Opening Countdown ...

With the opening just one week away, I am working diligently on the remaining few paintings. I will have twelve total in this series I am titling "Plume". Last night, I wrapped up a piece featuring my beautiful friend Katie. The photo below was taken quickly about half way through the process.

I hope to see everyone next Friday, here is a link to the event information.
http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=262022625335&ref=mf

Happy New Year & much love!

Another Preview

Here are a couple of pieces I've done for the next show. There is still quite a bit of work to do, but i'll get there. Happy Holidays!

Whats to Come

Here is a small preview of what I have been working on (she's very unfinished). It looks like I will have my next opening at Caggio Gallery on Friday January 15th 2010! All of the pieces in this will fit a still untitled theme - but everything will be dark, mysterious and monochrome. I'm exploring a lot of new technique with oil and will be incorporating unusual textures in these pieces. I want people to want to touch them. The other plus, I've been shooting my own models, so everything is totally original from the start.

In related news, I'll be updated the look of this blog and my website. Business has been booming and I want everything to reflect the more solid design aesthetic I have developed. Stay tuned!

Boy In Blue

So I was commissioned to paint a friends son. She took the amazing photo that I worked from, and left the rest up to me. I added ginkgo leaves because in Japan they represent hope for the future. I thought that was a good symbol to include on this little guy playing in the leaves.

I'm For Sale

I am now selling PRINTS of many of my paintings through ETSY.com. I am excited to see how this works out. The response to my last opening was overwhelming (thank you to everyone who came to support me) so I thought this was a much more affordable way to get my work into the hands of those who can't buy the originals.

Etsy Buy Handmade michaelcoates

Sold!

I will be featured in a gallery opening next week here in Milwaukee at a new gallery named CAGGIO. I'm thrilled and honored to be part of this event and hope to have about 8 -15 painting for sale. This includes the one below, which as of today is SOLD. It's my first to sell from the show, and I am so thankful to its new owner.

This piece is titled "Clyde" and is charcoal and acrylic on pine and is 6''x6''. While the original is no longer available, I will have 100 limited edition prints ready for pre-order.

Native American Cheif

I forget his name, as soon as I can track it down - I will use that for the title. Anyways, I finished this one last night for my Mom. This one was a fun challenge because I was able to use copper leaf for the first time. It's hard to tell in the photo, but every other square is copper with turquoise peaking through.

In Progress

I'm painting this guy for my Mom. It's not only mother's day, but her birthday this month. I'm excited to get to the next steps on him, which include turquoise paint & copper leaf!

"Cheyene"

Finished him tonight. I still need to paint the edges, but I was to eager to get him online. Wednesday I'm heading to the supply store to get the stuff to begin my next painting for my mama.

Final Website Edits

I made a few final changes to my site & all I have left is to upload a few more of the design pages.

Website Update

I've reinvented my website. I'm trying to create a site that will allow my collections to grow, plus add more features so that as I accomplish more work, I can keep it all in one place.

I'm in the process of adding a store. I'll sell both my art & photos on there soon. Eventually I'd like to get some handmade items like scarves & ties up there. You can also follow the site on facebook & twitter among others.

Cowboy Gus

For Christmas this year, I painted Gus for my Dad. Gus was a favorite of his when I was a child. Played by Robert Duvall, he was the central(and most likable character) in the "Lonesome Dove" movie series.

Carla Number Two

Here is a second portrait I've done of my dear friend Carla. I've been using some amazing photos of her, and I have been enjoying working with some new mediums. Hopefully I'll get started on the third and final of Carla after the new year begins. I have some special projects to work on before then.

New Direction

I have taken a little bit of a new direction in my paintings as of late. I'm using charcoal and pastel rather than graphite. I'm also using less acrylic, and exploring more oil based and metallic paints. I've also decided to incorporate the dozens of line drawings I've collected, and create more organic backgrounds to the portraits.

So, here is my latest piece. The photo quality is terrible (I took it in a hurry with my phone). I'll get a better version up soon. It's titled "Departure".

Fashionista

My best friend and I took an intro class to fashion design for six weeks not too long ago. I learned a ton, and while my skills in sewing don't compare to my friends, I still managed to learn quite a bit.

Since none of the items I created in class turned out wearable, I was determined to put my new hobby to good use. So using left over t-shirt knits, and some various scraps, I made this gray, black and purple scarf.

My goal is to learn how to construct some of my favorite menswear items such as waistcoats or skinny ties.