American Anthology.

I've been working on a series this year. For lack of a better title I've been calling it the abstract series. It really began as an experiment based on a desire to make something totally new. Now I'm 5 pieces in with many new ideas in the works.

It was my newest idea that gave me the idea for their titles. "American Anthology".

I'm looking forward to finding out where I end up with this series. In the meantime I'm having fun playing with ideas of similarity, spontaneity and working with materials I have at my immediate disposal.










"American Anthology No. 3" 2013, acrylic and enamel on paper, 17" x 29 1/4".

For Trayvon Martin.

It's been almost a year since Trayvon Martin lost his life. For me it was a tragic symbol of or societies downward spiral into a devastating and frightening future. Our culture breeds selfishness, fear, paranoia and hate into all of us. We're human beings, we have the power to control our actions. We have to get over our own selfish, personal gain and petty beliefs and start to live like we are part of a larger unit. 

It's important for all of us to feel safe in our homes and neighborhoods. Maybe we should all start asking questions and talking to each other instead of just shooting first. 

"The Sleeper Must Awaken"

In 2012 I started a series of portraits of friends and family as they look first thing in the morning. The idea was to portray them as they are before they present themselves to the world. Tired eyes, messy hair, no make-up, puffy, etc. I see this as one of the most personal and vulnerable moments we all face every day. It is also a moment we try desperately to hide. If you would like to see some of these pieces please visit my on-line portfolio, they're all there.
http://olinroth.carbonmade.com/

When I began this portrait project another life was created in the process. In a vicious and frustrated attempt to find a place to clean a terrible color from my brush late one night, I took my anger out on a near by blank canvas. In that moment the painting you see here was born. Very early into the portrait series I decided to keep up work on this abstraction until the time the series was finished. I have never worked on a painting longer then I have on this abstraction (about one full year).

This painting is the culmination of many different moments and thoughts. It is one year of focus, frustration and and left-over paint. Consequently I don't think I'll ever be able to give it a proper title. I'm having trouble organizing my thoughts and feelings about this painting. I know I love it and am very happy with it.

Flag Paintings

The fun thing about working with stencils is part of the work is already done. You can now focus more on finding different ways to use them. For the past few months i've been working on a series of abstraction/ stencil combinations (i have a previous post about one or two). But i haven't been limitingthose stencils to that project. 

I was recently given an old faded and weathered american flag. My first thought was how i could turn it into multiple pieces of art. Using two of my recent stencils i made two pieces i'm calling (for lack of a better name) the flag paintings. 

The image about is of two soldiers wearing gas masks. It is oil and spray paint on the american flag mounted on wood. The lower image i'm calling "The American" was produced using the same process. 

I'm having a lot of fun with this series. I'm starting some sketches for future ideas and stencils. We'll see where it goes.  

Tired of Portraits.

I've been working on a series of portraits for some time now. While it has been a very enjoyable and fruitful project, the idea keeps me focused on one very specific type of composition. 

I have gotten in the habit of keeping a blank canvas under each painting as i work on them. I find the random drips interesting and since i am often finding myself in need of a place to clean my or wipe off my brushes, this becomes a useful template. 

These canvases, and my desire to escape the rigid portrait series, i am currently working on, gave the idea for this new series. 

In this series i combining the rigid idea of the portrait (by making a multi layered stencil, aka very precise details consuming all my time ) and the idea of the abstraction (my drip catchers/brush cleaner) and making one cohesive piece. I'm finding it a much more time consuming project then i originally thought. But i really like what i've discovered. 

Here is the first finished piece. I think i might call it "William.S Gun" but i might try for a really long title i will inevitable abbreviate. 

Ian's Painting

I finished a commission a little while back. Had a fun adventure thinking it was lost in the mail.

When i started this piece I was in the process of getting my new studio up and running, or at least organized enough to work in. My wife and I had just moved. It had been a while since I had really gotten into some serious painting. I was scared to begin this commission.

I have to say I am very happy with how it turned out. I experimented a little and got to use a bunch of old tricks I don't normally pull out of the old hat.

I'm happy to say that the painting arrived safe and sound and Mr. Smith is happy with his new piece. I find that commissions can be difficult. I have a hard time finding a connection with the subjects since they are not based solely on my owen ideas, call it only child syndrome if you must. But this one I found to be much easier. Honestly, had a lot to do with the soldier in a gas mask.

Ian Davis Smith...glad you like your painting.