New Painting

"In my bed lie the souls of all redheads..."

Next Show - Save the Date

Ford McLain
American Primitive: The Movie

Paintings, Prose and Poems

Friday, September 4, 2009, 5 - 9 p.m.
Hosted by the Lark Street BID
@245 Lark Street, Albany NY

Fathers and Daughters

Yesterday, we had a fun walk in the park and fed some ducks. Below is one of the nicer pictures of the two of us, along with two of Lil solo.

Direction

Sometimes it feels as if I am drifting, moving from one moment to another without any sense of direction. This could be a function of personality...it could be a function of what I've jokingly referred to as my early midlife crisis...it could simply be a transitional period. I am sure of one thing: I don't like the uncertainty.

Sadly, I am one of those people who needs to think things through and be sure of a path before I take it...I need to be comfortable with my direction.

Based on the activities of the past few weeks: Troy Night Out, First Friday, development of the "American Primitive" group on Facebook, as well as other events, it seems as though one path may emerge through the painting. It will take some work, some shameless promoting on my part, and yes - perhaps a bit more devotion to the art form - but it seems to be presenting itself with possibilities.

Again, the brooding, plodding side of me halts and hesitates, like McClellan after Antietam.

I see something in the future...it's bit fuzzy still, but as I move closer, it becomes slightly more in focus.

Scenes from First Friday

Last night, I was honored to show three paintings at the Trinity United Methodist Church (corner of Lark and Lancaster in Albany). This was significant in a way, to the extent that this was the church where I was married and where Lilybet was baptized, and now it opened its doors to me again to share my paintings.

Some pictures of the exhibit and the church below:


Organ and pipes in the main sanctuary. I stood up there for two significant spiritual events.




Outside the Lark Street entrance. It was a mostly rainy night. Didn't deter the FF revelers.




Interior of the Kermani Chapel. There were four artists plus artwork of the children in the day care center.




The American Primitive and three paintings

Troy Night Out - Conclusion

Well, Troy Night Out is over. I did not sell a painting, but I did sell a copy of my poetry chapbook, "Antietam."

The spot that I got/selected was near a window off 3rd Street, so folk could see them as they walked by. The one that folk were most drawn to was The Playwright's Study.

There was music by a due playing Irish songs. There was wine and soft drinks. Beyond my role as painter/exhibitor, I played an even more important one as the guy with the corkscrew, opening up bottles of wine as needed.

Lots of beautiful women passing through as well.

A good time was had by all.

Tonight, for the first time in a relatively new exploration of painting, I will have pieces hanging in a place other than that Upstate Artist Guild gallery, although it will still be a part of the UAG. Five pieces will hang in Troy, for Troy Night Out, from 5 - 9 p.m. I have been promoting this almost ad nauseum since I learned that my pieces would hang.

The painting labels are made, the business cards are ready, picture-hanging materials purchased, painintings are all wired and ready to go.