Requiem for a Capsized Mars Rover

24" x 36"
oil, brick, and wax on canvas
2012
 
The bulk of the pigment in this series of paintings comes from abandoned lots near the studio I had at the time in Philadelphia's Fishtown neighborhood. There were a lot of derelict buildings and the place hadn't been covered in condos yet. I found about 20 different colors of bricks, which I smashed with a hammer and then ground into fine powder with a mortar and pestle.
 
These paintings have delicate surfaces and like charcoal and pastel drawings should not be touched or abraded. The pigment is bound with damar varnish, linseed oil, cold wax medium, and oil paint. In some areas the brick dust was applied to the wet surface like glitter, so it is less durable than a less experimental oil painting. 
 
I no longer work in this medium because working with powdered pigments from old industrial materials isn't great for your health. Hence, this is a limited series.