Ceramic Rhombus set in progress

After seeing some hexagon and rhombus shaped Islamic tiles at LACMA I really felt compelled to experiment a bit with how I may approach the matter. Where the applied arts and the fine arts cross paths is a place where I am curious about what can happen there. Since I have been so immersed in design over the years and my “fine art” has been separate for so long it inspires me to begin to merge these two worlds of mine.

Egypt or Syria, early 15th century

Architecture; Architectural Elements

Fritware, underglaze painted

I have some access to clay and kilns so this will be a natural potential area for experimentation. The hexagon shape is produced by the 3 rhombi together. The resulting tessellation of the simple geometry offers me a grid-like connectivity that is different than anything I have worked with before.

The rhombus shapes that I spent some time with at the museum were not listed on their site, but the surface of those particular shapes inspired me to make this batch with an “apparent age” of distressed looking surface. This stage of the project does not show the look that I am shooting for, but will be that way once glazed and fired. This group is currently drying and waiting for the bisque fire. Probably on Friday or Saturday. Hopefully I can have a bit more of the process completed by Monday’s meeting.

The motifs that keep going through my sketches are becoming important as I spend more time considering their origins in my process. I am working on approximately 12 rhombus and equilateral triangles here.

Some considerations of my ineptitude with math over the years seem to keep filling this idea that the construction of these shapes, and how they work together has continued to help me to enjoy the process. I see this shape a lot in my web design work in the charts for hexadecimal color that is referenced in html.

The site coding process is another uneasy form of work for me with its technical requirements and the logic that is required (not to mention the semantics involved with correct code) for things to work smoothly. It's the invisible qualities of this type of design that has kept me working towards comfort with all of the different coding languages that need to coexist for a site to stay happy. Otherwise, when things are not working, the only way to find the problem is to revisit the site code. The beautiful experience when the missing colon or semi-colon are discovered and the site works quietly and smoothly — like a fine tuned motor.

Syria, Damascus, about 1600

Architecture; Architectural Elements

Fritware, underglaze-painted

This will utilize some mid-range clay with some mason stains and glaze to get the desired effect that I am looking for.

Our ceramic studio where my carving is under way.

Apple WATCH - what do you think?

First set up experiments with Rhombus + Digital Imagery

With my current trend of working with the rhombus shape and the opportunities it offers in making non-rectilinear grids I have this first layout ready to go to press. This is a 4'x8' piece of plywood that will be printed and then cut out with a digitally controlled router. The imagery I am using is a recent compilation from some photos and drawings I have been experimenting with.

4x8 sheet with some digitized work from my sketchbook & photos.

Once these are printed and cut out I will be able to reconfigure these panels into a composition with other panels of the same size. I expect to have the opportunity to paint on top of the images printed here, as well as painting onto some of the “blank” plywood rhombi to intersperse for a blending effect — which hopefully will blur the lines between digital imagery and hand drawn and painted panels.
There is some potential with the idea of this especially with the decision making that occurs after the process has begun. I expect to see contrast and complimentary imagery to occur when various orders and orientations of the panels are put together.

Back of an Elizabeth Murray painting

Watching an Art:21 — this is the back of an Elizabeth Murray

This is the back of my constructed hexagon piece.

Cohort 9 Post 1

The Day I Arrived Back from the Summer Residency at APU

So, after all of the preparation and planning for my summer residency. I arrived on the campus at APU for a whirlwind experience. From the first minute on campus to the last minute after the hooding ceremony, it was one new experience after another.

Meeting new people and learning about how my work can change was only the beginning of the adventure. Meeting the 9 others in our Cohort 9, and at least a dozen teachers and many other students from the existing cohorts. Now it's time to see how God will work with some new ways to see and think about my work.

This photo is taken right when I got home and unpacked my car. Loaded with art supplies, books and many experimental works that I had conjured up during the previous 3 week residency.

another "art" film

...here from a long list of favorite films:

Box of Moonlight by Tom DiCillo.

...or check out some of my other favorites here. Sorry this hasn’t been updated in a long time, and I have many new ones to had to this list.

Tom DiCillo, is a director who has provided me with a couple of great ones including Living in Oblivion.

In fact, I haven't event got to the beginning yet. I previously recommended a film called The Wings of Desire by Wim Wenders - he’s not even my favorite director. The guy who inspires me with artistic film sensibilities is, Jim Jarmusch. I have pretty much tried to see everything he has made. But, to get back to my point, after seeing a bunch of Jarmusch films I started really liking this director named Tom DiCillo. Only later to find out that he had worked as a cinematographer with Jim Jarmusch.

Anyway, this one, Box of Moonlight was one that I went to see with a friend named Tim Timmerman. Neither of us knew what to expect, but I really loved this and found out later who the director was, and his history with some of my other favorite movies.

John Turturro and Sam Rockwell are cast as opposites in this journey film. I can relate to both sides of this pairing, because I can be high-strung and uptight like Turturro but also as aimless as Rockwell's character “the kid.”

The particular journey that Turturro experiences is one that brings him full circle in finding out who he is, and brings him into a stronger course of life once he returns to the life he was running from. Now if that wasn’t confusing enough - watch this when you get a chance.

Del Nero Artwork - sells out

…well, maybe not completely.

Click Here for more info about selecting available artwork.

At a site called imagekind.com, I just wanted to offer prints of works that are no longer available or have been requested many times over. This is a new feature for me - prints! This includes work from my worker series, object series, and features paintings of guys shoveling. Women working. Spiritual themes and a couple of pieces from the “elements” show that was at Gallery W in Sacramento, circa 1994. I think interior designers can really use this site. Some of these originals were too expensive to be purchased for a Dr's office, but now I think they can fit the bill.

I plan on offering some of the favorites that people have had over the years. Del Nero Artwork, normally in the business of selling original artwork only, now is bringing these works as either printed on paper, framed and shipped directly to you. Or, if you prefer they can print it on canvas and stretch it on to stretcher bars like the originals.

This is a great site to see some of the work, size it, price it and buy it. I can occasionally offer discounts on shipping, framing or an over-all percentage discount. Check it out when you get a chance -

I will keep you posted.