More Images of Current Work

Our next and newest show opens this Friday, April 1, 2016, 7 to 10pm at the Las Manos Gallery Space, 1515 W. Foster Ave, Chicago.

Michael McGuire - Untitled Watercolor (Klee Study 3) - Watercolor on Paper - 9.5" x 6.5"

Michael McGuire - Red/Gray City - Acrylic Paint on Archival Mat Board - 40" x 30"

Michael McGuire - Blue/Orange City - Acrylic Paint on Archival Mat Board - 40"x30"

Michael McGuire - Building Study - India Ink on Watercolor Paper - 11"x8.5"

New Show at Las Manos - April 1, 2016

This Weekend

I have six painted  12x12 inch panels in gray with a diagonal line running through them. I was continually rearranging them until I decided to do a few explorations in Photoshop. A faster way to generate configurations before I make additional panels. I cannot decide which arrangement makes sense.

Michael McGuire - 6 Gray Panels - Acrylic Paint on Panel - 12 x 12" each

Variation 1

Variation 2

Variation  3

And I have donated my "Pink Egg Carton Tower" to Ferrer Foundation. There was an event on Thursday at Norcross and Scott, and the tower is in the store for sale. All proceeds from this piece will go to the Ferrer Foundation which serves young persons in the Chicago area. Check out their website at FerrerFoundation.org. Or learn more Norcross and Scott at norcrossandscott.com.

 And finally, I'm working on a large commission this weekend. Four Drawings from my "City" series. Three days in I'm somewhere near the half way point, still fine tuning the overall scope. I kept count today and I drew 61'buildings'. Those are new Michelle Peterson Albandoz pieces above my drawings.

New Work This Week

I'm in the studio almost every day this month - it is such a good time of year to hunker down and work. Bouncing around from idea to idea a bit. But why not explore?

Watercolors From Puerto Rico

It was a month ago today that I celebrated my birthday in Puerto Rico. And today in the depths of January, it seems like a good moment to reflect back on the time I spent there, and the work I produced.

I took a small set of Windsor Newton watercolors with me. It contained only thirteen colors and white and I thought this vacation would be a good chance to explore a little color theory. I was of course inspired by the light of the beach and ocean in Puerto Rico. Below is a photo I made one morning sitting at the beach-side tables in front of out guesthouse.

The guesthouse is called Numero Uno and is located in the Ocean Park neighborhood of San Juan.

Which made me think of Richard Diebenkorn and his series of paintings titled 'Ocean Park.

Richard Diebenkorn - Ocean Park #79 - 1975

My homages to Diebenkorn. Watercolor on Arches Paper - 12" x 9"

I would work during the middle of the day. Sitting outside my room, protected by a wall from the sun and the wind.

I would got out to the beach periodically, to swim, or to make a panoramic photo

The work became a bit more simplified as I the days went on. I felt like I had jumped in to quickly, and need to explore a few basics, both in terms of watercolor technique and color theory. Below are a few more pieces I made, roughly in chronological order. All are in my studio here in Chicago.

'Mute Object' Drawings Dwindle Down

There has been a bit of interest in the last of the 'Mute Object' series of drawings since I have been back from my trip to Puerto Rico. Although I'm gratified by the interest in this body of work, I'm sorry to see fewer of these drawings in my hands. They really cannot be remade - I'm not sure I remember how I got the background color. The next iteration promises to be a whole new series. Below are a few of the photos I have been sending to clients, most of whom live outside of Chicago.

Three 'Tower' Drawings - India Ink, Acrylic Paint, Arches Watercolor Paper - 40"h x 26"w

Two 'Mute Object' Drawings - India Ink, Acrylic Paint, Arches Watercolor Paper - 40"h x 26"w

One Remaining in a Frame

A quick photo I sent my NYC client.

One left in indigo.

Two Quick Studies for a Triptych