Benny and the Jets

Benny and the Jets

Oil on black canvas, 40x40

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These striped cows are Belted Galloways, a breed that's native to southwest Scotland, where the temperatures are often brutal, and the landscape often rugged and not very fertile. The original Galloways were all black; the banded ones are a genetic mutation which got its own herd book (I'm guessing this is something of a pedigree) in 1928. Belted Galloways are gentle creatures, naturally polled (no horns) and gifted at surviving on what's euphemistically called "rough forage." They also have lots of calves and the beef is supposedly very good. 

I just like the way they look, with their white stripe and big black heads. They're sometimes called "Oreo Cows." 

At a show, someone mentioned that there are strict rules for naming Belted Galloways, and the rules were fascinating, but I can't remember them, and can't find them on the internet. Do you know the rules? Please let me know if you do! 

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Man of the Day

Today, my wonderful, smart, funny, loving, kind, generous and gentle husband turns 70. It seems impossible, he looks so young, and is so young in spirit. Who knew when we met, so many years ago, that we'd have the life, the love and the adventures that we've had? And who knows what awaits us?  Happy birthday, Peter! 

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Dog of the Day

It's Molly, the cat who lives at the post office. Our postmistress, Jackie, is part of a small group of women who have addressed themselves to the issue of feral cats in Wachapreague. They capture them, get them spayed and vaccinated, and gently find homes for them. Jackie has gotten a small, covered carrier for Molly, and it sits on the porch of the post office. Molly enjoys greeting people, and being petted, but she hates being picked up. 

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A Final Thought

"The hardest part of artmaking is living your life in such a way that your work gets done, over and over - and that means, among other things, finding a host of practices that are just plain useful. A piece of art is the surface expression of a life lived within productive patterns."

- David Bayles and Ted Ormand

"Art & Fear / Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking

Chaim and Vincent

Before I mention one word about these paintings, I want to rejoice for a moment about the millions of women and men in the U.S. and around the world who marched on Saturday to show their hearts, their courage, their respect, their hope.

I stay away from politics in this blog, and I am still staying away. But I won't stay away from my belief in human rights, in an America that respects and honors people of all religions and all points on the gender spectrum. I won't stay away from demanding to be on an equal footing with my male peers. I won't stay away from believing that we all deserve to be heard.

No matter what their politics, I know that the men and women who gathered in cities around in our country on Saturday believe in these basic tenets, and that the people who gathered around the world to march look to America to lead, always, in fairness and equality and democracy.

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NOW, ABOUT THESE paintings.

I wanted to paint some faces, but not necessarily faces of people I know. I wanted to try to abstract them, to not worry too much about replication or photographic exactitude. I find it hard to avoid these feelings when I'm painting people I know.

So I decided to paint some long-dead artists, and I started with two of my favorites. To the left is Chaim Soutine, and to the right, Vincent Van Gogh.

Each painting is 6x12. What do you think of them? And what do you think a fair price would be? You won't hurt my feelings.

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I SAW THIS donut-covered building in Chattanooga last year, and it delighted me. Isn't it fun? Chattanooga is a terrific city, and I'm sad that I didn't get into the 4 Bridges show there this year. I've done well the two times I've gotten in, and I enjoyed the show both times. Next year, I believe I will be in Alaska during the show, but you never know. 

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Dog of the Day

Gotta love a face like this one! I saw him at the State College art festival last summer. 

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A Final Thought

"When you are lazy, your art is lazy; when you hold back, it holds back; when you hesitate, it stands there staring, hands in its pockets. But when you commit, it comes on like blazes." 

- David Bayles and Ted Orland

"Art & Fear / Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking"

Seven Palms

Seven Palms

Oil on canvas, 18x36

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After a few miserable shows in Florida a few years ago, I'm going back in late January for a show in Englewood. It's put on by an artist, and I was invited, so it feels different, and it seems to have a positive potential. So I thought it would be a good idea to make some Florida-ish paintings. This was my first, and I have to admit, I really love it! Of course, there is my delight with the color pink. Palm trees are fun to paint, and I had a ball with this one. The small pictures are details from the big piece - but I'm going to paint a couple small ones just like these, soon.

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Ha! There's some kid's song that has this town name in it, and I laughed out loud - and sang the song about a zillion times - when I saw it.  I tried to upload an audio clip of me singing it, but I couldn't figure out how to do it! 

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Dog of the Day

Here's Vinnie, just chillin'...

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A Final Thought

"He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist." 

- Francis of Assisi