Category: Leonard Greco Art

  Last evening we were at Hollywood Forever cemetery with two of our dearest friends ,Ken and Ed- if there was ever a reason to stay in LA , these fellows are it. Great fun and if LA is the Land of Misfit Toys, last evening they found their home . We four were woefully underdressed ; next year we must don gay apparel. The following are some happy memories:
   

    
    
    
   

  

  

  David and I were thrilled to run into friends. We have been Angelenos long enough to actually recognize friend in the vast crowds !
  Much gratitude .

   

    
 
Post Script: Richard, ” friend ” me on FB, under Leonard D.Greco Jr. 

  Heading out of the studio shortly but posting a few images of my progress this week.  I probably won’t return this weekend as we have much planned including an evening of Dia de Los Muertos festivities at Hollywood Forever cemetery tomorrow evening . I cannot wait.
   

 

  Since having my press dropped during my recent studio move I have psychologically avoided it and print making in general . Not too long ago John Greco from Josephine Press in Santa Monica ( John is not  a relation but a talented artist and excellent fellow) made a visit to my studio. After tinkering and calibrating he determined that aside from some superficial dings , she was ready for business .

 The following are the my first stabs at relief printing , it is amazing how rusty one feels in just the shortest amount of time . The two following prints are quick little cuts:

    Moonscape

Relief print on paper

9 by 12 inches , series of four artist’s proofs

  ID-iot

Relief print on paper

9 by 12 inches , series of six

The above print , “ID-iot”, was inspired as is so often the case by an absent minded doodle that happened to tickle me. I work fast to capture the  spontaneity of the  original .

   I was eager to fiddle about with lesser prints  because I am about to start a more complicated composition  and wanted to feel a little more confident before I put knife to Lino. It is going to be multiple plates, I’ll post when completed.

  Peaceful day at the studio, added sweetness as my Rose is my studio mate today. She had an appointment at the vet and tagged along afterwards . She loves the one on one attention and I love having her here.

  

  I cut some Lino  plates today , will run proofs tomorrow – frankly I didn’t  want the mess as I have been working solvent free today with acrylic . This is a section of the large Philadelphia canvas I have been wrestling with since my return to LA. For now I am finished ; hooch ( and the dogs) beckon me home . 

  Made about nine inches of progress today…not sure what the hell to think of that. This is Judas, part of a complicated composition.
  Calling it a day, will be back at it tomorrow .

  Thought this too surreal an image not share, all in my pursuit of shadowy composition . Yesterday was a frustrating day (let’s just say home ownership taxes studio time) but when I did finally make it to my cell I was productive . Sadly I am here at the Little  Hermitage until new pipes replace ancient plumbing worthy of the Romans; not what I had planned. I will draw and be at home with the beasties today but I am eager to return to make more progress now that I have some inkling as to where I want to go. The use of mannequins is not new , Poussin I think, fashioned little figures as did some  Renaissance painters, but it all seems so fresh and exhilarating to me.
  

  With my new studio finally set up , I haven’t any more excuses to not get back to work. I have filled my days with organizing and seeking order out of what was mad chaos . I think I have pushed the chaos back and now must face the most frightful demons , my fears that I won’t get back in the groove. 
Taking a deep breath and beginning one brush stroke at a time … Tomorrow .

Until then , a few snaps of my new digs. My studio is in Highland Park, about 15 minutes from our Little Hermitage. Aside from the convenience I have the good fortune of being studio neighbors with the incredible Judithe Hernandez. I’m thrilled.

   

    
   Wish me luck slaying the demons .

  Two of my paintings have been accepted in this collection of strange and wonderful work. My new yet already dear friend Liz Huston is curating the show , she is a sensitive aesthete  and I know it will be a place of wonder. I’m thrilled to have been invited. 

Details follow , should be grand as costumes are encouraged , I’m working on my ensemble this week, thinking the Antichrist. Would love to see my local friends at the opening !

  

  There was only one causality with this complicated move of home and studio, the movers dropped my print making press. I have been sick about it, imploring fellow printmakers for advice, for any suggestions as to who can look at it to assess the damage ( tradesmen who repair small presses seem as scarce as hen’s teeth).
Facing my fears I ran a proof , and it though it is not on lush paper, so far it looks;  my stalwart press may be dinged and less showroom glossed, but she carries on with dented dignity .

Still if anyone knows of a technician I would appreciate the lead. 

Making headway in the new studio, unpacking and organizing the increasingly shrinking square footage; my steadfast chihuahua my loyal if sleepy companion .

Heading home so he can nap in a proper bed. Good night.

  

  Today I picked up my “prize winning ” painting , amazing how validating that is; tomorrow my David and I (and the real laborers ) move into my new studio. New adventures seem just around the corner .

 But tonight , it is just the two of us and the most delightful Thai food .
The gods are generous .