Recent Commissions

It has been a week full of commissions. That is good new in terms of the rent, but sometimes bad news in terms of creative output. But not always, and this week turned out to be quite worthwhile.

A return to the indigo drawings that some refer to as 'Winter Lake' pieces. There was a happy accident and the top portion of the indigo watercolor and it came out quite wonderfully. Perhaps I can make that accident happen again?

Michael McGuire - Untitled Drawing - Watercolor and Acrylic Paint on Arches Paper - 40'' x 26''

The next three commissions all relate directly to drawings I have made in the past. The good new is that in the course of making each one many new ideas occurred to me. Perhaps I did not initially fully explore each of these concepts. And it is interesting to me that each of these could be seen as an interpretation of the architecture and urban scheme of Chicago.

Michael McGuire - Untitled Drawing - Acrylic Paint on Arches Paper - 40'' x 26''

Michael McGuire - Untitled Drawing (Triple Cross 2) - Acrylic Paint on Arches Paper - 40'' x 26''

Michael McGuire - Girder and Panel 18 - India Ink on Arches Paper - 40'' x 26''

This final commission is a throwback to my architectural school days. I was not entirely comfortable in the process, too tight, too much preparatory drawing. But there are some aspects of the results that evoke some of my favorite illustrators and graphic novelists. Not likely to repeat this on any time soon.

Michael McGuire - Empire State Building - Acrylic Paint on Arches Paper - 36'' x 24''

A Few New Drawings

I have been sending images to interested parties via email today, and as long as I have the images somewhat prepared, I will share them here too. Not a lot of work made this week, I spent a few days in Michigan, and spent more time at the beach and swimming in the lake than making work. I love September around Lake Michigan, the lake is at its' best. But I do have a few new things, and I will be busy this weekend with commissions and urgent ideas.

New This Week - First Week of September 2016

A few 'Foliage' studies made over this past weekend. I went to Michigan for a couple days and was inspired by the late summer foliage. I was so green and the foliage so lush, like no summer in recent memory  - the grass stayed green all summer.  In addition it has been a very noise Cicada season, not a full 17 year cycle, but some minor cycle, and they are loud. But that is a nostalgic sound for me. Reminds me of summers in Madison Wisconsin. Late summer nights, riding bikes....

Michael McGuire - Untitled Foliage Study - India Ink on Arches Paper - 26'' x 40'' inches

Michael McGuire - Small Foliage Study 1 - India Ink on Arches Paper - 20'' x 26'' inches

Michael McGuire - Small Foliage Study 2 - India Ink on Arches Paper - 20'' x 26'' inches

 And then in the studio I have been drawing white grids on watercolor paper that I had sprayed with India Ink to get uneven surfaces. I'm playing with various configurations and using a smaller nib on the paint marker. The tightest grids (upper right and lower left) become almost pure pigment.

Michael McGuire - Untitled - India Ink, Acrylic Paint on Arches - 40'' x 26''