new work and answering a reader's question

      Well, today is going to be a busy day, lots of running around to do and stuff, so I thought I'd better write this blog post nice and early.  Today, I'm going to discuss my new piece and answer a reader's question.  First the new art:
​     I call this piece The Sun Cuts the Rain and I am really pleased with how it turned out.  First, I'm really digging the cool post-apocalyptic type vibe of the piece.  And I love how the yellows and golds seem to be coming "through" the haze of the rain.  The optimism of the sun alongside the industrial starkness of the concrete stairs reminds me that while things can get bleak at times, those bad times won't last forever; eventually, the sun will smile on you again.

​     Now onto the reader's question.  I received an email last night via my website from someone wishing to remain anonymous who asked the following, "Dear Carl, I notice you are calling your style of painting modern eclecticism.  Isn't that the same thing as mixed media?"

​Well, first, thanks for the question.  Secondly, the short answer is no.  Let me explain, when I use the term "modern eclecticism" to describe my work, I'm specifically speaking about the style of painting I'm employing.  It's the only term that clearly describes the fact that I combine several styles in any given work.  Styles, as in HOW I paint, the method or methods  I use to apply paint to canvas to create a desired image.  Mixed media, on the other hand, refers to the WHAT, as in what materials person uses to create their work.  My "what" is acrylic paint (although I have, on occasion used oil).  I never use more than one material in a work.  In mixed media, an artist uses more than one material in a given work, those materials can be paint, wax, marker, charcoal, twigs....and the list goes on.  That's it in a nutshell, I hope it makes sense.

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