All Seven Collages

India Ink, recycled cereal boxes, bristol paper. Each piece 12 x 18 inches.

June Show at Las Manos Gallery

Below is the text in the email I sent out with this announcement. "Dear Friends, It has become a tradition, Michelle Peterson Albandoz and Myself in Las Manos Gallery during Andersonville's Midsommarfest and the month of June. It's happening again this year, and I'm very excited about the show. You will find the announcement with a couple photos attached to this e-mail I will be showing an assortment of works on paper. Much of my spring was devoted creating collages, and even I am surprised by the range of the work. I also throw in a few architecturally derived drawings to mix things up. Michelle will be showing some of her newest wood constructions including a series of four pieces built on recycled wood palettes. They look amazing. In addition to Michelle and Myself, Tricia Rumbolz promises some new 'drawings' and Mieke Zuderwig has been making some very interesting modernist ceramic sculptures. There is a very nice synergy between the four of us and it should make for a fantastic show. We are opening the show on Friday, June 8, 2012, with a reception that begins at 7pm and run until 10. The Andersonville Midsommarfest will be getting an early kickoff that evening with live music ('Sixteen Candles' and a DJ) at the stage at Balmoral, but the rest of Clarks Street will be open to cars and pedestrians, and it should make for a fun evening. If you can't make it Friday night stop by during Midsommarfest, June 9 and 10, or some other day during the month of June, I can still be found in the gallery on Sundays. Looking forward to seeing you, Michael"

41 Train Rides # 18

Took the Red Line home last night from Bryn Mawr to Addison after a PFLAG benefit at T's on Clark St. On the train, the gentleman in front of me was working in a small sketchbook. Of course I could not resist, and engaged him in conversation. I asked for a peek and he showed me a series of stylized character studies made with a technical pencil. They were unique and well done, and the fact that they were in the sketchbook format made the collection more compelling. Working in a sketchbook is such a important practice, and what one has once the sketchbook is finished is a great artifact - relatively easy to store, wonderful to look at over time. And, drawing on the train, a sign of dedicated artist.

2 Small Collages

India ink on recycled cereal boxes. Images size 7 x 10 inches. Paper size 11 x 20. I'm enjoying working with these recycled cereal boxes. The material is inexpensive (free), the surface takes the ink in an unexpected and slightly uncontroled way, and the colors are warm neutrals with a surprising range of tones to them. I started by saving only the boxes of cereal I had consumed, but the material was accumulating too slowly, and I do not need one more reason to eat more 'Cocoa Krispies', the best cereal ever invented. I now daily peruse the service areas of my mid-rise building where the recycle bins are located. There is one on every floor, there are seventeen floors, and I take advantage of the climb to get in a little exercise. But there is something I really like about the material. It very much reminds me of the dry cleaning cardboard that came out of my fathers laundered dress shirts. It was a cherished commodity in my home for arts and crafts. white with rounded corners, eight by ten in dimension, it was infrequently available and did not remain unused for very long.

Three New 'Lake' Water Colors

Straight out of the watercolor sketchbook. Each painting 5 x 13 inches untrimmed.

New Drawings on Lined Paper

New Tulip Drawings

I had a client this week that was looking for some 'floral' drawings. I didn't have any on hand, but said I did, and cranked out some tulip drawings this week. The client purchased one, it's on its way to New York, but these three remain. A bit tighter than my usual work, but I really got into the veins of the leaves. I could have pushed them a bit further, but played it safe. My homage to spring.