Category: Leonard Greco Art

   
Much of my day yesterday was spent in my life drawing class and frankly I should have just  stayed put in my studio . The model was extraordinary,  a beautiful and graceful woman who knew how to strike a pose ( and sustain it ). And the drawings really weren’t that bad but my choice of medium (Sanguine and graphite ) made for unhappy results, muddy ugly affairs. The truth is I have difficulty producing ” finished drawings”, ones that stand on their own. For I have spent my life viewing my daily drawing practice as a sevice to my painting practice . I left the class feeling I had squandered the elegance of the model and having wasted many hours. 

Happily my studio time  that evening was more productive , familiar medium , my music ( not EDM!) and the beasties . I finished up yet another figure in a complex painting , nearing closer to the finish line.

And now , another day. 

  Given it is the Lenten season it might be appropriate that there is sooty charcoal all over my face and hands . But not so much a result of extreme penitence but instead a day of working with charcoal and graphite . This post is a sampling of today’s progress.
   

   
 I am taking a life drawing course with the excellent artist Jim Morphesis and in just a few weeks my drawings have become more confident . Plus I’m just relishing drawing and my productivity is up.

 So thanks Jim!

   

   As the year comes closer to an end I have tried to finish up a few unfinished projects and reflect upon what I have accomplished and what has gone unexpressed . My intention was to at least finish up a small panel of St.Kevin but then the last of my monarch caterpillar went off to seek their fate and my heart was heavy with worry. So to channel that worry I went to work on a drawing , this is the result .
    The Apparition of the Great Sphinx of the Night

2015

Graphite on paper, approximately 18 by 24″

In 1940 Andre Breton sponsored an exhibition in Mexico City called the International Exhibition of Surrealism; Isabel Marín was dressed in white with a giant butterfly gracing her fine head . It seemed a fitting theme to riff upon while fretting over our dear caterpillars. May the gods watch over them and may they flourish.

  Merry Christmas and a most fulfilling new year!

  Lots of loose ends but working away… Back at it on Monday most likely. Snippets of details below :
   

 
Have a great weekend.

  Just a detail of the painting I’m working on , clearly the spirit of Halloween is directing my brush. It’s been a great deal of fun, PLUS the dogs have been with me all day. Time to pack up and feed these delightful buggers.
  

  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 .