Paintings by Ethan Cranke

For all collecting/price inquiries, my email account is: ArtByEthanCranke@gmail.com

Monday, December 20, 2010

Saturday, December 18, 2010

"Discovery IV.V"

"Discovery IV.V"
5 inches X 4 inches
Oil on Solid Oak
Prepped w/ P.V.A Size and Gesso
December 2010

"Discovery III.VIII"

"Discovery III.VIII"
4 inches x 5 inches
Oil on Solid Oak
Prepped w/P.V.A Size and Gesso
December 2010

"Discovery Swamp Romp"

"Discovery Swamp Romp"
5 inches X 4 inches
Oil on Solid Oak
Prepped with P.V.A Size and Gesso
December 2010

"Head In The Sky"

"Head In The Sky"
5 inches X 4 inches
Oil on Solid Oak
Prepped with P.V.A Size and Gesso
December 2010

Friday, December 17, 2010

"Discovery IV"

"Discovery IV"
60 inches X 48 inches
Oil on Canvas
Prepped w/ P.V.A Size and Gesso
December 2010

"Thinking of Taos II"

"Thinking of Taos"
25 inches X 24 inches
Oil on Canvas
Prepped w/ P.V.A Size and Gesso
December 2010

"Thinking of Taos"

"Thinking of Taos"
20 inches X 16 inches
Oil on Canvas
Prepped w/ P.V.A Size and Gesso
December 2010

"A Different Discovery"

"A Different Discovery"
5 inches X 6 inches
Oil on Mounted Panel
Prepped w/ P.V.A Size and Lead Ground
December 2010

"Discovery III.V"

"Discovery III.V"
5 inches X 6 inches
Oil on Mounted Panel
Prepped w/ P.V.A Size and Lead Ground
December 2010

Thursday, December 16, 2010

"Jungle Beach Boom"

"Jungle Beach Boom"
20 inches X 24 inches
Oil on Canvas
Prepped w/P.V.A Size and Gesso
December 2010

"Discovery III"

"Discovery III"
16 inches X 20 inches
Oil on Canvas
Prepped w/ P.V.A Size and Gesso
December 2010

"Discovery II"

"Discovery II"
5 inches X 6 inches
Oil on Mounted Panel
Prepped w/ P.V.A Size and Lead Ground
December 2010

"Discovery"

"Discovery"
5 inches X 6 inches
Oil on Mounted Panel
Prepped w/ P.V.A Size and Gesso
December 2010

Monday, November 22, 2010

"Heaven's Dunes" At The Cusp of a New Visual Language

“Heaven's Dunes”
17 inches x 21 inches
Oil on Mounted Panel
2010

This is one of a series of paintings that I have been working on, wherein I am developing a new visual language. One that combines en plein air technique, with the use of strong abstract gesture as a deconstructive element; thereby exploring and expanding the best of what I consider two very painterly, and coexistent, aesthetics.

A note on the painting's subject: it is a free-verse meditation on out of body experiences, colliding worlds, and harmonious passages between raw and delicate mark making.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

A Look Into an Aspect of My Art Process


In my painting studio, I have a piano. When I reach a point in my work, where I need to step away from the painting for a few minutes, to clear my head and refresh, I will often sit down at my piano to play. This has become an essential part of my art making process, which is why I have chosen to share. I am not at all a musician or a performer, just an artist who uses music as part of my routine.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Mailing My #twitterartexhibit Postcard Painting, A Brief Video


It's a little silly, and dry, I'm sure. All the same, I thought that it might provide a bit of a human feel to all of this.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Postcard for #twitterartexhibit is ready! "Greetings, From The North Coast of California!"

"Greetings, From The North Coast of California!"
Oil on Bristol Vellum
Prepped With P.V.A Size and Gesso
Roughly 6.5 inches X 8 inches
2010

Once it has finished drying, I will immediately be shipping it off to David.
I am so thrilled to be participating in this international group effort, put together by my fellow artists of twitterland, as a benefit for the children's library of Moss Norway. It is a wonderful cause, as well as a triumphant celebration of the highly engaged art community, that I have found myself to be a part of, on twitter.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Something a little different "Hairless Ape, Shitting in The Wilderness"

"Hairless Ape, Shitting in The Wilderness"
20 inches x 16 inches
Oil on Stretched Canvas
Prepped With P.V.A Size and Thin Lead Ground
2010

This happened completely extemporaneously, i.e. I had no idea where it was going until it was done. I had meant to finish it on Mon., in a single sitting, etc. This is what has evolved over the past few days, I'm now calling it done!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Today's Alla Prima Features My Beloved Professor and Mentor Bruce McGaw


"Bruce"
18 inches x 12 inches
Oil On Bristol Vellum
Prepped With P.V.A Size and Gesso
2010

I remember when we first met, it was for my merit scholarship interview, in 1997. I was a young and insecure lad, who was afraid that I'd be considered a fraud; irrationally thinking that my work might not be considered valid, that I didn't deserve the title "artist." I carted my work into the room, sprawling it out on the floor and leaning it against the walls. He shook my hand, and gazed deeply. I think that we were alloted 20 mins., other kids were waiting outside. Next thing I know, we've been chatting and really hitting it off for a while, the person in charge of ushering the students came in and mentioned that other people were waiting. "Let them wait! And don't interrupt us again!" He said. We talked about art, poetry, philosophy, life, the Beats (discovering that him and my folks had been friends with the same people back in the day; e.g. Neal Cassidy (a close friend of my father's), Kesey, Ginsburg, etc.). An hour and a half later, we emerged from the room! He hugged my parents and told them that they'd raised a wonderful son. Needless to say, I was aglow. From theretoforward I swore that I would be sure to spend my life as an artist, and would never shy away from admitting to it again.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Today's Alla Prima Features The Exceptionally Talented and Beautiful Caroline Nevin


"Caroline"
18 inches x 12 inches
Oil on Bristol Vellum
Prepped With P.V.A Size and Gesso
2010

Here is a link to Caroline's art blog. Check her out, you won't be disappointed. We share similar aesthetic tastes. : http://carolinenevin.wordpress.com/

Friday, July 23, 2010

Just Me and My Mirror



"Portrait of My Distorted Reflection II"
18 inches X 12 inches
Oil on Bristol Vellum
Prepped with P.V.A. Size and Gesso
2010

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Distorted Self-Reflection: A peek into how I approach the alla prima process, when painting a portrait.

Motivated by my "Blasts From The Past" post, I decided to get back into painting these alla prima portraits, on at least a semi-daily basis. Still working on my larger paintings, this gives me an outlet for experimentation and spontaneity. I thought that I'd give folks a look into the alla prima process, that is, in how I approach the alla prima process. Stopping to take pictures, certainly slowed me down a little, but I think that it was worth it. I might still go back into this one, to give it a more refined look; but for now, this series of photos will give you an idea of how I work around the painting. Enjoy.






"Portrait of My Distorted Reflection"
18 inches x 12 inches
Oil on Bristol Vellum
Prepped with P.V.A. Size and Gesso
2010

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Some Blasts From The Past

I thought that I'd share something that's a little distant from what I'm doing now, but that I equally adore. This is a selection from a series of daily alla prima portraits (from life) that I did back around 2003 or so. All were done in oil, on bristol vellum, prepped with gesso and p.v.a size.

"M"
14 inches x 11 inches


"S"
14 inches x 17 inches


"D"
14 inches x 11 inches

Friday, June 4, 2010

Saying no to Amazon!

No blogspot, I have no desire to integrate ads for amazon into my blog, please stop asking!!!
^&*$&W#^%

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

About the "L Hub" Gallery

I am managing a new blog for the "L Hub" Gallery. I am not the owner, but will be in charge of posting events, openings, photos of events and openings, etc. Please stop by the new blog, and feel free to follow. We're hoping that this gallery will become a new hub for high brow, low brow, and everything art in between. Join us!

http://www.lhubgallery.blogspot.com

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Whoops!

My bad. The opening for the group show is not this Thurs., but next Thurs.!!!

Monday, April 12, 2010

Busy, busy...

My goodness, I've been meaning to take photos of more paintings for the blog. Thing is, recently, things seem to really be happening for me, big time, and I've just been so busy. Another group show is coming up this Thurs., and then I have a solo show coming up in ten weeks (which isn't very long, in painting terms)!! I promise to post more paintings soon!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

"Self-Portrait"


Title: "Self-Portrait"
Size: 5 Inches x 6 Inches
Medium: Oil on archivally mounted masonite panel, prepped w/ P.V.A size and gesso
Date of Completion: January 2010

"In The Misty Rough"

Title: "In The Misty Rough"
Size: 4.5 Inches x 2.75 Inches
Medium: Oil on masonite panel, prepped w/P.V.A size and gesso
Date of Completion: February 2010

"Monolith"


Title: "Monolith"
Size: 5 Inches x 6 Inches
Medium: Oil on archivally mounted masonite panel, prepped w/ P.V.A size and gesso
Date of Completion: January 2010

"Breaking Borders Running From The Mountain"

Title: "Breaking Borders Running From The Mountain"
Size: 4 Inches x 5 Inches
Medium: Oil on solid oak, prepped with P.V.A size and lead ground
Date of Completion: January 2010

"Whale Watching"

Title: "Whale Watching"
Size: 2.75 Inches x 4.5 Inches
Medium: Oil on masonite panel, prepped w/ P.V.A Size and Gesso
Date Completed: February 2010

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Friendly Reminder

Don't forget: "The Preview" at Driftwood Salon, 39 Isis St., San Francisco, California.
Open weekdays 11am-6pm, weekends 12-5pm.
Please help put food on my table and tubes of paint in my studio, go there, buy my painting!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Upcoming Show This Sat. February 6th!!

Greetings everyone. My apologies for not being around, I have been neglecting my poor blog for quite some time now. I hope to have more pics of my latest paintings soon. Things have been busy, busy, busy with art. If you happen to be anywhere near the Bay Area, CA, at any point during the month of February, please stop by the Driftwood Salon at 39 Isis St., San Francisco, CA. It is a wonderful new SOMA gallery, they are hosting a group show, and one of my favorite recent large paitnings will be a part of it.
The reception is this coming Sat. Here is a link to the event:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=2286914325874&index=1#!/event.php?eid=286914325874&index=1

Hopefully the link works, I had to type it in longhand (lol!)
Please come, bring a friend, buy some art!
Cheers!