1st Annual Business Meeting

"Soul De Cuba Cafe" Oil 10"x8" This is a painting I've recently completed that is now available at the Elm City Artists Gallery 284 York St. New Haven CT. This is a restaurant that I drive by quite frequently and it was just screaming to be captured on the canvas. This is the Soul De Cuba Cafe in downtown New Haven. This corner reminds of places New York City. I'd actually been thinking about this scene for a couple of years now and I finally got around to painting it. Some artists will tell you that they have pondered scenes for months or even years before they finally get around to painting what they had in their minds. I have dozens of reference photos that have been sitting in my picture file for 7 or 8 years that I've yet to get to. I intend to use them eventually. And now for our 1st annual business meeting. As president and CEO of Ferguson Art Studios I have decided that it's time for some new energy and ideas to improve sales of my paintings. Last year, sales of my paintings were in the 10's of dollars. This year I'm hoping to make it into the teens. The following year, the 20's. In order for these goals to be achieved though, I realized I needed to make some adjustments. So, effective immediately, I will be stepping down as CEO of Ferguson ART Studios. Don't worry, I'll still be painting and blogging and exhibiting new artwork. But now, you might be wondering who will take over the business side of the multi-dollar empire that is Ferguson Art Studios? My moms little chihuahua Mouse. True, Mouse isn't the brightest star in the galaxy. Quite frankly, she has the I.Q. of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. You would think this would be a fool hardy decision to have a little dog make the business decisions, but it's not. Mouse is actually more than qualified to take over the position I had. This will allow me to focus on creating new and better paintings. With her on the job, sales are sure to improve...............I hope. See you next time.

Mouse

The new president and CEO of Ferguson Art Studios

"Say it don't spray it" (revisited) and PAC-MAN?

"The Breakers" Oil 10"x 8"

A couple of entries ago, I made the stunning announcement that I had joined the Elm City Artists Gallery on 284 York Street, New Haven, CT. Let's revisit that subject; shall we? Before I talk about that, let me just mention that the painting above is a recent one. A scene from the Breakers Mansions in Newport, RI. And now, back to the gallery news. Elm City Artists is a cooperative gallery. Part of the way a cooperative gallery works is that the member artists spend a number of hours a week working at gallery and caring for the needs of the customers and potential art buyers. The artists working at the gallery are allowed to bring their painting equipment and work on their art while at the gallery. This way you can witness the artists creative process along with viewing the finished works that are on display. This is something you don't get to see in most galleries you may visit. My gallery sitting schedule will usually be on Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Friday from 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. If you stop in at those times you'll get to see me hard at work on one of my latest paintings on my $2.50 portable french easel. Now, if because of having a weak stomach you'd rather not see me, I could easily accommodate you by crouching underneath the desk while you tour the gallery. Stop by anytime to meet the other fantastic member artists. Now on a more serious note, this year marks the 30th anniversary of PAC-MAN. Here are 3 things that I hope will happen before the year is out: (1.) They'll reissue the PAC-MAN breakfast cereal. (B.) They'll release the short lived PAC-MAN cartoon series on DVD ( little 7 year old Chris was so excited that he nearly fell out of his chair when he saw a commercial for the program showing that it would be part of the new Saturday morning cartoon line up in the fall of 1982.) And third, I really, really hope the song "PAC-MAN Fever" gets played on popular radio stations. "What does this have to with my painting?" you might be asking yourselves. Very little, but I'm sure you'll read my next entry to find out what random and obscure thought I'll incorporate in my blog.

It's the SOOOOOUUUUUUUUULL Mass Transit System!!

"Cedar Street" Oil 10"x 8"

Yes, I am aware that the title should read "IT'S THE SOUL TRAIN" but due to an e-mail I received from attorneys Philip Bailey and Verdine White at the law offices of Earth, Wind and Fire, LLC. I was reminded that I could say "It's the Soul Train" in my blog entry but I could not use it in the entry title. (Kidding) This is one of my latest paintings available at the Elm City Artist's Gallery. This is a scene that I'm very familiar with because it's along my bus route. I drive a shuttle bus in the mornings and then I do my painting in the afternoons. (not a full time artist just yet) In this painting I enjoyed capturing the contrast between warm light and cool shadow. Also I've been working smaller lately in order to increase my output of paintings as well as making it easier for buyers to invest in the originals. "What does the program Soul Train have to do with this painting?" your probably wondering. Well, just because I've been thinking about the program lately. When I was a little I used to watch it. Now; I know what many of you are probably thinking, "What! You used to watch Soul Train?!...You who got upset when you lost your Ultimate Manilow CD? You who resents the fact that people are always saying that The Carpenters were from Downey, CA. when they should actually be saying that they were from New Haven, CT.? Yes, I watched it, although I was very young. I wasn't even old enough to really appreciate the music and the dancing at the time, but I remember looking forward to seeing the animated title sequence at the beginning of each episode and hearing that voice say "It's the Sooouuuul Train!!" I also remember wishing that they would show more of the animated train in each episode. Or, better yet, the producers of the show developing a spin-off show all about the cartoon train; but, alas, this dream never came to fruition. Until my next entry, this is Chris Ferguson wishing you all love, peace and soouull!

"That's great news Chris! But say it, don't spray it."

As my family and many of my close friends will attest, I have the tendency to unintentionally shower the people whenever I talk to them about something that I'm very enthusiastic or excited about. So, for example, were I to talk to you at legnth about the music of James Brown, Alicia Keys, Queen or School House Rock, you would know to come prepared with an unbrella. So, having said that, you should probably pull away from your computer monitor while your reading this. I have some very exciting news. I am now officially represented by the ELM CITY ARTIST'S gallery. The gallery is located at 284 York St. New Haven CT. Now if you are not sure exactly where that is, I'll give you directions. In the vast expanse of the known universe there are clusters of galaxies. Amongst one of the millions of those galaxy clusters, you will find our own Milky Way Galaxy. On the outer fringe of that Milky Way Galaxy you will find a solar system with about 9 planets. Head to the 3rd planet from the Sun and there will find our planet Earth. Head toward the northern hemisphere of the planet and you will come to the North American continent. In the North American continent you will find the United States. Head towards the northeastern side of the United States and you will find the state of Connecticut. Head down to shoreline in the middle of the state and you will have arrived New Haven. York Street is in downtown New Haven. When you walk down York St. you'll see Au Bon Pain Cafe, The Public Cup coffee shop and the famous flower lady ( that's a person not a store and take a minute to talk to her; she's very nice) The gallery is right next to Ashley's Ice Cream. Further details on this breaking news is soon to come.

Don't never prime over no nothin'!!!!

First of all I would like to start off by saying that I am fully aware of the unforgivable grammatical errors in the title of today's entry. A title like this would earn me an F minus from my high school english teacher and it would cause my college english teacher to faint. Sometimes when you say things off the top of your head with great urgency, the words may come out as seen in the title above. I will now, after calming down, rephrase the statement properly. "Never hastily prime over a finished painting that you believe has failed." This is the lesson of today's entry. I've posted an image of a painting I did in 2003. "Chris, that's a lovely painting of the GRASS ISLAND in Guilford, CT. Whatever became of that one? Is it still available?" you may be asking yourselves. Sadly this painting was primed over and repainted because the artist thought no one would really be interested in purchasing it and since money was tight that week and he was desperate for another canvas to start a new painting, he..................primed over it. "WHAT! HOW COULD HE DO SUCH A THING!" Ughh! I know, I know. I didn't realize this lapse in judgement until a few years after the fact. I had an appointment with a buyer for a painting I had done and I figured I would show some prints of some of my other works. The buyer saw the the Grass Island image and asked me if it was still available. I told the buyer that it wasn't, but I couldn't bring myself to say that I had put this innocent painting to death in a moment of artistic desperation. Since then I've realized that this painting, had it lived, would have found a home by now. After it had been hanging on a wall in our house for a little over a year, I assumed it would never sell. "WELL DUHH!!! That's because you never showed it to anybody!" This was a lesson I learned a second time when I had a small 10"x 10" painting that I considered an experimental throw away piece. I almost got rid of that one too in yet another moment of artistic desperation. ( I get a lot of those moments) When I had another show at the YALE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE I actually decided to put that one in at the last minute and don't you know that thing sold faster than an outfit worn by James Brown in 1977 on an Ebay auction. Not only that, there were others who wanted the piece also. This just goes to show you why you shouldn't prime over a painting you think has failed. Another thing I might add, even if you are absolutely sure that a painting will never leave your studio space and no other eyes will behold it; except for maybe your cat who needs reading glasses, hold on to it anyways because in 2 or 3 years time you may look at again and see how you've progressed as an artist. Every so often I'll look at things I've done 13 or 14 years ago whilst studying at PAIER and say "OK, clearly I was rushing this painting assignment so I could watch 8-TRACK FLASH BACK on VH1" So remember all you bloggers THINK BEFORE YOU PRIME OVER THAT "FAILED" PAINTING.

"Oh, D-D-D-Dear!!!!" - piglet

Untitled 9"x10" oil

Pardon my absence. I've recently discovered FACEBOOK as a means of reaching people with my art. Whilst doing that, I've also begun to explore landscape painting. I've found this to be very enjoyable because for me putting a figure into a painting takes alot more time. Eliminating the figure allows me to give attention to other aspects of a painting. When it's strictly landscape I have much more leeway and flexibility; if I want to add an extra tree in the foreground I can do so. This, however, is not the case with an arm, leg, hand or nose. I've posted a painting I found in our basement.(How did that get down their?) It was done En Plein-Aire. (outdoors) I think it was either in Madison or Guilford, I can't remember. I'm still planning to paint figures, but landscapes will allow me broaden my understanding of light, shadow, color and value. I may even add woodland creatures; such as a squirrel or a deer to these images if I can get good photo references. Speaking of woodland creatures, several years ago I actually saw, and I am not making this up, a lost dear on on Whalley Ave. in New Haven near the corner of Orchard St. Nobody knew how the deer wound up all the way down in the city. The poor little deer was as confused as James Brown finding out his tour manager booked him to perform for seven nights in a row at The Grand Ole Opry. ( I have a wierd habit of using singer James Brown as the basis for metaphores and similis.) Stay tuned for my next entry.

Fat cat

"Nina" 10" x 8"

Hello again. You may have noticed that the subject in this painting is not human, although I'm sure the subject in the painting would beg to differ. This is our cat, Nina. My wife owned her for a few years before we were wed so technically she is my step-cat. Nina has been very good, patient and gentle with our three year old daughter and by that of course I mean she tolerates her presence. She is a very good cat but I have to admit we didn't always see things "eye to eye." Once Nina and I had a very strong difference of opinion as to wether or not she should be allowed to go into the backyard one Saturday afternoon. She clawed my face nearly getting my "eye" and it required a surprise trip to the urgent care desk. Since then Nina and I have made up and let bygones be bygones. We get along just fine now. On that note I'll say to our beloved fat cat, "Nina, keep up the good work." to purchase contact me @ fergusonartist@yahoo.com