Paintings by Ethan Cranke

Opening's Tomorrow!

2011-12-27T20:41:00.000-08:00

http://nygroupshow.tumblr.com/rsvp

The New York Group Show - Housewarming Reception & Hours

nygroupshow.tumblr.com

Housewarming Reception & Hours Please RSVP to attend the opening reception at Kianga's loft apartment in Brooklyn on December 28, 2011 from 6:00 - 8:00pm. Please email kellis(at)nygroupshow.com to view...

"Portrait of My Left Hand Deconstructed"

2011-11-18T16:13:00.000-08:00

"Portrait of My Left Hand Deconstructed"
5 inches x 3 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Masonite Panel
November 18, 2011

"Landscape V"

2011-11-15T16:10:00.000-08:00

"Landscape V"
12 inches x 10 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Poplar Panel
November 15, 2011

"Landscape IV"

2011-11-14T16:41:00.000-08:00

"Landscape IV"
12 inches x 10 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Poplar Panel
November 14, 2011

"Déjeuner Sur L'herbe VII / Deconstructing The Form IX"

2011-10-31T12:33:00.001-07:00

"Déjeuner Sur L'herbe VII / Deconstructing The Form IX"
12 inches x 10 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Masonite Panel
October 31, 2011

"Landscape III"

2011-10-26T16:55:00.000-07:00

"Landscape III"
6 inches x 8 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Masonite Panel
October 26, 2011

"Landscape II"

2011-10-21T16:26:00.000-07:00

"Landscape II"
6 inches x 7 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Masonite Panel
October 21, 2011

"Landscape"

2011-10-20T16:20:00.000-07:00

"Landscape"
6 inches x 7 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Masonite Panel
October 20, 2011

"Déjeuner Sur L'herbe VI / Deconstructing The Form VIII"

2011-10-19T13:31:00.000-07:00

"Déjeuner Sur L'herbe VI / Deconstructing The Form VIII"
12 inches x 10 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Masonite Panel
October 19, 2011

"Déjeuner Sur L'herbe V / Deconstructing The Form VII"

2011-10-08T17:51:00.000-07:00

"Déjeuner Sur L'herbe V / Deconstructing The Form VII"
12 inches x 10 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Poplar Panel
October 8, 2011

"Déjeuner Sur L'herbe IV / Deconstructing The Form VI"

2011-10-01T17:54:00.000-07:00

"Déjeuner Sur L'herbe IV / Deconstructing The Form VI"
7 inches x 6 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Masonite Panel
October 1, 2011

"Déjeuner Sur L'herbe III / Deconstructing The Form V"

2011-09-26T17:36:00.000-07:00

"Déjeuner Sur L'herbe III / Deconstructing The Form V"
7 inches x 6 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Masonite Panel
September 26, 2011

"Déjeuner Sur L'herbe II / Deconstructing the form IV"

2011-09-21T17:42:00.000-07:00

"Déjeuner Sur L'herbe II / Deconstructing the form IV"
7 inches x 6 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Masonite Panel
September 21, 2011

"Déjeuner Sur L'herbe / Deconstructing the form III"

2011-09-18T16:45:00.000-07:00

"Déjeuner Sur L'herbe / Deconstructing the Form III"
5.875 inches x 4.75 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Masonite Panel
September 18, 2011

"The Vertigo of Attraction / Deconstructing the Form II"

2011-09-11T15:24:00.000-07:00

"The Vertigo of Attraction / Deconstructing the Form II"
5 inches x 4 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Masonite
September 11, 2011

"Storming The Beachhead / Deconstructing the Form"

2011-09-07T11:52:00.000-07:00

"Storming The Beachhead / Deconstructing the Form"
10.5 inches x 7.5 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
September 7, 2011

Oil Sketch

"Eros and Thanatos XIV: Deconstruction"

2011-09-01T16:29:00.000-07:00

"Eros and Thanatos XIV: Deconstruction"
5 inches x 4 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Masonite
September 1, 2011

Alla Prima

"Eros and Thanatos XIII: Peas in a Pod"

2011-08-28T18:29:00.000-07:00

"Eros and Thanatos XIII: Peas in a Pod"
3 inches x 4 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on 3/4 inch thick Solid Oak
August 28th, 2011

Alla Prima

"Eros and Thanatos XII: Depth Charge"

2011-08-25T14:32:00.000-07:00

"Eros and Thanatos XII: Depth Charge"
4 inches x 5 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Masonite Panel
August 25, 2011

Alla Prima

"Eros and Thanatos XI: Keeping Warm While We Wait For Charon"

2011-08-24T15:48:00.000-07:00

"Eros and Thanatos XI: Keeping Warm While We Wait For Charon"
2.75 inches x 4 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Masonite
August 24, 2011

Alla Prima

"Eros and Thanatos X : La Petit Mort en Mer / Explosion At Sea"

2011-08-21T16:01:00.000-07:00

"Eros and Thanatos X : La Petit Mort en Mer / Explosion At Sea"
4 inches x 5 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Masonite
August 21, 2011

Alla prima.

Further Along...

2011-08-15T20:19:00.000-07:00

I decided to continue working today on the portrait of my friend.

Working On A Portrait of a Friend

2011-08-14T21:51:00.000-07:00

I decided to do some work on a portrait of my friend and fellow painter, Servando, today. Mostly, reemphasizing the darker areas.

Some Video From Today's Session

2011-08-13T23:04:00.000-07:00

Self-Portrait

2011-08-08T19:58:00.000-07:00

"Self-Portrait"
10.125 inches x 7.125 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
August 8th, 2011

Alla Prima

"Semi-Symmetric IV"

2011-08-07T17:28:00.000-07:00

"Semi-Symmetric IV"
4.75 inches x 2.5 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
August 7, 2011

Alla Prima

"Semi-Symmetric III"

2011-08-06T14:18:00.000-07:00

"Semi-Symmetric III"
4.75 inches x 3.5 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
August 6, 2011

Alla prima

"Semi-Symmetric II"

2011-08-04T16:05:00.000-07:00

"Semi-Symmetric II"
5.75 inches x 4.5 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
August 4, 2011

Alla Prima

#KEP Santa Fe

2011-08-04T10:43:00.000-07:00

Over the course of the weekend of July 29th-31st, 2011, the artists of Kianga Ellis Projects, Santa Fe (Ethan Cranke, Peter Daverington, Brian Dupont, Jeannette Ehlers, Sabina Forbes II, Nikita Gale, Clarity Haynes, Laura Isaac, Elisa Kreisinger, Nikolaj Recke, Bryan Reyna, Maritza Ruiz-Kim, Painta, Jason Varone, and Katarina Wong), and Kianga Ellis, joined together for a weekend of ground breaking art talks. These talks did nothing less than raise the bar for contemporary art dialog and new media. Combining a live broadcast (via ustream: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/kianga-ellis-projects ) with on site and off site participants via skype and twitter.
Please visit: http://kiangaellisprojects.com/home.html to see further images of the art as well as to learn more about the artists and the project in general.

Archived video of the art talk that was broadcast live, on Saturday, July 30, 2011 (if it has trouble loading, hit pause, and let it buffer for a little while):

"Fire Man" Series and Price List
See something that you like? Please contact Kianga via kianga@kiangaellisprojects.com
Or, fill out the contact form here:
http://kiangaellisprojects.com/contact.html
She will be happy to fill your order, and will make every effort to ensure that your collecting experience is a pleasant and memorable one.
All works have been archivally mounted, matted, and framed (please watch the youtube video above, to see the frames).

"Tree 1"

3.75 inches x 3.75 inches

Oil on Bristol Vellum
April 2011
Price: $270.00 (plus tax, shipping and handling)

"Tree 2"
6.25 inches x 7.25 inches
Oil on Bristol Vellum
April 2011
Price: $340.00 (plus tax, shipping and handling)

"Fire Man"
3 inches x 4 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
May 2011
Price: $290.00 (plus tax, shipping and handling)

"Fire Man II: Art Is An Act of Self-Immolation/We All Like To Watch"
2 inches x 4 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
May 2011
Price: $290.00 (plus tax, shipping and handling)

"Fire Man III: Art Is An Act of Self-Immolation / We All Like To Watch From Different Angles"
3 inches x 4 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
May 2011
Price: $290.00 (plus tax, shipping and handling)

"Fire Man IV: Art Is An Act of Self Immolation / Sometimes We Burn More Brightly When Together"
3 inches x 4 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Solid Oak
May 2011
Price: $300.00 (plus tax, shipping and handling)

"Fire Man V: Art is An Act of Self-Immolation / We Are All Participants"
8 inches x 11 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
May 2011
Price: $530.00 (plus tax, shipping and handling)

Fire Man VI: Art Is An Act of Self-Immolation / Everything Eventually Catches On"
8 inches x 10 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
June 2011
Price: $530.00 (plus tax, shipping and handling)

"Fire Man VII: Art Is An Act of Self-Immolation / Feel Free To Jump In At Any Time"
11 inches x 14 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
June 2011
Price: $740.00 (plus tax, shipping and handling)

"Fire Man VIII: Art Is An Act of Self-Immolation / ... "
11 inches x 14 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
June 2011
Price: $740.00 (plus tax, shipping and handling)

"Semi-Symmetric"

2011-08-03T17:02:00.000-07:00

"Semi-Symmetric"
4.5 inches x 2.75 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
August 3rd, 2011

Alla Prima

Art Talks Weekend In Santa Fe, Begins This Friday!

2011-07-25T11:34:00.000-07:00

Please visit Kianga Ellis' blog, for a complete schedule of this exciting event, that I am proud to be a part of.

http://kiangaellis.wordpress.com/2011/07/25/art-talks-weekend-kep/

Here's what I've been doing today...

2011-07-23T17:51:00.000-07:00

A Taste of What I've Been Working On...

2011-07-22T09:15:00.000-07:00

"Eros and Thanatos IX"

2011-07-12T16:21:00.000-07:00

"Eros and Thanatos IX: Blissful Paradox"
4 inches x 5 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
July 2011

"Eros and Thanatos VII and VIII"

2011-07-08T16:55:00.000-07:00

"Eros and Thanatos VII: Arriving or Departing?"
4.33 inches x 4.25 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
July 2011

"Eros and Thanatos VIII: Portal"
4.5 inches x 4.25 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
July 2011

"Eros and Thanatos V and VI"

2011-07-06T17:07:00.000-07:00

"Eros and Thanatos V: Tumultuous Shores"
4.75 inches x 6.75 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
July 2011

"Eros and Thanatos VI: Purgatorial Libation"
7 inches x 5.75 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
July 2011

"Eros and Thanatos III and IV"

2011-07-04T14:06:00.000-07:00

"Eros and Thanatos III: They Give and They Take Away"
3 inches x 2 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
July 2011

"Eros and Thanatos IV: Between Two Worlds"
1.75 inches x 3 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
July 2004

"Eros and Thanatos II: With All Destruction Comes Renewal / With All Growth Comes Destruction"

2011-07-03T13:46:00.000-07:00

"Eros and Thanatos II: With All Destruction Comes New Growth / With All Growth Comes Destruction"
4 inches x 7.75 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
July 2011

"Eros and Thanatos"

2011-07-02T14:30:00.000-07:00

"Eros and Thanatos"
5 inches x 7.5 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
July 2011

Announcement!!

2011-06-28T16:22:00.000-07:00

I will be participating in a Kianga Ellis Project, in
Santa Fe, New Mexico. Summer 2011

Please visit: http://kiangaellisprojects.com/home.html for further details.

"Fire Man VIII: Art Is An Act of Self-Immolation / ... "

2011-06-14T18:15:00.000-07:00

"Fire Man VIII: Art Is An Act of Self-Immolation / ... "
11 inches x 14 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
June 2011

"Fire Man VII: Art Is An Act of Self-Immolation / Feel Free To Jump In At Any Time"

2011-06-05T18:37:00.000-07:00

"Fire Man VII: Art Is An Act of Self-Immolation / Feel Free To Jump In At Any Time"
11 inches x 14 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
June 2011

"Fire Man VI: Art Is An Act of Self-Immolation / Everything Eventually Catches On"

2011-06-02T18:14:00.000-07:00

"Fire Man VI: Art Is An Act of Self-Immolation / Everything Eventually Catches On"

8 inches x 10 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
June 2011

"Fire Man V: Art is An Act of Self-Immolation / We Are All Participants"

2011-05-30T18:40:00.000-07:00

"Fire Man V: Art is An Act of Self-Immolation / We Are All Participants"
8 inches x 11 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
May 2011

"Fire Man IV: Art Is An Act of Self Immolation / Sometimes We Burn More Brightly When Together"

2011-05-28T19:01:00.000-07:00

"Fire Man IV: Art Is An Act of Self Immolation / Sometimes We Burn More Brightly When Together"
3 inches x 4 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Solid Oak
May 2011

"Fire Man III: Art Is An Act of Self-Immolation / We All Like To Watch From Different Angles"

2011-05-27T18:47:00.000-07:00

"Fire Man III: Art Is An Act of Self-Immolation / We All Like To Watch From Different Angles"
3 inches x 4 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
May 2011

"Fire Man II: Art Is An Act of Self-Immolation/We All Like To Watch"

2011-05-26T17:09:00.000-07:00

"Fire Man II: Art Is An Act of Self-Immolation/We All Like To Watch"
2 inches x 4 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
May 2011

"Fire Man"

2011-05-25T18:40:00.000-07:00

"Fire Man"
3 inches x 4 inches
Oil on Gesso on PVA Size on Bristol Vellum
May 2011

Self-Portrait

2011-04-30T16:22:00.000-07:00

Self-Portrait
4.5 inches x 3.5 inches

Oil on Solid Oak

April 2011

Lightning fast self-portrait, painted alla prima, in the studio, today.

"C'est La Guerre Derrière"

2011-04-27T17:39:00.000-07:00

"C'est La Guerre Derriere"
4 inches x 5 inches
Oil on Solid Oak
April 2011

Please click on the photo above for a larger image.

Trees 1 & 2

2011-04-26T17:05:00.000-07:00

"Tree 2"
6.25 inches x 7.25 inches
Oil on Bristol Vellum
April 2011

"Tree 1"

3.75 inches x 3.75 inches

Oil on Bristol Vellum

April 2011

Stroke Meditations Panel Number 7: "Calm After The Fire"

2011-04-21T17:20:00.000-07:00

"Calm After The Fire"

6 inches x 11.75 inches

Oil on Poplar Panel

April 2011

Please click on the photo above for a larger image.

Stroke Meditations Panel Number 6: "Happy Birthday British Petroleum"

2011-04-20T15:14:00.000-07:00

"Happy Birthday British Petroleum"

10 inches x 12.25 inches

Oil on Poplar Panel

April 2011

Please click on the photo above, for a larger image.

Stroke Meditations Panel Number 5: "Finding The Eye of The Storm"

2011-04-19T16:52:00.000-07:00

"Finding The Eye of The Storm"

8.25 inches x 12 inches

Oil on Poplar Panel

April 2011

Please click on the photo above for a larger image.

Stroke Meditations Panel Number 4: "Re-Discovery/Horizon Seraphic"

2011-04-18T16:27:00.000-07:00

"Re-Discovery/Horizon Seraphic"

8 inches x 11 inches

Oil on Poplar Panel

April 2011

Stroke Meditations Panel Number 3: "Watching The Wind Blow"

2011-04-17T15:45:00.000-07:00

"Watching The Wind Blow"

9.25 inches x 11.75 inches

Oil on Poplar Panel

March 2011

Please click on the photo above for a larger image.

Stroke Meditations Panel Number 2: "Cerebral Hurricane of Tranquility"

2011-04-16T16:55:00.000-07:00

"Cerebral Hurricane of Tranquility"

11.25 inches x 12 inches

Oil on Poplar Panel

April 2011

Stroke Meditations Panel Number 1: "Fire On The Water/Leaving From Where We Left Off"

2011-04-15T15:11:00.000-07:00

"Fire On The Water/Leaving From Where We Left Off"

7.5 inches x 11.5 inches

Oil on Poplar Panel (unmounted)

April 2011

Please click on the photo above, for a larger image.

What I Did Today

2011-04-04T17:43:00.000-07:00

I custom made this stretcher frame from recycled Douglas Fir flooring, that was originally destined for the scrap heap(such a lovely/useful wood, it would have been a waste to let it go, IMO). I ripped each plank on the table saw for proper width, routed the canvas sides for a raised edge along the perimeter, and mitered the corners to fit. In the above photo, I am readying the first crossbeam.

Second crossbeam...

Using 6 criss-crossing brad nails and glue for all of the joints. In the above photo, you can see one of the corner braces being put into place.

And done... In the above photo, you are looking at a 6 foot tall by 5 foot wide canvas stretcher frame. I, of course, had to stop and rest, intermittently, through out the day; paying close attention to my level of fatigue, and napping when I needed to. All in all, I feel that this day was well spent.

A closer look at my joinery, and the raised perimeter edge that I mentioned...

Stroke Notes From When I Was Re-Learning To Write and Draw

2011-03-31T09:01:00.000-07:00

I have posted these in order, my first attempt at the top; you can see how I progressively get better with each page.

This final page is a mind's-eye drawing from last night, that I did while laying in bed. Grateful.

Friday, March 25, 2011: The Day I Awoke in Gregor Samsa’s Shoes

2011-03-30T15:52:00.000-07:00

Thursday evening was just like any other evening, not particularly significant or action packed; I remember a mellow and pleasurable night of watching Sons of Anarchy with my folks, having a beer (yes, only one), and a small amount of that magical substance so often associated with California, Vancouver, Holland, etc. On all accounts, it was not at all profoundly stressful or overly indulgent. I said my goodnights, sometime around 11pm, and walked down the dirt road to where my dwelling resides.

Conforming to my usual routine, I did a little drawing, and wrote few ramblings in my bedside notebook, prior to passing out. Still, nothing out of the ordinary. …and this is where normalcy ends.

Friday morning I awoke at my usual time. Without an alarm, I normally arise between 7:30 and 8:30; I believe it was 8 o’clock. Laying on my back, I felt a little stiff, but didn’t think much of it. I threw the covers off with my left hand, as I normally do, but when I tried to sit up I fell off the bed. Note, my brain was telling me that I could feel my right arm and leg, and even told me that I was moving them, but when I looked, I realized they were completely flaccid. I also realized that I’d lost control of my bladder, and was urinating all over myself and the floor. I cried out “Oh god!” …and it was here that it became apparent that I was not speaking in my normal voice. The best way I can describe it is that I sounded almost exactly like Peter Boyle, in “Young Frankenstein;” everything from the high pitch squeal, to the completely slurred and unintelligible wording. By this point I was completely panicking, and was pretty sure that I’d had a stroke. I wondered if I was experiencing the last few moments of my life, and realized that if I stayed there on the floor and did nothing, that this most likely would be the case. There is no phone in my quarters, and it is too insulated and too far away for anyone to hear me on the outside. My desire to live, to survive, took over; because my entire right side was paralyzed, I had no equilibrium, so it was impossible to stay upright, much less to even be able to stand on the one leg I had. Every time that I flung myself up with my left side, I’d flop back over. Reaching around me from the floor, I grabbed at everything that I could, stools fell down around me, boxes, clothes, etc.; I was desperately trying to drag myself over to the door. I reached into the pocket of my urine soaked pants, that were lying on the floor from when I’d undressed the night before, and grabbed my keys (keep in mind, I am lying on my side, naked, in a panic, this entire time). My place, unfortunately, locks from the inside with a key, and I always keep it locked when I’m asleep. This was a difficult and trying process, multiple times during which I collapsed and almost gave in to the idea that was going to die. I propped my head against the door, and reached up to insert the key, after failing and falling back over flat, innumerable times, I finally managed to get the key into the lock, as well as to turn it. I opened the door as quickly as I could manage, and flopped out onto the mud and pine needle covered stairs (we’d had a week of storms, and everything in the woods had been covered in dirt and debris from the trees). I grabbed onto the doorway with my left hand, propping my head against it, trying to use the weight of my head and the strength of my hand to stay upright. I screamed in my “Young Frankenstein” voice: “Help!!! Somebody please help!!! I think I’ve had a stroke!!” This was repeated over and over, as loud as I could manage.

My folks’ house is fairly buttoned up with thick insulation and multi-paned windows, so no one could hear me up in the main house. By sheer luck, it happened to be Spring Break for my niece and nephew, but not for my sister (who is a High School English Teacher); so, she had been dropping the kids off in the morning all week, before work, so they could spend vacation at their grandparents’ house. I believe they were up at the main house, making breakfast, when my nephew Asher decided to wander out on the porch for a moment (in some ways, one could say that I owe a debt of gratitude to my young nephew, for hearing and helping to save me), I‘d probably been screaming for close to twenty minutes, perhaps even half an hour. He didn’t realize that it was me, the voice I was using was completely alien, but he knew something was wrong, and went back inside to tell my parents that he’d heard a strange noise. My mother came out onto the porch, and even she didn’t recognize the voice at first; yelling down into the valley “Ethan, is that you??”

“Yes!” I replied, slurring and unintelligible.. . “Oh god, please come quickly…”

This sent everyone into emergency mode. They didn’t know what had happened, but were on their way, and ready for the worst. Upon reaching the bottom, my mother didn’t see me at first, and I squealed at her. She turned, finally to see me at the top of my steps, covered in dirt and abrasions (from my struggle to get out through the door). “Oh no!” she exclaimed. She immediately grabbed a quilt from my bed inside, and wrapped it around me, calling 911 with the phone that she’d brought with her. My father kept the children up top, so as not to traumatize them.

When the ambulance arrived, they asked me to smile/show my teeth, displaying the fact that the right side of my mouth was drooping. Luckily, the paramedics were three very in shape and fairly good sized men; being that I am 6’6” and weigh 230 lbs, this could have been a factor of my survival, had a more petite paramedic team been on staff that morning. Without too much difficulty, one of them grabbed me from behind, bracing my elbows with hands, and another grabbed me by the legs, while the third immediately unfolded and brought over the gurney. They buckled me in with about six seat-belt like straps, so that I wouldn’t flop over, slid me into the ambulance, and sped off in a siren soaked, high octane huff. While in the ambulance, when they were inserting the I.V, checking my vision, and administering a variety of tests (perhaps even some meds, I can’t remember for sure), I kept looking at my right arm (my PAINTING arm/hand). I grabbed it with my left hand, and tried propping it up on my belly, no such luck; it immediately slid down again, just laying their, completely unresponsive and useless. By this point, I wasn’t so sure that I was going to die, but was definitely having dark thoughts about being paralyzed for the rest of my life, and whether or not it would be worth it for me to go on without the use of my painting arm. I was not expressing this verbally, of course, on the outside I was trying to maintain a show of bravery(why, I have no idea).

Upon reaching the emergency room, they administered more reaction tests, pupil dilation, etc.; I still can’t remember if I was given any drugs at this point. They then rushed to the MRI, which was rather surreal, because this particular emergency facility, had their MRI station in a trailer, in the back lot of the hospital. So here I am on a gurney, watching the ceiling of the hospital go by, and then the next thing I know, I’m outside! Then down a little path, and up into a side lift, that brought me into a very cramped trailer. They packed in cushioning, to keep my head and neck from moving, then slid me in to the very coffin-like tube. The MRI was to last for an hour. I tried using my meditation training, breathing in through the nose for four seconds, holding it for a second, and the exhaling for four seconds, all the while trying to maintain a clear and calm state of mind. This lasted for about twenty minutes, and then the panic took over again, and I couldn’t help but start moving my head. They had to pull me out and administer ativan, in order to calm me down. Luckily it worked, although the tube still felt unnervingly like a coffin; not the best of spaces to be in when you are thinking that you are permanently paralyzed, and perhaps might even be about to die. Soon realizing that they were not well equipped enough to handle my situation, they opted to send me to the California Pacifica Medical Center, Davies Campus, Neurology ICU. This involved an hour long ride in an ambulance, with the EMTs, and a nurse from the hospital, who tagged along to watch over me. She helped keep me at ease, and explained straight-forwardly, what the possible outcomes could be; some of which were terrifying, but I was glad that she was being honest.

I should add that, by this point, I was starting to have some movement in my right shoulder; not a lot, but it gave me hope that perhaps the paralysis was temporary. By the time I arrived at CPMC ICU, I had gained back some very clumsy, but nonetheless promising, movement in my right leg and arm. More tests followed. They then kept me on close observation for that entire evening, waking me up every hour, and testing my pupil dilation, movement, strength, coordination, etc. I was still terrified that I would never be able to paint again.

That next morning, I had gained back even more movement, but still could not fully open or close my hand, or hold my arm aloft for any length of time. I spent that Saturday, having a full battery of tests run; PET Scan, CT Scan, and another MRI (luckily, the MRI station at CPMC is about 12 inches wider in diameter, is inside the hospital, AND, CPMC really cares about the psychological status of their patients, so they cover their ceilings in nature scenes, as if you are looking up through the trees; I know it sounds silly, but I cannot tell you how much this helped put me at ease (art really does help, during times of panic/distress, etc.)). No ativan was required during these tests, the staff at CPMC made me feel as comfortable as was possible.

By mid-day Saturday, I was opening and closing my hand, and moving my leg up and down from the bed; still very clumsily, but I was starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. I was told that the Physical Therapists would be there by Monday, but having already gained back some movement, I was not about to wait, and was determined that I would paint again, or else it was all for not. I had my folks bring in a yellow pad, and pen, I forced the pen into my right hand, and began trying to write (I knew that if I could get myself to write fluid cursive, that I would be able to paint). My writing looked like completely unreadable chicken scratch, something done by a four year old, who was pretending to write. This helped me decide that I needed to start at the beginning, like when I was a child, and began trying to write out my ABCs. Still fairly illegible, but I was making progress. I would get fatigued after a while, and would have to put the pen down, but was constantly eager to pick it back up again and get better. By Saturday night, I’d managed to write out “Every good boy does fine,” six times, in a somewhat legible manner, similar to how I wrote in the fourth grade. I went to sleep knowing that I would try even harder on Sunday.

Sunday morning, I awoke feeling significantly better; not 100%, but I could tell that I was breaking through the fog and on my way to recovery (although I still didn’t realize how quickly it was going to happen). I immediately began writing, as I listened to NPR, and watched the sunrise outside my window. The words were finally flowing again, still kind of glitchy, but nothing like before. It was like there was a slight tremor in my hand, that I had to overcome. One of the morning entries was “I have gained a good amount of my motor skills back… This handwriting still sucks!!”

I knew then that I had to try drawing from life, to help synchronize my eye to mind to hand coordination. My first few drawings were atrocious, but each one got better. I drew my coffee cup, badly. I drew a couple of profiles, equally as bad. I drew the city skyline in the same clumsy manner. At that point, my friend Lara called, and we had a heart to heart, and she told me that she wanted to visit me, to see that I was okay. When I hung up the phone, I wrote “Talked to Lara on the telephone, she will be visiting me shortly;” and then, I swear, I really did feel a click in my brain, and suddenly there was no more glitch; the connection between my thoughts and the flow of my cursive had become one, and I wrote “I think that I just felt a switch in my brain… Feeling good. Optimistic!”

I then did a drawing of my hand, not quite up to my usually delicate and detailed rendering skills, but still, nonetheless, the edge quality and proportions were that of my hand. This filled me an immense feeling of relief. For the first time, I knew that I was going to be okay (grabbing some tissues, cause this brings tears to my eyes as I type it). I turned to the skyline and drew it again, this time it had depth, the edges were fairly accurate, and my cross-hatching was coming back to me (in that my hatch marks were following along their proper borders, and not wandering off chaotically). I then wrote under the drawing “Getting better all the time! Keep going!!”

After lunch and some more tests, I picked up the pad and tried again, writing “testing, 1, 2, 3.. Am I still able to write? It seems to be improving even more!” I did another hand drawing and then decided that I needed to test my ability to write out multi-syllabic words. So, of course, I chose the big kahuna, “sesquipedalian,” …..not too shabby! “Enterprise, Ennui, Equivocation, Macrobiotic, hyperbolic,” …looking good!

I wrote out my ABCs at break neck speed, and they were perfect. I was now looking at my regular handwriting, the handwriting that I’ve had for most of my adult life (more tears of joy). More drawings of the buildings outside, this time with complicated shading, and attention to more accurate vanishing points. Completely elated.

I should also add that, by this point, I was insisting that the Nurses let me walk to the bathroom, to take care of myself on my own; something that is completely empowering, that returns a sense of control over one’s self.

When my parents and my friend Miriam visited me that day, I wanted to be sure that I was standing up when they arrived, that I wasn’t strapped to the bed with wires and tubes, so the nurses gave a mobile monitoring device. When they got there, I immediately walked up to embrace them, to let them know that I was okay, that things were going to be fine(lots of tears). Lara arrived later that evening, by which time I was almost completely normal, and we had a good talk, hugging and expressing gratitude for my miraculous recovery.

When the physical therapists arrived, they could see that I’d already taken charge and had fully recovered my faculties. They tested my balance, and helped me work out a strange sensation in my knee, that eventually went away with further walking. The next day I was strolling around the wing, I.V. drip in one hand, portable monitor in my pocket, they’d given me a pair of pants… I was ready to go home.

Of course there’s more, but I will leave it at that, for now. I’ve typed this thing straight through, without breaking and without editing (so please forgive any grammatical errors, poor phrasing, etc.). It is time for me to rest a little.

I Am Strong, I Am Whole, I Am Human, I Am Alive

2011-03-29T08:22:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling pretty emotional, seeing this massive outpouring of love and support from all of you (keeping tissues close by)! I'm at home, fully functional, and eager to rock n' roll. The Nurses and Doctors at California Pacifica Medical Center, Davies Campus, Neurology Center ICU/ICU Transition, are phenomenal, I truly owe them my life (planning on making a painting for their wing). I've seen some snake pit hospitals, and this is not one of them. They didn't care that I'm uninsured, etc., and I got top notch care and treatment. They were sincere, wonderful people, who did not talk to me in that annoying patronizing way, that some Doctors and Nurses do. I had some wonderful conversations with these folks, about my condition of course, but also about art, life, philosophy, San Francisco/Bay Area folklore, etc.; it wasn't at all a cold and sterile business (well, the hospital is kept very sterile, of course, but the personalities there are not!). Grabbing a tissue... Overwhelmed.

So far, the word of the day is Cryptogenic, meaning, they're still unsure about the origins of the clot (although they know where it ended up), but have seen things like this before, and as long as I stay on top of taking an aspirin and a glass of red wine everyday, my chances are pretty good that I won't have another stroke.

I am going to take it easy for a couple weeks. I'll definitely be painting, playing piano, etc., but I'll probably be avoiding bars, coffee shops, etc, for a little while, because I get input overload; but this too, shall pass. I plan to spend lots of time in the woods and out at the coast, drawing, writing, painting, and relaxing. Don't expect me to attend any parties, at least until mid-April! ; )

I am not sure whether or not I should tell you the story about when it happened; don't want to scare you, or make you feel uncomfortable! I'll leave it up to you. If I get a bunch of comments asking for it, I'll tell it, I don't mind; it's more for your sake that I haven't yet.

So, with an even higher value for the time I have on this planet, for the time I have with you and my family (grabbing more tissues), for my ability to still walk and talk, make art, write smooth cursive, make love, and kick ass, I am ready to move into this next chapter. I am changed(don't worry, I don't mean in terms of a personality shift), but for the better. Take nothing for granted, even the things you dislike. I am strong, I am whole, I am human, I am alive. I love you all the more.

"Finding Our Way Back to Shore"

2011-03-23T17:42:00.000-07:00

"Finding Our Way Back to Shore"

12.5 inches x 16 inches

Oil on Lead Ground, on Gesso, on P.V.A Size, on Canvas

March 2011

"Drowning"

2011-03-18T17:40:00.000-07:00

"Drowning"

24.5 inches x 24.5 inches

Oil on Lead Ground on Gesso on PVA Size on Canvas

March 2011

"Discovery VIII.V"

2011-03-07T13:35:00.000-08:00

"Discovery VIII.V"

8.25 inches X 12.5 inches

Oil on Lead Ground, on Gesso, on P.V.A. Size, on Canvas

March 2011

"Jungle Bump II"

2011-03-03T16:08:00.000-08:00

"Jungle Bump II"

30 inches X 40 inches

Oil on Gesso on P.V.A on Canvas

March 2011

Detail Photos:

"Discovery VIII"

2011-01-31T15:02:00.000-08:00

"Discovery VIII"

60 inches X 48 inches

Oil on Lead Ground on Gesso on P.V.A Size on Canvas

January 2011

Detail Photos:

"Discovery VII"

2011-01-31T14:57:00.000-08:00

"Discovery VII"

60 inches X 48 inches

Oil on Lead Ground on Gesso on P.V.A Size on Canvas

January 2011

Loosely based on "Discovery IV.V"

"Discovery VI"

2011-01-30T16:45:00.000-08:00

"Discovery VI"

48 inches X 60 inches

Oil on Lead Ground on Gesso on P.V.A Size on Canvas

January 2011

Loosely based on "Discovery III.VIII."

Detail Photo:

"Discovery V"

2011-01-30T16:37:00.000-08:00

"Discovery V"

48 inches X 60 inches

Oil on Lead Ground on Gesso on P.V.A Size on Canvas

January 2011

I used "Discovery III.V" as a loose study for this one.

Detail Photo:

Feeling Good? Further Adventures in Singing to The Paintings

2011-01-25T15:07:00.000-08:00

"Emerald Discovery"

2011-01-15T17:09:00.000-08:00

"Emerald Discovery"

16 inches X 20 inches

Oil on Gesso on P.V.A on Canvas

January 2010

"Elongated Discovery II"

2011-01-14T17:13:00.000-08:00

"Elongated Discovery II"

5 inches X 10 inches

Oil on Lead Ground on Solid Oak

January 2010

"Elongated Discovery"

2011-01-13T17:52:00.000-08:00

"Elongated Discovery"

18 inches X 48 inches

Oil On Mounted Panel

January 2011

"Sunrise Discovery II"

2011-01-03T16:16:00.000-08:00

"Sunrise Discovery II"

3 inches x 4 inches

Oil on Solid Oak

January 2011

"Sunrise Discovery" Further Explorations, in Anticipation of Larger Surfaces

2011-01-02T18:26:00.000-08:00

"Sunrise Discovery"

3 inches X 4 inches

Oil on Solid Oak

January 2011

Staring Myself Down in The Mirror Again

2010-12-20T16:53:00.000-08:00

"Self-Portrait Discovery"

8 inches X 10 inches

Oil on Oil Primed Linen

December 2010

"Discovery IV.V"

2010-12-18T17:45:00.000-08:00

"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"

2010-12-18T17:42:00.000-08:00

"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"

2010-12-18T17:40:00.000-08:00

"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"

2010-12-18T17:37:00.000-08:00

"Head In The Sky"

5 inches X 4 inches

Oil on Solid Oak

Prepped with P.V.A Size and Gesso

December 2010

"Discovery IV"

2010-12-17T18:10:00.000-08:00

"Discovery IV"

60 inches X 48 inches

Oil on Canvas

Prepped w/ P.V.A Size and Gesso

December 2010

"Thinking of Taos II"

2010-12-17T18:07:00.000-08:00

"Thinking of Taos"

25 inches X 24 inches

Oil on Canvas

Prepped w/ P.V.A Size and Gesso

December 2010

"Thinking of Taos"

2010-12-17T18:03:00.000-08:00

"Thinking of Taos"

20 inches X 16 inches

Oil on Canvas

Prepped w/ P.V.A Size and Gesso

December 2010

"A Different Discovery"

2010-12-17T18:01:00.000-08:00

"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"

2010-12-17T17:58:00.000-08:00

"Discovery III.V"

5 inches X 6 inches

Oil on Mounted Panel

Prepped w/ P.V.A Size and Lead Ground

December 2010

"Jungle Beach Boom"

2010-12-16T17:55:00.000-08:00

"Jungle Beach Boom"

20 inches X 24 inches

Oil on Canvas

Prepped w/P.V.A Size and Gesso

December 2010

"Discovery III"

2010-12-16T17:53:00.000-08:00

"Discovery III"

16 inches X 20 inches

Oil on Canvas

Prepped w/ P.V.A Size and Gesso

December 2010

"Discovery II"

2010-12-16T17:51:00.000-08:00

"Discovery II"

5 inches X 6 inches

Oil on Mounted Panel

Prepped w/ P.V.A Size and Lead Ground

December 2010

"Discovery"

2010-12-16T17:45:00.000-08:00

"Discovery"

5 inches X 6 inches

Oil on Mounted Panel

Prepped w/ P.V.A Size and Gesso

December 2010

A Bit of Improvisational Piano, that Helped Me Finish "Jungle Bump."

2010-11-23T16:07:00.000-08:00

"Jungle Bump" Further Explorations...

2010-11-23T15:01:00.000-08:00

"Jungle Bump"

Oil on Stretched Canvas

21 inches x 23 inches

2010

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

2010-11-22T12:23:00.000-08:00

“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.

A Look Into an Aspect of My Art Process

2010-11-21T10:54:00.000-08:00

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.

Mailing My #twitterartexhibit Postcard Painting, A Brief Video

2010-11-12T13:54:00.000-08:00

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.

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

2010-11-08T12:27:00.000-08:00

"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

I've finally finished my postcard painting for @DavidSandumArt for #twitterartexhibit http://davidsandumart.posterous.com/call-for-artists-twitter-art-exhibit-in-moss

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.

"Sunset Over Alcatraz, From The Benches on Yacht Road"

2010-11-06T13:56:00.001-07:00

"Sunset Over Alcatraz, From The Benches on Yacht Road"

Oil on Solid Oak

3 inches x 4 inches

2010

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

2010-08-05T14:55:00.000-07:00

"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!

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

2010-07-29T16:10:00.000-07:00

"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.

Today's Alla Prima Features My Good Friend Fredrik Reiz, One of The Best Photographers I Know

2010-07-27T18:32:00.000-07:00

"Fredrik Reiz"

18 inches x 12 inches

Oil on Bristol Vellum

Prepped With P.V.A. Size and Gesso

2010