Happy New Year!

 

2024 was a challenging year for both Karen and myself, but it closed out with both of us actually doing really good. I've got my new eyes and hope to break the five paintings a year trend in 2025. As always, thanks to all of you who follow my work. I really appreciate your "likes" and comments. Happy New Year to you all.

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!