Steps To The Unknown

When my wife and I take road trips, we love to explore. We know where our final destination is each day but we love to travel down the unknown and find what is needing to be found. This photo was taken in Gloucester, MA and is part of an old castle by the ocean.

Where do these steps lead?

What is around the next turn?

I'm feeling very on edge at this moment as I wait for a phone call to tell me that my paintings have been found. Sure there is insurance on them, and I would be paid for them if they are lost, but what about my New York debut? The final painting called "Amazing Grace" was just finished for NY and the three of them fit together like a beautiful symphony. I have a lot of available paintings, here, and seven in Laguna, but these three were it.

God in His all knowing power sees where they sit, probably safely on a truck to NY, but I can only wait upon Him to see me through this step to the unknown. All of this is happening so fast - from nowhere to Laguna and now New York, 2009 has been one year leaving me in a state of AWE!!!

I'm now ready for the New York opening next month and will be shipping my three paintings on Monday. The newest painting is "Amazing Grace", shown here to the right.

You have to see this painting to really appreciate the change that takes place when the lighting changes. I have posted two photos on my website (www.evanroy.com) that show you low light and natural light. Even with the two photos being different there are still depths to explore as you change the lighting.

In the low light you can travel down abstract roads, deep textures and colorful paths. We all have been down roads that are dark, maybe even now we find our soul trapped in a place of hopelessness. Searching for a way out or grasping for a breath as our eyes look across the water horizon.

Turning to the full light fades the darkness and brings a golden glory to the hopelessness inside. Touches of crimson red take away the missed mark road we have traveled and set our soul to be at peace with the warm tones of life.

Busy and blogging

I find myself sitting here on December 12th with some time to write. So much has happened since my last entry and the moments of free time often become a "happy nappy" instead of writing my blog. LA was a so so show and I am happy with the way things are going in Laguna Beach California. In September I was trying to figure out which city I should head to next for a gallery representation and a gallery came knocking on my door. Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, in the Chelsea district of New York, asked me to submit my portfolio and I sent it to them. They quickly sent me a contract, we went to NY to meet with the gallery owner Ruthie Tucker, and now all is set. My showing will be from January 8th - February 2nd and my reception will be on the 14th. The gallery will represent me for a year with my portfolio being available for view by collectors. I'm really excited to see the reaction to my style of art from the people of New York. Pictures and web pages can not fully give someone the impact of the original painting. I had two paintings ready to go and just finished the third for my show. I had started on this painting back in September to be a horizontal piece and after realizing that there would not be enough room in my show to accommodate the width, I changed it to be vertical. This is what I love about my life, every turn brings a new image to enjoy. I was going in the direction of a painting called "Narrow Road" or "The Narrow" and as the layers began to blend on top of each other, I found a new painting emerging. The last layer was dry and I brought it into my living room for a "in the room" view. I was speechless as I walked from one side of the room to the other. The painting goes from this depth of color, with many roads to travel down, to a beautiful blend of gold covering all the deep roads we traveled before. Touches of red in this golden light told a story that made my soul marvel at His Amazing Grace.

Well, if you know me you know that my life is super busy and writing blogs is on the bottom of my list. Above, you will notice that I am in LA this month and, if you didn't know, I am a permanent artist in Laguna Beach. I have had three paintings sell in Laguna and a commission for two paintings which are in the corporate offices of Macro Air Technologies.

The LA show consists of five paintings "Set Apart" (seen above), "Off The Vine", "Grafted In I & II" and "Shinning Through". If you have the chance to make it down for the Opening Reception it is on Ark Walk night in Downtown LA. This is a great event to attend with the other thousand people who walk through all the galleries, here is the link http://downtownartwalk.com/

I am working on a commission piece in the studio along other new paintings that I want to debut in Laguna this fall. I am looking to the Palm Desert area for my next gallery opening and where ever the Lord shall lead.

Evan Roy Dahlke

Great Place To Eat!

Hello Everyone!

If you are coming out to my Artist's Reception on Saturday June 13th, Adda and I would like to recommend dinner at the k'ya bistro across the street from the gallery. We have been there twice and are in love with the place. They have happy hour from 4:30-5:30, M-F.  We don't drink but we love excellent food and all of their menu items are 1/2 price during happy hour. Even though the reception is on Saturday their prices are still reasonable for gourmet food.

The portions are small so you can order a couple of different entrees each and then share. If you have never experienced Lobster/Truffle Mac n Cheese you are not living!!! 

Last time, a weekday, we both ordered a filet mignon, each had a soup (AMAZING), salad, and desert for under $25.00 total and we were stuffed! 

We will also be serving fancy finger foods and drinks (non alcoholic, of course) at the gallery

so save a little room!!!

Been kind of busy since my last post. I am really excited about the reasons but feel bad that it has taken me so long to post the news. I am the Featured Artist for this month at the Artist Eye Laguna Gallery. In fact tomorrow night is the Art Walk Opening Night and I'm just stunned that it is here so fast. My Artist Reception is on Saturday June 13th from 6-9pm and would love to meet you there.

 I was also showing at the Art In The Park in Redlands California Mothers Day weekend. This as a blast and I was able to meet a lot of people. I also sold five paintings and receive a commission later that week.

 What is coming? Faux Effects World Magazine is doing a feature on me so be checking your local Barnes and Noble in a month or so. I was also accepted into a Downtown LA Gallery so I will probably show there soon. We are looking towards Palm Springs or Palm Desert area and then maybe Arizona. My style of art is different so not all locations will like it. Now Redlands seem to like the style but there is not a big gallery market, Redlands Art Association is the only gallery.

Once again if you can make it out to Laguna Beach California please do, here is the info again...

Art Walk Opening Night / Thursday June 4th 6-9pm

Artist's Reception / Saturday June 13th 6-9pm

Artist Eye Laguna Gallery

1294 S. Coast Highway, Suite A

Laguna Beach, CA 92651

No Pain No Gain

It is Thursday night, the second of April and I find myself in pain.

Chiropractor has made two days of adjustments and I'm still not feeling 100%. 

That's the PAIN!

Now the GAIN!

I am 100% gain on the first art piece in the series called RAIN.

Yes I have decided to do a series called Rain with a new look and technique in my art. 

I will post a photo of it in the next day or so.

I have already base coated the next one which will be HEAVY RAIN or Storm?

Stay Tuned!

Mondays

It seems to me that when I get to Monday it is the END of my week.
See I work every day, on something, whether it is my business, my art or my part time position as junior high director. So when Monday comes my wife and I are tired and wanting to rest.
My mind is never at rest because I'm always thinking of the next layer on one, or another,  of the "in-progress" art pieces that I have in progress.
Today I started a new one that will have to do with rain....I think?
I also worked on two other pieces that are midway to completion.
We also went to bid two small jobs in Redlands and since, in this economy, you have to take what you can we headed out on our day off. This is why working with my wife makes life alot easier because we do everything together! :)
I also took a photo for my bio on the evanroy.com site and for a gallery, in LA, that I'm trying to get into.

As you can see, in the photo, I am looking toward the light! This is very important to me that I stay focussed on Jesus the "LIGHT" of the World. He is my Hope and my Savior!

I could not be an artist if He did not give me the talent and creativity to do so.

I get off track at times with trying to make it on my own and He graciously picks me up when I fall on my face! He is awesome, you should try Him if you don't know Him!

MONDAYS

Today is the first day of the Evan Roy blog.
I will keep you up on the latest pieces of art that I'm working on and maybe some layer by layer photos.
Today is Thursday and tomorrow I will be picking up two of my works from the Redlands Art Association Mini Show that was going on thru March, now is over.
I will be at the Grand Terrace Art Show on May 3rd and entering the art4God.com contest this week.
Evan Roy