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Slicing became a fun exercise but a short lived one. I continued to pair two images together and then study parts of them to see what would fit.
I turned to the capabilities of my computer more and more often. I began to adjust sizes, so that lines would fit better and even hues and tints to make the match even stronger. Lines flowed, shapes repeated, angles extended and colors burst. I was honing my design skills with every move of the mouse.
Throughout this process I have to smile. Years ago, I was adamant that technology would never impact my art. But, along came iPhone cameras and computer programs that would allow me to experiment in the very ways in which I am now consumed. How nice is it to be able to paint without the mess!
After reviewing my small body of sliced images, I couldn't resist a challenge and started to combine images into 4's, 8's, even 12 image compilations.

It's time for another commercial break.
Today I launched a new website dedicated to my ever growing collection of urban abstract photographs. At the website you will see both single and compilation images. All shop links head back to pixels.com for ordering in an array of materials...paper, canvas, acrylic, metal and fabric.
My latest book, Über Urban, is also available directly from me as a signed copy.
I'd like to thank all of my devoted followers who have commented, weighed in, criticized and adored this piece of my journey. Your input has guided me, motivated me and inspired me.
I'll be back in a few days to continue my story. In the meantime, click on the new website and enjoy!

At the time that I began to pair paintings with photographs, I couldn't put into words what I was doing. Most days it was just a challenge...and a fun one at that. Regardless of my thought process, I marveled at how consistent my eye had been for most of my 40 year career. Perhaps, adding the photograph was somehow a continuation of the painting...or updating it...or adding another canvas to partner with the original.
Many artists talk about how they go back to their paintings and continue working on them, in an effort to improve the final product.
I can honestly say I do not, have never done that. When the process is over, the painting is done...to go back, would be an empty pursuit, at best....the expressive piece of my painting style would no longer exist weeks, months or years later.
What I soon came to realize was that a synergy was emerging...one painting and one photograph added together was becoming greater that the sum of those parts.
In an effort to raise the bar and deliver the best compositions, I discovered that parts of the paintings and photographs worked together better than the whole images....it was time to start slicing and dicing!

Back from the commercial break. I hope you enjoyed going through my latest book, page by page.
Picking up from where I left off.....
My realization was that whether I was painting a large canvas or finding abstracts on the city streets, my eye was consistent in what it sought.
Once I made the connection between my paintings and my photos, I went through every image of a painting that I still had, going back 30 years or so.
Without fail, I had a companion photograph to match up to each painting.
The second step of this amazing process had officially begun as I paired paintings and photographs together into one image. Sometimes, they were just side by side and sometimes, I was concerned with the visual connection, whether it be color, lines, shapes or movement.
Granted, not all were worthy, BUT.... And here's the BIG BUT: I have been and always will be about PROCESS, not PRODUCT.
I was so very excited about putting these two mediums together that the product was not a top priority.
The challenge to pair them together was enough to get my creative juices flowing as I ventured into this new realm.
I named this series pHOTography..I gave up crossword puzzles, mystery novels and the like....my need to make connections and figure things out was right on my monitor.
The results of this piece of the process can be found by clicking on this link: pHOTography

Time for a commercial break....
The bad news is that the flu can hurl a major monkey wrench in your pre holiday plans. The good news is that it's a great opportunity to put together your next book!
In recent weeks, my photographic compilations have moved to a new plateau....which always tells me that it's time to visually journal what has happened up until my 'new' now.
Yesterday, I published my latest collection of works, 27 in all. A soft bound version is available on Amazon and a hard bound copy on blurb.
I titled the book Über Urban. In it, you will find loads of quality images, suitable for framing, at a fraction of the cost of buying the images individually.
Signed copies are also available by contacting me directly.
Blurb offers a complete preview...just follow this link: UBER URBAN FULL PREVIEW
Look for my new blog post next week...happy holidays and a creative and viable new year for all of my artist friends!

I have read countless blogs about how a photographer prepares for the perfect shot....the lighting, the equipment and timing.
I was also taking pictures, but to be honest, none of the above were my concern. I'd see something on a walk or pull the car over when cruising the city, and snap away with my iPhone. Because of the bright sunlight in Tucson, I was hard pressed to see the screen or do much more than frame my subject.
One of my high school teachers taught us all about framing and finding the best compositions. Back in the day, we made cardboard frames and walked around looking for strong compositions. Without the technology, or even a camera, we trained our eyes to see good design. I don't consciously run the elements of good design through my head. It has become a second nature process for me.
Whether I am creating an abstract painting and taking a picture, the same rules apply and are used in much the same way.
The most time is spent reviewing what is on the phone after uploading the images to my computer.
This process is often filled with great surprises that can, sometimes thrills me as an artist.
My partner, with his artistic eye, looked at this one image and said " That looks just like one of your paintings!"
I lined it up with one of my paintings and sure enough I saw it!
And there was the epiphany....an artist's eye is an artist's eye, regardless of the tool in his hand.
Have I already said that?
Well..be prepared for me to repeat it again and again, until everyone understands it!

The rest of my trip to NYC was spent looking down. Luckily, my partner and guardian angel, chose to hold onto me, stop traffic and even point out some excellent oil stains, cracks and funky sidewalks.
It never hurts to be with a man who has an artistic sensibility...it makes life so much easier when you don't have to discuss why something is powerful or beautiful...you can just be in the moment and enjoy it, knowing you are not experiencing it alone.
But, enough about finding the right kinda guy....that would be a whole nother blog!
I was amazed at how many abstracts were popping out at me....the subtle shades and the 'in yer face' screaming colors!
That year heralded a lot of traveling....to Scottsdale, Coronado island, La Jolla, Cleveland, Akron, Delray Beach and New Jersey. The streets of each city opened up a new world to me....all the while, looking down. In between trips I combed the streets of my city. I went to playgrounds and explored inner cities. I took macro shots and got obsessed with utilities.
And then, one day, right under my very nose, the theme presented itself. My road was going to be under construction for three years.
This was one of those moments where lemonade was about to be made from lemons. While my neighbors complained about the noise, early beep beep wake up calls, concrete road barriers being dropped in place that made the walls of my home shake, I secretly smiled....
I put on my proverbial hard hat and grabbed my iPhone.

Am I guilty that I am a life long, professional painter and haven't picked up a brush in a year?
Nope.
I welcome you to take a peak at my journey as an ever evolving artist, honing my craft daily.
I am still in process, but have come to realize that an artist 's eye is an artist's eye, regardless of what is in his hand.
Here's how it all started.....
Four years ago I was stepping out of a taxi in front of the MoMA in NYC.
As I exited, I tripped, followed by a perfect face plant on a manhole cover.
Instead of rushing to get out of the busy street with cabs heading in both directions, I stayed in the moment and stared at the most beautiful rust covered piece of metal that I had ever seen. I whipped out my iPhone and snapped a pic. Suddenly, abstracts were appearing everywhere. I found magnificent cracks, in the sidewalk, blobs of asphalt, dynamic diagonal painted strips. I never bothered to look up...my new abstract world was literally and figuratively, laying at my feet.
Little did I know that my future as an abstract artist would be forever changed....
Please join me as I unfold a most exciting time in my career as I share my experiences and images with you!