MichaeldeanSpringer

'Bonnie with John' Progress

2012-01-07T13:05:00.000-08:00

Progress on 'Bonnie with John' oil on panel.

2012-01-02T09:36:00.000-08:00

'Lissie' Under painting

2011-12-15T15:52:00.000-08:00

'Bonnie with John' under painting

2011-12-13T07:57:00.001-08:00

Detail of 'Bonnie with John' under painting

2011-12-13T07:53:00.000-08:00

Part of an underpainting done with burnt umber and ultramarine blue on a wooden panel of a friend who was pregnant at the time. She is holding ultra sound images of her yet to be born son John. The basic figure was laid out using a sight size method with proportional dividers but the images of John were transferred directly.

'Bonnie with John', oil on panel. MS©2011

'Grace' Oil Study

2011-08-05T07:38:00.000-07:00

Video of 'Bonnie ' Study

2011-07-29T08:11:00.000-07:00

'Grace' Under-painting

2011-07-27T07:27:00.001-07:00

Under-painting of 'Bonnie'

2011-07-23T08:55:00.000-07:00

Study of 'Erinn'

2011-07-08T10:30:00.000-07:00

Study of 'Lissie'

2011-06-10T10:53:00.000-07:00

Sketches of 'Bonnie' and 'Christa'

2011-06-08T08:43:00.000-07:00

Bargue plate copy - video

2011-06-03T08:39:00.000-07:00

Bargue Copy

2011-06-01T15:10:00.000-07:00

A copy from a plate in the Bargue-Gerome drawing course of the late nineteenth century. Graphite and charcoal on newsprint.

'Jayla' cartoon transfer to linen

2011-05-13T14:11:00.001-07:00

'Tate', oil on linen

2011-05-13T14:00:00.000-07:00

'Tate' oil on linen. Almost finished just a few corrections to the left cheek, hair and ear. MS2011

'Gary', Oil on Linen

2011-01-28T00:03:00.000-08:00

'Gary', oil on linen 11.5x16.5. ©MS2011

'Jesalyn', Oil on Linen

2011-01-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

'Jesalyn', oil on linen 11x16. ©MS2011

'Jesalyn', Oil on Linen: Close up

2011-01-15T23:56:00.000-08:00

'Jesalyn', oil on linen close up. ©MS2011

'Jesalyn' a Work in Progress : #2

2011-01-13T13:15:00.000-08:00

'Jesalyn', oil on linen (wip). MS2011

'Tate' a Work in Progress

2011-01-11T12:20:00.001-08:00

'Tate', oil on linen, ©MS2011

This is after the second session, still developing the facial skin tones and the pockets of light and shadow caused by the close foliage hanging above.

'Jesalyn' a Work in Progress

2011-01-10T11:16:00.000-08:00

'Jesalyn', oil on linen. MS2011

These are the initial layers of oil color trying to build up the facial tones and forms for 'Jesalyn' 11x16.5.

'Angela'

2011-01-02T13:19:00.000-08:00

'Angela', oil on linen on board, MS2010

This was my final painting of 2010, it was a struggle even though the last three sessions went very fast and the last day it seemed like I was a painting ninja, a feeling quickly to pass as I see later beginning the next painting. For the moment however I was furiously adding details, correcting past mistakes and toning down certain highlights with an overwhelming heighten confidence. It reminded me of the days in architectural school when on charette and a deadline looming your focus and output increases ten fold and when your done you collapse into a sea of debris dropped around you as someone scurries off with your newborn.

Thank you Angela for posing many months ago or longer, I don't remember when this began. I threw out all the 'poses' and used this moment when nothing was being structured, planned or happening.

MS2011

From the sketchbook : Charcoal Study (copy)

2010-12-28T12:12:00.000-08:00

The last page in the 2010 sketch book a copy in charcoal while waiting for the day to end. I can't remember who drew the original drawing sorry.

MS2010

Study of 'Tiffany'

2010-10-26T11:20:00.001-07:00

'Tiffany', graphite on paper, MS2010

The beginnings for an oil painting down the road. However the skin tones have proved to be quite elusive to me.

MS2010

'Angela', closeup detail

2010-09-25T11:41:00.000-07:00

'Angela' oil on linen (wip)

A step in the progress on Angela's portrait.

MS2010

'Jenna" study #2

2010-09-04T22:39:00.001-07:00

'Jenna' oil on linen, MS2010

'Jenna' in progress

2010-08-31T20:43:00.001-07:00

'Jenna' oil on linen (wip), MS2010

Laying in the initial values, for this practice sketch.

'Tarynn'

2010-07-31T20:48:00.000-07:00

'Tarynn' oil on linen, MS2010.

Underpainting : 'Tarynn'

2010-06-20T09:12:00.000-07:00

The finished value underpainting of 'Tarynn" oil on Belgian linen, MS2010

'One Day Old' : Reid

2010-06-05T13:16:00.001-07:00

Underpainting for: 'One day old' oil on linen, MS2010.

Life Study

2010-03-29T16:40:00.000-07:00

Life study : charcoal on newsprint, MS2010

Lissie : Charcoal Study

2010-03-16T09:32:00.000-07:00

'Lissie' charcoal on bristol, MS2010

Life Studies

2010-01-25T10:22:00.001-08:00

Life study : charcoal on paper, after Robert Barrett, MS2010

Life Studies

2010-01-23T15:46:00.000-08:00

Life study : charcoal on paper, after Robert Barrett, MS2010.

Life Studies

2010-01-23T15:44:00.000-08:00

Life study : charcoal on paper, after Robert Barrett, MS2010.

'Harper'

2010-01-20T15:36:00.000-08:00

'Harper', charcoal on paper. MS2009

Dr Sketchy's Anti Art School

2009-12-13T20:41:00.000-08:00

'Model #2', sketch book drawing graphite on paper, MS2009.

This was my first attempt at attending Dr Sketchy's and it resulted in three good drawings and two future oil paintings. Although the strain on my eyes due to the lighting levels was a major problem. Maybe I will try again with one of those LED book lights attached to my sketch book.

MS2009

Self-Portrait Study

2009-11-03T18:17:00.000-08:00

'Self-portrait', graphite on paper, MS2009.

This was a study for an oil painting, yet to be started.

Life studies

2009-10-19T09:47:00.000-07:00

Life study : graphite on paper, MS2009.

Life studies

2009-10-19T09:02:00.000-07:00

Life study : graphite on paper, MS2009.

Study detail for 'Dreaming of Duchamp...'Descending Nudes on Poles of Light''

2009-09-08T12:08:00.000-07:00

Sketch book : felt tip with digital processing, MS2009

Study thumbnail for 'Holding Sagrada Familia'

2009-08-08T09:07:00.000-07:00

Sketch book : felt tip with digital processing, MS2009.

Study for 'Indian Blue'

2009-05-24T12:17:00.000-07:00

'Christa - for Indian Blue', graphite on paper, MS2009.

Another drawing of Christa done as a study for an oil painting, 'Indian Blue'.

MS2009

From the sketchbook : Stacy

2009-05-04T12:45:00.000-07:00

Sketch book : graphite on paper, MS2009.

From the sketckbook

2009-04-23T11:58:00.000-07:00

This ink pen head study was one of many done when I am out and about with time on my hands. My sketchbooks are full of these quick studies, some as small as a quarter. Some are good and some are bad but their just studies. Although this one was labeled 'ugly' when the person I had my eye on got sight of my sketchbook it grew on me latter in the day. I don't really see people as beautiful or ugly base solely on an external appearance. Drawing requires capturing something internal as well.

MS2009

Bonnie and Christa studies

2009-03-14T17:09:00.000-07:00

Bonnie and Christa are twins and I hope to develop both in the same composition. Drawing two people that are so close in appearance yet different in personality has both intrigued and perplexed me since meeting them years ago. When I finally got around to asking them to pose for me and began these study drawings the fact that two physically identical people can be so different surfaced and why should it not. The personalities, the inner Light of each of us, makes what appears to be the same different. The two drawings were executed with two approaches, with Christa, the bottom drawing, being free and undefined and Bonnie above being more studied and soft. I had not planned it this way but it seemed to bear itself as the drawings developed. They were sitting next to each other but I separated them just to study each individually. Maybe it was a mistake to divide and conquer, breaking down the complexity of the drawing, thinking I would, I could, place them back together later.

I now have this image of Christa with a fluttering cape abstractly extended from her left side (Christa a superhero?) and Bonnie solidly place as a base in the corner (Bonnie the cornerstone?), so when placing the two of them back together maybe there should be a melting away from right to left, increasing in looseness and abstraction from Bonnie to Christa. First thoughts for a title 'Cape, compass or heart'.

MS2009

From the sketchbook : Carol

2009-02-18T10:41:00.000-08:00

Sketch book : pen on notecard, MS2009.

Finished head study of Lauren

2009-02-01T12:46:00.000-08:00

"Lauren" ,16x24 graphite on paper, MS2009.

Recent Publications

2008-07-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

Lighting ARTS and myself were sourced in two recent publications, the first a book published by the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley titled 'The Gardens of Glen Burnie'. Glen Burnie is adjacent to the new museum built by the Glass Foundation and the late Julian Glass. I worked for Julian for several years designing a Gothic folly in an English garden tradition to be built there, although never realized the folly was a prelude of the museum now built. The book contains drawings by myself and Julian as we set out his vision for a place to house his collections of European art and antiques.

The second publication, an Oklahoma Magazine article, contains a home in which Lighting ARTS supplied many custom design lamps and light fixtures.

MS2008

Finished head study of Sandy

2008-06-02T15:04:00.000-07:00

"Sandy", 14x18 graphite and charcoal on paper, MS2008.

Study for 'He turned his head.. and look at the scars on my wrist and body'

2008-05-18T10:58:00.000-07:00

MS2008 Pencil on paper

de Lempicka studies: Madonna

2008-04-04T18:16:00.000-07:00

"Madonna", after de Lempicka pencil on paper, MS2008.

Here is the pencil study done after de Lempicka's "Madonna" (1938). It is the same size as the original which was 18" in diameter. I am going to continue on to paint and construct an illumination of this piece. How to do that and be respectful will most likely mean that the lighting will be lifted away from the painting.

MS2008

de Lempicka studies

2008-03-05T23:20:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been reading about Tamara de Lempicka. I knew very little about her story or her art work except for recognizing a few images. Well actually I have had this on going interest in turn of the century feminist, such as Lee Miller and others so its not surprising that I latched onto a book about de Lempicka. I am not really sure that you would call them feminist, that does not interest me, but these female avant-garde artist, photographers and film stars are so often overlooked and they all lead such bold yet sometimes tragic lifestyles.

That day in the library I was looking for a book on Berthe Morisot (pre-turn of the century) but ran across two books, one on de Lempicka simply titled 'Lempicka' and one on or including the great-great granddaughter of Morisot titled 'Travels with Van Gogh and the Impressionist'. A book which stopped me in my tracks when I saw the granddaughter's picture on the cover. I subsequently learned this happens to everyone, as well as the author, who has Manet's images of Morisot etched in their subconscious and is confronted with the granddaughter's gaze, more on that later. I knew very little about de Lempicka so I began reading it first and quickly fell 'slave' to her art and personal story. I carried the book around for weeks. Her painting entitled "The Slave" (1929) gave me the imagery and the idea for the illumination 'Slave....darkness boxed in Light', likewise her "Madonna" (1937) has made it to my drafting table and I am working on a pencil study after it hoping to do an illumination of it as well. There are many portrait photographs of de Lempicka in the book along side her art work, actually she is stated as saying that all of her paintings and drawings are self modeled. The one that impacted me to sketch the above pen study was photographed in 1928, 'Lempicka Seated' Studio Lorelle. The modernist air and lighting gave me the sense of placing a nimbus behind her. I have done this before with the Frida Kahlo drawing, something just draws me into these spiritual portrayals of the female. I have also been working on one of the before mentioned Lee Miller, but also for Dorothea Tanning and Sharon Tate(?).

MS2008

"The Burden of fruit at Rest"

2007-12-11T11:38:00.000-08:00

Graphite study for "....fruit at Rest" still life.

MS2007

On the cover of Veranda

2007-06-01T12:56:00.000-07:00

The May - June issue of Veranda magazine had as a cover photograph a new home which I, Lighting Arts, constructed and renovated most of the lighting for. The interior lighting was made from old European candle fixtures, imported by the owner, that had to be adapted to modern wiring but on the cover are two lamps made from iron bird baths which were placed in the home's cabana. The lamps and lampshades were both made by Lighting Arts and myself.

MS2007

From the sketchbook : Isaac sleeping

2007-04-18T11:13:00.000-07:00

'Isaac', graphite on paper, MS2007.