January 2014 the way it is . . .

Some of my friends have been doing a review of their year 2013 and what they achieved last year, some have truly inspired me; but I'm not going to conduct a review of my 2013 here just a few highlights that made it a great year;

• Spectacular holidays in far flung places 
• Getting my work to the printers
• My website mike-ohagan.com went live

I'm struggling under a muggle-wrap of a bad phase at the moment and although my treatment strategy from my Medical team has been adjusted, it hasn't helped. "My pain experienced level is exquisite" (a phrase my Dr used after testing me). I find this phrase exotic and yet strangely appealing as it adds something to the listener / reader rather than just saying "I'm in a lot of pain" leaves out. Today is the first day in 12 days that I can see a bit of light through the mist of pain and feel able in mind and body to add to my blog. Having a positive mindset helps but this only takes you so far, I rate persistence and determination to reach goals higher. Later this month I'm having some assessment days and treatment in Hospital and I'm hoping this is going to take me to a different level.

I have not been able to paint anything for 24 days and although this has bugged me, I've learned to accept what cannot be changed. The good news is that this has coincided with the Christmas festivities and seeing the joy of my children has been great.

Looking forward into 2014 I'll be finishing Miami Ice, creating a "new series" of paintings and opening up shop in China (the deal is nearly done).

So there's some great things to look forward to and get on with when I can.

As this is primarily a blog about my Art I'll show you a picture of a nearly finished piece (now finished) from a year or two ago. This one cannot be scanned and giclee printed because of the gold paint used in the corn field so it stays in my collection for now;

If you like my Art and words, please share this blog or my website (mike-ohagan.com) with your friends, and social networks, thanks :)

Miami Ice Part 4 and other news.

It's been a very busy period, not on my art unfortunately for some; no it's been a busy period in family life, creating golden memories for my children at Disneyland Paris and preparing for Christmas.

Also I've had quite a bad low phase this time and this has resulted in more Hospital treatments and tests (in the New Year I said not before Christmas).

During this period my creative mind has come up with even more ideas for paintings and some Pantone marker drawings which I'm rough sketching up now to see if they are viable. I'll let you know which if any will work.

Meanwhile I have completed the base colour on the Chevy and added stage one shadows and highlights. The girls tee shirt dress is based in with detailing to add. There is still much to do as you can see, including a key piece deliberately left out until the near end (which will make it obvious why the title is Miami Ice).

In answer to a couple of questions the work is on 5ft wide by 4ft high stretched museum grade canvas and I'm using Windsor and Newton fine art Acrylic paints.

Shoes and hair base added.

Big windy hair added and note precursor reflections.

Car body colour added and stage 1 shadows and reflections added. 

Some key points;

• The reflections are entirely imaginary. 
• The car is derived from three different reference photographs (and not one of them is this blue)
• The girl happens, just by chance, to look like one of my daughters.

Thanks for stopping by my Blog and I hope you enjoyed your visit, please explore as there is loads of info about my art, my backstory, and how I came to art. If you like my work please follow me on Facebook and Twitter. Finally you can visit my website and buy prints www.mike-ohagan.com

Wishing you a great day.

Cheers

Mike

PS. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

Miami Ice Part 3

There's a saying in the business world often used for IT projects; "everything takes longer than you think." Directors and Executives usually say it to their Managers and Programme /Project managers, not because they are relaxed about a programme of work or a project being late, but to remind everyone to build in slack. When a delay or unforeseen "incident" happens there should be time enough to cover it in the plan. It's far better to exceed expectations than to tell your customer / manager "sorry it's going to be late" (and if you know it is going to be late, tell them straight-away and work out when the new delivery date will be - and build in some slack!).

You may be wondering why I'm talking "Management speak" when this is a blog about my Art? Well  . . . . . . . there's been delays on my latest work and I'm not sure when I can get it finished. The issue is that I cannot predict how well or not I'm going to be, so it's not about allowing slack time, say for supplies to be late, or things happening where I lose time on the painting. It's about how able I am to paint.

I've had some real "challenges" with my arms and the Medics are working on possible solutions. I've tried to stay upbeat, especially with Christmas just around the corner with lots of fun things planned; but I have to admit that I have felt a bit down, and that's even doing positive attitude affirmations, meditation and relaxation exercises. Most of my lowness is down to frustration and dealing with my new challenge. Anyway one thing life has taught me is that everyone's life has a natural rhythm to it and that it's natural sometimes to feel a bit low when tough things happen. The main thing is to hang in there and keep being you, so whilst I've not been able to do much, if any painting I have been able to keep tweeting and responding to sales of my work.

Thank you for hanging around waiting for the latest news, here is the latest photo of Miami Ice.

There's still a lot of work to be completed, as you can see; including adding the Ice Cream Cart, creating the male figure, completing the car and then adding detail touches. I was hoping when I started that it would be finished by Christmas; now I know it will definitely not be.

Thank you for following my news and my work! You can follow me on Facebook and Twitter and see my full collection on my website mike-ohagan.com (where you can also buy High Quality Prints).

See you again soon.

Cheers

Mike

Miami Ice Part 2

It's been a busy few days and not without the odd challenge that makes life interesting. Had a bit of a stumble, bumble trip, whoops, fall down "sequence" which I escaped from with only minor grazes and bruises and more of a dent in my pride than anything else. Still it entertained a few passers by and also luckily nobody got out their smart-phone and filmed my antics.

Meanwhile I've managed to add more paint to Miami Ice in the shape of Palm trees and a headlight. I completed the headlight for my benefit and although it looks like it's finished out of sequence with the rest of the painting, it's there to act as my primary reference for sunlight and reflections later on. And by-the-way the reflections and chromework in the headlight are constructed from the image in my mind. I used three reference headlights to get the shape and angles right in the sketch.
 
 

 

 

Thank you for watching Miami Ice appear :) I hope you like it.

Mike

Progress on Miami Ice in Photo's

The new project is under way and as you can see it's called "Miami Ice;" this may become clear as the picture progresses.

The picture is 4ft x 3ft on stretched canvas and painted in acrylics.

Sky and seafront based in.

Car sketched in.

Road based completed.

Clouds and sky finished.

Palm tree trunks, crown and side stones added.

Detail on Palm trees started and darks based in, also sand drifting on road.

First Palm tree finished.

Hope you like Miami Ice. I'll post up more progress photo's soon.

You can see all my art and buy Prints in two sizes on various archive quality mediums here :) www.mike-ohagan.com

Website goes Live and other "Stuff."

The BIG news for me recently has been getting my website mike-ohagan.com live. It launched on time, officially on my Birthday 1st October 2013 which was fun! A double celebration and a very exciting day for me. Thank you to everyone who made it special xx.

Have a look around the site if you like it please share with your friends; if you think something needs fixing or you don't like something let me know on the website or in the comment space below, thanks.

My favourite parts of the new site are the pages showing my work in a living space, this is The Posse;

The Posse at home. Prints available here

I'm biased of course but this is my favourite. But I love them all . . . .

Over the next few months additional features will be added to the site including the option to buy Post Cards and other merchandise. This has been requested by so many people, that I've talked to a few suppliers to see how to get it done to the standard I want. Not that I'm fussy about my work . . . . no correct that; actually I'm very fussy about how my work is presented to you, my Customers, my liker's, my followers and of course my critics. It has to be the best quality materials used in the prints and anything else that my work appears on. It's something I had not even thought of, but I'm always open to new ideas. I'll let you know how this progresses.

I've also been on a shopping spree to buy the new canvas and top up my paint store for my next piece. And I've got some new equipment to help me get the best out of me:) which I'm also really excited about.

My regular readers, followers and liker's may remember the news about my recent health MOT; well the outcome is that some of my medications have been increased and some changed for a different approach. It took me a few days to get used to the increased doses and changes (made me feel foggy and a bit vacant - and anyone who says there's no change there then, will be immediately removed from my Christmas card list). I'm feeling a bit more stable and with-it today, so I thought I'd try getting some news on my blog and here it is.

Looking forward I'm hopeful that I can start my next painting very soon. And as usual I'll post up progress peaks of it as it takes shape.

The Future is Taking Shape.

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is stop and take stock of where you are.

Right now my website is in soft launch mode (meaning only friends, family and some techies know its live) while clever folks work on things like predicting load balancing, peak bandwidth modelling and other stuff; meanwhile I'm itching to launch and get it out there. . . . . on this occasion I'll bow to the process and do the launch on my birthday 1st October. Standby World, my Art is coming your way soon!

There are things to add incrementally making the site more interactive in the months after launch. But it will launch with full e-commerce capability for those who want my work in their space; and of course there are high quality images of each piece including how they look hung up in a living space.

The Posse in a living room.

For the technically minded, astute art lover or someone who's just interested in what makes my work live, there are also in-depth descriptions of the archive high quality papers and canvases that my work is reproduced upon.

It's been a long journey for me, from discovering that I could produce work that people enjoy (and I really love doing) to actually having prints of my work available and on sale. I'm really trying to make my dream come true and you, yes you, are helping it happen. Thank you :)

Lots of my friends have said now is the time to get out there and start networking, which I have to say I'm really nervous about. My health challenges have turned me into a bit of a social recluse, sure I have friends and family that I see often, who know me and my condition. But that's different from "getting out there" and talking about my work . . . . . I'm up for it because I have to, to fulfil my dream, it's part of the process. Anyway I promised myself early on that I would do what it takes.

Anyway it seems I'm going to need some business cards and I want to put one of my pictures on the back, should it be Baby Lush? The Posse? The Cruisers? or Summer? so readers what's your opinion? Let me know in the comment box below.

Thanks for being there.

Cheers


Mike

Looking Forward and a Quick Look Back . . .

In many ways it's been a great summer, I've had my family and friends around me and I've had as much fun as I can watching them play and being there.

I've not been able to do any painting this summer because of my health challenges so I've been doing "Gedankenexperiments" (experiments using only your mind - something I learnt in my engineering years and made famous by Albert Einstein). Using this technique I have completely scoped my next two pieces and painted them in my imagination, they are ready for when I can start to paint again and they are filed away in my mind-file called "pending work;" it's another technique I learned but this one was taught to me to help me cope and compartmentalise "my health issues."  

Both pictures involve cars and that's all I'm saying right now. 

I've also taken the opportunity to review my goals and the strategy of how to achieve them;

• Become a world famous artist.
• Hold exhibitions in the worlds major cities.

Of course any offers of help would be greatly appreciated!! 

If you can help me, or think you know someone who can, please contact me via this blog or through my twitter account @Michae11O


Got some new equipment coming as well to help me which I'm really looking forward too!

The problem with having a chronic neurological condition; (which I will not name - not because I'm in denial - but because I don't want labels attached to me) is that you just don't know what's going to happen next or what new treatments will come along. 

Looking forward, I have two pieces ready to go, new kit coming soon; and it's time to get over to my favourite art shops and restock with more paintbrushes (you can never have too many) and more paint and of course get the canvases delivered. Hopefully I can start again very soon. 

My new "Official" Website will be open for business in the next few weeks. Always dangerous publishing the opening day, in case testing reveals something but planned going live day is on my birthday 1st October.

Thanks for reading my updates and remember if you can help or someone you know can, please get in touch :)

Specifically; help in getting my work into a Gallery, help in getting my work publicised and your advice is always welcome x

Hope you have a great day!

Mike
 

Big Day :) and other stuff . . .

Well there hasn't really been much to say about what I've been doing, mostly because of holidays :) but also because I've had a few health challenges which have kept me "subdued,"  I don't really like mentioning my health challenges but unfortunately they form an integral part of my life, so it's normal for me; (but I know folks don't want to keep hearing "he's out of it"  . . . . again). So I keep focused do what I can do and enjoy life as much as I can . . . . . and if I don't write on my blog most people will guess why (I hope).

Anyway today is the day I get to do the final acceptance view of the proofs, pick up my paintings and sign off the prints with my friends at Redcliffe Imaging in Bristol.

The framework of my new website is completed and it's just the special pages that need finishing (although I have set it back a little by deciding to change the colour of some of the interactive widgets - what can I say I'm an artist ha ha).

Nearly the final thing to say is that over the summer and the various holidays I've been on; I've changed my mind about which piece comes next in my painting schedule (hopefully I can start in the next few weeks). All I can say is that it's a summer scene and yes - there's a nice car in it (the title is secret for now). The inspiration for this one just popped into my mind whilst listening to music and snoozing (not awake but not asleep) on a sun bed by the pool on a very hot day in Turkey. When I came around I had it fully formed in my mind in colour with all the details, all i have to do is bring it to life on canvas.This means that "Lou-Lou Belle" (Lipstick and hot rods) will come along later in the year, followed by "The Race," and then maybe "Start!"

And finally . . . I would just like to say a BIG thank you to all my twitter followers (@Michae11O) and Facebook friends and liker's for being there and sending some great supportive messages. Thank you very much xx

PS: If you're new to my "world" it would be great to meet you on twitter or facebook :)

At Redcliffe Imaging checking Proofs

Today I've spent a few hours with my friends at Redcliffe Imaging checking the first stage proofs for "Baby Luscious" and "The Posse."

Its a major job looking at colour correction and options across a large painting like "The Posse" and "Baby Luscious."

As always it's an art form in itself getting an authentic reproduction across all light mediums; so that I can say "yeah" that's an accurate reproduction that will be printed on museum grade canvas and papers. So those of who've been waiting to buy prints of The Posse and Baby Luscious all I can say is the wait is nearly over :)

Another session next week, once some tweaks have been made, but in the meantime I thought you might like to see what the proofing assessment table looks like.

The image strips are all slightly different and on paper and canvas so that we can check the reproduction on both mediums.

And to give you some idea of scale, that little picture in the middle is approximately the size of an A4 / Letter paper from a home printer.

Music the "Muse" to boost Creativity.

The most important thing for me is capturing that moment and the thought that inspires my work in a tangible form, so that I can effectively play it back when I need it. I use sketches of course but also Mind Maps taught to me by my friend Tony Buzan (one of the most innovative thinkers on the planet). You can find out all about Tony's Mind Map technique here

But these alone are not enough for me. I need another dimension to lock in the image.

So how do I do it?

It's going to sound simple but it was really hard to learn (for me) but the results are amazing; don't keep grumbling about getting on with it please . . . .

When an image appears unbidden for me to apply to canvas I sketch it up roughly and quickly, and then tag it with music. I find a song or tune from my collection of music that I think suits the image and I play it LOUD (headphones are best) over and over while I think about the image and play with the sketch both mentally and on the paper. I do this a couple of times a day for a few days. Then in my work book I redraw the image and add the title of the music I used (and where to find it). And forget about it until I'm ready.

This really comes into it's own when I start work on the canvas. I play the music for that piece over and over while I'm preparing and the Muse arrives complete with the vivid image in fine detail.

It took a lot of practice to start with and single minded concentration that was almost meditation but now it's easy and thoroughly enjoyable. It's now an integral part of my creative process.

How did I come across this?

Actually I worked it out for myself.

Early on in my illness my clinicians used harmonies to help my speech and I remembered something about music helping certain types of thought. So I thought "I'll try tagging or imprinting my mental images with music" so that it makes recall easier.

I'm also able to push my mood into the right place ready to be creative with music as well now, using the same technique.

There is probably some clever neuroscience behind all this; but it works for me and I recommend it to you.

Let me know how you get on with it.

Best wishes


Mike.

The Up's & Down's of Life.

The ups and downs of chronic illness means that sometimes there are BIG gaps in what I'm able to post (and do in my normal life) but hey ho, life goes on for all of us; and we all have our own challenges and goals to focus on so let's move on with the latest news.

The Posse is now completed! And goes to my friends at Redcliffe Imaging next week along with Baby Lush to be scanned ready for the website launch early in July (says he, hoping the techies sort the gallery bugs out). Websites always seem to be more complicated than you think they're going to be; doesn't help when I keep thinking of things to add and change though . . . . .

I've also had some interesting conversations with some people who would like to use my images on merchandise (like Tee shirts, Greeting Cards etc) and this is a very exciting development. More on this later this year, maybe an Autumn collection?

Also in talks with a BIG name Gallery to show my entire collection (when it's finished) which is also so amazing and hard to take in, especially when I've been "out of it" (which is my phrase for the bad phases in my illness) so much recently. It just shows you that if you believe and stick with your dream good things will happen (although you do get severely tested, I believe it's just life / the Universe / God making sure, that you're sure and determined to see it through - and I am).

I am a very lucky man!

My imagination has not been quiet while I've been laid up and I have made many (very) rough sketches of some great paintings to complete in the future when I can get going again. "Lou Lou Belle" is next, then maybe "The Fugitive" (sister to The Posse), then "The Race", then "Rubber Smoke," then "Diner Doll" then "Steer Time" maybe not in that order and there some others that I like that I've not mentioned but just those above are a years effort (assuming that I don't get taken "out of it" for very long periods).  I can't wait to be able to paint again.

Thank you for following my Blog, I hope you enjoyed the update.

Best wishes


Mike

Nearly There :)

After a great Holiday at the Riviera Maya Barcelo Resort in Mexico I'm back in the groove. It's amazing how some consistent warmth and persistent sunshine can make a person with health challenges feel better in themselves and ready to face their issues with more confidence.

I now have one of my early paintings "The Summer" on view and for sale at Caffe' Rosa in Whitchurch, Bristol UK.

This piece holds my vision of summer, soft lush green grass to walk on barefoot, a beach to find shells on (in this case a Nautilus Shell) and a blue sky with wistful clouds to enjoy it all under.

 
My plan is slowly coming together; The Posse is nearly finished (see below) and when it is it will be off to the printers with a couple of my other works for image capture for the giclee prints. I can then start selling exclusive high quality prints from my new website which I will turn my focus to next.

The meadow grass base is in and the Marshall is finished.

So as mentioned I have to get my website finished before I start my next piece (called Loulou Belle); the website basics are in place but as always it's the detail that takes the time.

By the way if you're interested in obtaining a print of one of my pieces of work before the website goes live, just contact me for details.

Wishing you a great day.


Mike

Well it's been an exciting couple of days; my Doctor has fixed another symptom of my immune system challenges that took me "low" for over a week and much more noteworthy; I've been to my printers (Redcliffe Imaging) and gone over the proofs of two of my early pieces of work and approved them for production!

The Cruisers is one (see below) and The Nautilus is the other one.

I am excited, frightened, nervous and really happy knowing that I'm one more step closer to my dream of being an Internationally recognised artist. And a BIG thank you to you dear reader for being with me early in my art journey and helping me to share my work.

The next steps are for me to continue creating my work (5 more paintings to go, 6 done), getting a good website ready and getting my work in front of the people who want to buy it.If anybody has any advice I would love to hear it.

Thanks for being here and I hope you have a great day.

Nearly finished "The Cruisers" 5ft x 4ft acrylics on stretched canvas.

More Sneak Peeks

The face of The Posse.

Hi, well it's been a demanding, sometimes challenging and often funny week; where my art work has taken a back seat to planned and unplanned events. That's life! If you can't fit the good bits around the less than good bits, you're not doing it right, anyway enough preamble these peeks are more "good bits" I've completed on "The Posse."

The out rider sketch is worked up in paint.

Close up of the horse in creation.

The outrider Captain base colours and form completed.

I see the outrider as more of the Captain of the Posse rather than the seeker. This is him in my minds eye form, the literal translation of whatis in my imagination, later I decide to put him in a "duster" coat

The back rider is chasing in with some paperwork, possibly a n

ew wanted poster?

 

 

Update on Pre-Launch Activity

The imaging and printing team over at Redcliffe in Bristol are doing a great job on capturing and printing proofs on special papers and canvas for my first couple of pictures; "Summer Time" (a Nautilus shell on a sandy background topped with blue summer sky and with a bottom band of fresh lush grass & "Just Cruising" Marilyn Monroe and James Dean driving in a maroon open top Cadillac De Ville on the road from Los Angeles to Las Vegas). The Redcliffe team are very helpful to someone who is learning as he goes along. They work with some big Companies and some well known artists and I thoroughly recommend them if you need truly professional Giclee printing.

When everything is ready you'll hear it first here and you'll be able to see the full pictures for the first time. I'm really excited about getting my work "out there" as it takes such a long time to do and there's so much of me in every piece.

I will be offering a small number of limited edition full size prints ahead of the full launch and if you want to register you're interest contact me using the form in the sidebar.

"The Posse" is still under way, but I've been struggling this week so haven't done much more. I'll post some more progress peeks of this piece soon.

Hope you have a great day.

The Posse is Coming!

Well despite a few challenges (including a very intense new movement programme from my physiotherapist - which I could write pages about . . .  ), I have made progress on "The Posse".

They are definitely on the hunt for The Fugitive (more on this later) and I thought it's time to show you some sneak peaks on my progress. The painting you see is completed in spurts, often with big gaps in activity and sometimes it really is like someone else is doing the work, while I watch the brush and colours flow onto the canvas.

The picture is clear in my mind and there are other figures and riders to add along with detail to add to the foreground.

It's quite a big piece (44" x 56") stretched canvas on frame bars and I really think its going to be my best so far :)

Mountains and trees in (a misty conifer forest fronted by decidous trees). The leader is roughly sketched in with charcoal on a base of scrubland.

Skin tones based in and hat brim added.

Highlights on face added and bodywork based.

Close up of the face before final detail added.

I will add more previews as work progresses, so watch this space.

Thank you for visiting my Blog. I hope you like these previews and it has enticed you to follow my work as I progress towards my first exhibition. If you do please share my Blog with your network or follow me on twitter @Michae11O 

Progress - but not in Painting "The Posse."

I haven't been able to paint or work on "The Posse" since I tried Friday morning because of health issues. It is frustrating but it does give me muse time to gaze at the work underway and contemplate other things.

It happens to me and it's part of the gig, enforced physical downtime. So I've been resting, learning and finding out more about online galleries and thinking about what my website will look and feel like. Of course it has to show my work, acting as my online portfolio, but I also want to make my art accessible to everyone who likes it and let everyone know why I'm different and why I think my work is unique. That means you can expect to see my work on accessible things in the future. Right now the immediate challenges are to get ten pieces completed so I can have my own exhibition and get my website up.

I've been persuaded by some of my "fans" to sell some limited edition special pre-launch prints and I'm getting this organised in the background; (as in I get my stuff taken to the printers and wait for the originals, prints and certificates to come back). I'm going to make the ordered pre-launch prints "special" by adding unique things to them that will not be on the mainstream limited edition prints. I am really pleased that people like my work, as so much of me goes into them.

I guess all artists have a message for the world? Mine is simple "enjoy your life's story" and make sure you tell your own with the talents you have.

Hopefully I'll be able to paint again in the near future, but in the meantime I'm thinking about my future. If you like my work it would help me if you shared this blog, thank you.

Thanks for stopping by, see you again soon, hope you have a great day.

Halfway There? Or Not . . .

You know that feeling when you think you're half way to somewhere (or something) and you realise that really you've only just started? That's me today.

I'm working on a large canvas and it's taken a few days to put the background mountain range in and I thought last night "great, I can move onto putting the trees in." But this morning with fresh eyes and thoughts of moving on in my mind, I look and see things that still need doing to the mountains. Not big things just a few tweaks, a five minute job that will take two to three hours to do.

This also means I'm re-thinking the tree line slightly as I've spotted in my minds eye some detail at the tree, mountain interface area that will help profile some figures in the near foreground.

The picture in my imagination is still sharp and clear and I'm looking forward to working on the figures and horses in the foreground. Although that is farther away than I thought last night.

The most important thing I've learnt about creating my paintings is also true in life; keep focused on your end goal but remain flexible in your approach to achieve it.

Creating My Piece (The Posse)

Today I'm preparing the canvases; the main piece is Winsor and Newton 44 x 56 inch (1118 x 1422 mm) cotton medium weight and it's already primed and stretched.

I always wash the back and front of the canvas with clean cold tap water (not soak it) to get any dust and small hairs off (yes there are dogs with me - Border Terriers) and this also slightly tightens the canvas even more on the frames. This stage is important in spotting any minor dimples that can be "ironed" out ready for paint.

Next I apply a base colour wash coat that helps me bring out the depth colours in the background, in this case it's a soft pale blue / green. The background is rolling wild grass hills with Montana's mountains in the distant background.

In my head I see this one very clearly! So clear in fact that I'm not going to sketch in figures and horses until the background and near foreground are completed.

The composition? Well you'll have to wait and see but what I can say is that there are two connected pieces that I see together in the same room. As the colour scheme for the "Fugitive" is the same I'm prepping that canvas today as well; again it's Winsor & Newton as above, but 30 x 20 inches (762 x 508 mm).

It's worth saying that a normal (meaning a fully fit and healthy person) could do this stage in under an hour. For me it takes about four hours and then I'm worn out and unable to do anymore.

I know I always say this; but I think this will be my best work to date.

More news will follow along with some glimpses of my progress.