There is always a destination

There has to be a reason we respond to shiny things. I don't know what it is, but they seem to become a value we want to attain. A destination we want shines and calls us, we just have to take the road to it. Are you on that road?

Chicago

I am thinking of a general sense on how I perceive the subjects in my paintings. I can only put a stream of experiences to describe the image: the song by Frank Sinatra, a barely remembered poem about Chicago..something about big shoulders, pop culture thoughts like prohibition and gansters, great pizza, baseball, lots of guys that look like me (baseball cap, bearded, slight beer belly) Guinness, el trains, bridges, biting cold etc.. Does this make sense?

Painting of studio parking lot after the rain

One of the aspects I am aware of is the difference in the quality of light that falls over south Florida as compared to where I am from in northern New Jersey. One of my favorite paintings by George Bellows captures that northern light most strikingly. His "Winter Afternoon" painting gives me comfort. In that painting he captures the view of the Palisades where I grew up. I knew well the little jagged orange that represent the morning sun on those cliffs. I can go on and on, my point is that the representation of light is a catalyst to certain moods for me. In this painting a torrential rain had fallen over my studio in the early evening. As it often rains here the clouds moved fast and it was clear again leaving the parking lot wet. Little puddles acted like a mirror to the sky above. The light danced and jumped all over my vision bringing me a sense of excitement that I had to try and capture.

Turnpike Rest Stop

Little bursts of inspiration come in so many different ways. It always seems like they come exactly when you need them. We sometimes make goals and just when you are struggling with reaching it, something acts as that impetus to go on. Going on a road trip can act as a metaphor for attaining a goal; you have a goal/destination, a beginning(usually accompanied with excitement), a middle that can be monotonous and where we might have doubt of the endeavor. The way this light careened in this rest stop and blurred the quotidian at the exact moment I needed it, made me think of creating this piece.

Soundcheck

I was a jock in high school. I played football, threw the shot-put, wrestled, and competed in olympic style weightlifting through the Police Athletic League (even came in 2nd place in the 1992 Garden State Games) I loved it. As one who is familiar with competing you become aware of the nervousness and excitement before going into a game. Before this show started I believe the crowd around me was experiencing similar feelings. We all have a lot more in common than we think, despite some of the cultural angst between different groups.

Aftershow

A dear friend had ties to the band NonPoint and planned a night for all of us to hang out and see them. I think the place was called Revolution in Fort Lauderdale. As we waited after the show to meet them I got to see the crew take down the equipment. Pretty cool

Back in the studio
Will be posting soon.
Contact www.Dorschgallery.com for more info
Thanks for stopping by

Show at the Frost Museum March 4

The journey has been arduous. Many times I thought I had quit this path, only I kept showing up in the studio despite these thoughts (questioning- do we judge actions or thoughts or both?) Some one street light in the rain, a heavy truck sitting quietly behind a warehouse, a piercing sunrise on an airplane all subconsciously stringing together my life and urging me to pick up the brush again and again. I have to see these images realized. They stare back at me and tell me a little bit more about where I come from. My kind of people, my kind of world, these images are like mirrors and I think we can recognize some aspects of ourselves in them. Come and see.

Opening reception 6pm to 9pm Wednesday March 4th Frost Museum, Miami through April 5th .

Family Outing