Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
"Putting things into perspective" with pictures, School horse, 25.5" x 19.5", pastel on paper, 2009
I recently took a good look at this drawing after a couple of years and saw it in a whole new light...I realized what it was about. It's not about accuracy and anatomic model....instead, it's full of personal symbolism. When I shifted gears in my art career, I wanted to paint from "within" and find a true voice, this became kind of a "therapeutic catalyst" for things that I could not understand or express otherwise..Here, I think..I am speaking about my divorce and the mixed emotions and struggles that come with the whole life altering mess...I needed some more clarity, and my artwork and creative process helped me find some resolve or acceptance in these life changes that I had no control over. I think that visual metaphor and dreams are very powerful and can give clues and answers to our individual questions and kind of "put things into perspective". So pick up those art supplies and see what can manifest and materialize. 
Saturday, August 13, 2011
You know I really like blue, "Bluefield Street" Detail, 48" x 48"
These are of the horses that I conjure up in my imagination, a bit primitive and whimsical, always a metaphor for something I suppose...not gonna get too introspective...I just like blue. Sold
Saturday, August 6, 2011
"Dancing Horses Green", 30" x 40", mixed media, acrylic on canvas
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| Dancing Horses, 30"w x 40"h, acrylic on canvas, Andrew Portwood Copyright 2015 |
"Verde", 14" x 17", charcoal & pastel on paper, Andrew Portwood Artist
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| "Verde", 14" x 17", charcoal on pastel on paper, Andrew Portwood copyright 2009 |
This is a simple, stylized sketch with charcoal and a touch of green and red. These sketches usually are work-ups to a painting, or a way to put down an idea before it evaporates!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Gestural figure sketches
I've been working on some new things over the past weeks and okay, I have also taken a much needed break, and had some relaxing holiday fun in the wonderful Atlanta Spring weather too. This is a sampling of new pieces coming out of the studio; Lots of charcoal figure sketches that I am in the process of framing (I'll post some pics of the finished results here), and some acrylic and oil on canvas in large format sizes.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Gone Figure Drawing, 18" x 24"
Well, I 've made a real effort in the past two weeks to "get out there" and do something different, I have signed up for some local figure drawing sessions here in Atlanta, and have had some pretty good results. The Cobb Museum of Art in Marietta on the square and The Bohemian Circus at The Apache Cafe on 3rd Street. Drawing from nature is always good practice , keeps your fundamental skills sharp by keeping you grounded academically. What I mean is this; as artist's, we learn by habit, and you can get stuck by drawing in your comfort zone too often. Things can get stale and rehearsed, so drawing from nature, be it landscape or figure, forces you to test yourself and follow a new map. You can't argue with anatomy and proportion, it's good for you too. Drawing from life(nature) means everything you see in front of you is accurate, the light and shadows and proportion, not like a photograph, there is 3 dimensional depth to account for. Anyway, it was refreshing and kind of like going back to school without trying to explain why and I intend to make drawing and painting from life more of a ritual practice to keep the skills in tune. Of course I am still going to draw from memory because that's where the artist's personal music is playing.
I definitely recommend checking out either of the venues listed above.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
The Big Snow in Atlanta
Hey, I thought I would post these shots I took the night the snow came a few weeks ago. I stayed late working on the computer at the coffee shop (you know, free wifi) and I came outside around 10:30 and shushed up to the studio and grabbed the camera, the streets were empty and all was quiet. I love the light of the streetlamps in the haze of the falling snow.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
"Mr. Bird Said", 20" x20" Oil on canvas
I guess this one is reminiscent of when I was illustrating Children's books and literature...similar to some of my book illustrations, seen here- very narrative...make up your own story, I can't tell you what it's about. Although, I would say it's about being lost and asking for directions, because you have a passenger in distress, and it's getting dark and cold and you're looking for some shelter- at least until it get's light. OK, maybe I can tell you what this picture is about after all. That's the wonderful fulfillment one get's from painting & drawing and creating from your imagination..there is a lot of pretending and playacting that goes into it because you have to visualize it with your mind's eye just like when you were a child playing in the yard. You have to feel it as if you were there and then build it using perspective and form and expression, and create a sense of space and place. It's never quite right, but fun trying to create that imaginary place that you see in the recesses of your memory, it's a little fuzzy and out of focus, but we try to nail it down. I think that all artist's can relate to that struggle...chasing that illusive vision.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
New painting, mixed media on wood panel
Here is a new equine piece titled The Crimson Prince. It measures 24" x 30", lots of color, and it comes with a frame... which I will post a photo of later.
Friday, January 7, 2011
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