Merry Christmas

  

16" x 24" - Oil on Stretched Canvas

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you Dear Friends!  A most sincere thank you to each of you on this blog and on FaceBook who continues to follow my work even when I'm so slow to paint and post.  Your support has been encouraging and I promise to do better in the future.  

Well, 2022 while a bit of a roller coaster ride was mostly positive until Hurricane Ian blew through Port Charlotte in late October.  We were blessed that damage to our property was slight compared to so many of those around us.  Part of the garage ceiling fell, and we lost soffits, gutters, a privacy fence, and a mailbox.  Our huge oak tree was mangled, triple pigmy date palm gone, and gigantic holes washed out behind the seawall.  Thankfully the steel shutters covering all windows and doors totally protected the inside.  There was minimal damage to the cars in the garage and by some miracle, our roof stayed intact as did our lanai screens.  We were in North Carolina and didn't return to face the cleanup until mid-November since our neighbors had graciously picked up all debris.  We had wifi when we arrived but it took almost two weeks to get Direct TV going again.   

The painting for this year's card is loosely based on Marcel Rieder's (1885-1941) DECORATING THE CHRISTMAS TREE.  I have always been fond of this composition even though there doesn't seem to be a good photo of the original painting online.               

ETHAN - THE DREAMER

 

                                                    20" x 16" Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

This handsome fellow just graduated from high school in Kernersville, NC, and it was my privilege and pleasure to commemorate this rite of passage by painting his portrait in oils.  Ethan also paints and enjoys sports, swimming, boating, and his beautiful black SUV so was difficult to decide just the right setting for him.   We chose to keep the background simple as he ponders his future.  Ethan is our grand-nephew and we are so very proud of him and his accomplishments!

RENAISSANCE WOMAN

 

                                                                 20" x 16" Oil on Board

In January Charles Miano held a Zoom global paint along celebrating the Renaissance Festival in Sarasota.  He provided a photo of his model and led the class in capturing a realistic painting of this costumed lady.  He shared his palette and we followed along, periodically showing each other our progress via Zoom.  What a fun-filled afternoon with artists joining in from all over the world.  No way could I complete my painting that afternoon but did so later and was pleased with the outcome.   Feeling it worthy, RENAISSANCE WOMAN has now been photographed and varnished.  Thank you, Master Miano!

In the future, I hope to attend classes in person at the Miano Academy of Art, 5320 Lena Rd Unit 105, Bradenton, approximately one hour away from Port Charlotte. His bar is set high for classical training in the arts of drawing, painting, and sculpture from nature.  How fortunate to have Charles Miano and this atelier so close.

BEACH DAY

 

                                                               11: x 14" Oil on Canvas

Grand doggies Dixie and Emmie really enjoy their frequent beach outings and play until totally exhausted.  They are so adorable I couldn’t resist a quick study in oil to try and capture their enthusiasm.  While Dixie eagerly shows off her dog paddling skills, Emmie swims for her life being so sure her little legs won’t touch the sandy bottom. 

Well behaved, they play nicely with the other dogs romping in and out of the water, chasing gulls, fetching balls, all the while keeping a watch on their mom. When it’s time to go both girls sleep soundly all the way home. 

Dixie and Emmie are rescues adopted as puppies and bring much joy to our entire family.

JED'S NEW HAT

                                                                 14" x 11" Oil on Canvas

This is a  painting of grandson Jed.  At some young age, he bought himself a new hat and proudly wore it for all to admire even posing on the sunny porch for a few photos.  Years later when I  ran across the picture,  it was time to paint Jed in his handsome hat (which he no doubt has long forgotten).  I never felt the painting was finished.    It seemed to lack a spark.  A few months ago it returned to the easel for some careful study and a few more strokes mostly in the shirt, a signature, and varnish which seemed to be just the touches it needed! 

With great pleasure may I tell you last week it was awarded First Place in the Cape Coral Art League’s  People and/or Places juried gallery show!  Thank you Judge Jeanette Chupack!  

The show may be seen at 516 Cultural Park Boulevard, Cape Coral, Florida - Mondays thru - Thursdays from 11:00  until 4:00 through March 31.  

Wonder whatever happened to that hat?  Grandson is still awesome at age 23.

Happy Me!

CHILLIN' has a blue ribbon!   Desoto Arts and Humanities Council's 2022 Member Show!  And what a beautiful show featuring paintings in all media, breathtaking photography, and 3-D creations with each category competing within its genre.  The show may be seen through March 23 at South Florida State College Desoto Campus, 2251 NE turner Avenue, Arcadia, Florida.

Many red dots for this show and a lot of smiling artists.  We are all so happy to be enjoying receptions in person once again!  

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

Wow!  What a year - with global events happening almost daily!  Thankfully our family stayed safe and healthy.  We spent the summer in Maggie Valley NC and, yes, I did paint but was totally lax in posting to the blog.  I promise to do better in the coming year.

The wonderful Crafted in Carolina Gallery closed its doors and we parted in the spring.  Best wishes to Beth and Mark Craft in their future endeavors.

Right now I'm waiting to hear if my painting has been juried into the National Art Exhibit at the Visual Art Center, Punta Gorda, Fl for the show in February.  Shows are coming up next month in Cape Coral and Venice.  Busy time of year for all of us!  

A makeover is planned for my website so stay tuned.

Thank you Dear Friends who continue to support my passion, purchase paintings, attend shows, text, email,  and come by the studio - means so very much to me.  

And thanks to our grandniece Delaney who posed for this painting.     

Merry Christmas and a healthy happy New Year!                                       

JED

                                                                 Oil on Canvas 14" x 11"

Jed, our younger grandson in the Navy stationed in Hawaii presented a perfect opportunity for a portrait in Hawaiian dress and sunglasses for the upcoming Shades Book!  However, Jed didn't pose in a colorful tropical-flavored shirt but a white tee!  Maybe not a problem - web shopping and Photoshop to the rescue!  Two of Jed's passions are guitars and watches.  He collects both.  What were the chances of finding this brightly colored guitar print shirt!  As his portrait progressed favorably it was time to actually order the shirt for him.

Jed is currently home on leave this month in North Carolina and, since we are in Florida, UPS made sure he received the package. 

Thank you for your service, Jed, and for being the fine young man you are!  We love you so much!

AFTER THE RAIN

 

                                                                    15" x 15" Mixed Media

Sometimes we just have to let go and have fun in the studio - maybe a piece will work (probably it won’t) but it doesn’t matter so long as we are creating and enjoying the process!  

This little painting  began in acrylic on illustration board loosely based on a photo taken in Cherokee, NC.  String was added and then using matte medium, I covered the entire piece with colored tissue paper and let it dry. With the tissue paper obscuring much of the underpainting and changing the colors and values, it was time for oil paint. Much of the original concept based upon the photo was lost but that was ok - I now saw larger rocks and richer colors to bring forward. The result was rich texture and lots of depth.  Who knew?!

What a thrill AFTER THE RAIN was just awarded third place in the current Mixed Media Show at the Cape Coral Art League.  The show will be on display until May third at the CCAL Gallery, 516 Cape Coral Boulevard, Cape Coral, FL. phone (239) 772-5657

  

BEAR-LY HANGING ON

 

15" x 15"
Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

This little bear was started over a year ago, signed and displayed in a gallery.    However  I was never totally pleased with the overall  painting.  So, when it returned  to the studio it went back on the easel.  His mouth opened enough to expose a little pink tongue showing more personality, pine twigs were added to break up some of the negative spaces and the lichen on the bark greyed to put more focus on the baby bear.    Maybe he is finished this time?

CHILLIN'

 

                                                              20" x 30" Acrylic on Board

Henrietta the hippopotamus is cooling off. What a fascinating animal. The name comes from a Greek word meaning "water horse" but our huge lady is in no way related to a horse! She is semiaquatic, lives along rivers and lakes in sub-Saharan Africa, can weigh up to 3,300 pounds, and lives 40 to 50 years. She can run 30 miles per hour and is a herbivore. Due to her size and aggressive nature, she can coexist with Nile Crocodiles, lions, and spotted hyenas but these are known to prey on young hippos.

Usually thinking these giants look so docile, who knew they are one of the most aggressive and dangerous animals on Earth! They can snap a canoe in half with their powerful jaws and kill about 500 people in Africa each year as reported by National Geographic in 2017!

Always eager to become familiar with subjects I memorialize in paint, no way do I want to meet a hippo face to face - well, maybe in a zoo!

CHILLIN' won Third Place this week in the Wild About Wildlife show currently on exhibit at the Cape Coral Art League, 516 Cultural Blvd, Cape Coral Florida. I am thrilled!

SILENT DANGER

 

 16" X 20" Oil on Canvas

Here in Southwest Florida alligators are our neighbors and sometimes nuisances when they wander away from their limited habitats finding their ways into our garages, carports, and sometimes into a swimming pool!  They frequent golf courses seldom posing any threat but can be a  real danger to our pets.  At this link you can see just what I’m talking about! 

Sadly more and more we have encroached into their territory.  On our daily walk at a local park we pass the signs that read, “Do Not Feed the Alligator”.  I haven’t seen one there but wouldn’t go into that pond!  

The “model” for this painting posed at the end of a dock in another local park and didn’t seem to mind my taking a few photos! Maybe not the most handsome of creatures but totally magnificent in their own way.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

                                                                 WINTER CARDINALS 

                                                                         Oil on Canvas

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you Dear Friends!  Each time we have touched base whether online, in person, by mail, by phone or just in thought - I am grateful.  You add joy and meaning to my life and artful endeavors.  Your encouragement means so much more than you know.

Twenty-Twenty has been an interesting year all things considered, but focusing on creativity and painting proved to be a great way to brighten our days and lift our spirits.

WINTER CARDINALS was completed and found a new home in November.  Thank you Crafted in Carolina Gallery!!

                                                                         

DAYDREAMERS

                                                                             16" X 12" 

                                                             Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Autumn -what a glorious  season here in the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina!

My model for Daydreamers is a mystery fellow.  When our adult son saw the painting he was sure he was the model.  This happened again  when both grandsons saw  photos of the painting - each is sure he is the model - and I’m not telling! 

This one was a joy to paint - it started  as a summer setting with lots of blue water - too cool for my taste. Needed to warm it a bit.   Looking out the studio window here and seeing the brilliant colors made  changing  to a fall setting a no-brainer!  The title tells the story.

Daydreamers is available at Crafted in Carolina Gallery,  3073 Soco Road, Maggie Valley, NC, Phone (828) 944-0004.

HIDDEN BABY

                                               16 " X 20" Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

One of the supreme rewards spending our summers here in the North Carolina Smokey Mountains is the occasional fawn sighting!    

These beautiful creatures  are the babies of white-tailed deer and are born April through July.  Most first time mom's have only one baby but will typically have twins or triplets afterwards. Last year having a mom and triplets cross our front lawn as we watched from the deck was an unforgettable thrill!

These little forest treasures are left alone in hidden areas of tall grasses or bush while mom  goes off to eat.  She returns at dawn and dusk to feed and maybe move her baby.   Sometimes when we see a very young fawn wandering alone,  it's natural to feel panic (I know I do)  but  it's necessary to leave the fawn alone and mom will return to take care of it providing it's best chance for survival.

This HIDDEN BABY is available at CRAFTED  IN CAROLINA GALLERY, 3073 Soco Road, Maggie Valley, NC. - Phone 828-944-0004