Artist/Administrator Par Excellence in His Head

And paintings!

Fish and Lake Weed 2022. Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20

Here are some paintings from the self-proclaimed artist/administrator residency. I have volunteered 32 hours a week for one year (46 weeks) at the local art association. Here is the concept, more or less, from a tome of a grant I just submitted to receive funding for much-needed upgrades. I also answer phones and mop the gallery floor.

On October 4 the AAO (Art Association of Oswego) began implementation of a year-long strategy to restart our organization after a debilitating pandemic. Along with new faces on our Board of Directors come fresh ideas. We have designed an artist/administrator residency to keep AAO available to visitors 6 days (38 hours) a week. Before residency we were limited to weekend days for a total of six hours. Our resident artist/administrator and long time member, Ron Throop, has committed a year (46 weeks) of on-site volunteer work and availability in order to jumpstart new programming from strategies that will increase and sustain membership while offering new opportunities to the public. Throop will dedicate half the time in house practicing his art, and the other half overseeing administrative duties of implementation, coordination and communications. He is offering his services in kind as a volunteer, as well as receiving a supportive environment to practice and nurture artistic discovery. His presence will increase visibility and understanding of artists as workers while strengthening AAO connection and responsibility to the community.

The residency is part and parcel to the upcoming solo exhibition “The Pleasure at Being the Cause” where I am donating 50 recent paintings to exhibit and sell in order to raise money for a floor to finish our new gallery downstairs. Any rich readers are welcome to donate at the pre-exhibition money-raising portal.

I made these paintings during the first two weeks of the residency. I also answered two phone calls and replied to three email queries. I finished and submitted two grants to purchase computers, a new kiln, a PA system to facilitate poetry and open mic nights, and heat for the winter months so my tips don’t frostbite. Two weeks down. 44 to go:)

Let's See YOU Try to Paint an Old Eyeless Fly Without a Reference! 2022. Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20"

I Don’t Care About This Painting 2022. Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20"

Waiting for PoH to Get Paid 2022. Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20"

Learning to Paint Like Me 2022. Acrylic on canvas, 20 x 16"

Moman With Bird and Slug Hair 2022. Acrylic on canvas, 20 x 16"

Yesterday, on my Visit to Scott's, I Saw My Dad 2022. Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 30"

A Lot of Paint for Seven Ghosts 2022. Acrylic on canvas, 20 x 24"

Imaginary Bird and Mammals, and a Real Snake 2022. Acrylic on canvas, 20 x 16"

Jazz With a Porpoise and Jellyfish 2022. Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20”

The Romantic 2022. Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20"

My Happy Friend 2022. Oil on canvas, 20 x 16"

And a book for the upcoming exhibition to raise money for Kirk Beason Gallery at the AAO. Pre-donate here!