I've recently had two conversations with fellow Austin artists who are UT alumni like myself. All three of us attended the College of Fine Arts around the same time. It turns out I'm not the only one who noticed that:

1. The painting department in the mid to late 90's held an utter contempt for anything figurative, illustrative, or illusionistic, unless it was justified with layers of post-conceptualism and described with whatever post-modern catchphrase the professor had recently read in Artforum.

2. The institutionalization of multiculturalism had finally started to settle into art academia, so identity-political art was the order of the day. Unfortunately, I happen to be a straight white guy, so any art I made that had to do with my gender, heritage, and sexual preference was immediately branded as sexist, racist, and homophobic by fellow students and many of my professors.

3. The printmaking department was the only floor of the entire art building that actually fostered the development of technique and a high level of craftsmanship.

4. Many art professors took offense to the notion that not everyone wanted to go on to grad school and get an MFA, possibly because it was a different path than the one they chose.

It was also inspiring to find that I'm not the only one who is working and making a living as an artist in a town that doesn't place a high value on visual art in comparison to other similar cites, and that I'm doing it with "merely" a BFA.

I have been chosen to participate in "The Austin Series", a group exhibition at Gallery Black Lagoon. It runs through the month of June.

Visit their website for more information

Link Name

I am currently working on several new paintings for this show.

Hope to see you at the reception!

After taking more than a year off of this project, I have finally picked up the camera and brushes and started filming while painting.

Part 13 is my favorite so far. Here's a link the Part 14:

http://youtu.be/XmyDSTNtt8k

Watch them all!

A reporter from KLRU, Austin's PBS affiliate, came by our stop (#140) on the East Austin Studio Tour and made this short interview!

Interview

It is official!

Me and my fellow artist and co-worker, Robbie Ortiz, are participating artists in this year's East Austin Studio Tour!

We'll be showing and selling our work at Robbie and Brittany's place for the East Austin Studio Tour. November 13th and 14th, and November 20th and 21st. We are Stop# 140. Come by and check out our work!

http://www.robbieortiz.com/
http://www.stephenschwake.com/
http://www.eastaustinstudiotour.com/

My fees are paid; I am an official East Austin Studio Tour participant! I'll be show artwork at the studio of my co-worker, fellow artist, and good buddy Robbie Ortiz.
Thanks Robbie and Britney for the opportunity!

I'll post more details as the date draws closer.

I have now posted Part Eleven of my painting video...

Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EnEeQTNTdE

I'm having a solo exhibition of all new paintings and drawings at the Hyde Park Parlor throughout the month of December.

The opening is Wednesday, December 9th, at 7:00 PM.

The Parlor is located at 4301 B Guadalupe, Austin, TX, 78751.

I hope to see you there.

I have chosen five of the pieces in my portfolio to be available for purchase using PayPal. Click on the price tags.

I've never used PayPal before, so send me your shipping address.

10-12-09

I will have 10 drawings in the Secret Drawing Society show, curated by the Amazing Hancock Brothers at the Croft Gallery in Waco, TX.

SECRET DRAWING SOCIETY
Show Dates
November 3- November 28, 2009
First SATURDAY Opening Reception November 7 from 7-11 p.m. With Live music by LOS POLLOS PALETAS.

Gallery open Late Friday November 6 till 9pm with Live Music by The Horton Duo.

I have one painting on display in Fresh Meat , curated by B.C. Gilbert at the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts in Lubbock, Texas.

I am in the process of making ten drawings for a show in Waco, TX, organized by The Amazing Hancock Brothers

I am also preparing for the Paint the Dead show in October and solo exhibit in December at the Parlor in Hyde Park, here in Austin, Texas.

More updates and new artwork to be posted soon.

I have added a link to my ongoing painting video at YouTube. Click on "Video" in the navigation bar and it will send you to part 1. I've made 10 parts so far; watch them all. I plan to video the entire process of a 4' x 8' painting.