Another puzzle painting

Brandon asked for a red & black painting using some elements of a "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin

The five color stages to complete this project:

First, a thin layer of yellow oxide (watered down) with a bit of burnt umber was spread and manipulated. 

Second, a layer of cadmium red with some burnt umber was spread across the entire project with some erasing (wiping away with a clean cloth).

Third, red acrylic paint was applied with a brush in various areas.

Fourth, and last, ivory black was spread across the entire surface and much was removed with a clean cloth. 

Largish painting for Samantha

Some specific colors and motifs were requested for this piece - a fun project.

Life long fascination with puzzles shows up in a new painting.

New work completed this HOT, HOT summer

Just saying. All these pieces are 11" by 14" which is a standard size for store-bought frames. So even though it costs quite a bit more than my self-made frames, it lessens the workload.

A new wedding painting

Aimee is getting married this weekend. She and Nate used to sit in those kid carriers that go over the back fenders on bicycles - and they only caused their mothers to crash once. I had two choices for colors. The purple and green below was one; the other was pink and orange which I didn't think I could pull off. I'll have to try some small ones around that color scheme.

3 new paintings for the Artisan Shoppe

I buy the exspensive frames for the paintings that go to the Artisan Shoppe in Wellsboro. I'm trying to be upscale!

Some new work

A few of the new pieces that I've finished for the Athens ARTSfest this May 1st and 2nd. These are quite small - 8.5" by 12".

A few more ready for the Athens ARTSfest

My goal is 70 new paintings by the first weekend in May when the Athens ARTSfest is always held. (The weekend before Mother's Day!) I am closing in on finishing the first 35.

Adding the final color layer to a painting

Some new doilies

The Grandmother from the Ulkin's clan in Coudersport made many doilies - her grandson Duane sent some to me to use in my artwork. The deal was that I would make him a painting in trade. Here it is -
A smaller work done with the same doilies can be seen below. It hangs in grandson Doug's home.

New painting - "Science"

Somehow this one reminds me of Howard Jones' old hit - "He blinded me with science."

A new artist in the family!

Here is our little Miss Lana in one of my textured paintings. (I learned a new way of making transparencies that will allow me to use my own photographs. More on this later.) Below is one of Lana's drawings done recently at the age of 15 months. Below is a new black & white painting -

Newest Painting

A wedding painting - 36" wide by 24" tall.

I have a new customer!

I'm proud to say that the daughter of a former student, and grand daughter of a former colleague, purchased one of my paintings at the Night & Day Coffee Cafe. Looks like a great match to me!

A wedding painting for this weekend - Peter & Robin - 3 color layers

The artist as a young man

Actually, I'm just dreaming. I'm standing with Dale Ulkins who was just gifted by his brother Doug with one of my paintings. Doug asked me to make something with Dale's name and some Gretsch guitars. I felt honored to see Dale's delight in the gift. Dale has recorded some music for kids - "You Gotta Read" was inspired by his daughter Sarah's love of reading. The photo was taken by Dale's son Graham.

New Video

A youtube video showing how I make transparencies and adhere them to my textured paintings has been posted. Click here.

Guitar man painting.

This isn't too complicated! My daughter-in-law's father's brother saw my work on a recent visit to Troy. Because he liked it, his brother asked me to make a painting featuring Gretsch guitars and his brother's name. I carved a guitar image into a piece of linoleum and used that to make the little guitar impressions. Everything else is my "usual" stuff.

It's about time I got started!

Thanks to my new career supervising student teachers in art, I've made same nice connections with knowledgeable people with similar interests. I've been encouraged to make my own blog by Andy W who is an elementary art teacher. I was one, too, for 31 years here in town. I'm anxious to learn how to post images and to practice my bull****ting abilities (I have none). Well that was easy. I have spent some time at a coffee shop here in town, and above is a painting that honors that "Night & Day Coffee Cafe."

At the moment, I am planning a commissioned work. I'll slip a sketch in here:

Look for the finished painting in about three weeks. I dare say it will be quite different from this sketch.