
More work headed to my solo show. The exhibit is at the lovely Elliott Fouts Gallery in Sacramento, California.

More work headed to my solo show. The exhibit is at the lovely Elliott Fouts Gallery in Sacramento, California.
I have a solo exhibit at Elliott Fouts Gallery in Sacramento, Ca. The show takes place February 2nd through February 28th.
I have around 23 finished paintings that I have chosen for the show. Now I need to get the work there! I had considered flying down with a couple giant travel cases but decided it would be more cost effective to ship the paintings over a couple weeks time. So this week I will be packing and shipping like a maniac!
If anyone is in the greater Sacramento area I hope you will check out the show! There is a reception February 9th!

I revisited a painting from late 2018 that I wasn’t entirely satisfied with. I am gathering paintings for my February solo show making hard decisions. This particular piece was on the edge but now it will be attending the exhibit! The show is at the Elliott Fouts Gallery in Sacramento, California.

I have a number of 30″x24″ panels primed for painting, I love working at this scale. Large enough that you have a sense of freedom moving around the surface but not so large that it is awkward in the studio. I did have to stand on a chair to get far enough away for a photo, so a little awkward!
I am pretty obsessed with brooding epic scenes. I keep getting wound up about new ideas but I realize this is a common thread.

I have never been an optimistic person. In grade school, learning vocabulary, the teacher asked us if we were optimists or pessimists. A girl I had eyes for said, “Oh, we are both optimists.” She was a bit smarter than I was, but as she explained the difference, I knew she was horribly mistaken.
For some odd reason, I am filled with an unrealistic optimism for the new year. I am making my living painting, it’s not easy. My days are only getting shorter, never mind. I have a vision for my work, mastery of my materials. For the first time in my life I know my greatest work is ahead. I am excited to make it.
I hope you all find passion and meaning in 2019.

It struck me when I walked into my studio this morning that my current painting feels very much like a ghost. I have it on my table easel and it seems to hover on the table.
This painting is almost a study in subtlety. The color and values easing into one another. This kind of painting seems difficult to capture digitally but for now here is an iPhone version.

It’s another Wednesday and I am so thankful to have a dedicated space to paint. Also the time to work on the art I really care about. The winter has arrived but I am excited about being hold up in my studio and giving it all I’ve got! Strangely upbeat today, must be a chemical imbalance.

A colorful cloud painting on the studio counter with some friends! This one doesn’t have the apocalyptic vibe of yesterday’s post.
Another day in the studio, I am grateful.
Here is a link to some of my work currently at Radius Gallery:
https://radius-gallery.myshopify.com/collections/brian-sostrom
I am busy prepping work for a solo show in Sacramento at the Elliott Fouts Gallery. My studio counter is filling up, still so much to do!
I deliver the work in early January, which is sounding soon here in November!
Looking around the chaos of my studio it is plain to see light inspires me. As we head into the darkest part of the year the sunlight is all the more dramatic and inspirational.
These two paintings were worked up together after a very early morning on the lake. Spending time in the studio looking at your work and shuffling it around is time well spent. Nothing physically to show for it but it is valuable just to reflect.