Ever have those days when there is not enough time to do what you want? The way you want to do it? I am treading that water now.
I do not always get to create paintings I truly call my own, as my schedule is booked and I make my living with commissions for both commercial and private clients. But when the opportunity arises on a small window of time, I embrace the moment to make a different kind of art and fill it with passionate, focused work. Knowing that there are these kinds of images and moments keeps me painting like a professional and delivering the work my clients expect of me, while i take the chance to experiment with these personal works. Always my goal is to move towards that bright spot on the horizon, regardless if it is from a private, commercial, or personal work.
To keep my sanity, I am sharing a few paintings of one aspect of the art I love to create – that of hands.
UPDATE: Forgot to add this new hand painting from the San Diego Comic-Con, Gandalf at Moria:
Kristine PooleonThe CallingHi Michael, Thanks so much for deciding to take a look and for sharing your thoughts! I also find it intriguing to get to wal…
Kristine PooleonThe CallingI am so pleased to read your words. When we "release" work into the world, we never know who might find it intriguing, engagi…
Kristine PooleonThe CallingThank you for sharing your thoughts. One of the things I love most about art is how it can communicate across time, cultures…
Sarah FinniganonInterior Illustrations – To Green Angel TowerI'd be curious to know how you tackled the signature pages, particularly the magic/edges of the magic meeting with the white…
HalloranonInterior Illustrations – To Green Angel TowerCan you talk more about the Pool of Three Depths? That image fascinates me and I haven't read the series (yet). What's the st…
During my classes online, I’m asked by students over and over again, ‘show me how I can improve my paintings.’ Besides needing to get better at drawing, paint mixing and application, composition, and value control-- handling light is the most overlooked aspect of...
As folks that have met me in person (or seen my meat suit on instagram) know, I have a big upper-arm tattoo of an art nouveau piece. (Shoutout to Iris Compiet, I think this was from an Spectrum or IlluXcon convention before the pandemic) Many people comment on this...
This past month I have been posting on social media a collection of paintings, my Earth and Sea series. These works originally had been created for various projects from commercial book covers to gallery exhibitions to personal works which did not have initially any...
Donato I love this post- your ethos for forcing yourself to find the time to make the off-assignment work you need and want to make and brother, those HANDS! You give more character to a simple hand painting than most give to an orchestra of portraits. Will resist hand-oriuented puns…. must resist….
Thanks Greg. Hands are like faces for me, so much character and depth. I think I could paint them for the rest of my life and never tire of the content…
I love hands, both in painting and in life. Although I'm not Bouguereau's most ardent fan, his hands take my breath away. Your hands are captivating as well. In this sampling I especially admire Fukushima. Thanks so much for sharing your work!
Donato, Congratulations on your published artwork in the August, 2015, issue of Popular Science. The narrative it hints at is provocative in accomplishing its intent, and spurs my interest to read the book. I have followed your exquisite work for a long time, and really enjoy what I learn from your instruction and watching you paint on the videos I bought. Cheers! Marsha http://www.marshagilliam.com
Donato I love this post- your ethos for forcing yourself to find the time to make the off-assignment work you need and want to make and brother, those HANDS! You give more character to a simple hand painting than most give to an orchestra of portraits. Will resist hand-oriuented puns…. must resist….
These are so gorgeous! Thanks for sharing them.
These are great, Donato!
Thanks Greg. Hands are like faces for me, so much character and depth. I think I could paint them for the rest of my life and never tire of the content…
Wonderful!
I love hands, both in painting and in life. Although I'm not Bouguereau's most ardent fan, his hands take my breath away. Your hands are captivating as well. In this sampling I especially admire Fukushima. Thanks so much for sharing your work!
Donato, Congratulations on your published artwork in the August, 2015, issue of Popular Science. The narrative it hints at is provocative in accomplishing its intent, and spurs my interest to read the book. I have followed your exquisite work for a long time, and really enjoy what I learn from your instruction and watching you paint on the videos I bought. Cheers! Marsha http://www.marshagilliam.com