Pile of Humor

Food for Survival

"Fruit Tree Weathers a Storm"

Simple Design

"Pearl Bouquet"

For those who crave insight.
(sold)

Speedy Recovery

This speeding recovery cocoon is for all hurting people, 

especially those with 9 days or longer of constant pain.

(It's called "Speed Boats" because I couldn't help but acknowledge 

the clouds that also seem to be speeding away.)

(sold)

The Choreographer

Dancing to the Music.

Gift from a Chicken

"Wishbone Bouquet"

Subtle Influences

Paddle to Wonderment

Yesterday a photographer happened by when I was working, noting that I painted in the doorway of my studio. She took a few back shots of me and moved on. Later, when I was drawing inside at my work table, she wandered by again. We discussed the fact that when I worked in the doorway pint-sized critics enjoyed stopping to see what I was doing and to make comments. She asked if these people influenced my work. Above is the drawing that I was creating as she talked and took photos of the interior of the studio. When she asked if I was influenced I had just begun to draw the hand, the rounded forms above already in place. I laughed and said, "Of course. I'm influenced by everything. Life!"

Hopeful Symbol Borrowed from the Greeks

"Revelation"

I have been asked to place images in an art catalogue designed around the theme of the aftermath of 9/11: How has one's art been influenced in the ten years following this horrendous event?

My daughter had just entered 6th grade when the Twin Towers came down. "Revelation" was painted in 2008, the last year of my daughter's youth. At the time of this painting I was designing a set for the high school's theatrical performance of "West Side Story" and could relate profoundly to the message of bleakness and helpless despair for the future of the world's youth.

The Greeks used the triangle, mounted on the tops of their great buildings, to symbolize hope. Here I have placed this same symbol within the nest of our grieving country.

The Fool's Bouquet

Wake Up Call

Every now and then we get a bit of a shock.
I recently caught a chicken bug.
World be warned: chicken bugs and mankind to not mix well.
Itty bitty chicken bugs like to live in itty bitty drops of chicken juice.
Even the tiniest drop is an attack jet for the little critters.

One of those dive bombers hit me hard and fast.
I did mighty battle with the tiny bug and learned this:
Illness and stress don't mix.
Bugs love stress! They are fortified by stress!
Party time in De Stress Lounge!

Doctor's orders: Lose the stress!
So that is what I've been up to.
Learning how to lose stress.
I'm learning all about vitamins and breathing.
Beats not breathing.

It seems to be working.
For one, I'm not worried about how the painting I've been working on will turn out.
I already have a bunch of pint-sized critics telling me it is "way cool!"
So what that they think the nun is a walrus...
Maybe nuns do look like walruses!
I'm supposed to make friends with my inner child.
Seems like I am on track...

Sweet Family

A tribute drawing to the enduring quality

of familial love during stressful times.

This references a family of friends

just as much as that of blood relatives.

The bond of caring for others

while one is in pain oneself

is immensely strengthening.

(Sold)

Seeing Bliss in Simplicity

Holiday at the Beach

A few of my early ancestors landed in America in 1712 and founded, with others, a town called Paradise in Pennsylvania. They lived in log houses with straw roofs.

As a child I lived in a tiny country cabin (5 people, one bedroom), and I called my home "paradise" as well. It helped that nature surrounded us on almost all sides. We rarely played in doors, except to draw.

Then I grew up and I now see that others feel my old home is paradise... a holiday paradise. These people rent the cabin for a weekend and come back year after year. It feels good to think of all the children who are looking at the knotholes on the wood walls of my old bedroom and maybe seeing the fairies and goblins that I saw as a child. I wonder if the crayon markings are still on the walls...

The holiday scene above depicts the nearby town where I went to high school.

When in Doubt Go...

Fish Dreaming

Painting can be a very heavy, heady work experience, full of endless puzzles to solve and errors to find hidden treasure within. In other words, it can be exhausting.

Drawing cartoons, on the other hand, releases tension. Anyone want to go fishin'?

Use Inner Illusions/Allusions to Fire Your Art

I started this drawing from the bottom, up, 

not knowing what would happen until there it was,

dangling limbs and all. 

God, is this ever fun.

I highly recommend this kind of relaxed exploration

in visual art or whatever field you enjoy:

Cooking, Sewing, Hiking, Birding, Singing, etc.

Search for the surprise within your innermost creative spirit.

There's lightness in this depth.

A Moment's Notice

(click to enlarge)

(There will be dancin' in the streets.)