'SUBTEXT' > VERSION VIII > UNTITLED WORK IN PROGRESS

This morning, bright sunshine shone into the studio for the first time in weeks. I was able to angle the painting in such a way as to easily see all the different areas of the composition in sharp relief. It revealed just how many versions of the piece exist, buried under the layers of paint. This is what I call 'subtext', because it provides the viewer with the backstory - or history - of the piece. If the viewer so wishes, he can 'read' the development of the painting from what is revealed both in the lines, and the partially-exposed areas of 'subcutaneous' colour. 

Here is the painting as it is now, Saturday 8th March 2014, noon.

Acrylic on canvas, 101cm x 76cm

Close-ups of the same piece, below.

The three extreme close-ups below, reveal to me how I would like the painting to look. I'm always reaching for a simplicity, but never seem to be able to get there. These photographs look like the beautiful finished pieces that I keep seeing in my mind's eye. So, far from being a failure, perhaps this current piece has taught me what to aim for in future..? 

PORTRAIT OF MINTY

Thought I'd give you a break from all that angular abstraction that I've been doing. I don't think I've ever shown this pic on this particular blog, although it is on my Facebook page. I drew it about five years ago, at my old studio. My cousin Minty is a model in Ireland. Not sure I got the likeness exactly right, but the two halves look great - the eyes have a real glint in them.

Alexi K, Pencil on Paper, 2009

NEW MONOBLOG VALENTINE'S EDITION IS OUT NOW!

Includes some interesting 'inversions'...edited by me, and featuring my art, as well as that of international colleagues.

If you're here from Beautiful Agony and  / or because you saw my work in The Corner magazine, then -

Click here for MONOBLOG's Valentine Special!

Pen & Ink drawing by Alexi K, inverted in Photoshop

PUTTING TOGETHER THE MONOBLOG 'VALENTINE EROTICA SPECIAL'...LAST-MINUTE, AS USUAL!!

The forthcoming MONOBLOG will feature new work by some of my artist colleagues from previous editions.

Take a peek on Friday!

'Chinese Woman' - pen & ink on watercolour postcard, 2013, by Alexi K

VERSION VII > UNTITLED WORK IN PROGRESS

I do feel like I am finally starting to resolve the current piece. Here's a few closeups. Apologies for the dull light - I photographed this at night with the studio lights on.

I can guarantee it won't look like this when it's finished, but at least I am through the 'pain barrier'...!

Acrylic on canvas, 76cm x 101cm.

Below: Roughly fifteen miles of masking tape have been used in the making of this picture.

VERSION V > UNTITLED WORK IN PROGRESS

This is becoming yet another new painting...when will it end..?

Selected pieces currently on display at The Bond Cafe, Birmingham

In the smaller, more intimate surroundings, with light coming into the room reflected off the canal, the art looks spectacular.

VERSION IV > UNTITLED WORK IN PROGRESS

Currently messing around with a new composition. No idea where it's going. But I mentioned to my studio neighbours Wayne Attwood and Zarina Keyani that using a brush wasn't 'doing it' for me anymore. They suggested various alternatives and Wayne said he uses a Love Film membership card to slap paint down.

So I dug out a wad of weekly travel passes and started using those. The resulting textures are great, and it frees me up to be less fussy about what the paint is doing. It's very promising - with my customary use of masking tape, there's a great contrast between structure and splatter.

2013 - 2014 ROUND-UP

Jan 14th 2014 - two man show at The Bond, Birmingham.

Dec 2013 - The COBALT BLUE Group exhibition successfully concluded at BRINDLEY PLACE, BIRMINGHAM, on DEC 6TH, 2013. Massive thanks to Ammie and Daniele for their assistance and sponsorship on behalf of Bank Brindley Place and Piccolino. You gave us a great kick-off, guys!
Oct 2013 - New edition of my design blog is out: FUTURE-ROCKER

Sept 2013 - Art consultation and design work for Birmingham digital games co. ( Character designs, concepts, etc ).
Sept 2013 - Interest from big 2D and 3D art publisher for articles originally published in my personal blogs.

28th June 2013 - Alexi K pen art ( ink on postcard paper ) featured in CHANIA ARTFEST, CRETE, GREECE ( Olivepress Contemporary Art Museum ).

01 May 2013 - Alexi K pen art featured in first issue of prestigious German Magazine the Corner.

25th May 2013 - Alexi K's art magazine MONOBLOG Spring Edition launches to 500 views a day.

CLONED ART

The painting on the left exists in the real world. The painting on the right, is the same piece of work, digitally altered. ( It's the Christmas Holiday, and I'm having a break from the studio! )

Close-up, below.

CLOSE-UP: PEN & INK ABSTRACTS FROM THE NEW 'URBAN EDITION' OF MONOBLOG

Once in a while, I'll stop talking about trying to produce simple, minimalist work, and actually get on with it. This is what happened after submitting eighteen postcard-sized drawings for Chania Arts Fest earlier this year. As I stated a while back, there's something so satisfying about being able to produce a piece of finished work every couple of days. After a brief visit to New York, I did some pieces inspired by the skyline ( follow the link to MONOBLOG ). Below are some great close-ups of that New York series. I'd love to do some large artworks based on these edits.

( All images: Rotring Isograph pen on white watercolour postcards, copyright Alexi K, 2013 ).

'GRID REVERENCE': Click here to see the original-sized art

NEW EDITION OF MY ART MAGAZINE - MONOBLOG - IS OUT NOW!

http://monoblog-art.blogspot.co.uk/