Today Barb and I went down to the gallery to see the new work framed and ready for next weeks opening. It is the first time I have seen the new colors and direction that my work has taken. First time I have really seen it. Before today it was a felt situation. Now with the distance of time and the separation from the studio I saw the work.  It looked really good and made me want to engage for a long look. That is always a good sign. I dove right in and started finding my way through each piece. These works really allow the viewer to spend a lot of time within each print. They have a solid first hit and then pull you in and take you on a visual journey that a lot of work does not get to.

My reason, my inspiration, the love of my life. 

Last night I asked my darling Barb to marry me. She said yes!!! I am beyond happy. So many of my works have been influenced by her. From the titles right down to the core structure of the work. Never have I had such support in my life. Never have I seen such beauty. She is standing beside me with every new image made. There for me when I falter. And there beside me to share with me my sight, my passion and every new experience. I love her so. 

                                                                     Pick up day!

New work is printed and mounted and ready to be shipped to the gallery. This will be the first time I have seen the new series in it's finished state. A very exciting day!

Canadian Art Magazine Spring 2012
Agenda- A national and international roundup of the season's best exhibitions

Curtis Cutshaw
 Using paper and a dowsing rod with a pen attached to its end, the artist lets the flow of underground water take control; back in the studio, he fleshes out these drawings. April 7 to May 5 Herringer Kiss Gallery, 709A 11th S.W.

Bridge

This is a new image I have been working on for a few months. It has a lot of detail and is quite full. What I like about it is that it has so many areas that the viewer can get lost in. I will make some crops to show you how detailed it is.
It is quite a slow drawing. After the initial impact it then comes at you slowly. I always like art that when you look at it you can stay with it a long time. Art that is like a one line joke is of no interest to me. A collector once told me that he has his first cup of coffee every morning in front of one of my works. He said he sits there and reads it seeing more and more each day. I liked that. I remember looking at a Rembrandt for a few hours one day and coming back the next day and seeing a yellow dot that I was sure had not been there the day before. I was not ready to see it. And when I was, it allowed me in.

We are now in the final stage of preparation for my show next month at Herringer Kiss Gallery in Calgary. It is all coming together and the excitement is building.

My Heart Returns

This is a brand new work, just finished today. I hope you enjoy

37''x49''

When I was 22 years old I was fortunate enough to spend a summer studying under British painter John Walker at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Maine. I remember one warm afternoon I was talking to him and I was trying to get as much knowledge from him as I could possibly absorb. I was learning so much with each day that passed. I felt myself shifting from being a student to a "painter". During our conversation he turned to me and said "do you want all the answers?" Of course I said yes! He looked me in the eye and said "go to your studio and paint!'' He was not trying to end our talks but instead point me in a direction that few people go.
That summer I found a structure that I have built my whole life on. One of extreme discipline and unwavering passion. I have kept that discipline up for over 23 years. Never letting anything stop me. No matter how hard it got. I remember John telling me that he once drew all of Goya's etchings to keep his eye sharp. I still can hear him saying the words that cut through like no other. "Painting... it's a lonely life."
But what a life it is. After all my years of very hard work I feel like I am finally hitting my stride. Seeing so much more than I ever have. Still learning every day. Still having the passion and the need to make. Never ever stopping. It is exciting and I can hardly wait for each day to start so I can see where I will go next.