“Grand Pale Maw” Finished

Mural with 4ft ladder

Ok, so maybe “finished” is too strong of a word so let’s put it this way; I am no longer going to continue work on it.   The good folks at LACE were very patient with me  as I have exceeded the generous 3 month timeline  by 4 months. (Whoops)  Alas, I feel I may have overstayed my residency and maybe it’s time to throw in the towel.  I am Happy with how it turned out.  Looking forward to a similar project in the future.  Anyone have a big wall???

I had grandiose plans for documenting its different phases of completion, unfortunately the didn’t pan out.  Check out some pictures Joey Morris Took of me working while it was 99% done.

Mural with 4ft ladder

Mural with 4ft ladder

Corridor view

Front half view

Half View

Back View

full view from back

Detail of stump above whale

Stump above the whale

Slaving away at the wall, avove the whale

Mid section

Progress Report; Grand Pale Maw @ LACE

Swift progress is being made on my mural project at Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions. This marks day five of work.  I’ve started mostly referencing  an image April took up in Kern county last month;  a huge fallen oak tree by the side of the road.  Right now that gnarly knot of  fissures and rot, it’s actually looking quite fleshy, and maybe even a little threatening there under the stairwell.  At any rate – I feel very vulnerable working at that scale and with these materials I’ve never used.

It’s invigorating working at LACE. There is a wonderful mix of both artists and folks who just pop in off the street to see what’s going on.

If you are in the area I urge you to drop by and come say hi.

“First as Tragedy then as Farse” RSA Animates

Not that this needs any additional attention, but RSA animate did a great piece from a sound byte by Slovoj Zizek. I read In Defense of Lost Causes 3 years ago, and I still think about it quite a bit. This is so well choreographed, it seems to communicate new dimensions to his already multi-dimensional Wagnarian delivery.

“Regarding the Built Environment” drawing workshop @ Norton Simon Museum of Art

The past 4 weeks I have been hosting an adult drawing workshop at the Norton Simon. It’s loosely focused on the built environment from early baroque to the romantics in Europe.  It’s been a very casual and relaxing affair so far. We’re mostly doing master copies, something I haven’t done in a long time, but nevertheless enjoying immensely.   I’ve also met a bunch of great artists during my brief tenure. Sadly, this  Friday will be the last class.  The good news is there is still a few spots available, and  if you  want to brush up on your drawing skills you can  register  online at the museums website.  The class is called “Architecture of Light” Here is the course description:

Regarding the Built Environment
Join artist Sean Sullivan in examining the history and evolution behind some of the world’s most important architectural landscape paintings. Learn the fundamental methods used by the Old Masters for creating illusory space and getting drawings to tell a story in this four-part drawing course.

The Architecture of Light
In this fourth and final class, participants are introduced to the all-important role of light in shaping both the artificial and the natural worlds of French painting, then gain an understanding of how light affects “mood” by dissecting and emulating works by Corot, Rousseau, Courbet and Vuillard.

A.S.A.P. Free Drawing Class At L.A.C.E.

Superbowl is Tomorrow, and were better to spend this particular Sunday but Hollywood. Generally speaking, no one really cares about Football  in this city, (L.A. has no professional team to speak of) and if you’re a person not getting hopelessly drunk on cheap American beer and not eating copious amounts of 7-layer Nacho dip, come join me for a day of drawing.  I’ll be there from 1 -4pm if you don’t want to draw, that’s cool too. Just say hi to me and Michael and Alison. Maybe just update us on what’s going on with the Doritos commercials at halftime and who’s boob fell out and so forth.

Details from A.S.A.P:

“LACE is located in the heart of Hollywood, an ideal place to observe and contemplate the collision of Los Angeles — its intricate networks hum with activity as resources are transferred and spaces are reconstructed through use or development. ASAP’s 2011 Re-Visions of LA drawing workshops will build conversations around how our urban environments are constructed and what that means to our every day lives.

Each month a new group of artists will spend an afternoon at LACE providing free drawing classes.  All levels and ages are welcome as we talk about Hollywood while drawing our surroundings.

All workshops are free, and all materials will be supplied.”

L.A.C.E. Mural

Well looks like it’s official.

Starting end of this month I’ll be adorning the rear corridor of Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions with a giant sharpie drawing.  It’s going to be up for 9 months ( March 03 – September 09 2011), and I’ve devoted 5 of those months at regular 20 hr/ week intervals for working on it.  This wall is HUGE! We’re talking 15′ h x 32′ w huge.  I am excited and a bit nervous.  I’ve never attempted a drawing at this scale.  Since this is a long-term residency  I’ll do my best to post regular updates on my progress.

Watch Your Step

A preview of some new work for 2011.  Last year was a bit slow in the studio,  only completing about 7 drawings. That’s going to change for 2011, #bigplans!

Sorry for the crude pictures. @April Friges was out and could not offer me her expert supervision.  Check out or cat pencils giving me a thoughtful critique after the jump!

Cheers!

Sean

all these folk; I miss them

Summer Group Show @ Steve Turner Contemporary

I am pleased to announce that I will be included in Wet Paint 2, a not-limited-to-painting group show.  I will be showing a few drawings (of course).  Hope to see you there!

To read more about who else is in this show and general information about the Gallery, click here.

Arts Patron Benefit Invite

Just finished up this little drawing last night.  It is to be included in an invitation for a party honoring Gemini G.E.M. founder Sidney Felsen. I don’t normally do portraits, but this seemed like a good excuse to break that habit. I drew him with his trademark Panama Hat and bow tie: I think he turned out pretty nice! Check out the Original line drawing after the jump.