Moving From Plaster to Concrete: A Studio Update
My paintings usually start with a plaster base on birchboard. Lately I have been covering that plaster with concrete. This new piece is spray paint on concrete on birchboard. Here is what the change means for the work.
Concrete is a harder and cooler surface than plaster. The paint meets it differently, so the color sits differently on the panel.
The first layer of ladybugs is protected under a matte UV coating.
This painting is a work in progress. It is not finished.
Why ladybugs? Ladybugs are a symbol of love, a spot of fortune and a moment of luck. They have always been harbingers of blessings and destroyers of predatory bugs. Five years ago I was working in Oakland and discovered that they show up from October through February, the wet season here. They are fun to find. In 2020, at the height of Covid, I painted a street mural of them to help a business with its outdoor dining. Ladybugs gather in the Oakland hills each winter. Local reporters have covered the swarms at Redwood Regional Park for years. Here are a few articles:
https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Ladybugs-Make-Annual-Pilgrimage-to-Oakland-Park-362873001.html
New work on plaster and concrete is available now, and I am taking commissions. See current originals on the art page or download the catalog from the catalog page.
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