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Email me at edd@eddtokarzharnas.com

Edd's Blog

05-04-12: figure study..

Not all faces, y'know. Here's a little bit, from the neck down..

ETH-2380 untitled figure study (8x10") oil (2012)

04-30-12: 6 more face..

The face series is coming along nicely. I've got a growing stack

of these 6x8" experiments and it's getting more challenging fitting

them together in groups. Maybe it's time to consider a wall sized

grouping[?]. Here are six recent favorites.

6 portrait studies (6x8") oil on canvas (2012)

04-21-12: Older works..

I recently made good (well, started anyway) on a plan to "digitize" my

old slides of paintings. It's going to take a while, mostly because

it's going to take a lot of money to do them all: guess-timating about

900! But I enjoyed going through my slide binder looking at many old

paintings and drawings, many of which have been sold and I haven't seen

for, well, many years! As I tweak them with Photo Shop and get the

images ready, I'll post some of my favorites both here in the blog

as well as on my Archive page.

ETH-0010 "Todd Rundgren" (9x12") oil on panel (1981)

04-09-12: Another beautiful local moment..

Every once in a while we go out with cameras in the late afternoon

to see what the sunset will be like. Of course the advantage of the

digital camera is the "expendability" of the image -- take what you

can use, delete the rest. One time, I took one hundred-some shots

of waves in one sitting. The hard part is going through them all and

figuring out which ones to use. As I recall, I got about 3 or 4

paintings from that set.

Today's featured painting is from another such "inspiration run"

a while back. I just hang onto my favorite images until the

time is right to paint them.

ETH-2339 "By The Light of the Moon" (5x7") oil (2011)

03-31-12: one more, before the month ends..

Catch up time, with a little ocean scene from last autumn.

Apparently, I need to take a little more time to title these

paintings. This, and the last few remain nameless, even since

last September in this case. Enjoy anyway!

ETH-2293 "currently untitled" (6x8") oil (2011)

03-17-12: figure study..

The portrait studies that I have been doing in recent months have resulted

in a variety of experiments in color and technique. In turn, I often apply

some of these new approaches to older themes. This figure study was started

right after a portrait study, and I even used the paint that was left over.

In the portrait study, I attempted a more mottled impressionistic look that I

remember from some Norman Rockwell portraits I had seen in Look magazine..

let's just say, a few years back. I continued that technique with this figure

study, instead of the common detailed black and white style I often use.

ETH-2375 "currently untitled" (8x10") oil (2012)

03-12-12: Down By The Seaside..

Although my work scheduled changed at the end of January (for the better!),

and I continue my portrait series, I still find some time to paint some of

the other subjects I'm known for. In particular, this post shows a couple

recent ocean scenes. The first is based on a scene from the Waimea side

of Oahu..

ETH-2366 currently untitled (11x14") oil (2012)

It's pretty done in my regular realistic style.. but the other recent seascape

is where I cut loose a bit! The end result reminds me a little of how Monet's

paintings look to me: thicker bolder impressionistic base paintings topped with

thinner and more fluid strokes that bring out the details. This is especially

true in how I handled the bottom edge of the water.

ETH-2370 "currently untitled" (16x20") oil (2012)

02-26-12: Little Gems update..

The "Little Gems" show at West End Gallery

ends shortly [March 9th]. I enjoyed reading Cornelius O'Donnell's column

in the February 21st Leader, entitled "Climbing the Walls in the Kitchen."

I agree: you can never have enough artwork in any room! I also appreciate

the comments he made about one of my pieces in the show.

02-19-12: More faces..

I am really having fun with the "portrait series." Especially the

envigorating and inspiring experimentation I get into. And I haven't

even set foot in "mixed media" territory yet!

ETH-n.a. (6x8 each) oil 2012

02-10-12: First New Blog here..

This is my first post with this "new" blogging procedure via my existing

website. My previous blog was on Blogger, but Google is proposing some

changes that I just couldn't embrace, so...on with today's story:

The Honolulu Museum of Art (formerly Hono. Academy of Art) has a free

Sunday once a month (under Bank of Hawai'i's sponsorship). I take advantage

of this every few months. The museum's website says "Come be inspired," and this

time, I certainly was.

One of my favorite galleries (I forgot the official name) houses Hawai'i art.

There is one large wall with salon style hanging (which I don't like, at least,

maybe the present arrangment). There is a small piece, too high up, but very

eye catching still the same. And I thought, 'I have a photo of a similiar

nighttime scene. I'll have to try to paint it.' And I think it turned out

pretty well in capturing the richness of the night sky.

ETH-2360 "Night Sky" (8x10") oil (2012)

02-04-12: A change in my blogging..

I have consolidated my blog with my website and further blog posting

will occur here.

I will attempt to import my previous posts here as well. But that

will take a little time, so bear with me.

Unfortunately, since this is set up as a basic webpage, there isn't

the ability to comment or subscribe. But I hope you will bookmark,

and visit from time to time to see what I am up to.

02-03-12: Countdown to Little Gems, part 5

Opening reception at West End Gallery.

Details on their website.

ETH-2318 "Keeping Two Doctors Away" (6x6") oil (2011)

02-02-12: Countdown to Little Gems, part 4

ETH-2354 "Tea With Lemon" (5x7") oil (2011)

02-01-12: Countdown to Little Gems, part 3

ETH-2346 "Countryside" (5x7") oil (2011)

01-31-12: Countdown to Little Gems, part 2

ETH-2343 "Painted Post" (5x7) oil (2011)

01-30-12: Little Gems, part 1

The "Little Gems" show at West End Gallery

is my favorite show to participate in... probably because the size limit allows

them to hang more of my pieces! The 2012 "Little Gems" opens Friday,

February 3rd, so I thought I'd offer a little preview of what to look for.

ETH-2342 "Flamingo" (6x7") oil (2011)

01-24-12: Fab Faces

The "face series" is really a two part process.

I make these little 6x8 inch oil sketches/paintings (some more finished than others),

and when I have a small stack to choose from, I assemble them in groups of four, six or nine faces.

The idea in the first step is to experiment with different faces and portraits;

in the second step, mount them together, and figure out how to unify them.

Most of the faces are random finds or photographs I've taken. But, there are a couple

recognizable faces too (more in future blogs). Here are four "fab faces" in progress.

I have since trimmed the canvas and mounted them together to begin the final highlights.

ETH-n.a. currently untitled (12x16") oil (2011-12)

01-19-12: Against the knee

One of the first new nudes of the year...

ETH-2357 "Sketch: against the knee" (8x10") ballpoint pen (2012)

01-14-12:The Christmas Print

Obviously, this is a piece, from last September, that I couldn't share immediately on the

blog because it was slated to be my Christmas print for 2011. This is a giclee

that I give to family. It's based on series of photos my brother Emil took of his

Night Blooming Cereus as he patiently waited through the night to take.

I liked how he lit it, and since other family members also have one, I thought it was

a nice idea for 2011.

ETH-2305 "Audrey" (10x12") oil (2011)

01-06-12: Inspirational walks..

This one I did a while back (last summer). It's from one of my morning walks in which I took

the camera along. This is one of my rarer morning routes: only a few times a year.

It's past Kapiolani Park, up Diamond Head Road along the base of Diamond Head,

past the lighthouse, and then take the trail down to the beach and double back toward

Waikiki along the shore. It's a pretty good little hike with wonderful views.

My August 30, 2011 blog is a view from the aforementioned trail. This particular scene

is still up on the road looking down through the thicket toward the ocean.

ETH-2285 "Diamond Head Beach through the trees" (8x10") oil (2011)

12-31-11: Squeeze in one last one this year..

I look forward to some interesting and exciting projects with the coming year. But taking a

moment to look back, I'm posting one more drawing from the year. I would also like to

thank you for visiting this blog and taking a look at the work I've been doing. All the best

for ALL of OUR creativity in 2012.

ETH-2292 "Sketch: body at rest" (8x10") ballpoint pen (2011)

12-29-11: Shades of grey

Last summer, Amelia told me about the Gamblin Torrit Grey competition. Having done

black and white painting in the past, I thought I'd give it a try. I entered three pieces

which are on view at the Gamblin website.

ETH -2299 "Kitchen Stuff" (8x10") oil (2011)

12-21-11: There's a chill in the air...

Maybe it'd be a good idea to wear some socks if the floors are cold...

ETH-2286 "Sketch: cold floor" (8x10") ballpoint pen (2011)

12-13-11: Besides portraits, there are figure pieces too..

Let's not forget some recent figure work in drawing and painting media [well, one is recent,

but neither have been posted here, yet].

ETH-1827 "Home From Work" (8x10") pencil (2010)

ETH-2309 "Watching the Tile Cutter" (8x10") oil on panel (2011)

12-07-11: Exploring..

My morning walks take me to various areas in and around Waikiki. I try to remember to take

along the camera.. just in case it's an extra spectacular sunrise. But I come across other

great subject matter as well, like the outriggers resting along the Ala Wai. I first planned

to blur out the buildings and palms in the background, but it got too messy. So, hell,

I covered it all over in favor of a warm sky over a beach.

ETH-2306 "Outriggers" (8x10") oil on panel (2011)

11-27-11: Advisory

It was come to my attention that someone is selling a print of one of my paintings (below).

NO ONE is authorized to publish prints and sell prints at this time. On eBay, I ONLY list

original paintings and drawings, and only occasionally a giclee print that comes with a

Certificate of Authenticity.

ETH-2237 "Study: reach" (7x9") oil (2011)

11-26-11: From where I live

Here from the mountain side of Waikiki, I get to see the light reflect on the multi-faceted

ridges of the volcanic formed mountains. Sometimes it seems like snowflakes: no two views

are ever the same. And the cloud patterns and colors add to it all. You can almost feel

the breeze in this one.

ETH-2273 "3 Palms" (8x10") oil on panel (2011)

11-14-11: A small piece of the ocean..

This is a small piece depicting some waves I photographed on one morning walk. I like working

with the patterns and color changes in the water -- always have. This is at West End Gallery

for the Holiday show.

ETH-2313 "Low Tide" (5x7") oil (2011)

And speaking of holidays, I've been holding back on the following piece waiting for it to

arrive for Adriana's birthday. Well, it finally did the other day, exactly one month late!

It represents a nice little connection between German engineering and the Hawaiian beaches..

ETH-2304 "Beach Bus" (6x8") oil (2011)

11-11-11: Black and white nude

Sometimes the background of a painting can give you the most grief. If too much,

it's a distraction, if not enough, you run the risk that your piece is labelled

"unfinished." More and more, I'm going for that "less is more" background.

And to hell what the critics say!

ETH-2310 "Study: reaching up" (8x10") oil (2011)

10-30-11: More than just nudes..

Although a great many of my ballpoint drawings in recent years have been about nudes,

I occasionally diverge. This is a very recent example.

ETH-2315 "Shelf Life " (8x10") ballpoint (2011)

10-26-11: Another recent study..

This is another recent study from over the summer. I believe it might even been done

with the Torrit Grey; I did quite a few with the competition in mind. Smoking also

figured in quite a few images in recent months as well..

ETH-2283 "Study: in a fog" (6x8") oil (2011)

10-24-11: Seascape studies..

While I'm working on some ideas for new projects, I keep busy doing small studies:

portraits, and Hawaiian land and seascapes. In this case, as an experiment, I did

two at the same time.

ETH-2311 "Blue Horizon 1" (5x7") oil (2011)

ETH-2312 "Blue Horizon II" (8x10") oil (2011)

10-15-11: Specks of color

Sometimes, just a little bit of color makes a difference. This is a shot from

Amelia's great European Adventure of 2011. It is pretty literally replicated..

but Roland suggested a little spot of light in the area of the buildings would

create an interesting focal point. And he's right..

ETH-2262 "Swiss Winter Haze" (8x10) oil on canvas (2011)

10-10-11:A recent drawing

This is a recent ballpoint pen drawing.

ETH-2282 "Sketch: relaxed pose" (8x10") ballpoint pen on Strathmore paper (2011)

10-02-11: Another of my morning buddies..

One of my morning walk routes takes me along a small street that feeds into the

Ala Wai. Here's another painting based on some photos I took of the ducks that

hang out over there. It's from the same series of pictures that yielded the

Sept 24, 2011 painting. I like how I handled each in a very different style.

This one is one its way to West End Gallery (flying east in the fall rather than south!)

ETH-2302 "Waddling" (5x7") oil (2011)

09-30-11: Better late than never

Amelia is my daughter and frequently appears as a subject in my artwork. She is

a talented artist and musician in her own right. I don't recall when I first saw

her "wine stain" series, but I thought it was the most unique, creative idea

I had seen in a long time.

Recently, several blogs have picked up on her series, and now I feel like

a johnny-come-lately because I never thought to promote others on this blog.

Call me self-centered, but at least I know when to correct a mistake! Here's a teaser

of what you can see at her website:

Truly Amelia: Wine Stains

And here's another little piece that I did. It's all packed and ready to go to

West End Gallery for the next show.

ETH-2290 "Cornflower" (5x7") oil on canvas (2011)

09-28-11: Not quite black and white

Amelia brought the Torrit Grey competition to my attention this past year.

It's a limited edition color made of recycled pigments. I entered three images

recently, BUT none of the nude studies I attempted with the color. Maybe next time...

ETH-2276 nude #3" (9x12") oil (2011)

09-24-11: Morning inspirations...

First, I have two pieces in the 42nd Annual Contemporary Artists of Hawaii show

(downtown Honolulu). The exhibit runs to October 15. Both pieces have appeared

on this blog, but you'll have to go to see which ones.

I often take my camera on my morning walks to capture high south swells,

and the sunrises. But there are other little inspirations as well. Like these

little feathered friends who congregate along this little stream that feeds

into the Ala Wai. This is one of two recent studies based on those photos.

ETH-2301 "Trio of Ducks" (5x7") oil (2011)

09-21-11: Ease and convenience...

There are two main reasons I like drawing with the ballpoint pen.

1) There is the ease and convenience... If I have some extra time, I can pick up

where I left off. There's no setup and no messy clean up, no solvent smell etc.

The trick is finding the right pen: comfortable to use and "responsive"

(ever pick up a pen, and have to scribble for a while before it starts! I HATE THAT!)

The 2) reason is that I like how the piece can have that "etching look" at the end.

Unfortunately, it never really shows up well in these photographs, but it is

definitely noticeable when you hold and look at the actual piece.

ETH-2250 "Sketch: behind him" (10x12") ballpoint pen (2011)

09-14-11: Another side of the island..

There have been a couple of really big south swells in the past few weeks,

and I managed to get some shots for future artwork. I'm getting into the habit

of remembering to take my camera on my morning walks. Meanwhile, here's

a painting based on a photo shoot on the North Shore. Not quite the epic waves

Waimea is known for, but dramatic none the less. This particular spot is called

Grater -- when a wave throws you up against those rocks, you'll understand why.

I have a couple of other North Shore scenes, as well as other Hawai'i themed

artwork scheduled to show at the 4th Annual Napa Valley Aloha Festival

(http://www.manaleohcf.org/alohafestival.htm) this Saturday, 9/17.

ETH-2248 "Grater" (16x20) oil (2011)

09-12-11: A new distinction...

Apparently, I can be "controversial." This painting was made especially for

and entered into the Schaefer Portrait Challenge, a Hawai'i-based competition.

I saw the last show for it at First Hawaiian Bank a few years ago (it is held

every three years), and vowed to enter "the next one." The competition is open to

Hawai'i artists portraying Hawai'i residents; self-portraits (killing two birds

with one stone) are also acceptable. So over the summer I buckled down, and came up

with this one. It reflects a time of great frustrations as an artist

(from the capitalist, not the creative side) as well as national and world events:

the debt ceiling bullshit, the resulting world market roller coaster, etc.

The Oahu jurying for the competition was held over the weekend, and yours truly

will have to wait another three years to try again. But, unlike most competitions

I've entered, I actually got some feedback when I retrieved the painting.

It seems I sparked some controversy among the three jurors over the unfinished quality,

especially the eyes; otherwise it stood a chance. So note to future jurors of Edd's work:

if I sign it, it is DONE.

ETH-2288 "Portrait of the Artist, Pissed Off By A Variety of Things" (10x10") oil (2011)

09-06-11: What a difference a glaze makes..

I did this first little piece at the end of '10 based on one of my German trip photos.

This is from Marburg as we hiked up the hill toward the Schloss (castle).

It turned out all right, but something was missing. Just recently, I gave it

a nice varnishing with a warm tone. I think it made all the difference.

ETH-2149 "Toward the Castle" (5x7") oil (2010)

And then we have a little nude study from earlier this year as we attempt to catch up.

ETH-2241 "Study: flexes" (5x7") oil (2011)

09-03-11: One thing leads to a another..

I sat down with the idea of just doing a quick portrait study for this Torrit Grey

thing (July 11, 2011). As I was working on it, I was thinking how pasty white the face

was. Then I started thinking of clown makeup being very white. Then I thought,

let's have a little fun..

ETH-2294 "Dead Clown" (6x8") oil (2011)

08-30-11: Surf's up...

Yesterday, took the camera along on my morning walk to catch some sunrise-coloured

clouds. But the shot that excited me most was of the Natatorium with a row of palms,

not unlike "Beach Park" (Apr 16, 2010). I started a 16x20 of that later in the day.

Today, the south swell is supposed to be the best in YEARS. So the camera comes along

again. Here's a painting from a previous camera outing. I wonder if any Hawaii folks

recognize it...

ETH-2281 "Trail to the Surf" (8x10) oil (2011)

08-26-11: More catching up..

This is a quick study from a couple of months ago..

ETH-2269 "Study: b&w butt" (8x10") oil (2011)

08-25-11: Progress report

I checked back, and I see I first posted the initial phase in early May. Geez...

I thought this has been sitting around for a lot longer. I've painted the sky so

many different times and ways, that I'm surprised the paint isn't a half-inch thick.

A friend who dropped in yesterday saw it drying on the shelf and told me

he loves it -- he thinks it's the best he's seen of my work! Mentioned something

about Edgar Cayce...

ETH-2291 "Agatha is ambivalent; Joan is not Amused" (8x10") oil (2011)

08-19-11: New opportunities

Former Maui artist Carolyn Quan has invited me

to send some work over for the Annual Napa Valley Aloha Festival September 17 at Napa, CA.

As we get closer to the event, I hope to have more information to share. This piece

will be included.

ETH-2247 "Paddlers Turn" (8x10") oil (2011)

08-14-11: OK, back to artwork..

I used to have this [annoying?] habit of not going back to rework a painting,

no matter how I felt about it afterward. Apparently, I felt the piece had to remain

as some sort of sacrosanct artifact documenting the time it was created. I would

rip it up first before touching it up.

But that was "then." Stuff I paint

that doesn't excite me as much at the end as when I started (full of hope) ends up

in stack somewhere. Later, they get looked at, and I assess my mood again. Sometimes,

they "survive," other times, they are not so lucky. But at least now, I'm not afraid

to rework a painting if it's close to what I want. This is the case with today's piece.

The composition is unchanged, but there was this predominate pink-undertone,

and the paint was very loose (it looked like wallpaper for a French

whorehouse). So, I recently went back, and gave this one a little more time,

tried to keep the pinkish sky within reason, and I like it much better. Another view

from my house.

ETH-1710 "Twilight Palm" (10x10") oil (2011)

08-09-11: After a busy day with HTML

I spent a good deal of Monday re-inventing the layout of my website

(www.eddtokarzharnas.com).

At the moment, it's pretty much the same artwork as before, but a lot

less scrolling and more clicking. I was informed that people don't like

to scroll; I hope he's right, because as I said, it took ALL day.

08-04-11: Third in the series

I took the photos in early June 2010, and posted the first resulting painting

June 22, 2010. I wonder why I never posted the second one.

ETH-2245 "Pacific Pyrotechniques No. 3" (9x12) oil (2011)

08-02-11: All over the map

Here is another little piece based on Amelia's European travels earlier this year.

A cousin to the April 20, 2011 posting.

ETH-2280 "Italian Sunset" (7x8") oil (2011)

07-29-11: It may seem..

..that I've been doing a lot of work lately -- but it's more like I've been

catching up on posting work that's been done a while ago (like January!)

ETH-2218 "sketch: from behind" (8x10) ballpoint pen (2011)

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