31 December 2013

A House Where Days Are Counted


 
Lino is cut and swept up again. One more year is concluded. Measuring the work completed, and work on the way, the annotations and dilution to the past 12 month's sketchbook of ideas has become as typical as a merchant's annual product inventory
 
"For time is inches..."
W.H.Auden
 

30 November 2013

If You Cannot Run, Then Crawl

 
A solid month for the sketchbooks- some of which you can view- here . The usual November dampness of Scotland ceased for the duration of my stay allowing me to observe/ record more than usual for this season. 
Carving away at some lino and basswood, leading a quiet life and working with my hands...

31 October 2013

Come Along

 
          Heartfelt thanks to those who attended "The Peregrine Herd" exhibition . If you are in the Dallas area in early to mid November, Mark will be exhibiting in the gallery at the PCPC Arts Festival, Nov. 8- 17. Open 10-6 daily.

10 September 2013

The Palms Grow, The Fountains Flow

          These days are drenched with labor, pushing to complete the remainder of ideas mapped out for next month's exhibition . Will be showing a few other works in Dallas, sometime in October- hopefully can carve out a moment to list the details here before it happens.

          With a weary stare... onward .


28 August 2013

No Caterwauling

 
I have been working importunately to complete work for a solo exhibit in October. If all goes as planned, and I don't collapse before, the opening reception will be 4/October, 6-9pm, @ the FWCAC in Fort Worth, Texas. More details soonish...


09 July 2013

Come Up For Breath

 
Choreographing several canvas/ panels at once, a wide latitude to reign in before a large exhibition in October. Some travel on the horizon. Hence will devote that time to lino- cuts, and the more recently neglected sketchbooks while developing a strategy for just how to complete it all with the classical effort of one who normally fails at deadlines.
  

05 June 2013

24 May 2013

Putting The Oars In

 
Exhibition forthcoming- October 2013. Details to follow. . .

15 May 2013

In The Courtyard Of The Guard

 
There is something about work that brings comfort, and invokes a restlessness when away. The periods of block, rarely steer in any direction but the forest of doubting.

 Here abiding and awaiting an eventual release ...

23 April 2013

Whirling On

 
From the sketchbook... San Francisco - earlier this month.

14 April 2013

On The Way Back To

 
Just returning from San Francisco and a pleasant diversion into the wilds of Yosemite, in the Republic of California. Some sketches from the streets, spires and rooftops of SF, however the created grandeur and elevation of paradise rendered me speechless and sketch-less in Yosemite. 
 Thirsting to get back to canvas. The fire burns. I'll meet you at the train...

Above - a foggy glimpse of something to come...

05 March 2013

A Horse Opera

 
Recordings have temporarily diverted me from the easel, but I am coming back for more. A sketch, detailed above, for a large canvas beckoning...

"If time were the wicked sheriff in a horse opera, I'd pay for riding lessons and take his gun away. "
 
W.H. Auden

15 February 2013

Hope Sees The Hidden Things

 
More carving and cutting than brush wielding this week, running prints to post to Caledonia. The days are full, and evening hours have been invested in the assiduous refining of new recordings, while awaiting the stirring that will "push the boat out " on some large canvas, beckoning commencement.
The above lino-cuts are from a forthcoming project on the book of Jeremiah...

25 January 2013

The Whole Of It


Sedately navigating the backwaters of January, a few panels nearing completion. The ignitable optimism that comes with the new calendar is a roseate companion of my toils.

Some leaving on the horizon, missionary visit to Addis, always humbling and proving...

Above- from the sketchbook, a visitor who returns daily with Swiss-watch punctuality to the garden outside my studio window. The lashings of pecans have made for a hoggish festival for the red squirrels for the last four months...