From the Ivory Tower.

"The Charlatan"

2011-01-11T16:20:00.000-08:00

"The Charlatan". Oil on masonite 2008. 8"1/2 x 14"1/2, Framed. $750.

Another charlatan claiming the truth, from the garden of deceits.

To purchase this painting please contact me via e-mail. (see my profile).

"Bridge to the Center of the Earth".

2011-01-11T16:08:00.000-08:00

"Bridge to the Center of the Earth" Oil on masonite, 2007.
10"1/2 x 13". Framed.

SOLD!!

Masonite is such a great surface to work with because of its smoothness and it allows a great deal of detail. This painting is framed and ready to hang.

To purchase this painting please contact me via e-mail. (see my profile).

"The Annunciation"

2010-03-13T12:04:00.000-08:00

"The Annunciation" Oil on masonite, 9 x 18 inches. 2005.
Sold

My second painting about the Annunciation but with a different plot. It was sold to an art collector in Los Angeles.

"Untitled"

2010-03-09T10:51:00.001-08:00

"Untitled". Oil, gold paint on canvas, 11 x 17 inches, 1997, framed.
$950

A man and a stork communicate in tongues, spiritual messages back and forth......

To purchase this painting please contact me via e-mail. (see my profile).

"Untitled"

2010-03-09T10:33:00.000-08:00

"Untitled". Oil on canvas, 13 x 18 inches, 2001.
$800

Once again, all because of an apple....

To purchase this painting please contact me via e-mail. (see my profile).

"Untitled".

2010-03-08T21:02:00.001-08:00

"Untitled". Oil on canvas, 11 x 14 inches, 2006.

$ 750

A transformed Buddha becomes the center of attention, and while guests observe, the people behind the drapery wait...

To purchase this painting please contact me via e-mail. (see my profile).

"Untitled".

2010-03-08T20:55:00.001-08:00

"Untitled". Oil on canvas, 18 x 14 inches, circa 1999.
$ 800

On a deserted land a man encounters and mimics his own image.

To purchase this painting please contact me via e-mail. (see my profile).

"Dos Filosofos" (Two Philosophers)

2010-03-08T20:47:00.001-08:00

"Dos Filosofos" (Two Philosophers). Oil on canvas, 13 x 13 inches, 1997, framed.
$880

The philosopher admiring his own image...in a philosophical manner?

(The white background around the painting is not part of the artwork)

To purchase this painting please contact me via e-mail. (see my profile).

"El Bostezo" (Yawn).

2010-03-08T20:40:00.000-08:00

"El Bostezo" (Yawn). Oil on canvas on wood, 14 x 11 inches, 1996.
$850

A trick of mirrors at lunch time...

(The white background around the painting is not part of the artwork)

To purchase this painting please contact me via e-mail. (see my profile).

"Untitled".

2010-03-08T20:27:00.001-08:00

"Untitled" Oil on canvas, 14 x 18 inches, year 2000.
Sold

An exercise on light. My primary intention was to study light on the iluminated areas and light on the shaded areas.

To purchase this painting please contact me via e-mail. (see my profile).

"The Wheel of Life".

2010-03-08T18:19:00.001-08:00

"The Wheel of Life". Oil on canvas, 18 x 11 inches, 2005.
Sold

According to the Tibetan world view, what keep us human in a constant karma and trap in the wheel of life, are our sometimes uncontrollable emotions, represented by the pig (anger), the rooster (lust), the snake (hate).
This oil sketch was a study for a bigger painting, already sold.

To purchase this painting please contact me via e-mail. (see my profile).

"Amsterdam"

2010-03-08T17:28:00.001-08:00

'Amsterdam". Oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches, circa 1999.
$ 1,200

This oil sketch was a study for a bigger painting but never made it. One of my favorite tricks to harmonize colors is to mix one color with the rest of the colors on the palete; in this case I used red oxide.

To purchase this painting please contact me via e-mail. (see my profile).

My modest library.

2009-09-01T14:58:00.001-07:00

My modest library; references, photos, art from the past and the present, and of course music. But not loud, I find it difficult to concentrate with loud music, even classical music.

More tools of the trade...

2009-09-01T10:26:00.000-07:00

As a medium I use a mixture of linseed oil diluted to fifty parts of odorless turpenoid, as seen on the photo. This allows me to work very loosely and at the same time work with details; also since I use nylon brushes and occasionally bristles, this medium is perfect for my style.
I had used mixtures of oil and varnishes mixed at different ratios, and the so called Old Masters Mediums, but I found them to be heavy and dense and I couldn't work on a loose manner.

My color system.

2009-09-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

This is a view of how I organize my colors. Every artist has his/her own way of organizing their pallets. My way: two rows of color, the first row to the left of the screen is mixed with a little bit of white ( or whatever color I may be using as the highest light, in this case the pink mixture on the lowest part of the photograph). The second row consist of colors as they come out of their tubes.
I use this system when I work with big paintings; although it is tedious to do this preparation, it pays off as I move along because the tones are premixed and all I have to do is change them a little bit as I go.
Some times I use a third row of colors mixed with black (OMG he uses black?) for my shadows.
Of course, this system probably falls apart when painting from a live model or being outdoors painting a landscape, since the subject in front will dictate the colors.

More tools of the trade...

2009-09-01T09:05:00.000-07:00

Paper palettes are very convenient although some people may object to that in terms of creation of more waste.

Tools of the trade...

2009-09-01T08:35:00.000-07:00

My work table, handmade and on wheels; not very attractive but sturdy an effective.

Work in progress.

2009-09-01T07:04:00.000-07:00

Here is my new work. I started this painting in late June of this year; the background is already covered, now I'm moving from the background to the foreground which I find easy for me to work; I always worked in this manner: first the background, then the foreground. Latter on I'll go back and adjust some of the colors and contrast.

Some interesting sites....

2009-08-31T18:32:00.000-07:00

Etaoin
ArtSpace Virginia Miller
AbsoluteArts
Juxtapoze Magazine
Iam a Silverback Gorilla
Joanne Mattera Art Blog
The Artist Magazine
The Artist Experience
Teresabelle Designs
Journal of my Oil Techniques
Artists Blogs, Art Blogs and Art Blogging!
Dan Heller Photography Business
Tood Schorr
Coroflot Design, Illustration
Art Blogs 4 you

2009-08-29T10:32:00.000-07:00

To see my paintings go here.
I'll be posting some artwork on this blog from time to time as well.

Working on a new painting.

2009-08-27T21:08:00.001-07:00

Here I'm, working on my new painting which I started back in June. I'm lying down the drawing, going over the pencil lines using acrylic burnt umber. This could be tedious at times but it has to be done. I can't start a painting without a drawing. A drawing is the scaffold which supports the subsequent layers of paint, and without it I'll be lost.

Welcome to my blog.

2009-08-27T14:52:00.000-07:00

August 28th, 2009.

Hi there,

Welcome to my blog. This is my first posting and my intention is to write about my work, the creative process, techniques, materials and anything related to the creation of images that some people call "art" (and others don't).

I'll be posting photos of my paintings, maybe a video or two, photographs (yes, I do photography too, but as an amateur) and links to other sites that I find interesting.

I must say that I'm not a writer, and I'm still struggling with the English language so please forgive me for any spelling error, or syntax's problems you may see in my writing.

Thank you

Alfredo