USA Projects

A lot of you have been following the creation of these paintings online over the past two years and a lot of you know my work schedule: up at 5am to get a couple of hours of work in my studio before heading off to the day job followed by another couple of hours in the studio after work and before dinner. This is how I fit productive studio time into my schedule. This particular body of work has been my largest and most successful series to date. It marks my return to creating two-sided works on canvas, which I have not done in earnest since the 80’s. Keep in mind that while I’ve been working on these canvases I’ve also had several other solo exhibitions of smaller drawings, participated in many group shows, help organize several political art actions and created a sizeable installation piece at Space Gallery in Portland, Maine.

With these works I have also struggled to create something compelling and engaging through a combination of inventive imagery and a unique treatment of traditional easel painting that creates a second work of art on the back of each painting. I even provide a handle for the viewer to turn each painting like the page of a book in order to view the back. This is a rare experience in the hands off world of museums and galleries.

I’ve been lucky to have such a great venue for this project, Perimeter Gallery at Chase’s Daily, my third showing here; a local gallery run by three amazing local contemporary artists who also work for the family run market/restaurant where the space is located. It is a landmark space with 13-foot high ceilings that is much loved locally and from afar. You’ll find it in the beautiful coastal town of Belfast, Maine. I urge all of you out there to plan a visit to our area, which is a wonderful place to experience.

For this project I would like to professionally photograph each piece; both sides and detail shots ($1050.00), build shallow display bases ($250.00), create an image catalog ($245.00), pay an artist /writer who has supported my work over the years a stipend for writing an essay in the catalog ($500.00), send out announcement cards ($75.00), take an exhibition listing ad in Art New England Magazine ($255.00) and have an opening celebration ($125.00). I’ve budgeted $2500.00 for these expenses. My hope is to raise an additional $6500.00 in order to travel this work to a second venue outside of Maine. This is where I’m hoping that the larger audience of United States Artists Projects can kick in and support me both financially and in a networking kind of way. If you dig my work and think that others in your area would greatly appreciate seeing it too, please donate, spread the word and help my viewer-friendly vision to flourish and be experienced by many! Thanks.