pierce studio

2010-11-05T12:18:00.003-05:00

In other news...
I'm working on a painting that is too big and has been defeating me. I've started over and redone it 3 times now. I'm hoping to have it done by the end of November. It is base on living with diabetes. I have type 1 diabetes and can personally attest to the pain, discomfort and depression that comes with it. That's what this painting represents. It's almost become a metaphorical battle between me and diabetes since the painting is always there. Staring at me everyday just daring me to do better, to be better and to overcome this burden.

2010-11-05T12:15:00.001-05:00

RHS Arts & Crafts Fair

2010-11-05T12:06:00.002-05:00

Here we go again.
Tomorrow in the annual RHS Arts and Crafts fair in Denton, TX.
I haven’t participated the last 2 years, so this will be interesting.
It's a great event to come to and do some early holiday shopping or to just view the various arts and crafts displayed. I will be selling a variety of pottery. Jars, vases, pitchers, mugs and bowls are mostly what I’m selling. I'll post and let you know how it goes, but I would MUCH rather see you all there!
Anyway, I would appreciate any support from anyone near Denton. All the information is in the attached flyer.

2010-01-13T20:50:00.002-06:00

Well...
it's been nearly 4 months since I've posted anything. Things have been extremely slow, and no one has shown any interest in my work. But I guess that's ok. If I was having any kind of success with my art right now, it would take time away from my family. Em is 4yrs old and Chlo is 4 months! It's going by so fast, and I wouldn't trade time with my girls for all the art commissions in the world.
I'm getting geared up for some new works. It's just been too long, and I've got the itch to do something...

2009-09-05T16:11:00.002-05:00

Here's my latest work!

Beautiful isn't she.

Chloe Elizabeth, 8lbs8oz x 20.5", 9-3-09

2009-08-15T16:18:00.000-05:00

Well, I just received my copy of the August/September 2009 edition of SchoolArts magazine! This is significant because it's my first time to be published! I wrote one of the articles in this edition and did an illustration for an article by another art teacher! I know, I know...it's a little nerdy, but I'm excited about it. I hope to do more of this in the near future. My personal goal is to be published at least once each year (in SchoolArts, BOAA, and/or hopefully some others). If you get a chance, check out the Aug/Sept ed. of SchoolArts!!! It's got some great ideas for art educators of all grade levels.

2009-08-15T12:40:00.002-05:00

Fudog, tattoo design, Aug. 6, 2009
This was done on request while inquiring about tattoos and their relevance today. The fudog is a guardian of high officials or royalty in Chinese culture. The one on the left is a female holding a playful pup, and the one on the right is a male holding a sphere. The number of rings or curls in the hair represent the "importance" of the person or family being guarded. The more rings, the higher the rank or importance of the person/family.

2009-07-22T13:16:00.000-05:00

Well, today I finished uploading some images of some paintings to Best of Artists & Artisans. Their website is Bestofartists.com. They contacted me a couple of weeks ago and asked for two of my paintings displayed here on my blog (Iris and Fancy Meeting You Here), and for some additional works (New Generation and False Signs) to print in their upcoming book, Best of America Watermedia Artists Volume II. I just finished False Signs this morning and completed New Generation last Sunday afternoon. I don't think I've ever painted more diligently in my life! These two paintings are big and it took me painting 10 - 12 hours a day for the last week and a half to complete them by the deadline (which is this Friday). So, now I can breathe a little and hopefully soon I'll get to see the fruit of my labor. I'll post when the book is out and where you can find it, as soon as I hear back from BOAA.
I don't want anyone to think I'm trying to brag. I'm just excited because this type of thing has never happened to me before. I mean, I've never really had a break or opportunity to advance my art career outside of teaching. I sold a painting a few weeks ago for the first time in years and I was in an art show this summer, and I've been invited to a couple of others coming up in the next 6 months, and now a publisher wants to give me a page or two in an upcoming book! I just can't believe how God's blessed me this way! I had honestly given up on the whole artist thing, but a good friend (Todd Ford @ fordsart.blogspot.com) and my wife kept bugging me to keep trying. Another little blessing from the Lord...my wife and I are having our second child this September! Her name is Chloe and she is due to arrive by Sept. 23.
Thanks for looking! I hope you check back again to see what's new.

2009-07-22T13:11:00.000-05:00

False Signs
Acrylic on Canvas, 30" x 40", July 22, 2009

Price: $500

2009-07-19T16:47:00.000-05:00

New Generation
Acrylic on canvas, 24" x 48", July 19, 2009

Price: $750

2009-07-01T18:52:00.000-05:00

I know it's been a while since I've posted anything new on the blog, but I am working on a few new ideas and projects for upcoming shows and my own art health. I'm a little slow in most production because I'm a perfectionist. When I come up with an idea or get inspiration for something new, I plan it out extensively. Every aspect has to be just right before I even begin the work. What size, color, media, and orientation best communicate the idea? Most importantly, what is it that I want the piece to communicate?
These are just some of the ideas I'm working on:
-being a diabetic and how that influences/affects my work
-construction environments
-exploration of tattoos and their social relevance today(don't worry Mom...it's not for personal application)
-how do I communicate faith and belief in my art

2009-05-29T16:21:00.000-05:00

Iris
Acrylic on canvas, 48" x 30", May 28, 2009

This piece has been in the making for a long time. This was my first attempt to stretch my own canvas, and boy did I choose a fun one to start with. The piece is 4 feet wide and 2.5 feet high! This is the largest painting I've done on canvas...but I'm getting off the subject. I stretched the canvas a year ago, and did not start painting on it until later...much later. I worked on it the last month and finally put the finishing touches on it yesterday.
This one will not be sold. It is a gift to my lovely wife for our eighth wedding anniversary!

2009-05-28T13:45:00.000-05:00

Fancy Meeting You Here SOLD!!!

Acrylic, latex and oil paint on 2 plywood panels (8'x4' ea.)

I completed this piece about 2 years ago. I wanted to try something new and eye catching, so I did two profile self portraits on eight foot plywood! To date, this is my largest work.

2009-05-28T13:40:00.000-05:00

The Human Condition

High fired terracotta, life size, May 2009

Price: $300

I call this one The Human Condition because it is inevitable for us all. Not to be dark or anything, but it does help to remind me of my own mortality and how I don't really have any control over death. I just know that, eventually, this will be what is left of my physical state.

2009-05-08T15:04:00.000-05:00

Blue Self Portrait

Acrylic on canvas board, 12" x 12", March, 2009

2009-05-08T15:02:00.000-05:00

Strutter Program

Design/illustration, 8.5" x 11", Feb., 2009

2009-05-08T14:59:00.000-05:00

Art Groove

Design/illustration, Feb., 2009

2009-05-08T14:58:00.000-05:00

Jade Jar 1
Raku fired low fire clay, approx. 4" x 5", 2007

2009-05-08T14:53:00.000-05:00

Jade Jar 2

Raku fired low fire clay, approx. 4" x 5", 2007

2009-05-08T14:51:00.000-05:00

Locked Jar

High fired, wheel thrown Terracotta, approx. 10" x 25", 2007

2009-05-08T14:42:00.000-05:00

Locked Jar

Wheel thrown Terracotta, approx. 8" x 27", 2006

2009-05-08T14:34:00.000-05:00

Eggs?

Sa-ku fired, handbuilt low fire clay, approx. 5" x 8" ea., April, 2007

2009-05-08T14:30:00.000-05:00

Wire Bulb

Electrical fence wire on canvas-board, 18" x 24", May, 2008

Price: $125

2009-05-08T14:27:00.000-05:00

Green Bottle Bottom

Watercolor, 22" x 30", April, 2008

Price: $150

2009-05-08T14:26:00.000-05:00

Green Bottle Top

Watercolor, 22" x 30", Jan., 2008

Price: $150

2009-05-08T14:24:00.000-05:00

Blood On My Hands

Mixed media, 22" x 30", 2007

Price: $130

2009-05-08T14:16:00.000-05:00

Gnashing of Teeth

Gouache, 22" x 30", 2000

Price: $300

2009-05-08T14:10:00.000-05:00

Old Things

Watercolor, 22" x 30", 2000

Price: $125

2009-05-08T14:09:00.000-05:00

The Harvest

Watercolor, 22" x 30", 2000

Price: $125

2009-05-08T14:08:00.000-05:00

Suffer the Children

Watercolor, 22" x 30", 2000

Price: $125

2009-05-08T14:03:00.000-05:00

Greed

Watercolor, 22" x 30", 2000

Price: $125

2009-05-08T14:02:00.000-05:00

Lust

Watercolor, 22" x 30", 2000

Price: $125

2009-05-08T14:01:00.000-05:00

Pride

Watercolor, 22" x 30", 2000

Price: $125

2009-05-08T13:58:00.000-05:00

Peace

Watercolor on illustration board with red acrylic print, 12" x 18", Nov., 2001

Price: $100

2009-05-08T13:40:00.000-05:00

"Peace"

Watercolor on illustration board, 18" x 24", Nov., 2001

Price: $125

2009-05-08T13:36:00.000-05:00

Scared Spud

This is a funny little scene I came across while cleaning my three-year-old's play room. I did a little editing to the image, but for the most part, this is the way I found it.