IN PRAISE OF AMERICAN ENTERPRISE

I posted some images of my shadow boxes 2 years ago...using less than optimum photos. Today, while going through a pile of old CDs I came across one with photos I had taken by a professional photographer.

This first one is proof that even a liberal like myself appreciates the spirit of free, creative enterprise. It is a homage to a great idea that just misses he mark.



The countries first, and only, 6-12 convenience store. They just didn't quite get the concept.

LET THERE BE SNOW

If you are a regular reader of this blog it should be obvious that I have avoided two elements in my art, large bodies of water and snow. I have decided to depart from routine and take on some snow. Several days ago I posted this painting:


Two on a Hill acrylic 24x24

Since then I have reproduced the subject, but in a different environment. Here is the piece in three stages.


WIP stage 1

stage 2 I thought I would need an underpainting for the snow field...I'm not sure I did

Two Barns in Snow field acrylic 24x24

THE EAST POINT LIGHTHOUSE

sits quietly tucked away on the eastern shore of the Delaware Bay, hidden from view from the land unless you turn off the less than beaten path to an unmarked still less beaten path deep in southern NJ. (Now THAT is a sentence!) I literally stumbled upon the LH some 25 plus years ago when I took the photo from which this was painted. I since learned that it was once a US navy structure which had long been abandoned.

I have painted this delightful LH in watercolor and pastel, and this is my first rendering in acrylic.


East Point Lighthouse acrylic 8x10

Below is the wc done some 20 plus years ago.


East Point LH watercolor aprox 16x20

If I can find the pics, I will post the pastel later

THERE IS MORE TO ME

than trees, barns and fences, and this little painting is proof of that. As always, I painted the sky, not knowing what would follow. This creature was happy to oblige me. Getting him into the studio was easy, getting him to lie down and pose was much more difficult.


Looking out acrylic 6x8"

THE SKY IS NOT RED-ORANGE

Leaving behind the deeply warm skies I love to paint, I turned to the dark stormy skies that I love to paint. OK, maybe I just love to paint skies, moody skies of any color. Often I will paint the sky and then decide on what will follow. That is what i did in this little painting using a theme I like so much, light falling against the dark background.


Summer Storm Coming acrylic 6x12

IT'S FINISHED

and the photo is better, with a more accurate depiction of the sky. But I still haven't named it.


Acrylic on panel 24x24

BARNS, BARNS, AND MORE BARNS

In the almost 2 weeks since my last post I've been busy making my own panels and saving considerable money doing so. I like painting on wood, and a 24x24 quarter inch birch panel at Lowes costs about $4.00. A simple frame or cradle can me made for about $6.00 from 1x2" poplar, and after several coats of gesso you have a great surface on which to paint. After making 3 24x24 and one 24x48 I began painting. The first piece can be seen below. The sky is actually a very pale yellow, obviously missed by the camera. I'll try shooting it again. And I just realized that I left the upper opening to the loft in the red barn unfinished! Oh well, sometimes the head doesn't connect with the rest of me.


no title yet


I'm almost embarrassed to show this 8x10...it is another warm sky - red barn - ochre foreground. Clearly I'm in a rut. But when inspiration is wanting, it is nice to have something to fall back on. I will have to do something about that.