to hold the terrible silence at bay

"Speak to me.  Why do you never speak.  Speak."
--T.S. Eliot, "The Waste Land"


For 27 days now, I have endured this nightmare: 27 days of silence.  It is the cruelest silence I have ever known.

Born from this silence are three new paintings, the first of the Dark Night of the Soul series: Anhedonia, Lacrimosa, and Pain's Grey.



So far two are still works in progress, but Anhedonia is complete.




The Payne's Grey has been accented with Mars black and metallic silver, and glazed with graphite powder for an otherworldly sheen.



Anhedonia is a Greek word meaning an inability to experience pleasure.

It measures 12"x16" and is for sale on Etsy for $96 plus shipping.

I hope to awaken from this nightmare soon.  In the meantime, I continue to paint so that I, like the main characters in Waiting for Godot, can "hold the terrible silence at bay."

More new art for sale

I just added my latest pieces to my Etsy shop.




Choke
grocery bags on canvas
8"x10"
$40


If you like Smother, then you'll love Choke.





Adrenaline
acrylic on LDPE
9"x12"
$54




Pandora's Aquarium

acrylic on LDPE
9"x12"
$54





And of course my mini paintings are on there now too.  For just $10 you can own one of my originals.  

October Open Studio Events

As part of a 2 day event for Chicago Artists Month, you will have 2 chances to visit Studio 632F:

Friday, October 8th
5 p.m. - 9 p.m.


Saturday, October 9th
12 p.m. - 4 p.m.


I have several new pieces for sale, including 3"x3" paintings on miniature easels, which will be $10 each.





See how small they are?


Aren't they cute?

In addition to my paintings, I will be featuring work by talented painter Minnie Watkins.

Minnie Watkins is a lifelong Chicago resident.  She received her BA in Marketing/Advertising from Columbia College.  It was during her studies that she entered the world of corporate advertising. Minnie directed her creative energy towards print ads. She maintained her interest in painting portraits, landscapes and the surrounding beauty found in her everyday life.  In 2003 Minnie decided to pursue a full-time career in art and had her debut showing and  has continued to paint ever since.

Muddy Waters by Minnie Watkins

 Abstract Squares by Minnie Watkins

 
The address is:

Fine Arts Building
410 S. Michigan Avenue
Studio 632F on the 6th floor
Chicago, IL 60605

Dark Night of the Soul

I don't know if I can paint anymore.
Colors have lost their meaning, food has no flavor.

The past 21 days have been a living nightmare I can't wake up from.

I feel a great and terrible sadness and will never be the same.

My newest series of paintings are all in Pain's I mean Payne's Grey.










This may be my swan song, for I, like a swan, had hoped to mate for life.
I am not sure what is to become of us now.
I do not know if or what I will ever paint again, but I will finish these, at least.

I am painting from deep within the abyss,  from a chasm in my soul.  To see the ugliness of my own actions, to recoil in disgust from what I have done and cannot undo, to wonder why I should ever be forgiven or forgive myself, that is the dark night of my soul.

Lacrimosa dies illa

Qua resurget ex favilla

Judicandus homo reus.

Huic ergo parce, Deus:

Pie Jesu Domine,

Dona eis requiem.

Amen.

Weekends just aren't weekends...

I managed to get out to see my work at the opening of the Chicago Artists Month Kickoff Exhibition this evening.  Smother and Midnight Intrigue are there, and can be purchased for $600 each.  They did a great job of hanging everything. 



The show will continue through the weekend and features the work of 16 local artists and is sponsored by Gapers Block. 

Location:
Chicago Arts District

2003 S. Halsted St.

Chicago, IL

 

 

For more information, visit the event's Facebook page.