Illustration Friday - "Magnify"

Illustration Friday - "Caution"

For this week's theme of "Caution" I'm using a piece I've been looking for an excuse to use for a long time. There are times those paying attention to me may think I act on impulse, but it's really the result of a lot of thought and planning, and consequently, caution. This piece has more to do with not allowing caution to paralyze one into inaction. That said, over-reaction can be just as bad.
That probably comes off as a very cautious statement.

Roosters, continued

"Caligula", 16 in. by 20 in., acrylic on canvas.

"Nero", 18 in. by 14 in., acrylic on canvas.

These are a couple more of the paintings for "Emperors and Roosters", at Norwood Flynn Gallery in Dallas, Tx. The show opens with a reception 6 pm - 8:30 pm, Saturday, September 12, and ends October 10. Pysanky eggs by Billie Giese and paintings of neon signs by Chris Bingham will also be exhibited at the gallery.
Below is a very entertaining press release written about the show by writer/artist Kim Alexander.

Ask any rooster about Norwood Flynn Gallery’s latest show, “Emperors & Roosters,” and he’ll tell you that the title is redundant. Not only do the roosters of Ray-Mel Cornelius take credit for the sunrise, they aim to outstrip it in color and clout. Jutting Henry VIII chins and Elvis bellies, they wield the authority of a long standing rural tradition of hierarchies and small-time dynasties. These Texas kings seem also to have bartered for foreign brides, Polish princesses who’ve delivered heirs in the form of Pysanky eggs. Using a traditional Polish/Ukrainian style, Austin artist Billie Giese paints eggs as symbols of hope and resurrection in a language of beautifully layered dyes and strategically applied bee’s wax. These royal lines are, in turn, heralded by the next best thing to natural signs and wonders. Chris Bingham’s portraits of dying neon signs, painted in gouache and watercolor are a prophetic counterpoint to Giese’s hope-filled eggs, solemn remnants of a day when haughty little kings once roamed more freely.
- Kim Alexander

R.I.P., Elvis

Illustration Friday - "Wrapped"

As a contribution for the subject of "Wrapped", this was commissioned many years ago by a magazine for an article on new communications potential and how it was being held back by old communications technology.
A precocious student in one of my classes once told me the image was inaccurate, because those kinds of poles and wires were now strictly for electricity, not telephones. I had to explain that some imagery is intended for symbolic meaning, not to be taken literally.

The Rooster Show

I'm working on a gallery show of roosters, titled "Emperors and Roosters", for Norwood Flynn Gallery in Dallas, Tx. The opening is September 12, 6 pm - 8:30 pm. The show will run until October 10.
Here are four of the paintings thus far.

"Trajan", 14" by 18", acrylic on canvas.

"Hill Rooster 1", 10" by 8", acrylic on canvas.

"Hill Rooster 2", 10" by 10", acrylic on canvas.

"Hill Rooster 3", 12" by 9", acrylic on canvas.

Illustration Friday - "Impatience"

I'm impatient with the ignorance and fear on display in people who are easily manipulated. There will always be cynics who do the manipulating, but their practices should be called out for what they are and what they are really up to.