Blocks

Many years ago I did a corporate commission for a company that produced nutritional products for children. I had four subjects to represent and one of them was "learning". I did a version of some of these blocks for that painting. I had such fun doing them that I did a few more for the gallery's. I've been going through a sort of nostalgic period lately so I decided to return to the blocks one more time. 

Bricks & Bones

 

Bricks & Bones  |  16 x 16  |  Oil on panel

I'm not sure what it says, but names can never hurt me.

57

 

57  |  16 x 16  |  Oil on panel

Around twenty years ago Karen and I were having lunch at the OK Cafe. A retro diner styled        restaurant near Buckhead. It was one of our favorite places to eat. I guess because of the theme they used the old glass Heinz ketchup bottles. This, of course, reminded me of the artist Ralph Goings which got me thinking of painting a ketchup bottle. I asked our waitress if by chance they had any empty bottles that hadn't been thrown out yet. She was really sweet and went in the back to check. A little while later she returned with two empty bottles. She had even rinsed them out and never asked what I wanted them for. I've gotten a lot of mileage from these two bottles over the years. 

Six Pack

Six Pack  |  16 x 16  |  Oil on pan

I've been feeling kind of nostalgic lately, so I decided to do a painting of some Coke bottles again. It's a simple composition, but I really like it. That red, black and white thing is very appealing to me. So much so that I think I'm going to continue that "look" with my next piece.

Manhattan Transport

Manhattan Transport  |  24 x 24  |  Oil on panel

This panel went through two iterations prior to this composition, but the panel rejected both of those. In the end it accepted the Vespa. It took a while to complete, but was worth it. Already got a start on the next piece. Much smaller, much less complicated, but perty.

Work In Progress: Manhattan Transport

Manhattan Transport WIP |  24 x 24  Oil on panel

I haven't put up a work in progress post in quiet a while and since this painting is going to take a while I figured it would be a good candidate. Karen and I came across this Vespa parked in a small nook between two clothing stores in Manhattan (SoHo I think). I've been hanging on to this photo for a number of years, and finally decided to pull the trigger. Just blocking in the background so far, with a little chrome and the tail light. Should get into the meat of this project today. This panel was originally to be used for another airplane, but about a quarter of the way into it I realized this was a total failure, so I sanded it off and replaced it with this. I think I made the right decision.

Turning the Big Seven O

 

I can't believe it's been twenty years since I turned the Big Five O!