New York

Just got back from a trip to New York. After walking the Brooklyn Bridge (yet another time), I finally found inspiration for my latest painting, "The Brooklyn Bridge / New York City".
There are so many different ways to show off this city, but the one I wanted to start with, was this kick ass bridge, and the surrounding Manhattan skyline. For me, bridges represent the gateways of the city. This project has been a long time coming and I'm looking forward to having it completed in the next couple weeks.

Above photo is an incomplete closeup of the work. Original size is 84" x 39".

A Time For Comedy

You know, it has almost been a year since Rick Bronson's House of Comedy had their grand opening in the Mall of America. It was this very room where myself, and the help of others, installed the 32 foot original artwork that drapes over the 14 foot stage. The room is quite large and the piece holds its own as the center point. I have been to many other comedy clubs, but have never seen one like this. I was so proud to be a part of it's design.

Pictured above: L to R pic 1. Kevin Nealon, pic 2. Jerry Ariganello (my right-hand man), Rick Bronson, Michael Birawer, pic 3. Norm MacDonald.

In Studio 8/13/10

Well, I am definitely on schedule for the completion of the Washington DC piece. You will not have to wait for the mid-term elections to be counted in November. With fingers crossed, I should have this ready by the end of the month.

The photos above show the progress of where things are at presently. As you can see there is still quite a bit of black that needs to be blocked in. The challenge I am faced with, is to make sure the streets and bridges keep to some geographic legibility. Over to the right of the piece is Arlington Virginia which will show a portion of the Pentagon. The very center of the piece will show the Lincoln Memorial with Jefferson Memorial slightly off to the center right. Stay tuned for more progress shots.

In Studio 8/03/10

Been scratching my head on this DC piece. After all of the scenes I have painted, I am still discovering new and better ways to work. One of the new ways is drawing with a paintbrush to establish each of the shapes of buildings, trees, etc., where before I would draw them strictly with a pencil. I feel like the brush draws things in a more expressive way. I guess I should have known this, but was always afraid to change the most basic technique for fear of messing up a formula.

O'Gara's Done. Gallery open Thursday

Come and see the latest painting, O'Gara's at Bent Gallery This Thursday July 29. The Doors will be open from 5:30pm to 9pm. Click on the link below and then click "Map" on contact page for directions: http://michaelbirawer.com/contact.html. Hope to see you there.

A Day of Rest

One thing about me that is for sure, is that I am an artist that likes his rest. If I don't get my eight hours, I am not pleasant to be around. Otherwise, I am the nicest guy in the world. Well, thankfully, I got my 8 last night and am now considering taking the day off from painting, creating, and keeping my thinking to a bare minimum. Nikki and I are thinking of maybe going to see a movie this evening and maybe watching the Twins today. I guess I just have little to say about art today. But tomorrow I pick up the pallet and brush again with full enthusiasm!

O'Gara's...Step by Step

I wanted to show some of the process of creating my latest piece called O'Gara's. The above photos show how the painting develops step by step. I am currently at this stage (far right picture) and as you can see, there are still shapes that need to be painted in. I am at a point where I can really get a good sense of how this piece will turn out. So far, so good.