6"x6" Collaborative

Cover for Fig Magazine

Collaboratives are fun! A few months ago PCAD sent out a call for submission. They supplied a 6"x6" stretched canvas and gave us the theme "Personalities from Lancaster". PCAD will be hanging the submissions of over 30 artists in their permanent collection. In addition, Fig Magazine will be publishing a number of these paintings in their fall edition. The image above is the cover of the up coming issue.

I always find it exciting to see the different interpretations and methods in a collaborative effort.

Distelfink Girl

This is a sketch for a current project involving personalities from Lancaster county. It will be featured in a local magazine and gallery show at PCAD along with several other artists interpretations. I've had the itch to create something with hex sign elements and snagged the opportunity to incorporate these symbols into a profile portrait. Distelfink is Pennsylvania Dutch (German) for Golden Finch. Depending on the number of them and how they are interacting the meaning behind them can vary. The basic idea is good luck and harmony. I'll be sure to post the final when finished.

Graphite on Vellum

Patchwork Girl

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This illustration was created for two purposes. Kind of like shooting two birds with one stone. First, Amy Smith, an old friend of mine, became involved with a charity drive for Domestic Violence Services of Lancaster County dvslanc.org. There was a call for entries for donations which I gladly submitted a few pieces for. This one I created specifically with the event in mind. In addition to the event I had another "paint off" deadline with the "Yow Experiment" on facebook. This is a group of University of the Arts illustration graduates dedicated to creating a piece within a bi-monthly deadline. I used collage elements of natural items as well as fabrics and tapestries in addition to the painting of the face.

Shoo-Fly Pie

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This is a little ode to home. Growing up in Lancaster County I stuffed myself with whoopie pies, shoo fly pies and chicken pot pie. Here I cut a piece out (the rest went to my students) set it on a white background with a strong light. It's tough trying to give each brown a character of it's own but I think I managed all right for an hour painting. Next time I think I'm going to have to paint some wilbur buds.....now that's directly from my hometown of Lititz. Mmmmmm.