Colorscape

A day spent hiking and sightseeing in the beautiful, inspiring Texas Hill Country... and an evening spent painting, and this is the result. A joyous path through the wilderness of the color wheel.

"Colorscape" 16"x20" acrylics on canvas. Available.

Where Nature Erreth in the One...

In the early 17th century, Francis Bacon (philosopher, scientist, and pioneer of the scientific method) wrote the following: "Deformed persons are commonly even with nature: for as nature hath done ill by them, so do they... have their revenge of nature. Certainly there is a consent between the body and the mind, and where nature erreth in the one, she ventureth in the other: Ubi peccat in uno, periclitatur in altero.

It occurred to me that this is nowhere more obvious or evident than in the brilliant cosmologist and physicist Stephen Hawking. Early in his academic career he began to experience the symptoms of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). It has progressed to the point that his only "contact" with the world is achieved through technology that would have made him an intellectual shut-in in an earlier generation.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Hawking has advanced relativity, our understanding of black holes, and improbably he has attained celebrity status for his ability to communicate these concepts to the public.

Would he have reached the same intellectual heights as an able-bodied man?

"Stephen Hawking" 18"x24" oils on canvas. Available.

Intermezzo

"Intermezzo" 20"x20" acrylics, sand and gravel on canvas

Underwater Dream

This painting was inspired partially by Ilya Repin's "Sadko" and partially by my readings on Freud's contributions to our understanding of the unconscious and the subconscious minds. "Underwater Dream" represents a human's invitation to the unconscious, via the subconscious (in my symbology, this is represented by the underwater realm), to manifest itself. Freud pursued the unknowable unconscious by way of analyzing his patients' dreams and neuroses. I am limited to the tools I have at hand: paint, canvas and brush.

Repin's work in "Sadko" is beautiful and evocative. In its colors, its draftsmanship, and its theme it takes me deep into the silent majesty of the muted underwater world. As I painted, I sought something similar. I wanted "Underwater Dream," as "Sadko," to have as its armature an undeniable "strangeness of proportion" (to borrow a line from Sir Francis Bacon).

The ocean of the subconscious -- the vast kingdom beneath the waves -- is a place I think of often. Though we are little aware of it, we come from that dreamwise place. Our very anchors seek stability at the bottom of our own seas of unreason.

Pictured: "Underwater Dream" 35"x25" acrylics and collage on canvas. Available.

Let Joy Bloom

"Let Joy Bloom" - 24"x24" acrylics on canvas.

Abstract Workshop: "Deepen the Mystery"

Abstract Painting Workshop with Howie Doyle

Click this link for the official event page!

This stress-free workshop is aimed at helping artists enrich their personal work by incorporating abstraction in useful ways. Artist Francis Bacon famously said, "The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery." As artists we do this by reaching beyond what we know, into the realm of intuition and expression. For many this can be either intimidating, or they feel it is difficult to get “outside the box.” By freeing your creative self, each artist can confidently produce finished work that has far-reaching impact.

This workshop will encourage loose, creative experimentation, a fearless approach to the canvas, and working with a specific, focused intent to help guide the painting to a meaningful finish. Attendees will work with acrylic paints on canvas, but the methods and concepts work with any visual art or other creative endeavor, and can enhance future realistic and subjective works in addition to opening new doors of perception for the right brain to exploit in visual art.

Participants will take home printed notes recalling and summarizing the information presented in the workshop.

The workshop will cover:

• Design elements (shape, line, texture)

• Structural concepts (mechanical, geological, ethereal, minimal, morphological)

• Meta-concepts - depth, rhythm (stroke), harmony (color), linkage (relationships)

• Tools and materials

• Color

• Courage, intensity, mystery

Contact: hdoyle@doylepublishing.com or 281-924-1096.

Why I Paint

There is an aspect of my art that I must consider to be at or near its core, despite the irregular intervals in which I practice it. But my first painting, and most of my first year of painting, were dominated by portraiture. From the beginning I was very focused on using my skills to capture the character, or the essence, of the subject.

I was reminded of this as I viewed a new work, "Dutch Friend." The subject is Annette, a traveling houseguest of my friend Marty Hatcher. She came to Houston from Holland to attend a family member's wedding, and I had the good fortune to meet her while painting at Marty's. Annette is an accomplished artist (fashion and jewelry design) and a charming person to share time with.

I do love people... and I love painting them. That was my first love with a paint brush in my hand, and I expect I'll always be true to it. It has thus far been surprisingly, steadily true to me.

"Dutch Friend" - 15"x10" oils on canvas