My Random Art Journal
Because, I'm an artist and I don't think like everyone else.
Hey friends,
I’ve taken this platform to experiment and try to make this more fun for me to write. So here goes…
I like hearing from everyone that they read these posts and keep updated with the work. But from the outside looking in, I’m pretty boring. In fact, one of my students said I have a great voice for putting people to sleep. Wow. Such honesty and they didn’t even mean it to be insulting! So what to do? At my current state of self improvement, I would say, let’s improve my speaking capabilities so I don’t put people to sleep! So, I’m looking to do some videos in which I will put a focus on improving my oration and presentations skills. My Youtube has taken a hit on my goals and I am hoping to revive it after this winter lapse and being sick.
As some of you know, it’s been a rough winter with back injuries, colds and family stuff. Maybe that’s why I’m looking at the coming of warmer weather with so much optimism! Speaking of optimism, I can’t wait for Ted Lasso season 4! If there was one show that I cared to watch during Covid, Ted Lasso was it. For me it was the beacon of light that people can be better towards others and still be optimistic when faced with adversity.
Below is a smattering of various work that I’m involved in:
The first came about because one of my students mixed an excessive amount of paint that become a cool mud. They were upset at wasting paint, and I assured them, I could make use of it. This is a portrait of Kaitlin Koch who sings a beautiful rendition of of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man”.
The next is a limited color palette painting I did for my evening painting class. Demonstrating how to mix colors with just primary colors. Ultramarine Blue, Cadmium Red Light, Cadmium Yellow and of course, Titanium White. The chroma is a little subdued because I’m using Cobra water soluble oils, which I have to say is one of the best solvent free solutions out there. Royal Talens makes their Cobra paints really buttery with consistency. (Hey if anyone from Royal Talens reads this and wants to sponsor me, hit me up! 🤪). I’m not done with this and may end up destroying it in the process of trying to get it to feel complete.
This last painting was of Red Wing Park’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival. I left out the crowds of people with the exception of one of the ladies wearing a kimono and serving free tea. I was not in the best mood when painting this as I had been choking on a piece of bbq that would not go down. So suffice to say, I soldiered on until it finally went down. By then, the painting was pretty much full auto pilot and I wasn’t happy with where I stopped at. This will under go a major overhaul soon, or die a glorious death in the pursuit of greatness.
Here’s another flashback digital painting. I forgot when I did this, but I feel confident that it was shortly after making my first digital brush with Procreate.
Here’s a close up detail.
In other news, I’ve finally begun the ultimate sound system for my living room. It’s been some time in the making, but I have two pairs of Bose 901s and a pair of Klipsch 12inch subwoofers. My vintage JVC quad stereo is out for repair along with the Bose EQ. Once they are repaired, I will shop for a fun amplifier to drive them. There is something fun about customizing a stereo system that none of today’s plug and play systems allow. I love Apple products, but the Homepod was a hard “NO” when I had the opportunity to get one. There was no customization with older stereos. I’ve managed to find some great gear and have learned a lot about sound systems in the pursuit of a fun high fidelity sound system!
Until next week!
Doug
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2025 Pulp Series Calendar
