Westchester Work Trucks - watercolor

watercolor, 2014

original available, 11"x15" $200

prints also available

      I drive by this old gas station converted into a detailing shop once in a while. They always have a handful of trucks parked in a near-swampy field next door, some of which are for sale. I finally saw this arrangement that made me grab my camera to get a reference photo. I got a few other shots from different perspectives, close-ups, etc. So, you'll probably see one or two more paintings of these trucks. This is the same place where I found the 1950 Kaiser I've painted several times (50 Kaiser #1 and 50 Kaiser #3). Obviously, there's a 50 Kaiser #2 also that I haven't posted here yet.

Salem Christmas - watercolor

watercolor, 2014

original available, 11"x14" $150

prints also available

      Merry Christmas to all! This is another one from a recent trip to Old Salem just after they decorated back in early November. I usually don't do holiday-themed art. But, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to find some reference material. Unfortunately, this was the only Christmas-themed image I found. It'll have to do in a very Moravian-like understated sort of way.

48 Olds Futuramic - watercolor+ink

mixed, 2014

original available, 9"x12" $75

prints also available

Salem Leaves - watercolor

watercolor, 2014

original available, 9"x12" $200

prints also available

      This might just be my favorite from the recent Old Salem trip. Adding a figure to landscapes and urban scenes has been on my radar for a while now. I just haven't found the right scene. And, then I just walked by this guy raking one Saturday in November while strolling through Old Salem. The stars aligned and the angels sang.

Rome - watercolor

watercolor, 2014

original available, 9"x12" $50

     A VERY loose interpretation of a scene from Google Maps Street View of Rome for Virtual Paintout. Parts of this turned out exactly the way I wanted them to; others not so much. Overall, it's a reasonable attempt that gives the feel of a quick plein air sketch -- kinda, sorta what Virtual Paintout's all about.

Spare - watercolor

watercolor, 2014

original available, 11"x15" $175

prints also available

      I was drawn to this because of the abstract color-field look of it.

Robot - watercolor+ink

mixed, 2014

original available, 5"x7" $45

prints and gifts also available

Samantha In The Sun - watercolor

watercolor, 2013

original available, 12"x16" $200

prints also available

Tractor #2 - gouache

gouache, 2014

original available, 8"x10" $125

Angie #30 - graphite

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Old Salem Tavern - watercolor

watercolor, 2014

original available, 9"x12" $150

prints also available

      From a recent trip to the historic Old Salem, a Moravian settlement/town that eventually became Winston-Salem, NC.

Oak Island - watercolor

watercolor, 2013

original available, 9"x14" $150

prints also available

Wallburg Barn - watercolor

watercolor, 2014

original available, 9"x12" $125

prints also available

      A small barn or shack I found just a few feet off the road in the Wallburg area.

50 Kaiser #1 - watercolor

watercolor, 2008

original available, 9"x12" $125

prints also available

      This old Kaiser was for sale at a local gas station several years ago. I had to stop by and get a few reference shots. As rough as it looked with multiple flat tires and rust everywhere and an asking price of $1,250, it didn't sit there long.

Caitlin #7 - watercolor+ink

watercolor & ink, 2013

      A quick ink and watercolor sketch I did of my daughter last year.

Lexington 55 #4 - watercolor+ink

mixed, 2014

original available, 9"x12" $125

prints and gifts also available

      Ink and watercolor is one of my favorite media combinations.

Luxembourg #1 - watercolor

watercolor, 2014

original available, 9"x12" $125

prints also available

      Virtual Paintout is in Luxembourg this month and I'm becoming more satisfied with my landscapes. Below is a view of the same bridge from the other side.

whiskey painting, 2014

original available, 4"x5" $35
prints also available

      A whiskey painting is done with traditional watercolors, except whiskey or some other alcohol is used instead of watercolor. They also must be no larger than 4"x5". This one was done with Glen Fiddich.
      Yes, this is a thing. I was unaware of it until last week. But there is a Whiskey Painters Association that has been in existence for 50 years or so. I'll probably never join since you have to know and be nominated by an existing member. It's still a fun little time-killer.

Church Door - watercolor

watercolor, 2014

original available, 9"x12" $175

prints also available

Lexington 55 #3 - watercolor

watercolor, 2014

original available, 11"x14" $200

prints also available

Malcolm the Mouth - watercolor

Happy Halloween!

watercolor, 2011

original available, 8"x10" $100

prints also available

Back Yard Ford - watercolor

watercolor, 2014

original available, 11"x15" $275

prints also available

Beach House - watercolor

watercolor, 2014

original available, 9"x12" $100

prints also available

Briles House - watercolor

watercolor, 2014

original available, 11"x15" $175

prints also available

     The Briles House is an older home of one of the movers and shakers of High Point NC from a period when they had large homes right on Main Street just outside of the bustling downtown area, i.e just after the turn of the 20th century. It now houses the Junior League. One of my wife's favorites -- the house, not the Jr. League.

     Staying loose, I'm fairly happy with the house itself. The tree and sky are a different matter entirely.

Morris In The Shed - watercolor

watercolor, 2014

original available, 11"x14" $200

prints also available

     I really like this one. It allowed me to combine a car, rust, architecture, nature, realism and looser, more expressive painting (a little).

Mr. Ed's - watercolor

watercolor, 2014

original available, 11"x14" $200

prints also available

     Loose and sketchy, this one originally was painted as a half-sheet (15"x22"). But I wasn't happy with the upper half. I was much happier with the crop and this should work nicely in an 11"x14" mat.

Ross Castle With Open Gate - watercolor

watercolor, 2014

original available, 9"x12" $100

prints also available

     Another one for this month's Virtual Paintout. That's four so far and they only accept three per month. I'm just doing them for the fun and practice now. I really like this one. I might actually be getting somewhere with landscapes.

The Little Bridge - watercolor

watercolor, 2014

original available, 9"x12" $125

prints also available

Another one from County Kerry, Ireland for Virtual Paintout. The name of the pub, An Droicead Beag, is The Little Bridge in English.

Banner Elk - watercolor

watercolor, 2014

original available, 8"x10" $100

prints also available

     This one is painted from a photo I shot at the Banner Elk Winery here in North Carolina several years ago, so long ago, in fact, that it was shot on film. I shot several photos while we were there with an eye toward painting them later. This is the first -- and will probably be the only -- one I've actually painted. I hit it loose and more suggestively. I'm trying to move away from being a camera myself  - at least sometimes.

Winter Farm - watercolor

watercolor, 2014

original available, 8"x10" $75

prints also available

     An old farm in Guilford County, NC slowly being surrounded and crowded by development and modernity. It faces a medical and office complex that's less than five years old just across the road. Fifty yards to the right of this view is a busy four-lane highway. Thousands of people rush by every day never knowing the peace and simplicity that's just out of sight.

Coumenoole - watercolor

watercolor, 2014

original available, approx. 8"x10" $125

prints also available

     Virtual Paintout is in County Kerry, Ireland this month -- just as I've begun studying James Fletcher-Watson's landscapes. Is that synchronicity - or something? Normally, I struggle to find one image that really speaks to me in VP's locations. This month I found so many I had to stop myself. I've had to whittle down from 12, and I'll probably do more than these two. Anyway, this (above) is the beach at Coumenoole on the Dingle Peninsula. 
     The one below is the Rattoo Round Tower. I found several good views of this gem and probably will do one or two more.

watercolor & ink, 2014

original available, 6"x9" $50

Lexington 55 #2 - watercolor

watercolor, 2014

original available, 12"x16" $250

prints also available

Shoe Repair - watercolor

watercolor, 2014

original available, 11"x15" $200

prints also available

A scene in downtown Salisbury, NC I drive by every time I go through to my daughter's school.

Lexington 55 #1 - gouache

gouache, 2014

original available, 8"x10" $150

prints also available

This is rusty beauty doesn't appear to have moved since 1993-94, the last year it had a state inspection. I see it parked in a small lot just off the highway every time I drive to Salisbury to visit, pick up, or deliver my daughter to college. After passing it for more than two years I finally stopped and shot some reference photos. This is only the first of many paintings I expect to get out of this one.

The Brother - charcoal

charcoal, 2014

original available, 8"x10" $100

prints and gifts also available

Classic Horror #8

I'm not sure about this one. It might be re-done. I'm not very happy with Johnny's eyes. Maybe it's just me. Some pieces have to grow on me.

67 Firebird #2 - gouache

gouache, 2014

original available, 8"x10" $125

prints also available

From a photo I shot at a car show in Spencer, NC in May.

The Son - charcoal

charcoal, 2014

original available, 8"x10" $100

prints and gifts also available

Classic Horror #7

After more than 30 years of charcoal I actually learned something new on this one - shading with a kneaded eraser. I don't mean selectively erasing; of course, that's the main function of a kneaded eraser. But, I found that I can lightly rub the eraser over areas of charcoal shading like that on the nose above and lighten the intensity of the charcoal without changing its texture nearly as much as would a tortillon, chamois or finger. Cool!

Gothenburg - watercolor + ink

mixed, 2014

original available, 9"x12" on handmade paper $100

This is a sketch for this month's Virtual Paintout blog. I thought I'd try something loose and wet this time. I added a touch of ink in to define some lines.

Door Knob - gouache

gouache, 2014

original available, 5"x7" $75

prints also available

The Lover - charcoal

charcoal, 2014

original available, 8"x10" $100

prints and gifts also available

Classic Horror #6

60 Chevy - gouache

gouache, 2014

original available, 8"x10" $150

prints also available

The Creature - charcoal

charcoal, 2014

original available, 8"x10" $100

prints also available

Number 5 in my Classic Horror series.

Tractor #3 - gouache

gouache, 2014

original available, 7"x10" $75

prints also available

The Animal - charcoal

charcoal, 2014

original available, 8"x10" $100

prints also available

#4 in the Classic Horror series

71 Monte Carlo SS - watercolor+ink

mixed, 2014

original available, 9"x12" $150

prints and gifts also available

The Monster - charcoal

charcoal, 2014

original available, 8"x10" $100

prints and gifts also available

Classic Horror Number Three

Red White & Bling - acrylics + ink

mixed, 2014

original available, 11"x14" $125

print and gifts also available

Just a quickie pop-art idea I had. I'll probably squeeze a few more of these out between larger pieces.

The Count - charcoal

charcoal, 2014

original available, 8"x10" $100

prints and gifts available

Number two in my classic horror series.

63 Corvette - gouache

gouache, 2014

original available, 5"x7" $75

prints also available