Where the Buffalo Roam...

This is a new painting I've just finished.  I picked this little guy up at the gift shop of the Rockwell Museum over the summer and have been anxious to use him in a painting.  It's a small piece and was enjoyable to really get invested in some detail work like the curly fur.

Where the Buffalo RoamOil on Panel

11" x 14"

2012

Hi-Yo Silver

I've been working on this self-portrait for a while now.  I believe that it is done or at the very least almost done - perhaps a little more work on the shirt is in order still. 

 

Hi-Yo Silver

Oil on Panel

48" x 30"

2012

Watercolors, back in the studio, etc.

I've working with watercolors on and off again this fall, mostly in preparation for teaching it to my students.  Here are a few examples of the results.  I enjoy the directness of it and the quick drying time!

Also I just received my show back from the Rockwell Museum (minus the pieces that sold of course).  Anyone interested in a show, they are already crated and ready to go! With these low ceilings I just about tore the sprinkler system right from the ceiling.

OVAC 12 x 12 Fundraiser

I am pleased to be included in this year's 12 x 12 fundraiser to support the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (OVAC).  Each of the 150 invited artists create a piece of art no larger than 12 x 12 inches.  My contribution is below:

OVAC is a great non-profit organization dedicated to supporting visual artists living and working in Oklahoma.   If you are interested in purchasing this painting, you will need to attend the fundraiser.  Information and links below!

Friday, Septermber 28, 2012
7:00 pm
50 Penn Place
1900 NW Expressway, OKC

Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door. 
More info here.

Rockwell Interview

The Rockwell Museum of Western Art has posted online the video interview I did for the exhibition "Enduring Legend, Fragile Myth." The excellent video production was handled by Beau Leland of Invisible Arts, who was a pleasure to work with.  

You can see the video on youtube here. 

The exhibition is on view through October 14th, so if you are in the area and have not seen it yet, there is still time!

Southwest Art Magazine: 21 Under 30

I am happy to share that I have been selected by the Editors at Southwest Art Magazine to be one of their 21 Under 30 Artists.  The article can be found in their September 2012 issue (which should be on newstands now!).  You can also find it on their website by clicking on the following link:

http://www.southwestart.com/articles-interviews/emerging-artists/21-under-31-jason-cytacki

Rockwell Installation Shots

The show has opened at the Rockwell and I have some installation shots to share.  Another quick thanks to James Peck and every else I worked with at the Rockwell.  Also a huge thanks to all those who came out to the opening and to hear my speak about my work.  I met so many wonderful people that evening and was blown away by how friendly and kind everyone I met was. 

Self Portrait

This is the newest and final piece completed for my solo show at the Rockwell Museum.  It is a self portrait split into two panels.  I'm really happy with how this piece turned out and I feel it marks a direction I am hoping to explore further.

 

Detail:

Crate Making

This past week I constructed my first crates.  The task turned out to be more challenging than anticipated as I had to build crates big enough to safely ship around 26 paintings and drawings - including my large (5' x 7') thesis paintings.

Thanks to some extremely helpful feedback by friends and colleagues I was able to hammer out some designs.  After a week of building I am happy to reveal that the crating was a success and furthermore they are currently on their way to the Rockwell Museum of Western Art in Corning New York. 

Check out some pics of the crates below!  Nothing more exciting than wooden boxes!

Pike's Peak

Another constructed landscape that I have been chipping away at for awhile.  The composition is derived from several postcards of Pike's Peak I found.  I remember driving to Colorado as a kid with my family and thinking how Pike's Peak always held a special significance.  I no doubt the phrase "Pike's Peak or Bust!" added an element of challenge and implied danger.

The painting itself is the first landscape I have done on panel.  The smooth surface allowed for the addition of many more details.  More to come!

 

"Pike's Peak"

Oil on panel

24" x 48"

2012

Monument Valley

I have been playing with some graphite drawings as of late.  This one is based on a photo I setup in my studio a while back - it is a cardboard recreation of the iconic Monument Valley.

 

"Monument Valley"

12" x 16"
Graphite on Paper

2012.

Ready for Crit

Paintings lined up on easels ready for critique in the studio at the University of Oklahoma.

See the USA (revisited)

As part of preparing work for my upcoming solo show, I decided to revisit a painting that I had done a couple of years ago, "See the USA (from your Chevrolet).  This has been a challenging yet interesting process to revisit a painting from what seems like so long ago.  See the results below:

Rex Allen Drawing (in progress)

I've been working on a large drawing for my upcoming show at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art.  The subject of the drawing is the film cowboy Rex Allen rearing on his horse, Koko.  Should be finished in the next few days in time to ship!

All Tied Up

Here is the new painting that will be in the "Contemporary Realism" show at the JRB Gallery. I need to get a better (less blurry) photo of this piece, but alas, you can get an idea of what it looks like. If you would like to see it in person, head on over to JRB Art at the Elms this Friday (February 3rd, 2012) between 6-10pm for the opening of the Exhibition!

JRB Art at the Elms

I've been so busy with the beginning of the semester and wrapping up work for Art Now that I have almost forgot to plug my February show at JRB Art at the Elms, in Oklahoma City. My work will be featured in a four person show entitled: "Contemporary Realism." Not sure how I feel about my work being considered "realism" but in any case I will be showing my Thesis paintings as well as 1 new original painting in that series. I'll be posting an image of it soon. In the meantime, follow the link below to learn more about the show.

http://www.jrbartgallery.com/events/view_event.php?eventsID=162