Author: babylonbaroque

I am a painter and printmaker working towards creating a body of work that reflects my own developing aesthetic. New work ,first link. The second link is an on-line portfolio.

Validation

After a dreary period of seemingly endless rejection letters from galleries and exhibitors, it is validating to have had the last few submissions accepted. Yesterday I received word that the Brand Library , for their annual Works on Paper exhibition (this is their 43rd year ) had accepted my Temptation of Saint Anthony in the Desert. It was particularly thrilling to read:

“Juror Kent Twitchell reviewed 890 submitted works, of which 70 were selected for the exhibition”.

Kent Twitchell is an icon here (and elsewhere)  known for his  photo-realistic monumental murals; I admire him a great deal, hence the validation. Funny things is he paints such spectacularly colossal, hyper realistic works and chose my teeny bit of fantasy. Catholic tastes I guess .

Temptation of St.Anthony of the Desert, 2015, acrylic on Yupo paper, 11 by 14"
Temptation of St.Anthony of the Desert, 2015, acrylic on Yupo paper, 11 by 14″

I have the happy task of framing this little painting, a pleasant break from the mad dash of setting up a new home, packing up an old, securing a new studio (about to sign the lease), and perhaps buying a car(YIKES), THEN fly out to Philadelphia for the six week critique course. I’m spinning about in space.

I think for the program at PAFA I am going to translate this drawing The Goblin Market into a much larger painting, size to be determined- essentially as big as I can ship back.

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The Goblin Market

When I arrive in Philadelphia, after a red eye flight, I am pretty much just jumping the deep end at PAFA  on Monday the 6th. I will post regularly from my phone.

To be continued…LG

 

Back to the Hermitage!

Just received word from the husband, we have officially closed on our little house on Mt.Washington, here in LosAngeles.

Yikes!

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It is quite adorable, and if small houses are chic then this is as chic as it gets! We’ve named it the Little Hermitage II. For folks who have known me for many years, I had an 18th c. house, in another life that was known as the Little Hermitage, the tradition continues.

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I have been mad with packing and my dogs are of no use whatsoever!

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The chaos at times gets a bit daunting for someone so inclined towards tidiness; plus I haven’t painted in what seems like forever. But I will soon be in my dear Philadelphia painting for six weeks straight and the Beloved will be schlepping all that I have so carefully packed.

Seeing the smile on David’s face makes all of the work worth it…for the most part.

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I’ve started a house journal, personal musings, probably dull as dishwater, but… http://www.thelittlehermitageii.wordpress.com

Until next time,

be well,

LG

 

 

Packing the Divine

The pressure is mounting as we approach the closing for our new place; deep in the throes of packing my work, carefully wrapping each painting in glassine paper. Satisfying work , labeling , archiving; looking forward . As I pack up the last of the small works I realized I hadn’t posted this small study of the ridiculously handsome Al Parker I made several years ago. Parker was a porn star who embodied the “clone” look of my youth ( early 80’s). He was celestial …and of course died too young .

For now he will be safely enshrouded in glassine , to resurrect another day.

 

Dismantling, Departing, Reassembling

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I am currently in the process of dismantling my studio altar (I cannot seem to work without some element of the sacred hanging about, getting in the way ).   I’m doing so because after much discussion, angst, some conflict and eventually, mutual agreement, David and I have decided to stay in Los Angeles, claiming it as our home…for now.

So much so, we are trying to close on a very sweet little house on Mt.Washington; if the gods (and the bankers) are willing we should close soon.

As I am departing for Philadelphia on Independence Day ( how perfect is that?) and will be away for six weeks I am in the throes of some serious packing-thus far seventy-two packing boxes containing my books alone. This move, if all goes well, has its advantages: the house is  far prettier, has a view and it will be OURS;  but also disadvantages, namely it is teeny. I will need to secure studio space outside of my home, something I have only done once.

So much seems up in the air, undecided and unclear: full time schooling at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts versus yearly pilgrimages to Philadelphia, taking continuing education classes for the summer. The classes are wonderful but it isn’t the same immersive experience I had hoped for ( and dreaded). Decisions must be made, I’m hoping my upcoming  summer critique program will give me some clarity.  My angst is, at least superficially, the two year separation from David and the beasties. Much to contemplate.

Just when I think I have a plan, all is radically altered. All I know at the present is that I must pack and hopefully squeeze in a little studio time…without the Holy Ones.

Until next time,

be well,

Lg

Lavinia Seeks Solace at the Court of Coatlicue

The following painting is an experiment on several levels.  I’m experimenting with a new paper from Arches called Huile oil paper which is designed specifically for oil painting. Anyone who paints in oil knows that working on paper is frowned upon as it is not archival. Secondly I am experimenting with the Surrealist technique of automatic drawing and painting. The following painting is the result.

IMG_6231 Lavinia Seeks Solace at the Court of Coatlique

2015

oil on Arches Huile paper

15 by 22 inches

It is an absurd image composed of seemingly random characters, but there is a free- associative logic to it all…at least from my perspective. Lavinia (from Shakespeare’s  Titus Andronicus) in a dream state, wanders into the court of the Aztec goddess Coatlique, She of the Skirt of Serpents … and a pretty fantastic necklace composed of skulls, hearts and most importantly, hands! A bit of gallows humor perhaps, but I didn’t think it out too much. I allowed unconscious  instinct to direct the composition.  The following is Coatlique taken from our trip to Mexico City.

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One of the things I really enjoy about taking classes outside of the discipline of art is the opportunity to free my mind and doodle with abandon. My judgmental brain is turned off and my hand flows across the page. They are not great drawings by any means, often ridiculous; but I find in them a nonsensical spontaneity that  I value and want to integrate into my work more often.

The following are samples taken from an English Composition C course that I recently finished.

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This might be my last post for awhile until I leave for my Philadelphia critique course at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. I have obligations I need to tend to before I leave on Independence Day. I’m nervous and excited, I’ve never been away from David (or my dear dogs)for such a long stretch; but to have time just for my work is an amazing opportunity.

Until next time, be well, LG

The Castration of Uranus

I  recently stumbled upon a 14th c. image of the Castration of Uranus . It was of course disturbing , but also fascinating. I felt compelled to add my voice to the conversation and the following drawing is the result. 

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 The Castration of Uranus

2015

graphite and colored pencil on paper

11 by 14″

The story, in case forgotten, is that the old god Uranus had fathered the Titans (and the Cyclops) with the Earth Mother Gaia.  As is so often the case the father became wary of the offspring and buries those born of his seed deep within Tartarus -so deep in fact, “it would take a falling anvil nine days to reach the bottom”.

Gaia prompts her Titan son Cronus to smite his father, arming him with the familiar scythe of Time. Unbeknownst to me, but fortunate coincidence, Cronus, according to the mythologist Robert Graves, “grasp[ed] his genitals with the left hand (which has ever since been the hand off ill-omen”. This merciless act produced the vengeful Furies and from the severed penis, when thrown into the whirling ocean, the eternal Aphrodite.

The story is stunning in its primal psychological symbolism; incomprehensible yet visceral. At least I felt so, hence this drawing.

The following is the  wonderful illumination that inspired my own, I am sorry to say I do not know its source, any information pertaining to it most welcome.

cronus and uranus, french c.1501

That said, this image is a bit confusing to me. When first stumbled upon, source being unremembered, it was identified as Saturn Devouring his Son (ca.1501). I think that is off, Cronus/Saturn would eventually  devours his  Olympian young  (as magnificently represented by Rubens), perhaps the artist was confused as I haven’t stumbled upon Zeus/Jupiter castrating Cronus/Saturn. I believe this image simply illustrates Cronus castrating Uranus with the prophetic image of Aphrodite in the background. The bloody child-devouring a cinematic bit of excess to gets one’s attention-if severed genitals weren’t enough. It is perplexing that the castrated figure is wielding the Cronus’ scythe of Time. Whatever, its a grand image. 

First day back to the studio, now I will try painting , I feel quite rusty…and anxious.Will keep my progress posted, until then, be well, LG

Queer

I received word yesterday that two of my painting were selected for an upcoming exhibition celebrating gay pride in West Hollywood.

Information thus far:

Congratulations! Your works: Andromedus and Descent from the Cross II have been accepted for Out There, a very special exhibition during West Hollywood’s Pride Month festivities at LAAA/Gallery 825, June 12- 19, 2015. 

I’m pleased,  I will post updated information as it is received.

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Andromedus

2013

oil on canvas

30 by 40″

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 Descent from the Cross II

2015

acrylic on canvas

30 by40″

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The Foliate Man

As class winds down I manage to think of work on the horizon, specifically a large oil painting that I have been working on in fits and starts. The following is the body decoration for Herakles, I was delighted to employ my decorative talents once again. I wanted pretty and I received pretty.

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This is the sketch of the fellow unadorned.

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I think he will look swell, perhaps one day he will have a solo role. The following are a few sketches I made for possible paintings-essentially just getting ideas out before they fade into the ether. 

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A tree god inspired by a Juan O’Gorman painting  I saw recently. and a coy Adam.

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Received happy news today , two of my favorite paintings were accepted for an upcoming exhibition celebrating gay pride month, held in perhaps the Vatican of Gaydom, West Hollywood . I suppose that proves, no matter how much I may protest , my work is just a little homo!

Will provide details later.

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