Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Listening to Your Inner Voice


Fragile Worlds ~ 18x9 oil on aluminum 

At times over the years I have struggled with the meaning behind what I do. I look around society and see doctors, teachers, paramedics, therapists, soldiers and so many many occupations that serve a definite purpose, a greater good. I have questioned the validity of art and what good does it actually do...is it even necessary? I imagine I am not alone in having these thoughts....other artists must at times also wrestle with this notion of worthwhile-ness. Often we are marginalized in society, misunderstood or stereotyped to the extreme. None of that bothers me, but what is important to me and one of my main goals is to make an impact with my art.

Not long ago I voiced this out loud to a non-artist who happens to have several of my paintings hanging in his home. He was alarmed that I would think this way and adamantly proclaimed how important and meaningful it was for him to come home and see my art each day. It makes him feel better about life. Because of this I no longer question my art. I HAVE TO create...I have no choice it is so strongly rooted within me....therefore it is convenient that I can cut that demon loose!

So that brings me to the current direction in my work. During my 30 years of oil painting I have painted and studied many genres: still life, figurative, landscape, animal. It is the last one that truly resonates for me and the past several years I have devoted myself wholly to the representation of animals, most often wildlife. As a mature individual I know that this love of all creatures is deeply rooted and cannot be denied. I have endeavored to create images of animals not as beasts, but as living, loving, intellegent beings with a full spectrum of emotions.


Polarized ~ 16x12 oil on aluminum 

I am also a person who tries to be apolitical, to keep a distance between myself and the hotbed of controversy that surrounds the politcal world. But with the continuing environmental roll backs it is becoming more and more difficult for me to sit on my hands/wear a blindfold/keep the muzzle on my mouth. I began to have visions of paintings, statements voicing the helplessness I feel for nature and her denizens. Ironic and sometimes playful images of my view of how the world is changing in a not so positive direction. A voice for the voiceless in the form of color, texture and shape. In the pictorial form of narrative and the many stories to be conjured from a single painting.

I have listened to myself respectfully and responded accordingly. Currently I am creating a body of work to represent these thoughts and emotions. Juxtaposing creatures preposterously with humans or with each other in scenes that may evoke whimsy or wisdom, deep thought or dimples of delight. Viewers choice!! Heck! You most likely will discover a notion or message that never occurred to me! No matter your response my goal is to elicit one....and hopefully...make an impact.


Stacked in Their Favor ~ 12x10 oil on aluminum 


Tuesday, December 12, 2017

DAILY PAINTING 12/12 ~ HOLIDAY MINI SALE

TODAY'S OFFERING:



"Stolen Kisses"  ~  5x7 oil on aluminum  ~  $130

Pass the mistletoe! 
These two horses are frisky and fun sharing a moment of equine closeness that I couldn't help but interpret in a human way. Horse folk and lovers will appreciate the cheekiness of this little painting! 
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Monday, December 11, 2017

DAILY PAINTING 12/11 ~ HOLIDAY MINI SALE

TODAY'S OFFERING:




​​"STARING CONTEST" ~ 6"x6" oil on aluminum ~ $150
The Bengal Tiger is one of those creatures that both fascinates and strikes terror in your heart. We want to think its just an overgrown kitty cat since so many of its movements and antics strike a familiar chord. But the power rippling behind its twitchy whiskers is daunting and to be respected! I had first hand exerience with a tiger just like this. A good friend was once an animal trainer and owned many exotics including a Bengal. One winter we ventured into the nearby Cascades mountains so that the tiger could frolic in the snow. 
That was an experience I will never forget! 
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Tuck this under your tree for someone special this holiday! 

Saturday, December 9, 2017

DAILY PAINTING 12/9 ~ HOLIDAY MINI SALE

TODAY'S OFFERING:



​"WADING" ~ 3"x5" oil on aluminum with frame ~ $90
One of our most majestic beasts and the iconic symbol of the West is the Bison. In 2016 the Bison was designated the National mammal and along with the Bald Eagle it's an American symbol and shares a great conservation success story. I got a kick out of painting such a wee small painting of such a grand creature. This one comes fully framed and ready to hang or sit in a tableau.   
 *outside measurement of burl wood frame is 6"x8"

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Friday, December 8, 2017

DAILY PAINTING 12-8 ~ HOLIDAY MINI SALE

Today's Offering:



"The BackUp Singers"  ~  5"x8" oil on aluminum ~ $150

There's a lot of energy in this piece! I didn't have a title for these battling grizzlies until I finished. The longer I looked the more I saw these guys as backup singers. If you've followed me for long you know that I prefer unusual titles and this would qualify. I also wanted to use atypical colors for a wildlife painting as an experiment. 
​A great gift to the musical person in your life! 

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Thursday, December 7, 2017

DAILY PAINTING 12/7 ~ HOLIDAY MINI SALE

TODAY'S OFFERING:


"BOB ON HIGH" ~ 5"x8" ~ oil on aluminum ~ $150
The Bobcat is the wild animal I grew up with. I would stroke its soft fur, stick my finger in its mouth and stare into it's glassy eyes. This particular bobcat had attacked my dad in his youth and he had to shoot it; so you see it was a taxidermed bobcat. Being an animal lover himself it pained Dad to do so, but he figured it was ill or rabid to behave so. My 4 sibs and I have a few stories and memories that revolve around him, but I think of my dad the most when I recall the Bobcat that lived in our basement.
 CLICK HERE to purchase or view other offers on my website

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

DAILY PAINTING 12/6 ~ HOLIDAY MINI SALE

TODAY'S OFFERING:


"HIGH AND LOW" ~ 6"x6" oil on aluminum ~ $130
I always say that everything in life is about perspective and how you look at things. These 2 cows exemplify this; one has the high view and the other the lower one. Are they seeing things the same or differently? This little gem is a perfect gift for the person who has the ability to see all angles.


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