"Tradition"

8 x 10"

oil on panel
sold

Watching the skillful hands of the Gullah men and women weaving their baskets with sweetgrass and thin strands of palmetto leaves is quite awesome.

A little history - the unique culture called Gullah is a blend of African and European that lives today in Sea Islands along the coast of South Carolina and Georgia.  All around the city of Charleston SC, the Gullahs exhibit a long standing West African tradition of what they call 'sewing' baskets made of dried sweetgrass and thin strands of palmetto leaves - both resources that grow in the low country region.  Their technique is not the usual weaving - rather they bundle dried sweetgrass and coil it into baskets held together by sewing the coils with the strands of palmetto leaves.

It is said these sweetgrass baskets are durable and will last indefinitely if taken care of.  The declines in habitat for sweetgrass are threatened by coastal development and the Historical Society of Charleston has established reserves on nearby Sullivan's Island - recognizing the culture and history of the Gullah communities.

From a sunny sidewalk in Charleston, South Carolina.

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"Weavin'"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

Back from Charleston and back to painting.  Yay.

More about the opening on the next post...

A woman weaving beautiful baskets from sawgrass in Charleston.

"Cleared For Takeoff"

8 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

Speaking of the beach...

A friendly gull I met last week.

"Coast Guard"

10 x 9"

oil on panel
sold

Hoping this basset hound puts a smile on your face.

From the beach on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

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"Go With The Flow II"

Here is the companion to Go With The Flow I  -

Go With The Flow II

5 x 5"

oil on panel
sold

"Go With The Flow I"

Go With The Flow I

5 x 5"

oil on panel
sold
 

I've been playing around with my photos - looking for possible diptychs and triptychs - and tried it out with a small group of women sitting on the beach, watching the ocean tide flow.  It's tricky, and takes time matching up the colors and composition and the goal is that each painting could stand alone as well as together. 

And here are the two paintings together -

"Wait Up"

4 x 4"

oil on panel
sold

This was fun to paint.

From the sunny beach on Hilton Head Island, a little sidekick trying to keep up.

Two Paintings Going on Auction

Just a head's up - these two paintings are in my studio and need a good home.

'The Reel Thing'

7 x 10"

oil on panel
sold

'The Chapel at Palmetto Bluff'

7 x 9"

oil on panel

sold

"Daily Exercise"

8 x 6"

oil on panel

I intended to post this new painting on National Dog Day a few days ago, but in my life, every day is dog day. 

Don't forget to take your dogs for a long walk.  It's good for everyone.

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"A Community United" Benefit in Charleston SC

The Charleston food and beverage community is honoring the victims, familes and congregation of Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church with a gathering bringing together the people of Charleston.

The event 'A Community United' will be held at the Belmond Charleston Place Hotel on July 9th.

Robert Lange Studios has organized an auction of about 90+ pieces of art - all donated from the artists.  100% of all proceeds will be donated in 9 equal portions directly to the immediate surviving family members.

I have donated "Retirement Benefits".

sold

~  Thank you and Peace to All

"Emanuel A.M.E. at Dawn"

5 x 7"

oil on panel
sold

Before I began heading home early in the morning, on my last visit to the beautiful city of Charleston,  I pulled over to look at the colorful, glowing sky and the church steeple of Emanuel A.M.E..

I suppose I painted this peaceful moment to make myself feel better.

"Retired"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

Ah...... the good life.

A new addition to my series A to Z - a man and his best friend enjoying the sun and sand and a good book on Hilton Head Island.

"Drive"

5 x 5"

oil on panel
sold

D for Drive - a golfer practicing his chips on a driving range on Hilton Head Island, an addition to my new series A to Z.

"Beach"

5 x 7"

oil on panel
sold

This addition to my new series 'A to Z' could be Boy in a Bathing Suit at the Beach.  I simplified it.

"Reflect Upon"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

The truth about my absences - I've been on three road trips, totalling over 4,000 miles since the end of September.  I like to get out in the world in the fall and hole up in the winter so I got it all out of my system.  I don't post 'Hey, I'm out of town for a week' for obvious reasons but I am home, back in the studio and I'm not going anywhere until I see spring flowers.

I live in the Deep South, but today it's bitchin' cold, even for Atlanta so naturally my thoughts turn to warm days at the beach, with this new painting - a scene from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

You know how I love reflections.

"Immobile"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

And now, for your moment of Zen.

A woman choosing to be idle for the time being.

From Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

"Royalty"

5 x 7"

oil on panel
sold

I was in the mood for something calm to paint yesterday and the horizontal stripes of grey-blue caught my eye and I zoomed in on these cool birds.  It took time to find out just what kind of birds are in the foreground - they are the North American version of the Lesser Crested Tern, which is primarily African, called the Royal Tern.  How cool.

From Hilton Head Island during low tide, two Royal Terns mingle with other shore birds.

"Mercato"

12 x 7"

oil on panel
sold

I was in the middle of painting this piece earlier in the year and had to put it aside to jump on paintings for a group show and frankly, I forgot about it.  I discovered it a few weeks ago in my storage area and decided to finish it.

This was a scene from No. Market Street, in Charleston, South Carolina - just across the street from the Charleston City Market.  The restaurant is now closed, but I did see a new French restaurant took it's place.

"Because I'm Happy"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

That song just played in my head while I was painting this happy hound.

From the beach on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

"Folly Field Book Club"

14 x 7"

oil on panel

detail

Summer reading on Folly Field Beach on Hilton Head Island.

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