light-up art

"Fishing Around" is the name of this art.  The idea is very metaphysical; exploring the universe and it's energies.

This art is made of three layers of painted masonite board.  Between the raised layers is a string of lights, which in effect, backlight the art between the layers.  In daylight it is bold and graphic. In the dark it's ambient light becomes etherial and dream-like.

I always create such art while working outside.  This piece was made at least ten years ago.  At the moment, I have no place to work outside, so smaller 3D art made of paper are created in my studio.

There is an actual string connected from the fishing pole to the fishing hook on the edge of the art.  This was exhibited and sold during an art show.

I always create large art outside instead of my little studio.  This is an example.  I cut masonite with a jigsaw, then sand and paint.  This photo shows the process of adding the lights between layers of the art.

I would customize a string of lights to proper length and placement of the bulbs.  There have been several shocking experiences from doing something wrong while wiring the strings of lights.  Not fun.  The art can be turned on by a rotary switch that I would add.  A simple, effective design when done correctly.

Finished art.  Behind it is a clothes line pole that I painted.  There were years of time where I painted everything in sight.  I still paint objects, but have mellowed over the years.  I've come to appreciate the beauty of certain wood sometimes used to make furniture.

frogs and people and cats

Drawn with ink, painted with coffee.

whoosh!

Another windy day at the beach.

Fate

The path of our lives may very well be predetermined.  We exist primarily within, the nurturing comfort zone we need.  We can study, learn, process, and then project a more personal customized, and adventurous self.  Where we came from and where we would like to go.  There always seems to be resistance, the persuasions from others we know and trust.  But fate prevails...we are who we are.  Like it or not.

boat people

Buzzards Bay Massachusetts is along the Cape Cod canal.  There are plenty of boats of all kinds in this part of the world.

After a long break from posting art, maybe it's time to share again.

miles of inlanders at the beach

I am re-reading Moby Dick by Herman Melville.  It's appropriate reading now for being in his territory.  Here is a quote that made me laugh.  It's oh-so-true.

But look!  Here come the crowds, pacing straight for a dive. Strange!  Nothing will content them but the extremest limit of the lande; loitering under the shady lee of yonder warehouses will not sufice.  No.  The must get just as nigh the water as they possibly can without falling in.  And there they stand - miles of them- leagues.  Inlanders, all, they come from lanes and alleys, streets and avenues - north, east, south, and west.  Yet here they all unite.  Tell me, does the magnetic virtue of the needles of the compasses of all the ships attract them hither?

I've been drawing some people for practice.  Montage style is one of my favorite forms of composition.

More people.

Wampanoag Indian dance

The Wampanoag Indians of Mashpee, Cape Cod. This is from a festival last summer. The dancers are excellent and quite entertaining.

World's Largest Rocker

The Great Migration from Texas to Massachusetts is underway! A good friend, a 16' rented Penske truck, and all of my belongings are making our way northeastward.

This gigantic rocking chair is along Route '66 in Cuba, Missouri. Certainly a sight worth seeing, with a fabulous giftshop as well.

More roadtrippin' drawings to come.

waiting for tacos

Other than the building, this scene never existed. While waiting for tacos, I sketched the building. The order was faster than usual, so I got the tacos and left. Later, I added the drunken cowboys.

across the street

Downtown Dripping Springs. Mercer Street.

Cold weather painting. I love it!

the Clan of the Wallpaper Dwellers

a splarkling new year

That's me with sparklers near the campfire on a very cold, moonlit New Year's night. With plenty of rain this winter, we are finally able to have campfires at home again. It was the perfect way to welcome the new year. And a happy New Year to you, foks !

self-portrait

That's me sitting there drawing. The desk is a banquet table with file cabinets as supports. It's very functional for my small space. When I moved here 7 years ago, the scene out my window was pastures with grazing cattle and occasional horses. A few months ago that changed. It's soon to be a 19 home "gated community". It really hurt to sit here and watch the big, stinking deisel monsters rip the trees out of the ground. Yep, I s'pose I'm a tree hugger. This view still beats the heck out of the streets of Dallas. For anyone remotely interested, here is what's being offered to the new next door neighbors.

Missis Sippi

Sorry folks, but I couldn't resist this cheesey pun.

portrait of an artist's self-portrait

I listened to a story on the radio about this painting in a Barcelona museum. It's an artist painting a portrait of himself as an old man. The artist is looking over his shoulder, directly at the viewer. While listening to the description, I sketched this. I missed the name of the artist and the museum, but I'd love to see the painting.