Finito Pt. 2 and The Next Painting

I couldn’t leave well enough alone...because "well enough" just isn't good enough for me. So, I let the painting sit for a week and I retooled John's face, which was the only part about this painting that didn't please me. Now I think I can actually let it rest and put the varnish on top.

My next painting is one I sketched out on canvas about 13 years ago. Yup...13 years ago. I can either complain about how slow I am or be happy that I am finally getting to it (i'll choose the latter!). This will be one of the towers of the West Baden Springs Hotel.



You can see photos of this historic resort on my West Baden webpage.

It sure feels good to be painting again. For more Daveland art, visit my main website

Finito

After a marathon session that began early this morning, I can now say that I am finished on this painting. I am very pleased with how Lana turned out; I am liking John G. better than I did last night, but still can’t say that I really nailed it on his likeness. His face has gotten to a point that it is just about overworked, so the brush is down and this one has gone up on my virtual art gallery for sale. I am also including some closeups of the painting. What’s next? I will throw in what I hope will be a "quick" architectural painting before I do one of Audrey Hepburn.





For more Daveland art, visit my main website.

Frustration

I spent all day (literally...all day) yesterday reworking and trying to finish this painting. I am really happy with all...except for John Garfield. He is just not coming together. Hopefully a night's sleep and a fresh perspective this morning will help me finish it.

For more Daveland art, visit my main website.

An American in Paris

As I was scanning some of my old negatives, I came across this shot of a painting I did back in 1999, showing Gene Kelly in his harlequin costume from the MGM Musical “An American in Paris.” The story of this movie was/is nothing new, but boy is it a feast for the eyes and ears. With the music of the Gershwins and the artistic genius that was Vincente Minnelli, one would be hard pressed not to enjoy this film...not to mention the talents of Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron. One of my favorite sequences is the Beaux Arts Ball that precedes the title’s fantasy ballet. This painting shows Kelly just before his mind drifts off, with Paris in the background. See more of my art at my website.

Ru Paul + Glinda!

Time to pick up the brushes again, as World of Wonder has asked me to do a piece for their upcoming exhibit on RuPaul, who is about to launch the new reality show "Drag Race" (think Project Runway + Drag Queens). When I read that one of RuPaul’s favorite movies was “The Wizard of Oz,” this concept just seemed like a natural. Now that I have the piece "sketched" on my computer, it is time to put the paint on the canvas. This one will be 30" x 36." Stay tuned for the updates! To see more of my art, visit my regular website.

Whatever Happened to Baby Sarah: finished!

IT IS DONE! Looking forward to the opening night this Thursday at World of Wonder. To see more of my art, visit my regular website.

Whatever Happened to Baby Sarah, pt. 2

Lettering is a bitch. What else can I say? World of Wonder is at it again, this time, with an exhibit entitled "HOLLYWOOD D.C: LIGHTS... CAMERA... ELECTION!" With the fine line between celebrity and politics, WOW thought they’d put together an exhibit highlighting some of the wacky possibilities as the two categories blend together. Opening night is October 23rd. Stay tuned! To see more of my art, visit my regular website.

DOLLYPOP! The Exhibit

Last Saturday, Sept. 12 was the spectacular opening night reception for the World of Wonder’s latest exhibit, “Dollypop!”. As you can imagine, the front display windows were busting out with cool Dolly decor:





Co-curators Marc Malkin (1st pic) & Steven Corfe (2nd pic standing with me in front of my "9 to 5" painting) deserve much credit for a fantastic collection of over 30 artists who used a wide-range of materials (from bubble gum to sand to paint) to celebrate the beloved Country Western Diva.





Guests sipped pink champagne (last time I had pink champagne was probably back in college) while perusing the collection.



Dolly didn’t make opening night, however, the next best thing was available and more than happy to pose with all the guests:



Here are three of my faves from the evening:







If you are in the Los Angeles area, be sure to check out the Dollypop! exhibit at World of Wonder on Hollywood Boulevard until October 8th! Meanwhile, just a hop skip and a jump away in downtown Los Angeles, the new musical "9 to 5" has just opened before its big splash on Broadway next spring. Somewhat skeptically, I purchased tickets for today’s matinee and LOVED it! Dolly did an incredible job with the songs/score, and the cast is top notch. Megan Hilty steals the show as Doralee Rhodes (played by Dolly in the original film). Marc Kudisch gives Dabney Coleman a run for the money as Franklin Hart, the sexist egotistical lying hypocritical bigot of a boss in the pink collar ghetto.



To see more of my art, visit my regular website.

Dolly, Warhol, and 9 to 5, Pt. 3

9 to 5 is taking shape; much more to come tomorrow (I hope!), now that my half marathon is over. Be sure to make your way to World of Wonder on Hollywood Boulevard on September 12! To see more of my art, visit my regular website.

Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, pt. 3

This was the third and final painting I did for the Theater on the Square exhibit that featured a scene from the Baby Jane movie. Looking back, I don't know that I would have picked the same source material, as there really isn’t very much arty about this; not to mention Jane’s dress was a total bitch to do—how appropriate!

See more of my art at my main website.

James Dean: Before he was discovered

Although it’s a different look than what the world is used to seeing, I've always enjoyed these early shots of taken of James Dean just as his career was beginning. When I did this, I was experimenting with "metallic" paint; I only used black, white, and copper to produce this. In the right light, the copper gives off a slight shimmer. It’s difficult to blend with, but again, overall, I was happy with the finished result. To see more of my paintings, visit my regular website.

Sad Judy

I first saw this Judy Garland shot on the back cover of Gerald Frank’s Judy biography published in the 70’s. I always thought it was a powerful image and finally put it on canvas a few years back.

See more of my art at my main website.

Vertigo

Today’s post features another one of Hitch’s leading ladies, Kim Novak. Novak was only a one shot deal; a replacement for Vera Miles in the movie “Vertigo.” Visually, this is probably one of my favorite scenes, and one of those that prompts me to attempt to capture it on canvas. My regret now is that I did it 11"x14" instead of larger. Still, I am happy with the result.

See more of my art at my main website.

Tippi Hedren

I think Tippi Hedren is one of the most clasically beautiful women ever to grace the silver screen. Her first two films showed great promise with her as an actress; with Hitchcock guiding EVERY step of the way, it appeared that her future in films was bright. However, due to his obsessiveness with her, their professional relationship unraveled, and her film career has pretty much languished ever since with lackluster performances and bad “B” movies. Still, she has made an amazing transition as a Wildlife Activist, putting an incredible amount of passion into this cause. So, in the meantime, we have a gallery of classic publicity stills that show off the most beautiful Hitchcock “Ice Blonde” on film. I have done many paintings of her, but this is definitely my favorite. Based on a Life Magazine cover, I cranked this one out quickly, which is what happens when I like what I am painting.

To see more of my paintings, visit my regular website.