A Few Color Photograhs From Puerto Rico

Just Back From Puerto Rico

I have a new camera and shot quite a bit on my recent trip to Puerto Rico. Below are a few black and white photos, with flash, emphasizing the graphic nature of the security gates that most buildings sport in San Juan. Beautiful, and yet a clear sign of the state of the Puerto Rican economy. I felt as safe there as I do in Chicago, but the urban infrastructure has taken a beating, both from the environment (tropical), and the financial situation.

Spot My Work In The New Cassina Showroom

 I recently sold a few drawings to Cassina for their new showroom in New York (Thank You Lydia!). Nice coverage at Dezeen.com. Here is the link.

http://www.dezeen.com/2015/12/11/patricia-urquiola-overhauls-cassina-midtown-manhattan-new-york-showroom-usa/

No photo credits given online but the photos are great. Here are the two that feature my work.

New Collage

I've had these cut and inked pieces of mat board in the studio for a year now. This weekend I had a little time to finally glue them down to a large sheet of acid free 'Crescent' board. I made the compositon a month ago and them had to suddenly put it away for an event in the gallery. Fortunately, at that time I made a photo for reference and was able to piece it back together yesterday. Then spent yesterday and today trimming and gluing. I had forgotten the things I enjoy about work of this type: the overall graphic qualities, the unexpected juxtapositions, the staunchly abstract nature of the piece. The reference abound - visitors in the gallery today mentioned 'Hundertwasser' and 'Mondrian'. I think of a variety of fabric arts, and for some reason Corbusier. The photo shows the collage mounted on the untrimmed mat board, to be trimmed at a later time. Can be rotated to any orientation.

Michael McGuire - Untitled Collage - India Ink on Archival Mat Board - Collage Size 17.75"H x 49.5"W

Untitled Plane Studies

New Drawing - Sunday, November 8, 2015

Untitled - India Ink, Acrylic Paint,, Arches Watercolor Paper - 40"x26"

New Drawings - October 24, 2015

Michael McGuire-Untitled Collage-Cardboard, India Ink, Acrylic Paint, Archival Mat Board- 40"h x 30"w

Michael McGuire-Untitled Drawings-Arches Watercolor Paper, India Ink, Acrylic Paint-40"h x 26"w each

Preview of Andersonville Arts Weekend - Opening This Friday, October 9, 2015

Invite

Michael McGuire - Untitled Panels - 18"h x 12"w each

Michael McGuire - Untitled Panels - 18"h x 12"w each

Michael McGuire - Untitled Panels - 18"h x 12"w each

Michelle Peterson Albandoz - Untitled Columns

Michelle Peterson Albandoz - Untitled Columns

Michelle Peterson Albandoz - Untitled Columns

Andersonville Arts Weekend - Oct. 9, 2015

LasManosGallery.blogspot.com

Las Manos will be participating in the 13th annual Andersonville Arts Weekend, October 9,10 and 11. Please join us for an opening reception/party on Friday, October 9 to celebrate the kick-off. All of Andersonville will be hosting artists throughout the weekend and Friday night is 'The Night of a Thousand Parties', where most business showcase an artist and put on a little party. At Las Manos Michelle promises a new series of recycled wood pieces, and maybe an installation. Brian Schutz continues his exploration of abstracted architectural models, now encompassing darker tones into his paper and frames. I am working on a series of 12 x 18 inch panels in black and white, and will make some crazy installation out of those. The gallery looks amazing and the back courtyard is still very green, perfect place for a cocktail. Scout, around the corner, is planning to have two very talented artists, and they always put on a good party, so there are two fun events to get your evening started.  Did I mention how many new restaurants have opened in the neighborhood this summer? Hope you can make it to Andersonville and Las Manos on Friday, October 9. See you at 7pm.

Three Days in Michigan

I was able to get out of Chicago for a few days earlier this week. My friends Kathy, Jeff, his dog Toby, and I all drove over to southeastern shore of Lake Michigan for a little R and R, and a little work. In fact we worked diligently - both at the cottage in Hagar Shores and at the beach each afternoon. I brought along some penciled in grids and spent some time coloring in the triangles as a color study.

There was some charcoal on the sand left over from beach fires. I found it interesting from both a sculptural perspective, and eventually we used it as a material for drawing. Kathy and I had fun making this grid while exploring the various charcoal marks.

Charcoal Study

Watercolor based upon my visit to Michigan.

 A sketchbook page from the ride up to Michigan. Toby and I in the back seat.

Jeff's painting from the beach on Monday.

Jeffrey Janson - Untitled - Oil on Panel - approx 10"h x 8"w

Kathy's color study from the beach on Wednesday.

Kathryn Trumbull Fimreite - Untitled Color Study - Paint Marker, on Board

Girder and Panel #16

A new drawing, a reworking of an older idea, but as I am making this drawing I am reminded of a toy I had as a young boy. It was called 'Kenner, Girder and Panel Building Set'. It is clear from the illustrations how this building set worked. The manipulations were not particularly difficult but the permutations were endless. It is easy to imaging the geometry inherent to this toy influenced my interest in architectural drawing and the drawings I make to this day.

New Collage

I cut apart and older drawing (2011) that had a bit of water damage to one edge. I made each of the pieces 3.25 inches square knowing I would most likely use a grid format to reposition them. This is the result. I did break the grid in three areas, but not by very much. The materials are India Ink on Bristol paper on Arches watercolor paper and PVA glue. Dimensions are 40h x 26w in inches.

Untitled-India Ink, Bristol Paper, Arches Watercolor Paper, PVA Glue-40x26 inches

While We Are Dicussing Watercolors....

...I'd like to post one more photo. This is a large scale watercolor I made earlier in the month. It is derived from the mark I use in the skies of some of 'Lake' watercolors. It is a useful exercise for me, working on color relationships and mixing greys.

Untitled (Color Study) -Watercolor on Arches Paper - 40"h x 26"w

Four New Watercolors

I had the urge to remake watercolors of this type. I'm using better paper, and the watercolor is Windsor Newton Indigo straight out of the tube. I make a quick pencil sketch before I begin adding the color, and the hand and wrist are still evident in the finished drawing. I don't know where they are all going, but migrations and mass exoduses are on my mind.

Untitled - Watercolor on Arches Paper - 20"h x 13"w each

Cardboard and Staple Piece

Not a new piece, but just returned to me. I was very much thinking of textiles at the time I made this construction, and the repairs and irregularities are still very appealing to me. Each cardboard square is cut from recycled cereal boxes, and measures about two inches square. Over all dimensions: 72 x 42 inches. It may be challenging to frame.

Untitled - Recycled Cardboard, Staples - 72 x 42 inches

Detail