Vintage Guitar

Here it is folks!  I'm really diggin' the painterly feel and the vintage look this one has.  My first commission piece in a while and it seemed to be a hit.  I'm so glad, my nerves are always a mess when I do these.  Even though I think this is my fav out of the guitars I think I'll lay off for a while and dive into something new.  Hope to post more pics soon!   Sphere: Related Content

C.F. Martin & Co

Ive traded in those shiny colorful sexy electric guitars for a more vintage look. This commission is my vision of a Martin acoustic. The natural look isn't typical of my bold color choices, but I've managed to keep that painterly feel as in most of my work. Because there weren't color combinations and mixtures to labor over I was able to get lost in the wood grain and textures. There's a ton of detail needed to do this luxurious guitar justice! Hoping to finish up and post final pics soon.

Sphere: Related Content

Back at the Easel

It's been 3 years since I've been at the easel with a serious motivation to paint. Recently I've begun to pick up my brushes again and it feels great! I hope there will be something new to show very soon. With this recent desire to go back to my artistic roots also came a challenge to put a fresh spin on my work. I've been "playing" with the idea of collage. Hopefully this will turn out along with a few more ideas I've been tossing around. Maybe this new perspective on my work is just what it needs? Sphere: Related Content

Will Paint For Food!

Yes it's a few weeks until Christmas and I find myself in the unemployment line. While I always dreamed of this life, staying my PJ's and avoiding the cold snowy travel to work, it just isn't my cup of tea. Don't get me wrong I thoroughly enjoy painting until the early morning and sleeping until late afternoon, but it doesn't pay the bills, unless your Andy Warhol. Anyhoo I have used my time wisely and began working on the next painting in the series of Guitars. Just in case you haven't assumed so far I'm still in the same old funk I've been in for weeks now. So you guessed it! I did the Johnny Cash guitar. Of course I added a little color and a whole lotta spunk. Stop by in a few days and check out the finished product.

Also I've been adding to and revamping my website ShastaRay.com and my Myspace page. So don't be shy, come visit and add me as your friend!

I've also been thinking of photographing the process of one of my paintings from start to finish and adding my thoughts and ramblings. Any suggestions! Sphere: Related Content

Painting With My Head In The Clouds

Sorry for being MIA lately. New jobs, new people and changes in general have been happening all over the place in my life. I’m still excited to hear what has happened with the show in Dallas at The Soda Gallery, but no word yet. There are no new projects finished, but a few on the easel, in the works. My plans of painting larger scale guitars of my favorite musicians is now taking a back seat to Life, what else is new. Now that I’ve found a day job that is much less stressful (cross your fingers) I can get back into the groove of things. Thought I would share a painting I did for last years show in my hometown . This one is a new style I tried in watercolor on canvas, titled “Rockstar”. Wild colors and musical themes are the trademark style I have created and this painting is a perfect example of how I strive to make the canvas POP with color! Hope to have my head out of the clouds and feet on the ground by next week with new work to share with everyone. If I don't get out of the crazy funk I've been in for days expect more of a "Man in Black" Johnny Cash-esque guitar instead of something wild and bright.

Sphere: Related Content

American Pastime

American Pastime is part of my new series of small paintings (12"x12" or smaller). In keeping with the spirit of the recent events I chose a red, white and blue theme. The colors absolutely pop! These paintings are being shown at The Soda Gallery in Dallas through the end of December '08. This is my fourth show and the most challenging. The point of the show is to have 50 artist , 50 paintings for 50 dollars each. Awesome idea! But I had to scale down my work and in the meantime decided to change up my style a little. Instead of a crazy "Piano Man" or psychedelic guitar medley I have decided to do a real guitar. No wild colors or musicians with 3 arms and 12 fingers jammin' on guitars. And guess what? I love it! So look out for new additions to my Rockin' little series. Sphere: Related Content