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Blog posts

Sunset Two

This summer has ended, bringing us joy. Some friends have departed, while others have experienced renewal. I feel compelled to celebrate the beauty of each day. Warm yellow hues, enriched with pale Naples tones, both cool and warm, envelop the clouds and gradually darken the night. This foreshortens our view and signals autumn. True simplicity is not achieved through realism. The sunset exists only for a fleeting moment before it disappears. Its panorama radiates with intense sepia and deep browns. Among my preferred media, I can achieve dazzling dry, wet, and transparent effects. I start with a light wash of yellow and Naples tones, then gradually layer in sepia and brown pigments as the sky darkens. Sometimes I work wet-on-wet to create soft transitions between cloud colors. I also like to experiment with glazes, letting each layer dry before adding the next, to create luminosity and subtle shifts in hue. What fascinates me most is how this process may reveal new possibilities in color.

Sunset Two is not the Sahara or Congo, but life in many places. Long Island shares dry places in the summer, and the sunsets fire like a flame. I still remember one evening last August, sitting on the porch with a friend and watching the sky shift. The air was thick with humidity, and as the sun slipped lower, waves of pink and red peaches swept across the horizon, almost liquid in their brilliance. It was quiet except for cicadas, and for just a few minutes, the world was awash in color. By the end of August, the Indian summers are pink-washed with a red-peach color.

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Categories
portraits

Cj’s Bust

This sculpture encapsulates the essence of three-dimensional space, reflecting years of thoughtful exploration into planes, dimensions, forms, and structures. It represents a heartfelt evolution from a simple drawing to a vibrant, living piece of art. As I added clay, the change from a flat image to one that expresses mass, and volume became a deeply personal journey. This transformation generated weight and shadows, evoking a profound connection. In moments of diminished light, the perception shifts beautifully, showcasing how dynamic this art form can be. Yet, throughout this endeavor, the commitment to realism has remained paramount, capturing the true essence of CJ.

I embarked on this project last year and spent three intense months truly understanding his gaze. I meticulously photographed him from every angle, ensuring that every detail conveyed his spirit in the most authentic way.

In the end, I opted for plaster of Paris, taking advantage of the warm summer months to work in my backyard while keeping things tidy. It had been quite a while since I sculpted CJ’s bust, and the satisfaction I derived from the process still fills me with joy. The work was delicate; I vividly remember accidentally chipping part of his ear and needing time to remember how to fix it. I eventually found some spackle designed for wall patches that worked perfectly to restore his ear to its original charm.

My brother also suggested casting the sculpture in resin, like the techniques used in prosthetics or film transformations. Although it can be a bit pricey. I genuinely believe it would be a worthwhile investment, bringing this piece to life in an even more remarkable way!

Cjs Bust

Cj's Bust

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Categories
Blog posts

The Harvest

This essay examines how symbols of fertility, cycles, and femininity are embodied in representations of the harvest and the female figure. Longer days bring sunny weather this summer, and new opportunities full of life and happiness. The main idea is the golden harvest, with the figure as its strength. Being in a desert does not mean it is not fertile. After a long, dry winter, it appears as something new: life. Moving from chaos to order and back again, it keeps changing.

The bark holds the figure, and the symbols carved on it form an endless vision. These symbols include spirals representing the cycle of life and renewal, small grains signifying abundance and hope, and a sun design symbolizing light and growth. Each mark is chosen to connect with traditions where nature, cycles, and femininity are key themes. The female figure is the support of the house. Let’s remember Willendorf: the bigger the figure, the better the harvest, and the more fruitful. (Dixson & Dixson, 2011)

As the fall season is the most important, marked by community feasts, food gathering, and celebrations. Let us give thanks for a new harvest. (Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast, n.d.)

Equally, in the same way these carvings, the depiction of figures—especially those that appear intertwined with or emerging from the wood—can symbolize the inseparable relationship between humans and the natural world.

As a whole, the sign here is that the female seems trapped by, attached to, or holding the tree. Without realizing it, I was creating designs, and now she seems to be facing backward.

THE HARVEST

THE HARVEST SIZE 30″x40″ OIL, MIX MEDIA