Morning in Mesopotamia

This little village in NE Ohio is home to businesses who are either owned by the Amish or others that   fill their needs. 

Big Bend Beauty

I painted this recently from a photo I took a few years ago at Big Bend National Park in Texas. I've been to a lot of places on this big blue ball of dirt and water, but the beauty of this park is like no other. It can be a dangerous, hostile environment if you are not prepared to meet Nature on it's terms. Lots of water, sunblock, a wide-brimmed hat and common sense will let you take in this place and weld it to your soul forever.

Goodbye Port Aransus

I painted a small color sketch of the view from my son's boat where I spent the winter five years ago. A friend of his saw it on this blog and wanted a bigger version of it, 24"w x 30" tall. Port Aransus is on the far eastern end of Mustang Island, just off the coast of Corpus Christi, Tx. 

A fair trade

I traded this painting I did for a friend in exchange for some fine cabinet work. It was done about 80% plain air, 20% studio.

A recycled church

I recycled this painting of a recycled church that is now a local winery. It's a classy place;  God forbid it would have been a dumpy beer joint.

A winning tune-up

I haven't been able to paint outside much this year, so I've cast a critical eye upon some of my works from the last few years. I reworked this farm scene a bit and won best of show at a local competition.

A tribute to Chardin'

I study the paintings of Jean Baptiste' Chardin, a 17th century French painter, to see what makes them tick. I own modern reproductions of many of the props he used, as well as a few original items.