Developing A Musician in Plein Air

 

Just so you know... this guy is still in progress.  His proportions are finally correct.

Construction of FDR

FDR 1

FDR 2 w/ Fala Ghosted In

FDR3 w/ Stars & Stripes

 

Big Boys: FDR & Fala, by MG Stout, Acrylic, Pastel & Charcoal on Post

Sorta Mission Statement

Personal ambition: To visit each major city in the United States and render that imagery onto each city’s newspaper.

Why use newspaper? 

a)  to preserve and safeguard a historically significant document

b)  the material is conversant with the images being depicted 

Newspapers have been the connective tissue keeping communities linked in and informed for ages.  Enter the World Wide Web. It is rapidly shifting how we get our information and changing the physical landscape as well. We are becoming more and more paperless.  Virtual communication is rapidly replacing newspapers and face time with twenty-four hour ticker lines and texts.  YIKES!

These works are a celebration of community and the newspapers that unite them.   

With pastel and charcoal I depict everyday moments, from families touring local monuments to dilapidated buildings.  I have successfully captured moments in our nation’s capitol  with expressive lines and vibrant colors.  The response to this series has been overwhelming.  Of the original 74 pieces included in my book, 36 have been sold and a few are now in the Securities Exchange Commission art collection.   

When  people visit my studio I am always surprised when they ask, “so when are you coming to Chicago… New York…Miami?” Soon, is my response because my gaze is fixed on Philly.  

Pumping The Breaks on Painting

Super Big Feet of MGS - File Photo

  Today I declare NO JOY! 

As much as I hate cataloguing inventory it must be done as my publisher eagerly awaits.

 I have created over sixty paintings in the past three weeks for this book.  The pieces are high octane!  Each work is brimming with social commentary and capture the intensity of the District of Columbia  with color and line.  I am so proud and excited to share this book with all of you.

Next on the TO DO list is:

Write a few little ditties about my favorite pieces

Write my book dedication

Elaborate a bit on how the series came to be

FedEX the images

Have a bucket of Wine!

Five Paintings Painted Today

I am a painting machine.  The REAL Life Drawing Project has transformed me into a painting maniac.  I have to get all the images done by the end of this week for my publisher.  Here is a sneak peek...

Homeless Hero   Acrylic, Pastel & Charcoal on Washington Post by MG Stout

I Wish I Were An Elephant

Extremely large nearly hairless herbivorous mammals that have a snout elongated into a muscular trunk and two incisors in the upper jaw developed especially in the male into large ivory tusks and WOW can they shit!  I'm hopeless when it comes to toilet humor.  Please forgive me.  I was raised NOT by wolves, but by men so it really isn't my fault.  Point your boogie picking finger at my dad!

Needless to say I was completely at home drawing at the Zoo.

Kandula, the magnificent elephant, sashayed across his pen as if he were the president.  He went onto shimmy and munch on a delicious bale of hay.  What a gorgeous beast. I have quite a few renderings, but I have to keep them under wraps for the moment.  Until tomorrow...TTFN

The Legend of The Rent

This just in:

I was full of poo-poo yesterday.  I failed to mention that in between writing proposals and art statements I was also sending out resumes for full time work.  People aren't buying and bills are stacking up.  That is the reality.  My work is about honesty.  It is about expression, recording history and personal narratives.  So...
I am taking my work outside of the studio.  Yep, one day a week I am going into DC to start my series called, Real Life Drawing.  I am going to bring my paint, some paintings and set up shop.  Today is a new day.  I am beginning my series in Reagan Airport.  I am flying out to IL and upon my return (Saturday) I am going to record what I see.  Standby.  ( BONUS:  this project...the gallery doesn't get to take it's usual 40 to 50% cut so I will be able to offer great prices for the pieces) SWEET.