Scorpions, Spiders & Art

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I have a guitar once owned by Roy Rogers and an original water color painting by Edgar Payne. I think that wraps up the list of stuff I own that once belonged to famous people. A scorpion (a large one) greeted me as I entered the shop two nights ago. I don't know why I was carrying a flashlight but I was. I was barefoot and almost stepped on him but since the episode with the parachuting spiders I've been a little leery of just traipsing into the studio at night with my mouth open. My first thought was that I should be wearing something on my feet. My second thought was; "Oh, there's my flip-flops, I'll just grab one and use it to smash the little death-tailed monster".. I did, he's in the trash ...next time I'll throw him to the chickens. Here's a couple more paintings that remind me of famous people and spiders and scorpions.

Windy Point 28x24, Repose 24x8, Tarantula

A nice eery illumination cast blue flickers of light as I sat staring at the computer screen late one night. Oftentimes spiders will dangle from the basement ceiling, silhouetted in the monitor's rectangle limelight.  They put on a little show till a quick squeeze between my fingers puts them out of sight. This night however there were a number of the little parachutists dropping in for a midnight invasion. I could see their streamers soft and white glowing in the half light and then...I could feel them all over me. I pulled at the thin strands of web, for by now they were many. When I attempted to brush them off it seems to have dislodged a whole nest of thousands of  mite-sized eight-leggers. They fell to my right and hit the ground with an audible thump... But not before half landing on my right shoulder and hand. They would have nested in my hair or carried me off had I not thought fast to produce an always-at-hand trusty bottle of spider spray. We do indeed have a lot of creepy creatures around here and especially this time of year.  The tarantula pictured above is a new friend. Him and his pal come out every night on the pool deck to creep us out as we go for an evening dip. I found their nest and dug this guy out of the ground yesterday to take a picture of him. They vary quite a bit and this little beauty with his rich colors reminds me of the paintings pictured here. I hope you enjoy them...and that they don't give you nightmares.

Theodore Roosevelt, Cloud Craft, Mist

My coolness factor just plummeted...or I've just been given another goal for my life. I'll decide later. I've read most of TR's writings and several biographies about him. Lofty ideals abound in this studio thanks to Teddy but the evasive masterpiece still looms somewhere out there on the horizon.  These two new ones incorporated the use of a palette knife and some new tube colors. They are available for purchase here.

Three's Company

My brushes with celebrity are only rivaled by my brushes with death at the fang and claw of dangerous creatures (and rivers). Twice I've fallen through crystal ice into frigid waters up to my neck, far from warmth and rescue; once into current that nearly swept me under its icy coffin lid into darkness and the watery nether-world. Actually, I've really not encountered celebrities as much as I've come into contact with their stuff, ...stuff of legends mind you.  You can see below in ancient blog-posts references to Elvis' sunglasses, Bod Dylan's furniture, Eric Clapton's guitar picks and Janis Joplin's rock-n-roll hall of fame trophy. This, not to mention that BD is my adoptive uncle from the Iron Range where I spent many a youthful hour picking thimble berries (almost always while avoiding a mild mauling by black bears) and courting a girl (girls) from the north country.
None of this compares, however, to the magnitude of joyful delight and drama that the daily routine of a hot cup of tea early am brings me.  I sit outside watching the ducks hop around their pen, splashing away with nary a care and I contemplate the Scripture passages laid open on my lap ...and the next attempt at a masterpiece.  This sunrise view of each day never fails to portend something new and exciting.  THE masterpiece hasn't been achieved yet and the mouth of a big-mane lion has yet to clamp down on my right thigh. Until then I will keep seeking the lost chord (the Moody Blues really didn't find it) and the other lofty goals mentioned here. The paintings pictured are another feeble attempt...but they're coming along.  Available here on eBay.

Elvis' Sun Glasses, I Miss You 18x24, Lake Glow 18x24

My friend Jack is a Hungarian, German actor/musician (famous in Europe). He has these cool shades that were given by Elvis to his body gaurds and band mates. This pair was found in Graceland shortly after his death (not long after I saw him in concert)  I can't quite remember the story on how Jack came to acquire  them but they were from one of the band members. They are gold and make you feel like a king...kind of like how I felt while making these latest two paintings available here for your viewing and purchasing pleasure. Enjoy!

Split Earth 10x8. Rolling By 20x16, Over The Grain 12x24

Three new ones. The 20x16 might go to the Colorado gallery...They're all available here for purchase consideration. I have been using the same old, chisel-on-stone (cuneiform) technique for years now, both for my studio uploads and landscape / sky photography. I think with the onset of monsoon season a new camera is in order...something that will take great sky shots.  I'm sure there will be a marked improvement in the work to come so stay tuned.

As the storms move in so do the desert bugs. Apart from time in the studio my life is now occupied with keeping crawling creatures at bay. The left foot was attacked, is riddled with black ant bites.  The tiniest of critters these little mites climbed my leg as I watered the ducks the other day.  Sudden pain and swelling like you can't believe with a burning and itching sensation that i thought were only reserved for wasps and red ant stings coursed up and down my titanium-filled foot and calve.  I was wearing thin flip-flops that present their own problems.  There's a lot of thorns around here and I'm always having to fix a flat, as it were, by pulling out a barbed twig stuck to the sole and poking through to my tender underfoot. I shook off the rubber thongs and leaped and yelped and tried to rub the little blighters off as they stuck fast like chicle on hot tar. Today (three days later) the swelling is down but there are still red welts that itch from my big toe to above the ankle. All this helps me paint; the ducks, the thorns, the bites, the stings.  I highly recommend it.

The Bomb Cloud 30x24, Sidelong Glance 9.5x 24

This is what I listened to on my morning run today; Jakob Dylan, Ralph Stanley, Alison Krauss and The Cars. I almost never listen to music when I paint anymore. I thought of that as I chugged along drooling and shuffling to Just What I needed (The Cars). I don't like to take the dogs on a serious run either. They are both good companions but times have changed and so has my metabolism. In reality, if I take along just the one the other mournfully drools at the door til we get back...and I feel bad.  If I take the two of them, well, all heckification breaks loose as they vie for position and attention and try to chase every feathered and furry creature that comes in sight (something they almost never do solo) So, I plug in the ipod and let my mind drift and hope for a good tune that matches my rhythm. I think I will try to paint by "Prancersize" and see how that works. I'll post some pics of the first painting I do while prancing. Paintings available here.

Thinderbird calls Your Name When You're Not listening

The drag marks ran about 75 feet heading toward the wash. The dry river bed (yes, we have riverside property) is wide and forested with lots of desert flora (cactus, thorn trees etc,) Eddie blasted through the studio door huffing and wincing and holding up blistered palms. Turns out that while he was walking Liberty, (the chocolate donkey) the bad dog (Billie) thought it was time to play. The burro had other ideas and hauled the boy kicking and screaming and skidding into the desert. He finally had to let go of the lead and both donkey and dog went running wild downstream trailing about twenty feet of rough rope... off into the sunset like so many old cowboy movies made here in Tucson.
I was able to employ my legendary tracking skills for the first few hundred yards then the trail went cold. Eddie found Libby hiding in the long purple shadows of a stand of dead cottonwood trees about a half mile off. So was this, another day of peaceful painting brought to an abrupt end by the antics of careless, cavorting canines and wild and reckless runaway rascals. These paintings are available here.

It Never ends...New Summer paintings

Here's a pile of new paintings. Dogs have litters, lions come in prides and cookies are made in batches. Well, my paintings are found in piles.  I really don't want to overwhelm with high-brow, artsy lingo so I'll keep my techno-chatter to a minimum and let this little "chorro" of pieces small and large speak for itself.
I have great stacks of photos of trees and clouds scattered about the studio. Sometimes I'll take a glance at a picture and let my imagination run wild. Making art from memory and mental telepathy can be hazardous. I find that paintings made like this really only work if the subject is something you're very familiar with. A good practice is to take a sketch book along with you and take notes of stuff. So, even if you don't have time to go outdoors and paint you're making progress in observation and that goes a long way for both art and transcendental meditation. However, regarding meditation, I don't recommend "emptying" your mind as you meditate...it's bound to be filled with something and if you don't direct it that something might not be good. Just a little free tip for the day.
"...Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."

Aeolian Harp, Winter's Glow, Narcoleptic Chicks

Speaking of narcolepsy, once again I fell asleep at the movies. Granted, it was nap time (2:15 pm) and the action wasn't all that but really, did I have to go a-snoring during the discounted matinee once again?  However, in my defense, I am not as bad as the new chicks pictured huddled under the heat lamp in their cozy brooder above.  They frantically run hither and thither and all of a sudden drop over as if shot dead.  Two minutes later they are up and running helter skelter again like nothing ever happened. I think this is a micro-metaphore for life. I'm not sure how it works itself out in every detail but there is a gem of insight somewhere in there. These new paintings were designed to put you to sleep and encourage happy dreams only.  Available here for sale.

Mike Mahoney, mountain artist extraordinaire is opening a new gallery in Crested Butte, CO. There is talk of the possibility of me doing a workshop at his place in the future. I will have to get my ducks in a row for this to happen as well as ol' Mikey figuring out scheduling etc. but if we can pull it off I think it will be a smashing good time.  It will probably be a two day affair with studio time, painting from photo reference (which is what I mainly do) and maybe some outdoors painting.  I hear there's some pretty scenery up in them mountains but really...can anything compare to the barren wastes of the desert in June? I'm doubtful but we will try to give it a shot. I'll let the blog know as info. comes available.  For the time being, enjoy these new little gems fresh out of the oven. If you paint or are just starting, feel free to contact me with questions or just to chat. Sharing from the little bag of painterly knowledge that hangs off my belt is what I like to do. More often than not though, I steer folks to the painters that have large sacks slung over their backs that overflow with precious stones of hard-earned and gleaned wisdom from years of driving brushes through canvas.
These new ones are available here.

Runway 30x12, Water's Edge 12x24

I had a request the other day for a "re-make" of an older painting I had done. They were worried that it wouldn't be an original if it were the same scene as the other.  Well, short of counting brush strokes and trying to copy them precisely, there is really no risk of that. I have made an awful lot of "similar" paintings over the years and each one has its own personality. Sometimes it is difficult to capture the essence of a scene the second time but that's the beauty and the frustration of oil painting as I do it. I paint with wet paint primarily so the serendipitous effect of paint mixing with paint on canvas leaves plenty of surprises even after all these pieces have rolled off the easel.  So, the creativity never wants for inspiration in these gnarled hands and squinty eyes. I will keep hammering at it as long as I have the breath of life and colorful joy keeps coming off the brushes glowing  like burning coal like it was written in my soul from me to you...tangled up in blue.

Trees & Clouds

The winter's lethargy and hubris finally succumbed to the animas' yearning. I ran today, first time in several weeks I've taken to the road.  I didn't quite make the full three-mile loop. Oh yeah, I could have but the fragrance of spring blossoms accenting and accentuating the sun's setting glow on the Santa Catalinas made my feet stop before my heart did.  Well, also I was trying to text as I jogged and my spoken words which referred to the flowers and the bees translated into saying something about the Bee Gees really making a lot of money. (Bees making honey) I'm guessing he got the idea.  If not, my messaged friend will be googling the Bees Gees to see if they're on a reunion tour. These new paintings are for sale here.

Rain Trails, Slice of Moon Slowly Setting, mitigated Sun

Well, the last two (of 4) just graduated. 20 plus years of home-schooling is now over. I told my dad that I was going to sell the house, send my wife to Mexico and travel around the country in an RV. He didn't get the joke. He thought it sounded like a good idea. I have since repeated it in my wife's hearing.  She didn't think the joke was funny. The kids heard it too. They got the joke, thought it was funny and...think it's a good idea! 
I'm sure I could paint on the road. Look for new pieces picturing hapless homeless, forlorn fathers and indigent adventurers.  These latest are for sale here on eBay.

A Nice Walk 24x6, The Long Way 8x

The long and tall of it.  These two newly minted works were not inspired by a recent foray into the great white north.  Three short days in Minnesota saw us driving in blinding snow, slipping through sloughs of  sleet and leaning into horizontal rain.  Eddie and I made a short trip to see his grandpa and we just happened to have to stop by the home of the original Jucy Lucy hamburger.  Eddie ate two and a small mountain of fries. They serve no ice there and, fame aside, had the most remarkably unremarkable hamburgers I've had in at least a fortnight.  Well, the void was filled and at the end of the day I guess that's what matters most.  There was one dramatic photo op that I missed.  A field with a small creek and a few fine-shaped trees has been one of my favorite nondescript locations to describe in paint over the years.  I look for this field every time I'm in MN. and as we passed the area the sun broke through the western horizon just at that magical moment so as to light the little ribbon of glistening snow-melt with golden fire and splashing shards of crystal delight.  I thought maybe I should stop and even mentioned it to my compadre.  "Na, we'll come back this way tomorrow".  Tomorrow never came. Strike while the iron's hot otherwise you might not get another chance at a Jucy Lucy.

River bend 16x8, Windows In Time 8x12

Here's some more fodder for the blogosphere. I'm always changing up my approach to a painting,...  Well, within reason and my small pile of painterly knowledge.  Sometimes I paint on a thinned wash of black and burnt umber, wiping away parts of the painting that will be the negative shapes (like sky and water) and leaving the positive shapes. That's what I did here.  Other times I paint on a ground of burnt umber and let some of it poke through...kind of gives a vibrancy to the image that can be a good effect. Once in a while I will just attack a white primed canvas cold-turkey and throw caution to the wind.  I usually do that on a very large skyscape. I figure the larger and more intimidating the better. I've been toying with the idea of using some new secret techniques that will revolutionize the way I paint and the way we see the world in general. I probably won't let you know too much about it 'cause it is a secret after all and I'd have to go to lethal extremes to protect the hidden, dark arts I plan to employ. Be that as it may, stay tuned and I might just let a bit of it trickle out from time to time.  These are available for sale on eBay here.

The Good Day 6x24

It's funny how just a little change like a unique sized canvas gets me excited about painting.  I'll need to do more of these to keep the juices flowing. Speaking of unique sizes, get a load of this giant egg.  How can a little yard hen put out such a monster? I have yet to crack it open to get at the secret contents but I'm guessing it has three yolks or maybe even an egg within an egg. I know it's not made of gold, already checked that, but the kids were talking about alchemy the other day. I'm still trying to figure out how to turn canvas into gold. I think that won't be discovered til after I'm dead.  Meanwhile, here's another little beauty straight from my heart for your listening pleasure.  It is for sale along with others on the bay...here