Carl Mehrbach's Art Blog - Making Art

Carl Mehrbach's Art Blog

Challenge to My Own Sanity

10/16/2021

Drawing 10·15·2020, pencil on paper, 16x20 inches

Drawing well challenges my soul. Here, in this drawing, I understand the requirement of the all-over. The all-over must not be the dominant force; the all-over must support the two-dimensional power of a flat rectangular work of art. This drawing gets centered by the smallest of the three complex forms, left, right, center. Consequently, a powerfully centered, all-over competition, is presented.

The Morning After

10/14/2021

"Measure Anew" (2021 No.9, state 04), oil on canvas, 54½x54⅛ inches, {"I had become a new person; and those who knew the old person laughed at me. The only man who behaved sensibly was my tailor: he took my measure anew every time he saw me, whilst all the rest went in with their old measurements and expected them to fit me." -George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950), "Man and Superman" (1903)}

Optimism abounds on this morning after. I am approaching this painting in an extremely present manner. It feels more like a drawing be made, then a painting. I have been missing this spontaneity in my painting; I welcome it. I am responding with optimism, enthusiasm, and joy. I feel bright and aware; that is the way I feel right here, right now!

Two Is Not Enough

10/12/2021

"Measure Anew" (2021 No.9, state 03), oil on canvas, 54½x54⅛ inches, {"I had become a new person; and those who knew the old person laughed at me. The only man who behaved sensibly was my tailor: he took my measure anew every time he saw me, whilst all the rest went in with their old measurements and expected them to fit me." -George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950), "Man and Superman" (1903)}

Drawing 10·10·2021, pencil on paper, 16x20 inches

It is never over if you are never satisfied. Two in not enough. No number is enough. I need to live forever.

The Structure of Contempt

10/10/2021

Drawing 10·08·2021 No.2, pencil on paper, 20x16 inches

Drawing 10·09·2021, pencil on paper, 20x16 inches

When does seeing become believing? For me, not soon, perhaps never, perhaps now. I have contempt for my own work. When concluded it never fully satisfies. I doubt success, so I do more. In doing I appreciate my own ability to see and feel my way to sense and sensibility. In the conclusion I find no happiness. I like these drawings, I doubt these drawings. Therefore I return to make more.

Manageable & Straightforward

10/9/2021

Drawing 10·08·2021 No.1, pencil on paper, 16x20 inches

I do not need to write anything. This drawing is manageable, straightforward, like the art of Agnes Martin.

Searching, Finding, Questioning

10/8/2021

Drawing 10·07·2021, pencil on paper, 20x16 inches

Rejection is part of the game plan. I search, this is one more find, I question it.

New & Old Move Toward True

10/7/2021

"Gonna Speak to the Crowd" (2021 No.5, state 13), oil on canvas, 64x57⅜ inches, {"I'm gonna spare the defeated — I'm gonna speak to the crowd. I'm gonna spare the defeated, boys, I'm going to speak to the crowd. I am goin' to teach peace to the conquered. I'm gonna tame the proud." - Bob Dylan, "Lonesome Day Blues" (2001)}

Drawing 10·07·2021, pencil on paper, 20x16 inches

Measuring Anew, Day 2

10/6/2021

"Measure Anew" (2021 No.9, state 02), oil on canvas, 54½x54⅛ inches, {"I had become a new person; and those who knew the old person laughed at me. The only man who behaved sensibly was my tailor: he took my measure anew every time he saw me, whilst all the rest went in with their old measurements and expected them to fit me." -George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950), "Man and Superman" (1903)}

All that is new is old. Old can be renewed. I am becoming myself. This new painting. "Measure Anew", is a significant milestone on my journey of at least 36865 days. Nowhere near the end I am. Renewed is my sense of play. For years I go without play. Instead I search in quandary and pain. Then, suddenly, I awake. I find my true path again. This is me now.

Simple & Bright

10/4/2021

"Gonna Speak to the Crowd" (2021 No.5, state 12), oil on canvas, 64x57⅜ inches, {"I'm gonna spare the defeated — I'm gonna speak to the crowd. I'm gonna spare the defeated, boys, I'm going to speak to the crowd. I am goin' to teach peace to the conquered. I'm gonna tame the proud." - Bob Dylan, "Lonesome Day Blues" (2001)}

This painting, "Gonna Speak to the Crowd", hits hard. Its value contrast is large. It is spiritually simple. It is bright. I am surprised when my paintings go this way. I should pay deep attention to this simple and bright solution. This painting is, afterall, is a potent signpost.

Whadayaknow?

10/3/2021

Drawing 10·01·2021, pencil on paper, 16x20 inches

The creep in me is doing a lot of wondering. What do I know? The drawing shown here was done over a couple days. That slowness of discovery tells me something about my loss and limits. I am devoid of absolute knowledge. I know no more than what I explore. It is not random exploration. I think and feel, therefore I make. I complete thoughts. These works are my visual record. Each records thoughts and feelings. That's worth something. Each work represents processional worthiness. I am within a process of knowing more.