Friday, October 31, 2014

Night Creatures


Here's a gouache painting I did over 30 years ago when I was putting together a portfolio of science fiction samples. It has never been published before.


I imagine encountering these night creatures in a dark bar. I accidentally offend them by asking an innocent question about their feeding tentacles. I apologize, and they return to their drinks, the veins on their temples throbbing for a while.

That's my little treat for you on Halloween!

11 comments:

Tom Hart said...

Happy Halloween, James! Thanks for sharing this earlier work. I love the feeding tentacles.The age of this painting makes me think of all the pieces you've created over the years and prompts me to wonder how you've handled the challenge of physical storage. I can't recall if you've touched on that topic before (I do remember your tips on cataloging and documenting work). Do you have any advice to share? I imagine the sketchbooks partly take care of themselves (so to speak. But how to store larger works compactly yet accessibly is a quandary, even for those of us with modest production compared to yours.

jeff jordan said...

Happy Birthday VERMEER!

Jtoritto said...

I think that should be a post card!

James Gurney said...

Tom, Painting storage is a lot easier for me if the works are on illustration board or panel, rather than canvas because they take up less space and are less prone to damage. Whether framed or panel form, I store them vertically on big carpet-floored storage shelves.

I try to title works with a title that includes a distinctive word that I can find on the computer on a search, and I like to avoid "The" or "A" in the title so that it alphabetizes easier. As you know, I give sketchbooks distinctive names and stay with one brand or type of sketchbook for six or more before switching to another style of book to keep continuity. I then number the books so they go back on the shelves.

Tom Hart said...

Thanks James! Maybe if you have the chance someday, you could post a shot or two of your shelving/storage area. What a treasure trove that must be!!

Gavin said...

Not sure I'd like to join them for a drink, but really like your imagination.
Happy Halloween.

lee kline said...

I guess they are not good kissers.....

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Happy Halloween!
After reading a review of Daniel Radcliffe in the film, "Horns," I think your creatures look like they're dining on horns.

John VanHouten said...

How big is that painting?
Also in regards to the comment about painting storage, if you store your paintings vertically isn't there a chance that they would slowly warp and bend? I have had this happen to me with two oil paintings on 3/16" hardboard. I even put some gesso on the back to even out the tension. But I stored them vertically again a wall and slowly they warped a little with gravity.

James Gurney said...

John, this one is pretty small -- about 9 x 14 inches. It's painted on heavy illustration board, and is stored vertically, but I haven't had any issues with warping on this one. Thinner boards, yes!

John VanHouten said...

James, you and I have very different ideas of small! That's much bigger than I thought it was. I too would like to see a photo of your art storage setup sometime.