mud and get to work. -T

What a Dump

It's getting scary in the studio. There's crap piled everywhere. Hope to have everything finished by Saturday ....

Houses

Finishing up a hand full of 3D pieces and 4 more paintings. That should be everything for the upcoming show. It's a good thing too. I have run out of ideas and I seem to be getting stupider by the day ... hour... minute. -T

Snowman

Rest in Peace Louise

Louise Bourgeois 1911-2010