Ongoing progress for a watercolor/gouache painting that I am working on.
detail
Much more to go, a quick run, then back to the easel.
Be well, Lg
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.
Scapegoat submission
Since moving back to LA I have been taking print-making classes at the Craft and Folk Art Museum (link: here) ; it has been so convenient for me, walking distance fom our place. Although the press is smaller than I have been used to, Holly Jerger the young woman running the series has been wonderfully helpful and supportive. She invited the class to submit work to the Los Angeles Printmaking Society ( link :here). The Society is presenting a non-juried show called “Give &Take” in which printmakers submit a series of 10 prints, limited to 8 by 10″ in size. One print will be retained for sale, four will be retained for future society sales and five go into portfolios for artists’ exchange.
Quite a nice way to build your print collection and engage with other printmakers.
My submission, The Scapegoat follows (it is not blurry as the image indicates-I have my printmaker pride after all!):
The Scapegoat
relief print on paper
2014
8 by 10 inches
I will be dropping off the prints this evening, I’m looking forward to the opening event on the 18th at the LA Print Space at the Pacific Design Center (PDC).
Take care,
Lg
The Maize God Emerges
I’m working on a new project, I will post progress periodically.
Safe to say it involves sacrifice and resurrection.
And of course the Maize God.
detail, gouache and watercolor on paper
preliminary sketch of Maize God, graphite on paper
Good night,
Lg
Presentation at the Temple
Moments ago I finished a painting I had hoped to have finished by Feb. 2nd, the Feast Day of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. In my ongoing desire to be the pagan icon painter I present my own Presentation-a few weeks off.
Presentation at the Temple
2014
oil on canvas
30 by 40 inches
My presentation includes the Meso-Aztec Holy Trinity : Coatlicue-She of the Skirt of Serpents, her son, the war-sun god Huitzilopochtli and a mendicant rain god Tlolac ( pretentiously and ridiculously appointed by yours truly,Pope O’Nonesense, as Protector of LA).
Tlaloc detail, Patron of Los Angeles-it is supposed to rain today, praise be to Tlaloc.
It is always delightful to finish a painting-I want a nap now but work awaits.
Until next time,
be well, Lg
No Nudity in the City of Encinitas
I had submitted my painting Gnosis…and the Old Gods Were Pleased to a juried show celebrating women.
Last evening I received the nicest rejection notice.
Although the jurors “loved the piece” it was to excluded because “after a review by the city, they felt the nudity in the piece would not be appropriate for the venue”.
The fellow assigned to this unpleasant task could not have been more diplomatic or supportive, but I am a bit stunned. Really?
Nudity isn’t “appropriate”?
In 2014?
In southern California? This isn’t Selma.
I’m incredulous. I offered to paste on fig leaves, only half joking.
Anyway, my solution is to draw more junk.
detail of the the painting which follows.
Gnosis …and the Old Gods Were Pleased
oil on canvas
2014
Disappointing, but oh well, that is what yoga is for.
Namaste (bitches),
Lg
Tlaloc and the Magdalene
Happy to back at the printing press, albiet a much smaller , less substantial press. I feel I am ready to explore relief printing once again. I decided to play with the theme of the Magdalene, last week’s attempt was awful but I am more pleased with last evening’s results.
The Magdalene
relief print on paper
8 by 10 inches
I wanted to visually convey my understanding of the gnostic conviction that Mary M. was in fact a truer apostle than the rest in that she had actually witnessed both His death and His resurrection . Not to mention the profound relationship , physical or not, that the two shared. Her asceticism is in sharp contrast to the church of the “anointed” apostles.
The following is last weeks attempt, I guess I was rustier than I had expected. She looks decidedly Paleo not ascetic.
rejected print
I also cleaned up another print from last printmaking class. I think opening him up a bit added clarity. It’s a silly prayer card for a rain deprived LA.
Tlaloc’s Rain Dance
relief print on paper
8 by 10 inches
Have a great day,
Lg
The Old Gods
In between other paintings and relief prints (once again I am trying my hand at that elusive medium), in between such endeavors, I’m working out a large painting.
I’ve posted on this painting before at this link, but I am now at the stage of fussing with details and working out negative shapes and placement. Funny how I rely upon the skills I honed as a decorative mural painting. What seemed so perfect on a scaled drawing is just a wee bit off when faced with the actual , rather large canvas-56 by 40 inches.
Briefly the painting deals with the old gods reclaiming their positions, toppling the false envious demiurge Yaldabaoth (Yahwah). I’ve been working out the details of each and it has been a great deal of fun.
As posted previously:
Preparatory sketch of Tlaloc, She of the Serpent Skirt and the Feathered Serpent
Placement is critical and I have been poring over Poussin’s excellent examples for inspiration but in the end heeding my own intuition.
further drawings follow:
The Maize God
The Hero Twins-one version
another version for another project-I really like these fellows
My sanctimonious Abrahamic god the embodiment of the apostolic church, soon to be toppled ; do I have just a wee bit of vitriol for the god of Leviticus or what?
for no apparent reason, a Meso-Herakles.
Placement so far, I have a few more figures to add so placement is a crucial, I feel a bit like Cecil B.DeMille.
But onward.
Until next time, be well,
Lg
Blocking in Devils and Saints
The day was spent blocking in two small panels-I’ve discovered the joys of panels and feel it best suits my process. I have a large canvas in the wings, prepped and ready but for today devils and saints.
blocking in St.Kevin & the Blackbird
oil on panel
This is a small panel, only 12 by 12 inches, it is to be of St.Kevin and his blackboard. I’m basing it upon a relief print that I made last year . I’m enjoying my ability to stretch my wings so to speak with color; a sharp contrast to the print.
My second panel, also small, only 18 by 24 inches is inspired by my ongoing fascination with gnostic thought. I haven’t named the painting yet but it will be something to do with the apotheosis of Sophia or gnosis. As usual I’m enjoying playing with little devil fellows.
The symbolism for this painting is based very loosely on an 18th cent print, I’m guessing Masonic in nature. It was wonderfully creepy in that way allegory often is. I need to locate a copy of it, but it entailed a nude women wearing a crenelated crown and holding chains that supported the sun and the moon all while standing upon a skull. I’ve made a few alterations stylistically but I’m happy with her. The snakes further symbols of wisdom. I dreamt of making this painting the other evening and my dream guide was insistent that she stand upon a black cloud. So black it will be.
Well I must run and tend to other aspects of my life ( namely marketing, ugh) but until next time , be well,
Lg
Oil Sketch
Just moving paint about for no obvious purpose…
oil on board
8 1/2 by 11 inches
Paradise Completed
When I last posted on this painting, link HERE I received many warm responses for which I am grateful. Last evening I finished the painting and I can now, at last look at it clearly.
Gnosis…and the Old Gods Were Pleased
2014
oil on canvas
48 by 24 inches
When I last posted my progress the painting was about 70 percent complete, I’ve since made a few changes.
Most of the changes have been made to the female character, who is not Eve ; she is in fact Zoe, daughter of Sophia, bearer of light and wisdom (Gnosis), as Adam lacked the spiritual spark (the source of information and inspiration for this painting was a BBC podcast In Our Time, the topic of discussion being the Gnostics , link HERE ).
I’m happy were her now, my inspiration was in many respects the Grey Eyed Athena and I captured what I wanted…pretty much.
Another, initial inspiration was the sculpture of “Eve in Temptation” by my favorite Giselbertus (1150); I strayed a bit but I know the spark.
My impetus to finish this painting was entry in a juried show at a local museum-an artist alliance exhibition. The following paintings have also been entered:
Resurrection of the Father
2013
oil on canvas
50 by 40 inches
Temptation of St.Anthony of the Desert
2013
oil on canvas
48 by 36 inches.
Wish me luck! I will post the results, good or bad news,
until that time,
be well, Lg
Boondocks Babylon 