Thursday, February 21, 2013

My portrait of Jessica Watson - The Art of Doing

Jessica Watson by Amy Crehore 2013, oil on linen, 8" x 10"
 
I created this portrait of the amazing Jessica Watson for Camille Sweeney and Josh Gosfield's blog dedicated to their brand new book The Art of Doing: How Superachievers Do What They Do and How They Do It So Well. There are many wonderful interviews in this book, including one with friend Mark Frauenfelder of Boing Boing .
At the age of 16, Jessica Watson became the youngest person to sail solo around the world.
The interview with her in the book is quite fascinating.
The authors share some of it today on their blog, have a look: 
LINK .

You can buy the book on amazon here.
 
 

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Amy Crehore Originals

 Homage to the King of Cats, 2001, 18" x 22", oil on linen ©Amy Crehore SOLD
 "Checkers", 2003, 18" x 22", oil on linen ©Amy Crehore SOLD
 "Feed the Bear Blues" 2007 preliminary drawing, pencil on 8 1/2" x 11" paper ©Amy Crehore SOLD
 "Black Cat Tease", 2005  oil on paper, image 6 1/2" circle © Amy Crehore SOLD
"Geyser" Camp Uke, 2009, oil painting (on Lyon & Healy antique 1920s) ©Amy Crehore SOLD
Here are some originals of mine that have recently found new homes with collectors in NYC, L.A., Austin, etc.
The top two fine art paintings were award winners in national competitions, Communication Arts Magazine and the American Illustration annual. The "Homage" painting was also exhibited in NYC some years ago at the Museum of American Illustration in a show called "Dreams". The antique ukulele was part of my "Dreamgirls and Ukes" show in Los Angeles. The pencil drawing was a preliminary sketch for a painting that was shown in a Brooklyn, NY gallery a few years back (the painting is still available). The circle painting is one of my "Little Pierrot" series (10 Little Pierrots were selected winners in the American Illustration annual some years ago and 4 were shown in a Santa Monica gallery).
 For more information visit my website.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Walt Kuhn and Guy Pene du Bois

The painter Walt Kuhn (above) was actually one of the organizers of the 1913 Armory show in NYC as a member of the Association of American Painters and Sculptors. Here's a link to Kuhn's records.
This is Walt Kuhn's gorgeous "American Beauty" painting, 1934. It is in the collection of the Chrysler Museum (Norfolk, VA). LINK
It is one of the many portraits of performers that Walt Kuhn painted. More images here.
 
An artist named Guy Pene du Bois was included in the 1913 Armory show along with 299 others.
Below are some of his works (not necessarily in the Armory show, just works that I like). Mysterious and deceptively simple compositions.



Read about Guy Pene du Bois 
More images here.
 

Sunday, February 17, 2013

!00th Anniversary of Groundbreaking Armory Show 1913

It is the 1913 Armory Show's 100th anniversary. You can find the list of artists here .
And, oh, what a list it is! 300 artists introduced NYC to "modern art".
Read about the history of this show here.
See a cool map of layout of building and links explaining the art of 1913 Armory show.
 

Thursday, February 14, 2013

What am I working on?

I'm drawing with very small brushes using waterproof, fadeproof ink right now.
Just having fun.
Here's a sketchbook example that I drew yesterday. Letting the ideas flow and learning new techniques by practicing.

Inspired Poetry- A post for Valentines Day

(Detail of a painting by the talented and lovely Lang Leav)
 I can't think of a better way to spend Valentines Day than to sit around eating chocolates and reading the wonderful poetry of Lang Leav and Michael Faudet .

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Painting of the Day by Otto Dix

 
Self-portrait by Otto Dix 1912. He sports a bowl haircut and corduroy jacket. He is holding a pink carnation. The hand and flower are painted with delicacy, but he gave himself an intense stare. Nice contrast. (Thanks, Benjamin Phillips)