#6 Geronimo- Apache

10 x 8 oil on canvas panel

I decided the best way to end this series was to paint the most infamous Native Amierican of all--Geronimo.  It is from a photograph Edward S. Curtis took in 1905, 4 years before Geronimo's death.  He was a ferocious Apache warrior who did all he could to fend off the encroaching settlement of land by outsiders.  Eventually, he succumed and surrendered.  Late in life he was reduced to travelling around to fairs making what he could off of his celebrity status.

Footbridge at Double Trouble

8 x 10 oil on canvas panel

Took a break from the Native American series to work out this little landscape.  Not far from where we live you'll find a serene place called Double Trouble State Park.  Deep inside the woods you'll come across this wonderful footbridge that makes its way over a gently flowing river.  The sound of the water and the glow of the sun will put you into a calm trance that will capture you and not let you leave the forest...ever.

#5 Eagle Elk-Ogalala (Sioux)

10 x 8 oil on canvas panel

Eagle Elk was a warrior and hunter from the Ogalala tribe, a division of the Sioux, originating from Bad River in the South Dakota region.  He was a cousin to Crazy Horse.

# 4 Apsaroke Mother

10 x 8 oil on canvas panel

Behind every great Native American there is a great Native American woman; and behind every great Native American woman is the next generation.  The Apsaroke tribe was a matrelinear culture whose generations were traced through the mother's side.  It was also traditional upon marriage for the man to move in with his wife and mother-in-law.  They were a northern plains tribe that eventually settled in the Montana region.

Assiniboin Man

10 x 8 oil on canvas panel

Here is the third painting in the series; a man whose name we do not know.  He was from the Assiniboin tribe that was located in Montana and southern parts of Canada.  This tribe was known for its hunting prowess and fur trading.

New Chest-Piegan (Blackfoot)

10 x 8 oil on canvas panel

This is my second painting in the series of Native Americans based on the photographs of Edward S. Curtis.  This striking figure had the interesting name of New Chest and was part of the Piegan Nation (Blackfoot) in the Montana region.

Three Eagles-Nez Perce

10 x 8 oil on canvas panel



I came across the awesome work of Edward S. Curtis who photographed thousands of Native Americans in the late 1800's and early 1900's.  He wanted to capture a vanishing race.  His work, I believe, stands as the best of his time in capturing the soul of the people who lived on this land for centuries. 

So this is the first in a series of paintings I'm doing to honor Curtis as well as the people he photographed.  It's an old Nez Perce cheif named Three Eagles.

The Barn

11 x 14 oil on canvas

This is the barn at my parents house in Virginia.  I painted it for my brother Marc who loves spending time there.

Mountain T.O.P.

11 x 14 oil on canvas

This is a scene from Mountain T.O.P. Ministries, located in the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee.  I painted it for my sister Sonja who ministers there on a regular basis.

Marc

16 x 20 oil on canvas

A painting of my brother for my parents.  He is sitting at the top of the hill looking down over their house in Virginia.

Geronimo

16 x 20 oil on canvas

Knowing their love for the Native American I painted this for my son Matt and his girlfriend Kirby.

A Mother's Embrace

11 x 14 oil on canvas

Recognizing her love for our children I painted this picture of Joan with our daughter Anna.

Psalm 8

11 x 14 oil on canvas

Imagining when David composed Psalm 8, I painted this for my daughter Anna.

Boo's Tree

11 x 14 oil on canvas

Inspired by To Kill a Mockingbird this was painted for my daughter Rebecca.

Future Flute

Papilio Polyxenes - Black Swallowtail

Had to post some of the Creator's artwork.  Saw these guys hanging on the parsely plants today.  In the very near future they will be beautiful Black Swallowtail butterflies.  Amazing!

Double Trouble Woods

11 x 14 oil on canvas

Finally got around to finishing this painting today. Had to take a long break from painting because of other activities. After some advice from Dean Thomas I changed the composition slightly, adding some curve to the path. I love the woods and the mysteries held within it. I want to go further down the path and disappear into embrace of the forest. Who knows what is to be found in there.

Work in Progress

This work in progress is an oil of a path in the woods in the nearby Double Trouble State Park. Just a few more details to go and it should be done.

Picking Cranberries

9 x 12 oil

And so here it is; my first oil in ages was completed tonight. What an adjustment from watercolor. It all seemed to go much faster. I'm fairly happy with it. Hopefully, it dries quickly so I can get it framed and shipped to Mom by next Tuesday for her 84th birthday.

Progress

Day 2 of my adventure into oil painting. It's a work in progress called "Picking Cranberries".

Oil!

Decided to let my freak flag fly today. After painting in only watercolors for the past 3 years I went out today and bought some oil paints and a canvas. For the first time since around 1983 I'm grooving on the smell of linseed oil. Very satisfying.

First oil painting; work in progress

Christmas 2009

Here is the series of Christmas gifts I did this year. I hope you like them!

Neil Young

7" x 5" watercolor

Painted for Matt.

Boots Over Cleopatra

7" x 5" watercolor

Painted for Anna.

Pointe Shoes

7" x 5" watercolor

Painted for Rebecca.

Hankie

5" x 7" watercolor

Painted for Kirby.

Music Together

5" x 7" watercolor

Painted for Joan.

Christina's Plow

10-1/2" x 13-1/2" Watercolor

Just finished a tribute painting to my favorite artist Andrew Wyeth. It's based upon Wyeth's "Christina's World" along with inspiration by a photograph by Stephen Baird.

If You'e Going to San Fransisco...

9-1/2 x 7-1/2 Watercolor

If you're going to San Francisco

Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair

If you're going to San Francisco

You're gonna meet some gentle people there

Scott McKenzie

First reaction: This challenge from Karin Jurick at DSFDF is going to kick my butt.

Next thought: This is the kind of subject that John Salminen masters and I happen to really like his work.

Finally: As the painting came near to being finished I remembered that song from way back when about San Fransisco and it put me in a good mood.

Neighborhood Watch

12 x 7-1/2 Watercolor

This is my first time taking on Karin Jurick's challenge at DSFDF. I took her advice and did some sketching of the figure before starting the actual painting which helped in getting the figure right. I tried to focus on his weight as it settles into the chair.