Studio Blog

All that comes before informs us

August 04, 2024 Filed in: Observation written by: David Bailin

Masaccio • The Tribute Money Fresco • Brancacci Chapel, Santa Maria del Carmine, Florence, ca. 1424-‘27

I have taught art appreciation since 1997 and during that time I talked about Masaccio’s The Tribute Money. Then, in the early 2000s, while analyzing the perspective and how the narrative unfolds through the composition, I discovered a Fibonacci Sequence. Now the narrative unfolding before me took on a surprising impact and depth. No wonder his breaking up the composition into three distinct cells worked so well.

Drawing against Muscle Memory

August 02, 2024 Filed in: Process |Observation written by: David Bailin

CLUB [underdrawing] • 2024 • Charcoal on Paper • 20 × 26½ inches

I have created works for stage, mural drawings for interiors and small intimate drawings for private spaces. Each time, as expected, I had to rethink my approach. The translation from stage to paper wasn’t difficult. But the act of drawing? It’s not the idea or materials that get in your way of execution, it’s your muscle memory.

Déjà vu

March 03, 2024 Filed in: Process |Studio |Observation written by: Bailin

Beach • 2024 •Charcoal, Pastel, and Oil on Paper • 52 × 60 inches

There have been times in the studio where everything goes to hell-in-a-handbasket.

What do you say about a drawing

July 18, 2023 Filed in: Observation written by: Bailin

For an Artsy viewing room presentation, Koplin Del Rio’s registrar, Kimberly Clark, asked me to write something about each of the drawings in the Gatherings series. Something interesting. I took that to be avoid art talk, avoid contemplating my navel. So what’s left?