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alkratzer
09-06-2018, 02:09 AM
Doing a lot of abstracts lately. Pretty involved process with a LOT of steps to create this, final steps were to bring into ArtRage and use knife and pastels. More to come.

95886

gxhpainter
09-06-2018, 09:14 AM
richly colored and a delight to the eye. A lot of depth with the modeling of the forms.... love it! and its great to see a bit more abstract work presented here...

alkratzer
09-07-2018, 12:36 AM
Thanks GX! Much more to come.

alkratzer
09-07-2018, 12:37 AM
Second example of the new series

95895

D Akey
09-07-2018, 04:59 AM
Wow! Al! Great seeing you posting again. Always loved the intensity of your work.

How the bass going? Playing much?

alkratzer
09-07-2018, 06:45 AM
Wow! Al! Great seeing you posting again. Always loved the intensity of your work.

How the bass going? Playing much?

Thanks Big D. Good to see everyone here again as well. Had not done any art for the last few years -- Bought a 125 year old historic house and have been doing work on it and playing a LOT of music. Took a buyout from my job as a publisher of a newspaper last fall and I have been casually trolling for a job -- or may just "retire."

Did put out 3 albums of jazz originals with a quartet I'm in last year. Example cut can be found here:

https://leedanielsquartet.bandcamp.com/track/sunday-at-the-vineyard

Got about a million of these abstracts I've been doing lately -- I'll post more soon.

95897

alkratzer
09-07-2018, 07:49 AM
Another example

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D Akey
09-07-2018, 08:49 AM
Wow. Great music. Sort of a cross between soft jazz and bossa nova? Is that safe? Really pleasant to listen to. Very cool that you're playing a lot. And restoring an old house. Wow. The mind boggles. I'm redoing my kitchen and it's a whole lot of work and I'm learning every minute.

Awesome with all the painting. Never would have thought you stopped painting for a spell with all this backlog of pictures. They look great as well.

Go man go!

alkratzer
09-07-2018, 01:20 PM
Thanks D. How about you? What's up in your world since I was last in these parts?

D Akey
09-07-2018, 01:47 PM
Retirement is looming large. So I suppose that means I've gotten older. Still fumbling around with the guitars -- have settled into replaying my same repertoire just to keep the fingers in it. Used to be I was learning new songs all over the place but they became too many and I don't perform so it came down to picking up the guitar to feel good.

Also am taking up the keyboard in order to do some scoring or songwriting or composing or whatever is dictated by my whim and need. Hard for me to just arbitrarily select a thing to learn without a project for it. Also took up the harmonica(s). Lots of experimentation there. I rather like the chromatic Swan that was ridiculously cheap and it plays perfectly. But I got a few diatonic ones as well. Seems a lot for someone who simply plays in my man cave for my cat.

Taking tons of classes online. Some amazing stuff available. So I guess for the most part I've been reinventing myself as happens at such transitions in life. And looking at the time factor, there are some independent projects I'd like to launch that I've had on the back burner way too long. Got all the "parts". Now it's assembling.

Alexandra
09-07-2018, 03:58 PM
Great to see you, Al. Exclusive Al DNA here, beautiful!

alkratzer
09-07-2018, 11:50 PM
Thanks Alexandra! I hope all is well with you!

alkratzer
09-08-2018, 07:36 AM
Another one


95904

alkratzer
09-08-2018, 09:48 AM
More

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Alexandra
09-09-2018, 03:44 AM
So vivid and full of life. Love them, Al. I am doing well, thanks, and you?

alkratzer
09-09-2018, 11:34 PM
I can't complain. Trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up!


So vivid and full of life. Love them, Al. I am doing well, thanks, and you?

95918

alkratzer
09-10-2018, 06:42 AM
Another in the series

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alkratzer
09-10-2018, 07:09 AM
And another one

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DaveRage
09-10-2018, 04:02 PM
Enjoying the colours in these a lot! That last one gives me some real 80s vibes.

D Akey
09-10-2018, 06:14 PM
Neat designs, Al.

Sort of fits the style of music you linked to and which you wrote - Nice abstract shapes and patterns related in ways that have a sense to them -- different but related.

Cool.

alkratzer
09-10-2018, 11:25 PM
Thanks Dave! For some reason, I generally had been adverse to green and white in my work. Been trying to find ways to work with them lately.

alkratzer
09-10-2018, 11:30 PM
Thanks D.

I have flirted at times with assigning chords a color - Cmaj7 is yellow orange or e-7 flat 5 is blue-green for example - and then painting abstracts based on jazz chord progressions. Kinda like guitarist Pat Martino assigning the letters of the alphabet different note designations and then making compositions based on phrases like "John Coltrane."

alkratzer
09-11-2018, 02:37 AM
Another example

95929

D Akey
09-11-2018, 02:47 AM
Thanks D.

I have flirted at times with assigning chords a color - Cmaj7 is yellow orange or e-7 flat 5 is blue-green for example - and then painting abstracts based on jazz chord progressions. Kinda like guitarist Pat Martino assigning the letters of the alphabet different note designations and then making compositions based on phrases like "John Coltrane."

I fully understand and you may want to try one. Depends on the bassist of your relationship with your wife, cause she might get jealous of your flirtations and diminish your chord.

Other than that, why not? I'm sure all ideas have been explored by somebody -- just that yours would be unique to you. Remember the old Kris Kristopherson line from Me and Bobby McGee: "Looking back and longing for the freedom of my chains. . ."

For me, that is one of the most profound lines in song owing to the myriad implications.

I've found that once I get past seeing it as a limiting structure, it often has the reverse effect and offers some new ideas. For one thing, it allows a level of focus that takes me deeper into it quicker where I explore aspects of a painting I might have previously knocked in because I was looking at the end game too soon -- a pitfall sometimes of getting handy doing something well the same way. And when I play by the "arbitrary" rules of the new parameters it can open up a whole new range of considerations and re-introduces the element of wonder.

Anyway, it's a brilliant notion, if you wanted to try it. Just a caution: I wouldn't recommend looking at it so much like a computer where you feed in a line of music and it merely assigns a color to a pitch. That may be a good starting point. But I would do a few by hand to get the dialog happening with the fresh ideas and how they're playing out. Then after that you can lead it toward a system.

Sounds like great fun. I think the art and the music would open up for you as you orchestrate the relationships.

Go man go!

D Akey
09-11-2018, 02:48 AM
BTW, you must have just posted the orange and yellow one. Love it. Great rhythm.

alkratzer
09-11-2018, 03:41 AM
Thanks for the encouragement -- you always have great feedback, from a myriad points of reference.

As far as my wife's attitude towards my flirting with abstract concepts, she is all for anything that keeps be safely occupied and out from under foot.

Here's another

95930

gxhpainter
09-11-2018, 04:42 AM
I am absolutely loving these works especially the last few they seem to have a deeper resonance for me, I like your style. If you ever get the desire to see one printed and framed I bet they would be outstanding!

alkratzer
09-11-2018, 04:59 AM
Yet another in the latest series

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eighty+
09-11-2018, 10:46 AM
Hi Alkratzer sorry as I'm not with Abstracts or beyond me as too old now did listen to music but when I tried to sing the wife would say shut up

As your Tone deaf :eek: :D :D OK good to see you again CIAO SLAINTE

alkratzer
09-12-2018, 12:03 AM
Thanks Gary. Been thinking about having some printed in a largish size on canvas and then adding that thick coat of clear resin that is all the rage these days.

alkratzer
09-12-2018, 12:05 AM
More in the series. I got a million of them folks!

95944

D Akey
09-13-2018, 04:00 AM
So Al, did you go in and enlarge portions of a single painting, zooming in to interesting designs? Only reason I'm asking is that it looks blown up a bit around the edges -- not quite pixellated but in that range.

Anyway, these designs/compositions are very cool. I remember seeing a video on the process of the band Yes in which they spoke of jamming and recording it all and then going back and listening for cool passages that I assume they could expand it out into a composition or song. It was more in one of the old iterations of the band like in the 70s or something. And then they would mix and match and reassemble. The difference was music having the element of time as opposed to merely stopping with a single frame picture.

What might be interesting for you as a creative type, which clearly you are, is you might want to add the element of time and combine your paintings into a slide show or with Ken Burns style camera moves around the paintings. So if you had a collection of passages of music you put into a composition, where each passage has a corresponding painting, through clever cross dissolves and so forth you can do a multimedia experience that can run on a wall monitor or big screen TV at a performance or even at home -- creating a mood or ambiance.

Anyway, loving these pics. I like the relationships and transitions within for all the chromatic passages you use through the saturation.

alkratzer
09-13-2018, 05:12 AM
No real cropping or edge enlargements going on. Some of the "pixelation" may be from one of the earlier steps in the process that use some photoshop filters.

I like the video idea -- been a while since I have done any non-linear video. I used to use after effects and premiere.

I sent off today to have a few printed on canvas. my thought is to add some acrylic touches and then that thick clear varnish. Let you know how that goes when I'm done.

Thanks

Al

alkratzer
09-13-2018, 07:52 AM
Today's offering

95951

alkratzer
09-13-2018, 08:54 AM
And another 95953

alkratzer
09-14-2018, 12:03 AM
Good Morning

95959

alkratzer
09-14-2018, 01:18 AM
Another for this AM

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D Akey
09-14-2018, 07:05 AM
Wow. I just realized what was the problem with viewing your work. The size exceeded my screen. It wasn't until I double clicked on the images that they showed up in total in an inset frame of their own -- and WOW! Very nice indeed. I very much like them. One in particular, the first I saw this way in full, #34 with the figure in it was amazing. It was like the Muse and a fertility fetish from cave days came together into the modern jazzy world. Very cool. But then I looked again and it may have been a male. It's a trip when that happens where the images start displaying several levels of interest. They're all great. Really cool.

alkratzer
09-15-2018, 12:59 AM
Thanks D. I appreciate the comments and encouragement. These are very different from my usual work from a total departure from representational point of view. Still using a number of the techniques I did in the earlier stuff, Layers, filters, mashups, converting colors to the "Al" pallet, adjacent hot/cold color placements and the like. I have literally dozens of pieces developed through the first few steps that just need the ArtRage pass to finish them. I'll keep posting a steady stream as time allows. Just put a bid in on a new house, so time to get this one ready to sell.

95962

zeddartha
09-15-2018, 03:44 AM
Juicy this.

Alexandra
09-15-2018, 05:26 AM
Beautiful and exhilarating, Al, and BTW, please don't grow up! The artist is the child who has survived.

alkratzer
09-15-2018, 06:40 AM
Beautiful and exhilarating, Al, and BTW, please don't grow up! The artist is the child who has survived.

Thanks Xandra!

Another one

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Alexandra
09-15-2018, 09:55 PM
Another success, Al!

alkratzer
09-16-2018, 01:17 AM
Good Morning

95975

alkratzer
09-16-2018, 05:02 AM
And one more

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alkratzer
09-16-2018, 08:35 AM
One Moe

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alkratzer
09-17-2018, 01:29 AM
Sunday AM
95985

D Akey
09-17-2018, 03:30 AM
Amazing. Crescendos all. Dynamic saturation over some very interesting compositions. Because they're so electrified and amplified and different from most art out there, yet very artistic, if I were picking an instrument that they correspond to, I would have to say a synthesizer of some sort. It's almost like you're manipulating modulations and effects and then applying those sounds to music -- or art in this case. Cool.

alkratzer
09-17-2018, 04:18 AM
Thanks man. You are basically on the right track.

These are developed through a combination of image mash ups, a bunch of photoshop filters and adjustments that I have strung into a sequence of actions, manual selections of areas to manipulate/shift the luminescence and hues, followed by a session in ArtRage to blend areas with frosted pallet knife and adding a layer or two with direct pastel strokes painted in. Sometimes I play with various levels of transparency on these layers before merging. then bring it back to photoshop for one last set of overall bright/contrast/vibrancy tweaks and to do some more opaque touch ups using photoshop's medium pastel brush which has a "greasier" feel to me than the AR dry media brushes.

Basically trying to combine the randomness of the image mashup process with some of my favorite digital manipulations, followed by "rational" decisions applied by hand.



Amazing. Crescendos all. Dynamic saturation over some very interesting compositions. Because they're so electrified and amplified and different from most art out there, yet very artistic, if I were picking an instrument that they correspond to, I would have to say a synthesizer of some sort. It's almost like you're manipulating modulations and effects and then applying those sounds to music -- or art in this case. Cool.

alkratzer
09-18-2018, 12:45 AM
Today's Abstract

95990

alkratzer
09-18-2018, 07:30 AM
And another one

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Alexandra
09-19-2018, 01:19 AM
It is easy to associate your beautiful abstracts with music, Al. These are just wonderful.

alkratzer
09-19-2018, 01:40 AM
Sept 18th AM

95992

alkratzer
09-19-2018, 06:04 AM
One More

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D Akey
09-19-2018, 07:25 AM
Go cat go!

alkratzer
09-20-2018, 02:44 AM
Wednesday Sept 19

95996

alkratzer
09-21-2018, 01:47 AM
Thursday Sept 20

96000

alkratzer
09-21-2018, 08:07 AM
Got the prints in -- they look real good!

96008

alkratzer
09-22-2018, 02:22 AM
Three more #1

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alkratzer
09-22-2018, 02:22 AM
Three more #2

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alkratzer
09-22-2018, 02:23 AM
Three more #3

96017

alkratzer
09-22-2018, 02:46 AM
One more yet

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alkratzer
09-22-2018, 04:07 AM
I can't stop

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alkratzer
09-22-2018, 09:16 AM
More

96022

Alexandra
09-22-2018, 02:42 PM
Al, I love your printed work, and all of them are original with only your creative touch. Such a pleasure viewing them, all warm, and alive.

alkratzer
09-23-2018, 01:26 AM
Al, I love your printed work, and all of them are original with only your creative touch. Such a pleasure viewing them, all warm, and alive.

Thanks Xandra! I used easycanvasprints<dot>com. I was pretty amazed at the quality of the printing, and the sturdiness of the canvas.

alkratzer
09-23-2018, 01:27 AM
Saturday AM

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alkratzer
09-23-2018, 05:55 AM
Another one

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alkratzer
09-23-2018, 10:00 AM
Still More

96033

alkratzer
09-23-2018, 10:01 AM
And more

96034

alkratzer
09-23-2018, 12:28 PM
and more

96035

alkratzer
09-23-2018, 12:29 PM
And More...

96036

alkratzer
09-24-2018, 12:19 AM
Sunday AM

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alkratzer
09-24-2018, 12:44 AM
One more

96040

alkratzer
09-24-2018, 02:06 AM
More More More

96041

alkratzer
09-24-2018, 01:12 PM
More of a cityscape type of thing

96047

alkratzer
09-25-2018, 12:53 AM
Another one

96053

alkratzer
09-25-2018, 02:16 AM
One more cityscape

96054

alkratzer
09-25-2018, 10:09 AM
More more more

96058

alkratzer
09-25-2018, 12:05 PM
More more more

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alkratzer
09-26-2018, 01:07 AM
City at Sunset

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D Akey
09-26-2018, 04:45 AM
All great. But I really love this last one. Dazzling.

Alexandra
09-26-2018, 03:50 PM
I am totally in love with your paintings, Al. Awesome work!!!!

alkratzer
09-27-2018, 01:53 AM
Thanks D. Sometimes it pays to keep working an idea through a number of iterations.

alkratzer
09-27-2018, 01:55 AM
Thanks you Sandra. These are pretty new to me. Have been doing them for a couple of months and then decided to post some here and on Facebook. I have to say they have gotten a LOT of positive reactions, questions about purchases and the like. Much more than any other work I have done.

alkratzer
09-27-2018, 01:56 AM
Trying a new pallet

96067

gxhpainter
09-27-2018, 05:06 AM
a couple of nice pieces Al. I applaud your experimenting with other color palettes .

alkratzer
09-27-2018, 10:54 PM
Thanks Gary! More explorations in development!

alkratzer
09-27-2018, 10:55 PM
Today's Abstract

96070

D Akey
09-28-2018, 02:55 AM
Cool. I like how in this latest posting you grouped areas in a less even way. In the ones where the saturation and values are really similar I guess it could be compared with an orchestrated chord as a solo hit whereas this one moves around within the picture plane which adds the element of Time moreso because it sets up a relationship the eye wanders through. Just my take on the variations. They're all valid for sure. Just a matter of what you want them to do and it seems you are firmly at the helm.

I still maintain that these iterations strung together in a slide show would be a pretty impressive experience. They all seem to hold a similar vision throughout, like units or passages of music, only visual. They each have their tone, as it were. And thus making a progression with them might be really cool, especially considering how close they are owing to the technique and the saturation levels. I imagine that in a darkened room watching these projected onto a screen or whatever would grab you by the optic photosensors.

alkratzer
09-28-2018, 12:35 PM
Thanks D. Just trying to mix things up. Sometimes having a more static mood with an atmosphere, sometimes motion and contrasts. Kinda like the difference between a jazz ballad and up tempo bop. I do like the slide show idea -- sometimes I create sequences that become a natural series that would flow beautifully from one to the next

96073

alkratzer
09-28-2018, 12:36 PM
Another one

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alkratzer
09-29-2018, 03:35 AM
Today

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alkratzer
09-30-2018, 09:26 AM
Today #1

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alkratzer
09-30-2018, 09:27 AM
Today #2

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Alexandra
10-01-2018, 12:21 AM
Just wonderful....Al. So sophisticated, so unique.

alkratzer
10-01-2018, 02:47 AM
Thanks Sandra! I feel like I've been peeling layers of tyhe onion back and finding some new things lately.

alkratzer
10-01-2018, 02:48 AM
Sunday Am

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alkratzer
10-01-2018, 02:58 AM
Sunday AM #2

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alkratzer
10-01-2018, 03:22 AM
Sunday AM #3

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gxhpainter
10-01-2018, 07:40 AM
wonderul progression in your work, there are some exquisite passages in these latest set and especially this morning's work.. If you have not check out the work of Albert Irvin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F4l1A_AsAw)

alkratzer
10-01-2018, 12:35 PM
Thanks Gary! I'll check out Albert Irvin.

alkratzer
10-01-2018, 12:36 PM
Sunday Pm

96102

alkratzer
10-01-2018, 12:38 PM
Sunday PM #2
Something in a mural format

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DaveRage
10-01-2018, 04:37 PM
Really enjoying these colour combinations. I particularly like your first image on page 9. These last few are really warm too.

alkratzer
10-02-2018, 01:28 AM
Thanks Dave!

alkratzer
10-02-2018, 01:29 AM
Monday AM #1

96105

alkratzer
10-02-2018, 01:30 AM
Monday AM #2

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alkratzer
10-02-2018, 05:28 AM
Monday # 3

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alkratzer
10-02-2018, 11:20 AM
Monday #4

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alkratzer
10-03-2018, 02:24 AM
Tuesday AM #1

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D Akey
10-03-2018, 05:05 AM
A musical interlude. Multi sensory. Love the saturation. I know I've said it before, but it really is almost like a sunrise.

alkratzer
10-03-2018, 07:52 AM
Thanks D. I spent a decade living in New Mexico absorbing sunrises and sunsets. The colors burn themselves into your DNA.

alkratzer
10-03-2018, 07:53 AM
Tuesday #2

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alkratzer
10-04-2018, 01:21 AM
Interior #1

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alkratzer
10-04-2018, 01:21 AM
Interior #2

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alkratzer
10-04-2018, 01:22 AM
Interior #3

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alkratzer
10-04-2018, 01:23 AM
Interior #4

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alkratzer
10-04-2018, 02:26 AM
Interior # 5

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Alexandra
10-04-2018, 03:23 AM
Such dimension and so inspirational. Love them all, Al. Please keep them coming.

alkratzer
10-04-2018, 04:57 AM
Thank you Sandra! I can't seem to stop making them!

alkratzer
10-04-2018, 04:58 AM
Interior #6

96135

alkratzer
10-04-2018, 04:18 PM
Interior #7

96138

Alexandra
10-04-2018, 09:08 PM
More WOW. So beautiful, Al!

D Akey
10-05-2018, 02:26 AM
Going to the trough for my daily color fix. Thanks, Al, for the drink!

alkratzer
10-05-2018, 10:53 AM
Thursday

96144

alkratzer
10-05-2018, 10:56 AM
"The craving for color is a natural necessity just as for water and fire. Color is a raw material indispensable to life. At every era of his existence and his history, the human being has associated color with his joys, his actions and his pleasures."
-- Fernand Leger, "On Monumentality and Color", 1943.

alkratzer
10-05-2018, 11:36 PM
Friday AM

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alkratzer
10-06-2018, 07:17 AM
Some Blues

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alkratzer
10-06-2018, 07:17 AM
something simple

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alkratzer
10-06-2018, 08:51 AM
Friday #4

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alkratzer
10-08-2018, 01:47 AM
Sunday AM

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alkratzer
10-09-2018, 06:14 AM
Monday AM

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alkratzer
10-09-2018, 06:15 AM
Monday #2

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alkratzer
10-09-2018, 08:26 AM
White space series #1

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alkratzer
10-09-2018, 10:06 AM
White Space Series #2

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alkratzer
10-10-2018, 04:00 AM
Tuesday AM

White Space Series #3

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alkratzer
10-11-2018, 03:40 AM
Wed AM

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Alexandra
10-11-2018, 04:12 AM
Very distinctive, and brilliant. Still enjoying, always will-great work, Al.

D Akey
10-11-2018, 05:31 AM
Loving this parade.

alkratzer
10-11-2018, 05:39 AM
Thanks Sandra. You are too kind!

alkratzer
10-11-2018, 05:42 AM
Thanks D. Got some more back from the printer. Been experimenting with adding acrylic touches and varnish. Looks like a few people are interested in purchasing and a local gallery is showing some curiosity.

96194

alkratzer
10-11-2018, 05:43 AM
Wed afternoon

96195

D Akey
10-11-2018, 05:55 AM
Are they great! Very nice giclees. Good direction.

And look at that fireplace! Not a bad place to show off your paintings. Super cool.

alkratzer
10-11-2018, 06:56 AM
Are they great! Very nice giclees. Good direction.

And look at that fireplace! Not a bad place to show off your paintings. Super cool.

Thanks. The old house we live in (1894) has 5 marble fireplaces from Italy. I just recently found out that prefab marble mantle kits like these were looked down on as too "showy" and a sign of new money trying too hard to impress by the old money families in the area.

Being essentially a "no money" family, we kind of like them...

D Akey
10-11-2018, 08:14 AM
Thanks. The old house we live in (1894) has 5 marble fireplaces from Italy. I just recently found out that prefab marble mantle kits like these were looked down on as too "showy" and a sign of new money trying too hard to impress by the old money families in the area.

Being essentially a "no money" family, we kind of like them...

Speaking of Citizen Kane, some years back a penniless friend was living in the old Mack Sennett mansion - 1910s to 1920s splendor, impeccable workmanship, the kind that workmen taking on a side job for the boss do to insure a place at the budding Hollywood cash cow. But man oh man. It was like old European money built it it was so elegant. You could simply tap one of the heavy doors with your finger and it would slowly and perfectly close gentle as you please. What a place for new money in infinite abundance. Ostentatious. But I fell in love with the style of it, new money or old, it mattered not. Great to see you managed to claim one. At least you can appreciate the beauty, being an artist yourself.

Well created, Al. Bravo on several counts.

alkratzer
10-12-2018, 07:06 AM
Thursday AM

96203

alkratzer
10-12-2018, 07:07 AM
Thursday PM

96204

eighty+
10-12-2018, 08:50 AM
Yeah nice. Music. But would have liked some of those grapes while listnIng :D. CIAO. SLAINTE

alkratzer
10-12-2018, 11:13 AM
Yeah nice. Music. But would have liked some of those grapes while listnIng :D. CIAO. SLAINTE

hanks 80+! I prefer white grapes myself.

alkratzer
10-12-2018, 11:14 AM
Thursday #3

96207

alkratzer
10-13-2018, 12:55 AM
Friday AM

96214

alkratzer
10-14-2018, 01:33 AM
Saturday AM

96224

alkratzer
10-14-2018, 02:10 AM
Sat AM #2

96225

D Akey
10-14-2018, 07:17 AM
I feel like this has come to have evolved up out of the primordial ooze into the epoch of genetic engineering. Neet-o.

alkratzer
10-16-2018, 04:47 AM
Monday AM

96233

sabena
10-16-2018, 09:02 AM
Very good work vibrant color:D

gxhpainter
10-17-2018, 06:37 AM
This is some incredible work in my book! Like D Akey says your work has risen to a
new level of clarity and control neatly done!!

alkratzer
10-18-2018, 12:11 AM
This is some incredible work in my book! Like D Akey says your work has risen to a
new level of clarity and control neatly done!!

Thanks Gary! The abstract lane is still pretty new to me. I am pleased that someone as accomplished at it as yourself approves!

alkratzer
10-18-2018, 12:12 AM
Thanks Ana!

alkratzer
10-18-2018, 12:13 AM
Wed AM

96252

alkratzer
10-18-2018, 02:31 AM
Wed AM #2

96254

D Akey
10-18-2018, 09:42 AM
Coolness. I can zoom in on a small bit of any one painting and move around in this sort of ascending and descending harmony from key to shining key. So it's paintings within paintings.

alkratzer
10-19-2018, 03:05 AM
Coolness. I can zoom in on a small bit of any one painting and move around in this sort of ascending and descending harmony from key to shining key. So it's paintings within paintings.

Somewhere I remember someone saying that there should not be a single square inch of a painting that contains only one color.

alkratzer
10-19-2018, 03:06 AM
Thursday AM

96273

alkratzer
10-19-2018, 07:37 AM
Trying something in Black and White

96276

alkratzer
10-19-2018, 08:01 AM
One more in B&W

96277

alkratzer
10-19-2018, 11:04 AM
#3 b&w

96281

alkratzer
10-20-2018, 03:32 AM
Friday AM B&W #1

96284

alkratzer
10-20-2018, 03:33 AM
Friday AM B&W #2

96285

alkratzer
10-20-2018, 03:34 AM
Friday Am B7W #3

96286

alkratzer
10-23-2018, 04:51 AM
Monday AM -- Back to color

96305

D Akey
10-23-2018, 08:33 AM
Interesting. What do you think of the BW versions? Not that you're asking, but at least on my screen and not necessarily in print, I prefer the color versions. I feel drawn through those by the color and gradients, whereas the BW jumps from the stark contrast to my eye. You have a preference? Both approaches would have their place no doubt. Just the subtlety in the color work is much more "conversational".

alkratzer
10-23-2018, 11:04 AM
Color is WAY more interesting to me overall. I did a series that for some reason had very muted colors coming out of one of the Photoshop action strings and I decided to push them the rest of the way to B&W. Then I got to thinking about whether having a series of B&W works on paper as a side product to the main canvases might not be a bad thing to show the prospective galleries I'm talking to. Not sure if I would embellish the B&W's with ink/wash or pencil. Trying some print outs on various papers now to see if they hold up.



Interesting. What do you think of the BW versions? Not that you're asking, but at least on my screen and not necessarily in print, I prefer the color versions. I feel drawn through those by the color and gradients, whereas the BW jumps from the stark contrast to my eye. You have a preference? Both approaches would have their place no doubt. Just the subtlety in the color work is much more "conversational".

alkratzer
10-24-2018, 02:01 AM
Some experimenting with adding back color to the B&W's

96315

alkratzer
10-24-2018, 07:18 AM
More

96318

alkratzer
10-24-2018, 07:19 AM
More still

96319

alkratzer
10-24-2018, 07:30 AM
Yet more

96320

gxhpainter
10-24-2018, 07:37 AM
love your forms and color work, and the name "painted note gallery" is a perfect one for you and very descriptive of your work. I see by your note to D Akey you are trying out different papers for prints,
check out Breathing Color they have some of the best especially Optica One and I have tried every paper I could from every manufacturer... I also like Hahnemühle’s photo rag.

D Akey
10-24-2018, 09:52 AM
It's like a tie-dye stained glass experience! Far out.

alkratzer
10-24-2018, 04:43 PM
Thanks for the tip on the paper Gary -- and the kind words regarding the work. Below is a photo of a couple of theses "stained glass" style ones printed out.


love your forms and color work, and the name "painted note gallery" is a perfect one for you and very descriptive of your work. I see by your note to D Akey you are trying out different papers for prints,
check out Breathing Color they have some of the best especially Optica One and I have tried every paper I could from every manufacturer... I also like Hahnemühle’s photo rag.

96324

alkratzer
10-25-2018, 04:54 AM
Wed AM

96331

gxhpainter
10-25-2018, 06:44 AM
very nice a relaxing bright notes to clear the head...:rolleyes:

Alexandra
10-26-2018, 01:02 PM
Im playing catch up, Al. Great again, love them all!

alkratzer
10-29-2018, 01:48 AM
Sunday AM

96373

alkratzer
10-29-2018, 01:48 AM
Thanks Sandra -- I appreciate your encouragement!

alkratzer
11-01-2018, 02:50 PM
Cycle of Evolution

alkratzer
11-04-2018, 02:13 AM
Sat AM

96417

alkratzer
11-04-2018, 09:58 AM
Sat PM

96420

alkratzer
11-05-2018, 04:29 AM
Sunday AM

96425

D Akey
11-05-2018, 05:02 AM
Very tasty. I love that you've been experimenting with presentation which is of course an essential part of the chain of creation. Regarding printing, what have you found regarding the paper you're printing on? When high saturation is a key factor I recall that printing on a coated stock or even glossy translates that richness better than the softer uncoated stock look. The ink tends to diffuse and it dulls it down a bit, which may or may not be something one wants. In your case I would think it rather important. What are you finding?

alkratzer
11-07-2018, 02:29 AM
Been doing a LOT of printing on various papers. Glossy photo stock is clearest and does the best job of replicating the glow thew colors have on screen. However, every time i print on glossy I come away feeling that the results don't quite make it as an "art" print -- they feel somehow "wrong" to me. Top quality photo matte paper holds the detail, but the colors lose some pop. Top quality cold-pressed cotton watercolor paper has a nice "arty" quality, but is a bit mushy on the detail. Finally settled on a multimedia paper that has a bit of tooth, but has enough clay/chalk in it to deliver better details than the WC paper. I discovered that using four coats of a Krylon triple thick spray glaze adds back the wet look of the glossy photo paper, but retains the slight tooth of the art paper. Most satisfying compromise so far. Only problem is that I am an impatient spray painter and have had to discard a few prints due to some running/puddling caused by too heavy an application.




Very tasty. I love that you've been experimenting with presentation which is of course an essential part of the chain of creation. Regarding printing, what have you found regarding the paper you're printing on? When high saturation is a key factor I recall that printing on a coated stock or even glossy translates that richness better than the softer uncoated stock look. The ink tends to diffuse and it dulls it down a bit, which may or may not be something one wants. In your case I would think it rather important. What are you finding?

alkratzer
11-07-2018, 06:10 AM
Tuesday AM

96448

gxhpainter
11-07-2018, 08:34 AM
ah the journey continues and develops, loving all these. Take a look HERE (https://www.breathingcolor.com/timeless). I use the Timeless print glaze, very easy and quick and less expensive that Krylon and no spray mists getting on and into everything...

alkratzer
11-08-2018, 02:39 AM
Thanks Gary! I'll look into Timeless glaze ASAP.




ah the journey continues and develops, loving all these. Take a look HERE (https://www.breathingcolor.com/timeless). I use the Timeless print glaze, very easy and quick and less expensive that Krylon and no spray mists getting on and into everything...

alkratzer
11-08-2018, 02:41 AM
Wed AM

96455

gxhpainter
11-08-2018, 06:27 AM
Love the Wed AM work very deep and mysterious with bright notes, almost classical in mood. Also please check out InkAid here (https://www.inkaid1.com/). I have used it with great success on Arches WC paper and heavy bond papers as well so you can use papers with that deckled edge and still get bright bold colors.

D Akey
11-09-2018, 10:51 AM
Ooh, yeah, I really like Wed AM. I think the value range going that deep really creates depth (backstory if you will) and highlights the colors as they come forward. Kind of an emergent from the primordial ooze palette. Really nice.

alkratzer
11-11-2018, 03:47 AM
Thanks

The process has a random element to it -- this time I thought the dark/black added pop so I kept it, even though I usually push favor pure colors over black or white.



Ooh, yeah, I really like Wed AM. I think the value range going that deep really creates depth (backstory if you will) and highlights the colors as they come forward. Kind of an emergent from the primordial ooze palette. Really nice.

alkratzer
11-11-2018, 03:48 AM
Sat AM

96478

alkratzer
11-11-2018, 03:52 AM
Thanks Gary, I'll check it out! I have found four coats of the triple thick glossy Krylon adds a wonderful character. I get a feeling you could mat them and frame without a glass and get away with it. The krylon also worked well on some smaller (12" x12") canvas printouts I did for a holiday art show that is looking for work that could be sold for $100 or less. Still experimenting



Love the Wed AM work very deep and mysterious with bright notes, almost classical in mood. Also please check out InkAid here (https://www.inkaid1.com/). I have used it with great success on Arches WC paper and heavy bond papers as well so you can use papers with that deckled edge and still get bright bold colors.

alkratzer
11-14-2018, 12:59 PM
Tuesday PM

96526

Alexandra
11-14-2018, 01:52 PM
A mesmerizing and beautiful pattern, Al!

alkratzer
11-16-2018, 05:02 AM
Thanks Sandra!!


A mesmerizing and beautiful pattern, Al!

alkratzer
11-16-2018, 05:03 AM
Thursday AM

96535

D Akey
11-16-2018, 05:10 AM
Loving it.

alkratzer
11-20-2018, 03:28 AM
Monday AM

96566

D Akey
11-20-2018, 07:00 AM
Lascaux cave paintings for those primeval rule breakers. Cool.

Alexandra
11-20-2018, 02:13 PM
More awesomeness, Al!

alkratzer
11-20-2018, 03:03 PM
Thanks Sandra, you are too kind!


More awesomeness, Al!

alkratzer
11-20-2018, 03:04 PM
Monday PM

96570

Alexandra
11-21-2018, 12:21 AM
Al, this is stunning. LOVE it!

alkratzer
11-25-2018, 02:00 PM
Saturday PM

Wildfires

96617

D Akey
11-26-2018, 11:08 PM
Playing with the colors and shapes. Always a treat.

Alexandra
12-05-2018, 05:24 AM
Yes, more treats! I so enjoy your work, Al!