some new drawings, 2018 /  by Joe Olney

the big fall

Page 35_in my head

Page 67_join a cult

Page 33_coin toss

Yellow head_2018

Losing a friend_2018

Hello, it's been a while so I'lll get right to it. These are a few drawings I've done this year. I've used them to process some great stuff and some rough stuff and to just riff. Please enjoy them, and if you're interested in purchasing any of them, please contact me via joegolney@gmail.com . $100 each + shipping. Thanks! - Joe

Abstract Athlete Symposium and Show /  by Joe Olney

ab athlete ab ath all info and pics

I'm very honored to be included in this unusual and highly talented line-up of artist whose diverse backgrounds include Army helicopter pilot, MLB pitcher, NFL offensive tackle, art educator, and Team USA bobsledder, among others. The Abstract Athlete is the dream child of a VCU professor, Ron Johnson, and his business partner Chris Clemmer. Their idea has morphed into a company that hopes to remove the boundaries between sports and art. Anyone who knows me, knows I've never been a sports guy, but I know the value added to my time in the studio and life with daily exercise.

The Abstract Athlete Symposium and Group Show 

Date/Times/Locations: Friday, February 23 / Symposium @ 1pm, Location: Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Facility (319 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220) / Exhibition @ 6-9pm, Location: 1708 Gallery (2401 W Leigh St. Richmond, VA 23220)

Details: A unique group show that includes professional athletes, art educators, and a couple veterans who have benefited from having physical and creative practices in their lives. The symposium, earlier in the day, will allow several members of the roster to share how they've been personally affected by combining creative and physical disciplines.

The Abstract Athlete Exhibition will feature artwork by well-known active and retired athletes such as Vernon Davis (NFL - tight end), Brett Tomko (MLB - pitcher), Jay DeMerit (MLS - center back), Larry Sanders (NBA - center/power forward), Hillary Werth (Team USA - bobsledding), Aaron Maybin (NFL - linebacker), Tony Mandarich (NFL - offensive tackle), and Percy King (NFL - defense). Other artists include veteran Alicia Deitz (US Army - helicopter pilot and runner), myself (US Army combat engineer veteran and amateur yogi), and professional artist, art educator, and soccer player Ridley Howard. Links to some of their work can be found here:  http://theabstractathlete.com/speakers/ 

Each artist will contribute 25% of their sales to a charity of their choosing. I have chosen Mission 22, which aims to eliminate veteran suicide. The "22" in Mission 22 comes from the number of veterans who kill themselves each day. It's a terribly sad epidemic that I have become all too familiar with lately; as are many combat veterans who unexpectedly find out bad news about their battle buddies.

So please come out, see some sports celebs, see some really great art, and help support some good causes!!!

Doodle 2 (Fabulous) /  by Joe Olney

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Doodle 2 (Fabulous)  acrylic and joint compound on wood 12x15, framed (available)

One of ten new works from my new solo show "Wiggle" up right now at the Main Branch of the Richmond Public Library. Open during normal working hours til August 30. The photos don't quite do them justice, so come check them out in person if you can! More pics to follow soon...

What's your angle? /  by Joe Olney

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What's your angle?  acrylic on wood, framed  approximately 20x24 (sold)

This is also from the show that closed in April. I was mulling over the profound usefulness of optimism. What a great tool to have.

Daydreamer /  by Joe Olney

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Daydreamer  acrylic and joint compound on wood, framed  13x17 (sold)

This is one that was in my first solo show that I didn't get to post beforehand. In it I'm trying to push the drawing/thread look of the syringed acrylic. I think in the next show (August 4th at the Richmond Public Library Main Branch) there will be a couple more of this type. They're pretty time-consuming but so much fun to make!

commission: harbour town golf links, hole 18 /  by Joe Olney

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Commission: Harbour Town Golf Links, Hole 18  acrylic on wood and joint compound  24x40

Around October of last year I was commissioned by my cousin's husband Brian to make this painting as a gift for his brother Scott, who lives in DC. Harbour Town Golf Links is course in Hilton Head, South Carolina that Scott and his dad play from time to time. For the commission, Brian and I worked out which hole to focus on and then I was told to "go crazy" with it. So I did. It's really nice to be trusted in that way. I finally drove it up to DC last week to present to Scott, so now I can show it here.

This painting combines the basic structure of the hole with the pattern and texture of golf pants. I've never played this course, but I did some research. As it turns out, Hole 18 is the crown jewel of the course. Since it's right on the water,  you are haunted its entire length by  a wind-swept tidal flat that looms left like a big hairy monster waiting to gobble any misplaced shot. As you approach the green and somehow dodge a snaggletooth-shaped bunker, a glorious red-and-white lighthouse comes into view. It was important to include this iconic lighthouse, but I didn't want it to steal the focus of the painting. So I shrank it, multiplied it and "embroidered" its pattern on the upper right-hand side. Another little detail are the tee boxes - one for each member of the nuclear family.

I had a great time building and painting this hole (the biggest yet!) and am looking forward to the next round. Golf courses are such strange creations. They are as beautiful as they are absurd, and I enjoy making them. If you would like a commission in this vein (or anything else for that matter), please get in touch: joegolney@gmail.com

Travel tears /  by Joe Olney

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Travel tears  acrylic, joint compound, marker, pen on wood  18.5x20 (available)

Forgive the messy background in the main photo, but I've been having trouble shooting these textural paintings in a way that properly shows their nooks and crannies. Had to get the light shining down and oblique to the surface. I don't like manipulating the images much, and these are all just as the camera took them except for cropping.

While making this piece it took a left turn, and I followed it down the rabbit's hole, as it were. That's pretty typical of my method, reacting to what comes, but this one ended up leaning somewhat representational and dipping into a surreal kind of thing. Not usually my cup of tea, but what the hell.

On a technical note, these pics were saved using the PNG file format. I opted for no compression, and I hear that less information (color/detail) is compromised when using this method rather than the JPEG file format which favors a smaller file size over image quality. I like how the colors came out (it's been tough shooting green for some reason), so I think I'll stick with this method. The only problem is that the PNG files are a bit larger, and when I apply online to shows, etc. they usually require JPEG. Probably best to save for both to cover all bases.

praying golf /  by Joe Olney

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praying golf  acrylic and joint compound on wood  8x36

This is a painting I did for my dad for his birthday. I know these aren't the best photos, but maybe you get the idea. Anyways, this one refers to the spot in the neighborhood where my dad and stepmom stop to pray on their morning walks. This year my dad got some good health news after an initial scare. Out of respect for his privacy, I won't go into much detail except to say that it was an uncertain time and we all let out a big sigh of relief when the good news came his way. I'm sure the walking and praying did a lot of good for him. Whether there was anything metaphysical in the works is debatable and, from my point of view, irrelevant. It got him from point A to point O, and that's all that matters. He moved his body, quieted his mind, and got on with it.

ora et labora /  by Joe Olney

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ora et labora  acrylic on wood  13x14 (sold)

This painting is a pain to photograph so there's a video on Instagram (@joe.olney) for another view. I got some inspiration from a Associated Press photo (photographer Tony Gentile) of the Pope visiting Cuba a while back. I was blown away by the composition and thought it was a good jumping off point. I might have to do a series of these at some point.