Using older paintings or photographs as substrates for later over-painting offers the artist a grab-bag of surprises. Because water’s translucence automatically provides the feeling of an inscrutably mysterious and enigmatic world just out of reach of easy legibility it is … Continued

“One realizes that symmetry and consistency, whatever their merits are the enemy of movement” said Kenneth Clark in his BBC series, “Civilization”.  But, just avoiding symmetry and consistency does not evoke a feeling of movement.  Using the diagram in example … Continued

Here are examples of the proposition that no picture is ever finished.  I previously posted most of these images in their earlier incarnations. Now, you can compare the previous with the present.  These paintings have been distracting me in my … Continued

As cities rose in density and prosperity so did the market for images city life.  Ancient Rome was the first to live in cramped 5 and 6 story buildings. Roman artists obliged their market with micro-mosaics and frescos of  Roman … Continued

Artists’ fascination depicting the dynamics of intersecting angles in architecture extends from ancient Rome through today. In the 18th and 19th centuries artists visited a pre-selected set of classical sites celebrated for their historic ruins. In the 18th century Piranesi … Continued

Illusion in painting depends upon exploiting the visual experience of the artist and the beholder.  An object appears near when blocking the view of a similar smaller object.   This triggers the perception of here and there; near and far.  A … Continued