My Art Story
Narrative paintings tell a story, and they along with figural paintings are the focus of my oil paintings. Telling stories through paintings is informed by my past study of literature and writing: I was primarily an academic writer in literature (Slavic Studies and English), but I was not a creative writer, though I did write poems.
60” x 36”
The Story Behind The Tower painting
My narrative paintings have symbolic meaning for me, and they also encourage viewers to see their own stories in them. The Tower (2010) is a large painting inspired by the surrealist artist Giorgio de Chirico. It resulted from working on a series of quickly done sketches that combined a globe, a tree, and a human figure. In retrospect, I see this painting as echoing my past when I turned to more to art for company rather than to people. Though I was free and had the time as a teen and young adult to explore and enjoy to imaginary worlds in sci-fi books and comics, my Tower so to speak, yet I was lonely.
The Story Behind the painting In the World of the Ouroboros
In the World of the Ouroboros uses the symbol of infinity, renewal and rebirth, a snake biting its own tail. In the tangle of giant snakes and undulating forms, a pair of figures have found calm.
To read more about the stories behind my paintings and art, see my book of essays that I have published: https://www.amazon.com/Inner-Journeys-Search-Self-Meditations/dp/1790123488
Orbs.Alluring.Alizarin.Yellow.Ochre
Sunlight.Awakens
Manikin.Spectators
Rebirth in the World of the OuroborosA series of oil paintings that combine the symbol of the ouraboros snake, horns and human figure that were mostly painted at Lill Street Art center in a painting class and open studio between September 2021 and March 2022.
Ending the Ouroboros Snake Series Self-Portraitoil on canvas, 20" x 16", 2022
Ih the World of the Ouroborosoil on canvas, 2021
56" x 30"
56" x 30"
The World of the Ouroboros (green and blue version)oil on canvas, 42" x 36", 2021
Destined for a Long Spell of Sadness, Second, Fiery Versionoil on canvas, 26" x 20", 2021
Destined for a Long Spell of Sadnessoil on canavas, 34" x 20", 2021
The Acrobatoil on canvas, 2021
36" x 26"
36" x 26"
The Test Subject, The Horn and Sickle, diptychoil on canvas, 34" x 20", 2022
Withstanding Internal Splittingoil on canvas, 28" x 24", 2021
Overcoming the Fear of Snakesoil on canvas, 34" x 20", 2021
Balancing Act with the Yin and Yang Ball and Serpentsoil on canvas, 28" x 22", 2021
Greetings with Big Handsoil on canvas, 26" x 22", 2022
The Infinite Spirit of the Oak Treeoil on canvas, 2020
44" x 32"
44" x 32"
Finding Knowledge in the Forest Templeoil on canvas, 2020
44" x 30"
44" x 30"
Evergreen Spirit Awakens at Dawnoil on canvas, 2020-2021
44" x 32"
44" x 32"
Transcending the Gender Divideoil on canvas, 44" x 30"
2020-2021
2020-2021
Casting the Yin and Yang Ball into the Gender Moloch's Mawoil on canvas, 36" x 30", 2021
The Yin and Yang Ball Game Turned Upside Downoil on canvas, 2020
36" x 24"
36" x 24"
Another Sacrifice on the Tip of the Gender Polarizing Monster's Tongueoil on canvas,
40" x 30"
40" x 30"
Playing Catch with the Ying and Yang Balloil on canvas, 40" x 28", 2020.
Dark Awakening at Dusk with the Goatoil on canvas, 30" x 40", 2020
Dark Awakening at Dawn with Owls and Oaksoil on canvas, 28" x 40", 2020
Dark Awakenings Diptychoil on canvas, 2020
No More Sacrifice to the Gender Polarizing Molochoil on canvas, 34" x 20", 2020
Unease in Balancing Genderoil on canvas, 36" x 24", 2019
Facing Stigma (tryptych)Facing Stimga and Lonely Anarchist, 40" x 30", Unease in Balancing Gender, 36" x 24"
Reaching for Honeyoil on canvas, 2017, 50" x 30"
The Portable BurdenThe Portable Burden, 2016
32” x 40”
Oil on canvas
32” x 40”
Oil on canvas
Seeing The Light that Eases the Journey2017-18
Oil on canvas
48" x 38"
Oil on canvas
48" x 38"
Crossing and Carrying the Future Self to FreedomOil on canvas
30" x 40", 2016-2017
30" x 40", 2016-2017
Taking Off The Mask that Enjoys the Nectar of Imaginary Temptations2017-18
Oil on canvas, 48" x 36"
Oil on canvas, 48" x 36"
Installation view of bike paintings and cutoutThis is an installation view of my bike artwork shown at the 23rd Annual Bike Winter Art Show in Chicago at the Hairpin Art Center, 2810 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago; Opening, Friday, February 19, closing, Saturday, February 25, 2022.
Make Streets Safer for CyclistsMixed media cut (spray paint, acrylic, pumice, cardboard cutouts on acardboard primed with black gesso), 2022. This artwork was made for the 23rd Annual Bike Winter Art Show in Chicago.
Touring on a Unicycle in the Land of the Lord of Dreams (Salvia divinorum)acrylic on cardboard, 32" x 22 1/2", 2022. This painting is part of a series The Visionary Bike Trip made for the 23rd Annual Bike Winter Art Show in Chicago.
Penny Farthing Cyclists Seeking Visions in the Desertacrylic on cardboard (primed with black gesso) and varnish coating, 22 1/2" x 32", 2022. This painting is part of a series The Visionary Bike Trip made for the 23rd Annual Winter Bike Art Show in Chicago.
Kick Biking in a Cannabis Fieldacrylic on cardboard (primed with black gesso), 22 1/2" x 32", 2022. This painting is part of a series The Visionary Bike Trip that was made for the 23rd Bike Winter Art Show in Chicago.`
Riding a Hobby Horse in a Poppy Fieldacrylic on cardboard (primed with black gesso) and varnish coating, 32" x 22 1/2", 2022. SOLD. This painting is part of a series, The Visionary Bike Trip, made for the 23rd Bike Winter Art Show in Chicago.
Kick Bikers with a Captive AudienceKick Bikers with a Captive Audience, 2015
30” x 40”
Oil on canvas
30” x 40”
Oil on canvas
Hobby Horse Rider on the Lakefront TrailHobby Horse Rider on the Lakefront Trail, 2016
30” x 36”
Oil on canvas
30” x 36”
Oil on canvas
Racing Unicyclists in the AlpsRacing Unicyclists in the Alps,2016
Oil on canvas
36" x 24"
Oil on canvas
36" x 24"
Penny Farthing RidersPenny Farthing Riders, 2016
Oil on canvas
32" x 40"
Oil on canvas
32" x 40"
Stop In Time for a CyclistStop In Time for a Cyclist, 2015
24” x 36”
Oil on canvas
24” x 36”
Oil on canvas
Bright Dreams On WheelsBright Dreams on Wheels, 2015
48” x 18”
Oil on canvas
48” x 18”
Oil on canvas
Fire Alarm: I didn't start it!oil on canvas, 20" x 16", 2017
The Wood ChopperThe Wood Chopper, 2013
Oil on canvas
60" x 4
Oil on canvas
60" x 4
The Tower2010,oil on canvas
60" x 40"
60" x 40"
Heading For TroubleHeading for Trouble, 2010
42” x 28”
Oil on canvas
42” x 28”
Oil on canvas
Jumble On the MoveJumble On the Move, 2015
Oil on canvas
24" x 30"
Oil on canvas
24" x 30"
On The MoveOn the Move, 2013
30” x 40”
Oil on canvas
30” x 40”
Oil on canvas
The Last Woolly MammothThe Last Woolly Mammoth, 2013
Oil on canvas
40" x 30"
Oil on canvas
40" x 30"
Explosive ForcesExplosive Forces, 2012-15
40” x 48”
Oil on canvas
40” x 48”
Oil on canvas
The FallThe Fall, 2010
Oil on primed paper mounted on foamboard
40" x 26"
Oil on primed paper mounted on foamboard
40" x 26"
The Reader in Quest for KnowledgeThe Reader in Quest for Knowledge, 2011
Oil painting on canvas, 48" x 36"
Oil painting on canvas, 48" x 36"
The Wolf's Gnawing AngerThe Wolfs Gnawing Anger, 2012
Oil on canvas
45" x 45"
Oil on canvas
45" x 45"
Ex-SacrificeAn Ex-Sacrifice, 2012
54” x 40”
Acrylic on canvas
54” x 40”
Acrylic on canvas
Clean Up DutyClean Up Duty, 2011
40” x 30”
Oil on canvas
40” x 30”
Oil on canvas
At OddsAt Odds, 2011
50” x 32”
Oil on canvas
50” x 32”
Oil on canvas
The Fashion Soldier Marching ForwardThe Fashion Soldier Marching Forward, 2011
40” x 26”
Oil on linen
SOLD
40” x 26”
Oil on linen
SOLD
Heading Towards TroubleHeading Towards Trouble, 2010
35.5” x 25.5”
Oil on primed paper mounted on foam board
35.5” x 25.5”
Oil on primed paper mounted on foam board
The Tower On The ShoreThe Tower on the Shore, 2010
42” x 26”
Oil on canvas
42” x 26”
Oil on canvas
Death Birthing Life2011, oil painting
28" x 22"
28" x 22"
Baobab TreesBaobab Trees, 2013
24" x 36" oil
24" x 36" oil
Mammoth HunterMammoth Hunter, 2013
24” x 36”
Oil on canvas
24” x 36”
Oil on canvas
At the PeakAt the Peak, 2013
48” x 18”
Oil on canvas
SOLD
48” x 18”
Oil on canvas
SOLD
The Modernist Tower uneven stac of blocks in black and white and grayThe Modernist Tower
40” x 26”
Acrylic on primed paper mounted on foam board
40” x 26”
Acrylic on primed paper mounted on foam board
Guarding Freedom?Guarding Freedom?, 2012
40” x 22”
Oil on canvas
40” x 22”
Oil on canvas
Tormented DesireTormented Desire, 2012
24” x 36”
Oil on canvas
24” x 36”
Oil on canvas
The Losing HandThe Losing Hand, 2012
40” x 60”
Oil on canvas
40” x 60”
Oil on canvas
Copy of Blindman's Buff by Max BeckmannCopy of Max Beckmann’s Blindman’s Bluff, 2012
68” x 60”
Oil on canvas
68” x 60”
Oil on canvas
The Assassination of Zapata, copy of Jose Clemente OrozcoThe Assassination of Zapata, 2010
Copy of Jose Orozco’s painting from 1930
28” x 20”
Oil on canvas
Copy of Jose Orozco’s painting from 1930
28” x 20”
Oil on canvas
Three DoorsThree Doors, 2013
24” x 36”
Oil on canvas
SOLD
24” x 36”
Oil on canvas
SOLD
Working On the TowerWorking On the Tower, 1981
48” x 24”
Acrylic on canvas
[On Long Term Display]
48” x 24”
Acrylic on canvas
[On Long Term Display]
El Greco St Francis and the BeggarCopy of an El Greco painting attributed to his students
St Francis and the Beggar (c 1597-1599)
oil on linen 44" x 28"
St Francis and the Beggar (c 1597-1599)
oil on linen 44" x 28"
An Uneasy AllianceAn Uneasy Alliance, 2012
30” x 40”
Oil on canvas
30” x 40”
Oil on canvas
Waiting for a FriendWaiting For a Friend, 2013
46” x 52”
Oil on canvas
SOLD
46” x 52”
Oil on canvas
SOLD
On GuardOn Guard, 2013
24” x 36”
Oil on canvas
SOLD
24” x 36”
Oil on canvas
SOLD
Lost in ThoughtLost in Thought, 2013
24” x 36”
Oil on canvas
24” x 36”
Oil on canvas
