"Wallflower"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

This painting was taken literally from my photograph - her sweater really did match the blue in the Warhol painting. So I had the choice of changing that, which would seem to make more sense, only I remember the moment I saw her in front of this painting - thinking she could very well have been part of the piece. And it added some fun.

This painting will be included in 16 Patton's upcoming show Small Works: Little Gems, opening November 22nd. Please click here for a larger view.

Other stuff to mention ........ if you haven't looked at the 83 different cow paintings and drawings on my blog Different Strokes From Different Folks, you're missing out. There are some incredible pieces - kudos to the artists who participated.

Also ...... I'm outtahere for a couple of days for marathon picture taking in our nation's capitol. I must be feeling patriotic these days. Happy trails and I'll be back this weekend.

"Notes From the Edge"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

You may know this about me - I struggle to keep it loose. Know when to quit. I do spend hours on more realized pieces - paying attention to accuracy and details - but my moments of Zen come when I use less, very deliberate brush strokes to achieve a finished painting. It is the challenge to make that quick decision, swipe the color and leave it alone.

From the side garden of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Deserved Attention

I must brag on my good friends - I opened up the November issue of Southwest Art Magazine and there were three well-deserved mentions of Neil Hollingsworth, Chris Stott and Carol Marine. I own several pieces from all three of these gifted artists - lucky me. Kudos to them and the magazine for recognizing great talent.

Neil Hollingsworth

Carol Marine

Chris Stott

I want to add - these three artists have excellent websites and blogs. They truly understand the importance of presentation on the web. They all maintain their own sites, always keeping it fresh and easy to navigate. It's hard work and it shows.

"Cow Girl"

6 x 6"

oil on masonite
sold

Painting cows, I kid you not, is a great pleasure. I can use every color on my palette, keep the brushstrokes loose - use the oils for what they're meant for. I met this creature in the farmlands of Alabama.

"Blues Brothers"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

I'm back in the game. My week was odd ~ two appliances broke as if it were a sign to stay home, but I managed to get away and headed to Alabama for a long drive. Can't say I captured some stellar images, but it was good just to leave the state of Georgia, if only for a day. I forced myself to take time off of both my frame shop and painting - which felt weird but very nice. One of those days was so cozy - an all-day rain - and I ended up painting this piece in my pj's.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Crash Test"

3 x 11"

oil on masonite
sold

Okay - I haven't managed to put that paintbrush down yet. I'm determined to get in my car, first thing in the morning, and get on with that road trip. Really ~ I will.

Seeing this image of the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange - just about every minute of every day, on the news channels, in the paper, as I close my eyes to go to sleep - I picked this timely subject for the newest challenge on my blog Different Strokes From Different Folks. The other paintings submitted so far are great - take a look.

Break Time

With some time off work, I thought I'd head out and find some new subjects - explore a bit and see what comes out of it. Go enjoy the beautiful weather, carve a pumpkin, keep those positive thoughts in your head and I'll be back to painting in a week, if not before.

"Hungry Eyes"

8 x 10"

oil on masonite
sold

All these years I've been lukewarm to Edward Hopper's 'Table for Ladies' - and as I stood inches away from the real thing, that all changed. Prints, books, posters, internet images - they never give any artwork the justice it deserves. It's not so much the details - it's the richness of color, the brushwork - I can see multitudes of decisions Hopper made. Never doubt, looking at great works of art is a learning experience.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Red Carpet"

12 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

This is one of those 'must see in person' pieces - it's the red. I was bored with the brush strokes of the carpet at first - it wasn't quite enough. So I scraped on more reds with the edge of a business card and the color became more vivid, more textured and more realistic. Very, very cool. I love it.

Please click here for a larger view.

Charley Parker's art blog 'Lines & Colors' has featured my Different Strokes from Different Folks blog - I appreciate it Charley - you make me proud.

"Cloud Gate"

11 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

I've painted Cloud Gate several times in different perspectives - it's a subject that is somewhat daunting to paint or draw but I've learned to tackle it in steps. I don't always approach a painting that way - in this case you almost have to. Your head is spinning at first, too many things to render and on top of that, shapes are warped, which goes against the logic. That's why I chose this as my weekly challenge on my Different Strokes From Different Folks Blog. If you're game, I urge you to take your time - but persevere (by definition - to persist in or remain constant to a purpose, idea, or task in the face of obstacles or discouragement). You'll be surprised at what you can do.

Cloud Gate, also known as 'The Bean', resides in Millennium Park in Chicago.

Speaking of challenges, last week's miniature white pumpkins reaped 93 different versions. I am really proud of all the participants - please visit the blog to see all the wonderful works of art.