Clowning Around

 

Clowning Around

24" x 12"   oil on panel

The J. Chein Company began in a New York City loft in 1903. They made small tin prizes for Cracker Jack's and other small toys for five and dime stores. They also built their reputation for larger tin toys and tin banks that are now sought out by toy collectors, myself included.

This painting features a 1950's J. Chein Tin Hoppy Clown. He is a wind-up clown that hops and moves back and forth on his hands. This version can also be found with silver or yellow hands. Another color combination of a purple and green body can be found.

I spent a while searching out this clown, until I was able to acquire this one. He is marvelous. I love his graphics and couldn't wait to paint his stripes and star vest. I love the balance of his red stripes and red hands. When I set up this painting, I wanted all the focus and attention on him.  I also wanted to show the playful tension of him trying to balance on top of the blocks. 

I look forward to exploring other paintings with him.

detail

Clowning Around 

available at

Principle Gallery

Alexandria, VA

Pea Escaped the Pod

 

Pea Escaped the Pod

9" x 16"    oil on linen 

Marbles marbles marbles. My love of marbles continues to  grow. I love so many things about them. I love their colors, their swirls, their different sizes. I love how they feel when you are holding a handful of them. The sounds they makes when they roll around in your hand. How they start out cold, then warm up as you hold them. 

My creative side goes crazy when I see  light bounce off of them and through them. Each one having their own unique look. The reflections they cast in their shadows also fascinates me. I can't wait to set them up, stage them, and light them. 

Then. . . . paint them. 

Holding the marbles in the painting.

Pea Escaped the Pod

available at

Principle Gallery 
Alexandria, VA

Opening night Principle Gallery, Spring Still Life Show

 

 opening night

Principle Gallery

Spring Still Life Show

Alexandria, VA

April 15, 2011

I was able to go to opening night and so glad I did. I was so happy to view all the wonderful artwork in the show. I had a grand time seeing friends, meeting new friends, and have come home very inspired.

Participating artists include:   Michael Arcieri, Jeff Ashcroft,  Dan Brown, Jeff Faust, (me)Teresa N. Fischer,  Douglas Fryer, Greg Gandy, Richard Hall, Tanya Harsh, Karen Hollingsworth, Dana Levin, Yingzhao Liu, Jeremy Mann, Randall Mooers,  Richard Murdock, Larry Preston, Terry Strickland, Julie Tsang, and Christopher Ward. 

Link to the show:  Spring Still Life Show, Principle Gallery

Realism: Mason Murer Fine Art show opening update

photo taken by Neil Hollingsworth

Friday, April 8th was the opening of 

Realism at Mason Murer Fine Art in Atlanta, GA.

I was unable to attend the opening, but thanks to fellow exhibiting artist Neil Hollingsworth, Neil Hollingsworth I have a wonderful photo to share from the show. If you are in the Atlanta area, please visit Mason Murer Fine Art. An incredible show of realism that I am honored to be a part of.

Mason Murer Fine Art

The two paintings I have in the show are Fly-O and The Roost.

Fly-O

16" x 12"    oil on linen

sold

The Roost

12" x 24"   oil on linen
sold

Jury's Top 50 Award, Salon International 2011

Rocket Chalk

was chosen

Jury's Top 50

Salon International 2011

Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX

 I was able to go to opening weekend of Salon International, at Greenhouse Gallery in San Antonio, Texas. I am so happy I did. It was exciting for me to see my painting hanging in the company of all the spectacular artwork in the show. I met so many wonderful people, and got to meet Daniel E. Greene. I participated in his critique sessions on Saturday. We all learned so much listening to him talk about everyone's paintings who participated. I also thoroughly enjoyed exploring downtown San Antonio. Greenhouse Gallery in such a beautiful gallery. If you ever get a chance to visit them in person, you will not be disappointed. 

I am very thrilled Rocket Chalk earned the Jury's Top 50 Award.

Here is a link to see all the award winners from the show:

Salon International

A link to Daniel E. Greene's website:

Daniel E. Greene

Principle Gallery , Spring Still Life Invitational

Uphill Climb

16" x 12"

oil on linen
sold

I have been invited to participate in the

Spring Still Life Invitational at 

Principle Gallery in Alexandria, VA

Opening April 15th, 2011
Principle Gallery

I am proud to have Uphill Climb and The Swan

showing there.

detail of Uphill Climb

The Swan

20" x 16"

oil on linen
sold

I came across this bar of Swan soap at a antique market and fell in love with the graphics. The seller had it wrapped in plastic to protect it. When I unwrapped it , it smelled just like Ivory soap which I grew up with. I found it's history interesting. 

Here is what Wikipedia had to say about it:

Swan was a brand of soap marketed by the Lever Brothers Company in the 1940s and 1950s. Like its competitor Ivory, it was a floating soap. Swan was advertised as a soap that could be used in the kitchen as a hand soap or in the bathroom to bathe the baby. A typical ad boasted that Swan was "the white floating soap that's purer than the finest castiles".

The International Guild of Realism

I am very proud to announce my acceptance into the

International Guild of Realism.

Their mission is to advance realism in fine art and to promote the careers of representational artists. It is a group with high standards of professionalism. Not only do they provide opportunities for exhibition, but they also provide marketing support and career guidance. They are a group of superb artists that  I am very honored to now be part of.

They have chosen Rocket Chalk to be the painting to represent me on their website.

International Guild of Realism