Early Spring Snow

"Early Spring Snow, March 24th"

digital photograph

C.M. Shaw, 2013

As much as I hate to drop another obligatory snow photo on you like every other photographer aspiring and otherwise, you have to admit the Midwest saw a pretty good blizzard this past Sunday- especially so late in March. I shot this from the tiny deck outside my second story apartment, never having set foot outside during the entire affair. I pushed up the contrast and highlights, deepened the shadows, then converted it to a black & white and hit it with the red filter. I've never done that with a snow photo, and am mildly proud of the results. It wasn't our most treacherous winter storm of the year, but it was an impressive amount of big, wet snow in a short time, about 10" or so. Very pretty. I enjoyed the day alone drawing, stopping to shoot the occasional photo and refill my coffee. Farewell to winter! 

Stars to light your candles...

Started making art again after some fits and starts- here's an acrylic painting on paper that's stapled to one of my boards right now. I love painting/drawing on paper, this one drawn heavily in wax crayon prior to painting with acrylic, and yes, glitter. See her sparkling? I'm trying to keep these loose, and I find a rough, playful crayon preliminary starts things off well. I bought a few new pads of paper, and this is the direction things are headed- lots of new ideas to work on.

Art Movie: Passanise @ Bruno David

I've felt like I wanted to do some art movies on YouTube for awhile now but was unsure where to start. Gary Passanise's October show at Bruno David was a sort of happy accident, in that I often have my camera function dial on the wrong setting from pulling it in and out of my pocket while on the run around town. The snippet at the beginning of this was perfect, captured while trying to get a decent shot of Gary next to his canvas on opening night this past autumn. I added some shots of the four huge abstracts the artist painted on industrial drop-cloths, some music, and Voilá! He did a gallery talk a month later that I hated missing- I lead a busy life. Gary was very gracious at the opening however, sharing his experience and some insight on his working method and thought processes in making the new works. I posted about Gary this summer when I made a quick painting if him- the Director of Painting at Webster University and founding Executive Director at the Santo Foundation, Gary is an accomplished artist represented by Bruno David Gallery here in St. Louis.

Morning Snow

"Morning Snow, Dec. 29th"

digital photograph

C.M. Shaw, 2012

"Last night grey Winter made his first foray

And stole away kind Autumn's russet cloak.

Where on the grass tumbling leaves did play

A glittering pall he spread and at a stroke..."

from "Winter", Michael Morris

The Proposal

"The Proposal" 2012
11 x 14"
acrylic, colored pencil, mixed media collage on masonite

Art From The Heart!

"Handle With Care" 2010
acrylic/mixed media on canvas
16 x 20"

You can bid on this piece at the upcoming 3rd Annual Art from the Heart... a wonderful evening of music, wine and art! Friends of Kids with Cancer is devoted to enriching the daily lives of children undergoing treatment for cancer and blood related diseases. "Our mission is to be an advocate for these special kids and provide them and their families with the recreational, educational, and emotional support needed throughout the long hours of chemotherapy illness and isolation." Please join me in support of a cause that is close to my heart:

Thursday, September 27th, 6-9pm.
Mungenast Lexus of St. Louis
13700 Manchester Road
Manchester, MO 63011
314.822.7681

*Support the Friends of Kids with Cancer Art Therapy Program
*See over 70 pieces of professionally framed art celebrated by kids in the Art Therapy Program for Auction
*Feel the emotion expressed by these wonderful young artists
*Taste the fine wine and hearty appetizers
*Hear the beautiful music of the Poor People of Paris
*Bid on the children's art and silent auction items

Register online today!!

Guardian Kal

"Guardian Kal"

14 x 20"

acrylic on 140 lbs. watercolor paper

Here's something I had fun doing-  a portrait of pal of mine dressed as a galactic superhero.  I've felt for awhile that Kal would be an interesting subject, and a month ago I got the idea from a pic of the bearded one peeking through the band on his headphones. It looked as though he were wearing some kind of visor, somehow sparking the thought of our shared enthusiasm for the Guardians of the Galaxy comic by Marvel. I imagine Kal recruited by Peter Quill/Starlord to join the reunited team, using his cool wits and raygun (The Fridge) to help battle the dread Dormammu to the death at the North Pole! Or where our new recruit was "weaned by wolves in Northern Quebec"? So much to work with here, People...