I've been busy creating the last several months, but have neglected updating this blog. My apologies! Have been entering shows, submitting work to Etsy and CreateMyTatto.com. as well as creating just for the heck of it.  Here are some samples:

Have really enjoyed developing animal portraits and exploring patterns w/ #2 pencil, pen and ink, and colored pencils on Canson paper. Each of these is 9"Wx12"L...a little wider than my scanner, so some of the detail is missing.

I find it very liberating to draw freehand on my Samsung Galaxy Pro Tab. I made many artworks and several variations of each piece. These are some of my favorites.

I have a nice big painting and some other works, but it's a busy day, so I will have to upload more next time. I always welcome calls requesting info on my art: 832-549-1730. Happy to have you come by and see what I have available or commission something special just for you.

I have been creating more drawings these last few months than digital works or paintings. In fact, I started making designs for tattoos. Here's a recent drawing that I thought might be appropriate for Valentine's Day: Horses in Love. Cropped it for the actual tattoo design. This kind of work is fun and surprisingly easy for me. Taking a break from my usual process of working layer upon layer. Just ink, #2 pencil and colored pencil.

Painting is a lot about solving problems. But to solve the problem, I have to understand it. And to understand it, I have to create it. Once the problem is created, I can figure it out. When the problem is solved, I have a finished painting.

I have a painting I've been working on for a little over a month. This bit of "wisdom" came to me as I was working on it.

Good Afternoon Art Lovers,
I received some wonderful news from the Rochester Contemporary Art Center today. The four works of art I submitted to their 6x6x2016 show have SOLD! Why is that good news? All proceeds go to support this amazing art space. I enter and sell work in this charity show every year. I love that the show is open to emerging AND famous artists, but that no one knows which work is created by whom until they purchase it. This definitely appeals to the egalitarian side of my personality. It's also very cool that people from all over the world can buy artworks in person and online. Everyone has a chance to participate! To see the four piece work World Trajectory that sold, click these links:

http://www.roco6x6.org/6x6x2016.php?artwork_id=5300
http://www.roco6x6.org/6x6x2016.php?artwork_id=5301
http://www.roco6x6.org/6x6x2016.php?artwork_id=5302
http://www.roco6x6.org/6x6x2016.php?artwork_id=5303
The show is up until July 17th and there are plenty of works still for sale.

Happy Shopping!
  STUTZ

I have spent the better part of the last 3 weeks digitally altering and creating artwork from the photos I took during spring break this year. Inspired by an agave (aka century plant) that I shot in Terlingua, TX from that trip, I wrote this short verse:

Receptive
you want me
come closer
centuries old
still moist
sometimes sweet
i intoxicate

I decided to create a set of six pieces featuring the altered version of that plant (seen below) framed. I then applied a line of text corresponding to each line from the verse above on the front glass of each piece. Each piece (5"Hx7"Wx2"D) is beautifully framed in wood with a weathered grey finish. That set, along with 2 of my other works, will be on view @ Galerie Spectra through May 11, 2016. The opening is this evening from 6 - 9p. For all the info on that gallery and tonight's opening reception, visit spectraartisits.org.

 Earlier today, I posted a video to YouTube with a little update of what I've been up to in the studio for the last 3 weeks. Well, one of those weeks I took myself somewhere I have been dreaming about for a couple of years: Big Bend National Park. It was a road trip I will remember my entire life for a variety of reasons. I am no stranger to parts of West Texas, but the experiences and vistas of that particular trip exceeded my expectations. I took some photos that I am quite pleased with, but even they really do not capture what it is to stand alone in the mountains of Big Bend. You have to experience it yourself.

I am undecided as to which photos I will show @ Galerie Spectra in April, but below are a little sampling of a few of them. I shot photos from my camp site @ Terlingua Ranch Lodge, all along highway 118, in Big Bend National Park and in the Hill Country on the return trip.

Naturally, there were the pricklies...

But also there were softies...

But the real stars of the show were the mountains...

Some of these I am going to digitally alter, paint and blow up big. I have so many other photos. Did I mention that I went to Marfa, too? Well, I guess you'll have to come to the show to see which work I actually bring. Here's the 411:

Artists Reception @ Galerie Spectra
Friday, April 15th from 6 - 9p.
Memorial City Mall
303 Memorial City Way
Unit #822
Houston, TX 77024
832-656-9671
http://www.spectraartists.org/

Galerie Spectra is having their monthly Artists Reception, Friday, March 11, 6-9PM. 

STUTZ artwork will be on display with over 30 other local artists!

Artist of the Month is David Mortensen. Check out his incredible wildlife photography.

Kelly Stewart will have a special installation of her life's work on display in the back room.
 
Original artwork in the main gallery. Painting, Photography, Sculpture, Ceramics, Pottery, and much more....
Entertainment provided by Virtuosi of Houston.
Refreshments served.
This event is free and open to the public.

Spectra Galerie is located in Memorial City Mall @ the North entrance near Dillards
303 Memorial Way, Unit #822
Houston, TX 77024

Today Galerie Spectra had their Trunk Show. I made a couple of videos showing the art and introducing a few of the other artists. Enjoy these fun YouTube videos!