"Sizing Up"

 

 

12 x 12"

oil on panel

When I first saw Jamie Wyeth's life-size Portrait of Pig years ago, it was love at first sight.  From that moment, I wanted to paint a pig.  And one day, I will.

I'll start by saying I worship Jamie Wyeth.  And Andrew Wyeth, his father.  And N. C. Wyeth, his grandfather.  Three generations of artistic brilliance.  Matter of fact, the exhibit "Three Generations" is where I first saw this masterpiece.

Jamie grew up on a farm in both Chadd's Ford, Pennsylvania and the Wyeth summer home in Maine. At a 2011 exhibit titled "Farm Work" that included over 70 paintings by Jamie Wyeth, he was asked what inspired him to paint so many scenes of the subject, he said "Had I been born in New York City, I'm sure I would have been painting subways or something, but it's just that this what I was raised around and what was familiar to me."

As for the story behind Portrait of Pig,  Jamie said it was on a neighboring farm where he frequently painted, where the pig had the run of the place.  "The farmer asked me to help him with something, and after an hour I walked back to where I was painting.  And there was a snorting, and her whole snout was covered with cerulean blue and cadmium orange."  She had eaten and swallowed 17 tubes of paint.  "I thought it's curtains for you because oil paint is highly toxic".  The next few days she seemed fine but all around the farm there were rainbow-colored droppings and the farmer kept saying "What's wrong with my hog?".  Jamie couldn't bring himself to tell him what happened.  

Jamie soon learned the farmer was going to send the pig to the butcher and said "Oh no. I've got to take her."  He paid for the pig, brought her to his farm where she lived to a ripe old age.

My painting will be included in the upcoming group show Looking Forward, *opening July 2nd at Robert Lange Studios.

Please click here for a larger view and purchase/contact information.

 

* Robert Lange Studios will welcome walk-ins during normal hours on Friday, July 2nd and Saturday, July 3rd.  Opening night for artists' shows will resume in the fall.

" Connoisseur"

6 x 8"

oil on panel

sold

I had started a smaller study for Penguin Zen and decided to finish it because you have to find joy wherever you can.  Painting an animal does it for me.

Someone let me know the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri also invited some penguins as guests to browse their galleries during their shutdown, like the Art Institute of Chicago had.  The most charming result is these penguins stopped and seemingly took in many of the works of art, much like this little guy.  Claude Monet's Water Lilies spoke to him.  Or her.

Taz

5 x 5"

oil on panel

A gift for my neighbor on this 4th of July - the late and great Taz digging the pool.

Have a safe and happy 4th my friends.

"Daisy"

My friends' beloved Daisy.  RIP.

"Big Red"

5 x 7"

oil on panel
sold

There comes a day when you want to paint a cow.

From a farm in southern Georgia.

"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.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Unwrapped"

5 x 5"

oil on panel
sold

My appreciation for the multitudes of colors in a fish.

"Maxy"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

And now for something completely different - my good friends, Karen and Neil Hollingsworth's beloved cat, Maxy.  

And for some GoodTV ...  for those stuck inside with nothing to watch, stream in these two movies this weekend - Chef and Bernie.   I promise, you'll love these movies.

"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.

"Joe"

5 x 5"

oil on panel
sold

A mugshot of sorts - a friendly camel I named Joe, who peacefully resides in the country outside of Natchez, Mississippi.  An absolutely amazing animal to see in person.

~ Happy Spring

"Dog Show No. 7"

4 x 4"

oil on panel
sold

I went to a Dog Show in South Georgia a while back - nothing compared to the upcoming Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show but surely an event that just makes me so happy.  I've painted a few in the past and this is a new addition to what could be a series.  

And don't miss the Westminster on TV - it starts Monday night.   Love the dogs.  Love painting the dogs.

"Legally Blonde"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

I feel like painting dogs these days.  It's such a happy subject.   This little guy was painted on a bright, red ground, you can spot glimpses of it on some edges and underneath the sand color.  

From the beach on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

"George"

8 x 8"

oil on panel
nfs

I tried my hand on a more classic painting - an all-day cow affair.  What an awesome beast.  It is a gift.

"Leo"

5 x 5"

oil on panel
sold

This guy looked like a Leo to me.  Maybe he reminded me of Uncle Leo on Seinfeld.  Maybe a combination of several characters on Seinfeld.  Still, the best show on TV.

"Krystle"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

That sweet little blond tuft on her head reminded me of Krystle Carrington from Dynasty.  Another cow to make the afternoon fun.

"Violet"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

Hello to all - I trust you've enjoyed your holiday.  My aching back is healing nicely, thank you for your kind wishes.  I wanted to paint, I really did.  I squirted out my pizza pan palette of paint several times and nothing.  I don't know why.  My brain's been fried I guess.  To tell you the truth, it's nice to just chill in December for a change.  I spent most of my adult life as a picture framer and December was hell.   Now it's beautifully calm and I've enjoyed every minute of it.

My friend Neil Hollingsworth offered some photos of his to paint (thank you Neil) and I've been playing with cows.  Such great, natural sculptures - I'm in awe of them.  I'm doing more and I felt compelled to name each one, whatever comes to mind as I'm spending time with them.

This kicks off the first of many little studies I hope to get on with.  The juices are flowing again.  Yay.

Catching Up

Thanksgiving's a few days away and I'm psyched for the way the kitchen smells when the turkey's roasting and eating my weight in sweet potato casserole. 

I've spent the past weeks finishing up the new work for a dual show in December with Ken Auster - and I've put my paints away for a short while to simply enjoy the holiday week.  Before I get busy in the kitchen, I wanted to post the paintings I did at the recent workshop - a demo and sometimes two every day - which I try to include a variety of subjects.

Starting with Monday's demo, which I share the original reference photo and the students paint their versions the following day .....

10 x 8"

sold

Tuesday's demo...

 

 8 x 8"

sold

Wednesday morning's demo...

 

6 x 6"

sold

Wednesday afternoon's demo, starring our dog Joey...

7 x 5"

sold

Thursday's demo, from a police mugshot...

4 x 4"

sold

and Friday's demo.

8 x 8"

sold

My next workshop is in New York City, held at the National Academy on 5th Avenue - an amazing place to paint, a goldmine of imagery to capture.  The date is next May, the Tuesday after Memorial Day - and Sedona Arts Center is who you want to contact if you're interested in signing up.  The details are on the right-side column of this blog.

Another reminder that Brett has brand-new Tabletop Easels available as well as brand-new AlterEasels --- now there's a perfect gift for an artist if someone needs a hint.

And I'll be back to painting next weekend, meanwhile ~

 wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving

"Gatto"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

Adding to my ongoing series ATL to NYC & Back - another charming resident I met up with in Little Italy. Come to think of it, he's the only outdoor cat I saw during my stay in New York City.

"A Wink and a Nod"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

I felt like painting a bird today - one that flirted with me at the beach last week.