16″ x 16″ – Oil on Linen

Scott Hutchison’s oil painting Plastic III is spontaneous, colorful and layered in a wet on wet Alla Prima fashion . This piece was painted in long sittings so that I could render the details with thick and wet paint. Plastic III was created as a way to abstract and add complex color notations to the portrait.  I do not want to paint a classical portrait.   I often look for ways to push my work in new directions through experimentation and play.   In this instance,, plastic wrap over the model’s face was used to help me do this. If you like Plastic III, check out Plastic II.

14″ x 14″ – Oil on Linen

A moment of recognition is a color, value and proportional study for a larger work. I am exploring the ideas of identity, time and space. In this piece we have caught a glimpse into the past, present and future. Time is in flux, non-linear and fleeting.

This painting is painted over the top of another painting called Blue. For reasons of posterity, I will keep the original text for blue below as well as the original image in the slide show.  Blue was almost a finished piece, but I did not like it and tried to rework and force it to go to a different place. I failed in that attempt, and painted over the piece with the one you see now.

Below is the painting hidden underneath “A Moment of Recognition”

Blue
14″ x 14″
Oil on Linen

Blue is quiet. There is a subtlety of movement in her hair, and though her color tones are saturated and chromatically intense, it brings a calming feel to the work.

6″ x 12 – Oil Painting on Aluminum

This piece contains two poses of two different figures. I am exploring new ways to abstract and complicate the figure. The overall effect of using two different individuals as the subject allows me the freedom to experiment with the compositional structure and play with the space. Using multiple figures also adds a new layer to the psychological impact of the piece and surprises come into view. The most surprising and difficult aspect to this piece for me during the painting was the color. I typically use cool colors in the shadows and warm colors in the lights, however this piece those are reversed. I also have a smaller study of the same composition called, Twist . 

5.5 x 6.25 – Oil Painting on Wood

Twist contains two overlapping faces. I am exploring new ways to abstract and complicate the portrait. The overall effect of using two different individuals allows me to experiment and play with the compositional structure more. Using multiple figures can also add a psychological impact to the piece. The most surprising and difficult aspect to this piece for me during the painting was the color. I typically use cool colors in the shadows and warm colors in the lights, however this piece those are reversed.

14″ Diam – Oil Painting on Aluminum

Procession is meant to have movement. Though the hands move, the figure is imbued with air of quiet acceptance. The structure of the figure is in flux. She is not quite there. She is lost in the procession of hands and their rhythmic spiral. 

16″ x 20″ – Oil on Linen

This piece contains two different faces. I am exploring new ways to abstract and complicate the figure. The overall effect of using two different individuals as the subject allows me the freedom to experiment with the compositional structure and play with the space. It also adds a new layer to its meaning. By merging different moments and figures together I am presenting the thought that we (all things) are made from our time, memory and our experiences. Time is also not linear, but layered and complicated. It complicates us. 

4″ x 6″ – Oil Painting on Aluminum

This is a figurative oil painting study of hair. Her hair is draped over the mouth and contains a psychological conflict I enjoyed exploring. The viewer can decide for themselves the true meaning of Hair #2. However, an oil painting study like this, offers me an opportunity to experiment with some of the basic elements of art in a smaller format. I painted to study the light and structure of the skin along with the volume and movement of hair. A sister painting – Hair #1 – can be found here.

4″ x 6″ – Oil Painting on Aluminum

This is a portrait painting study of hair.  I like the contemplative mood of the figure and the immediacy and movement of the paint. Unlike my more finished works, studies offer me an opportunity to experiment with some of the basic elements of art. In this case I was experimenting with brush work and the effects of keeping the movement of the paint active. I like how the dense and voluminous figure contrasts with the linear movement of the hair. 

26 Inch Diam – Oil Painting on Aluminum

This realistic and surreal figure painting is on aluminum (Dibond). The translucent figures appear quiet and contemplative. Almost lost in thought or bound by the outer edge of the circle. However, the hands reaching toward the light appear to have a life of their own. I like to think that she we are seeing the first moments of her “Metamorphosis”, her freedom. Swipe through the images to see my painting process. I often begin with a graphite drawing, then apply an initial underpainting layer. This is thinned with Liquin and applied as one monotone color, or multiple colors that directly relate to the final piece. To see more of my painting process and additional updates join me on Instagram.

19″ x 24.5″ – Oil on Aluminum

This painting is a good example of my use of multiple figures and faces to create a more complex composition. Two moments viewed at the same time, appear like a memory or a dream. This fleeting moment illustrates the frailty of our existence and the complexity of our being. None of us can be defined by a singular moment in time. Our thoughts and dreams are shaped by life’s complexities.

Swipe through the images to see my painting process. I often begin with a graphite drawing, then apply an initial underpainting layer. This is thinned with Liquin and applied as one monotone color, or multiple colors that directly relate to the final piece. To see more of my painting process and additional updates join me on Instagram.