There I go again -

"Post Cube Conceptual Study I"
manipulated digital painting by Mick Mather

Recent commentary from one of my blogging pals on the other side of the world, Lisa Sarsfield, has opened my eyes wider than ever as regards the importance of the Kings Court Cube land art sculpture. Little by little this work continues to seep into the fabric of my very being and there's definitely something bigger brewing. Almost every other thing that I do is, somehow, connected to this project and as I've mentioned before, I can't seem to break away from it. At this point, I'm totally tuned in to the fact that this is something I must pay attention to and pursue to the fullest and, with that in mind, here's another piece that was accomplished earlier in the week. There are a number of versions and I may post one more at some point ... whether I do or not, the body of work in this project continues to grow into a documentation that is beginning to look more and more like a book every day.

A quick study -

"Girl on the Stoop"
digital collage by Mick Mather

I'm beginning to feel the tingle as vacation draws ever closer. Just to be clear, I'll be loafing about from August 11th thru August 24th. Not to worry, I'll be loading posts ahead of time so that you'll still get an image everyday. However, my plan is to stay away from the computer and the blog for most of that time. I think a few weeks with my sketchbook and camera is just what the doctor ordered.

A study of my own -

"Christina II"
colored pencil drawing by Mick Mather

Rob D'Agostino popped into my office on Monday for a blog tutorial. Afterward we took a tour of the 10 Totem Project sculptures scattered around downtown Syracuse, New York before getting lunch and heading to my other office at The Warehouse. While we were walking it came up that I promised to post a few studies of my own - accomplished at the class that Rob and I attended for many, many years. As I was checking back through the files of scanned images from one of my sketchbooks I found a piece that makes perfect sense when considering his blog and our connected, shared past ... here then, is one of my drawings, Rob's daughter, Christina.

Sketches and studies and drawing effects -

"The Photo Op"
digital collage by Mick Mather

For the past week or so I've gone back to a simpler, sketchier and more loosely drawn style of manipulation. I don't suppose there's any great purpose for these works but it's vastly helpful for my own vision to simplify things for a while. To let it go, to loosen up, not worrying so much over hard and fast detail is the assigned task for me. I've always been fascinated by the sketchbook drawings of other artists and getting things down quickly, gestural, intuitively and simplified is a place we all need to revisit - more often we think.

NEW from The Reinventing the Wheel Series: Still talking about paintings -

"Reinventing the Wheel IV"
$50 Unframed - LUCAS GALLERY
digital study by Mick Mather

I happened to be looking through digital files of my old paintings over the last few days and, no pun intended, the wheels began to turn again. With this series in particular and in general as regards actually searching for studio space, paint, brushes and a surface that may or may not end up being canvas. As mentioned a few times previously these pieces are intended to be large scale - in the case of tonight's post, 4' X 4' - and perhaps in this square format as an inside joke. While I still have my work cut out for me and as I continue to draw and sketch ideas, creating a study for each piece will quite likely be the marketing vehicle for the actual work once I begin. Keep your checkbooks handy boys and girls!