"The Lady and The Tiger" Commissioned Painting

"Lady and The Tiger", acrylic and collage on canvas 30"x30"x2""The Lady and The Tiger" Detail

I've recently completed a painting titled "The Lady and The Tiger". This piece was a commission for two of our best friends living in Charlottesville, Virginia.

"The Lady and The Tiger" (Detail)"The Lady and The Tiger" (Detail)

Below are some images of the generative studies for the final painting as well as a 12"x12" canvas study I did of the tiger.

The first pencil sketch: September 2006

"Tiger Study (Mini)" was a real breakthrough for me in terms how I typically work. While completing the background for "The Lady and The Tiger" I worked on full-size sketches of the figures. I took one of the pencil sketches of the tiger and pasted it onto the 12"x12" canvas. Something about seperating the sketch from the main painting allowed me to paint with more freedom. I was able to experiment on the mini and then take it to the larger painting. "Tiger Study (Mini)" now resides in the home of a family friend.

Tiger Study "Mini", acrylic and collage on canvas 12"x12" x2" (sold)Tiger Study "Mini", Oblique Detail

For those interested in the content of the paintings, they were inspired by the short story "The Lady, or the Tiger?" by Frank R. Stockton. Although instead of an allegory focused on our human nature and the decisions we face, I chose to show both the princess and the beast simultaneously. I was interested in portraying a pensive and statuesque figure with the tiger in the background acting as both companion and guardian.

PONSHOP Student Work: November 2006

Below are some pics of student work recently completed by students Max Harvey and Tommy Cox. November 2006 officially marked the one-year anniversary of the PONSHOP studio space at LibertyTown Arts Workshop. On behalf of Scarlett and I, we're grateful to have met so many great and supportive people. -Enjoy!

"This Will Happen..." by Max Harvey , spray paint on composite panel 24"x48"

Max Harvey has been taking weekly private classes at the studio since March 2006. Over that time he's done mixed media collage pieces, stencil and spray paint designs, and surreal watercolor landscapes. This piece was by far his most ambitious and incorporated at least 12 different stencil templates and hours of drawing and cutting. Max draws inspiration from Hip-Hop and Techno music as well as video game and science-fiction iconography. Max's work will be on exhibit at LibertyTown Arts Center's Annual Student Show from January 5th-31st 2007.

Detail

Detail

Tommy has an inherent love for two things: Skateboarding and Art. It came as no surprise that he was excited to participate in the "Skate to Create" workshop held in November 2006. Within a span of three 2-hour sessions, Tommy conceived and executed his own custom skateboard graphic using stencils and spraypaint. Tommy wanted to bring one his own cartoon characters to life on a skateboard deck. Below are some images of Tommy in action. Tommy's "Falling Cat" deck will also be on display at LibertyTown's Student Art show in January. Good Job!

Artist at work: Tommy cuts out his stencil templates"A-GRR!" The deck is now completed...Detail

PONSHOP & scarlettwares: Holiday Fun

One quarter of the Christmas gifts purchased this year will be electronic and digital gadgetry. So give a gift that's above the status quo and check out what Scarlett and I have to offer at our shop:

Handmade Ceramic snowflakes give the personal touch to any Christmas tree trimming. Scarlett's ornaments, like snowflakes, are special since no two are alike. All pieces are glazed white and include a red ribbon for hanging. Whereas the typical ceramic ornament that you made in grade school bends the branches to the ground, these pieces are sufficienty lightweight and elegant.

Ceramic snowflakes by scarlettwares are $10 each and can be shipped with ease.
If interested in purchasing, contact spons@scarlettwares.com.Also available in our studio and on display at LibertyTown's main gallery this month are the Medusa (Mini) paintings. These wood pieces are 5.5" x 5.85"x1" and are individually spray painted. The Gorgon Goddess is, according to myth, so hideous that her visage turns viewers to stone. I chose to portray her as a young heretic, sensual and powerful.

These pieces are $25 each (plus shipping) and come with a saw-tooth hanger on the back for display. Availability is on a first come, first served basis so visit the PONSHOP or contact me at shop@ponshopstudio.com. Of course, Skateboarding and Art mix together at the PONSHOP. These new shop decks are the sure fire way to get a kid to freak out Christmas Morning. All decks are made from 100% North American Hardrock Maple and come in three different widths: 7.5", 7.75", and 8.0". The PONSHOP "Snake" shop decks are $45 (plus shipping) and come with griptape.