Six Panel with Lapis Lazuli

Posted on November 30, 2012 11:21 am by markduranart

Back to canvass and experimentation with texture. I grounded up my Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan into a fine powder. Then I composed a non objective design onto six canvasses. I used clear stand oil and saturated the work, and spread the Lapis across the surface.
The images randomly appeared with a slightly raised texture. Completely free from the use of a brush the powder collected in abstract forms of soft unhindered clumps. I enjoyed watching the powder melt into the pigment. The almost eerie faces appeared as if the painting was looking back at me.

VA Addition

Posted on November 10, 2012 3:46 am by markduranart

A new home for the large canvas.
The fine folks at the Milwaukee Veterans Hospital welcomed one of my canvasses to aid in healing through art as an addition to the group therapy room. I am honored to have my work inspire other veterans as we learn to cope with the conflicts that remain within and learn how to heal in this ever changing world. Peace surrounds the painting as colors swirl in soothing tones and textures.
Peace to all on this somber Veterans Day weekend.

Guitar

Posted on November 9, 2012 3:43 am by markduranart

Old ideas with new faces

I wanted to warm up tonight with a guitar that had been sitting around awaiting a face lift. I’ll stop here and see where to go next.

Urban Laundry “Tosa!”

Posted on October 28, 2012 2:28 am by markduranart

I had the pleasure of spending the day under blue skies painting on the side walks of Wauwatosa Wisconsin. The Urban Laundry boutique was my first attempt at capturing a store front in full sharpie style and backlit effects. It was a pleasure meeting all the fine folks in the “cream city”; named for the color of the bricks that were used in the early days of Milwaukee.
I received a welcome response from the beautiful style specialists at “Urban Laundry”. Dee Dee was also there to assist with my color scheme. She said don’t forget the red wagon in the background. I’ll be touching up some areas after it dries but for a single sitting in cooler temps I think it went well. The Starbucks coffee helped too. Thanks Tosa, here’s to you.

Franz Marc style horses

Posted on October 26, 2012 2:37 am by markduranart

This new Horse window was commissioned by Dave Grever for his daughter. Sadly Dave will be moving to Texas soon. The window is from his house here in Williams Bay. His daughter loves horses and seems pleased with the idea of moving to a state full of our four legged friends. Dave is a war historian and knows Franz Marks tragic end on the WWI fields of Verdun in 1916.

Art School “Academy Minerva”

Posted on October 25, 2012 10:24 pm by markduranart

It’s 1996 again as I sift through old photographs of art school in Groningen Netherlands. It has beep a point of reflection realizing my favorite themes have not changed. Going back in time gives us a chance to take stock in ones life. Looking back also gives reason move forward to experiment and be pushing your comfort zone all the time.
We are all fortunate to be here. Art has a way of saying more than words can.

This last pic is from Highschool. I always loved that feeling getting pumped up for a Down Hill Race. Very Similar to starting a new painting.

Happy Halloween

Posted on October 13, 2012 6:40 pm by markduranart

Modi 3

Posted on October 1, 2012 8:13 am by markduranart

Modi 3 is my first attempt at morphing figures together on glass. Quick brushwork was required, and the paint became thick and uncontrollable in the end. To no avail, the paint spark returned and everything fell into place.
This image was conceived from two works by Modiglianni.

After days of thought and an old Sharpie dying out, I changed the painting into a reflection of our troops fighting against martyrs willing to die for a promised 72 virgins.

New Non Objective

Posted on September 28, 2012 6:30 am by markduranart

Going big today with a 3×5 foot canvass. I wanted to paint a non objective and see where the night would take me. I wound up with broad strokes and organic lines. I am pleased with the results and I hope you enjoy the piece from all four sides.

Window horses

Posted on September 17, 2012 8:41 pm by markduranart

Hello Art fans,
A new day brings a new commission. I was asked to paint horses on one of my last antique windows in stock. So I went to one of my favorite artists Franz Marc from a small town near Munich. He was the founder of the German expressionists movement known as the Blue Rider. (Der Blau Reiter) Marc was killed in the battle of Verdun in WWI. Sad to think the great artists of the time were on opposite sides shooting at each other.
Marc was known for painting animals in their natural setting. I wanted to paint something bold with large areas of pure color. Minimal Sharpie, maximum paint. I hope you like the piece as well as Carlo and Ingrid Krause the German couple who commissioned the painting as an addition to their horse farm in Middleton Wisconsin.

(http://happyhaflingers.com/)

“Pferde und Fenster”
Bis Spater!

Look for the one photo from the painted side of the window: