September 10, 30 in 30

Day 10 of 30 paintings in 30 days,
hosted by Leslie Saeta.

As hurricane Irma approaches the west cost of Florida our prayers are with everyone who is effected by this terrible storm. I've never been to Florida. The closest I've gotten is Savannah Georgia. After all the people there is too worry about... then, there are these beautiful historic buildings which are an important part of our history.

Today's painting is from the Historic River Street of Savannah, Georgia where the views are eye candy. It's a place to take in the sights, sounds and smells of the area. It's a great place to people watch. I'm glad it is not in Irma's direct path, but then to say that means that somewhere else is.

So today's post is with the hope that Irma looses strength quickly and that all in her path are safe.

The Black Dog

8" x 10"

Alcohol Inks on Yupo Paper

$165 + S&H

Buy Now

September 25, Jefferson Street Bridge

Day 25

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Yesterday was the Picnic & Plein Air event 
hosted by the River District Association.

I was lucky enough to be one of their artists. I started my painting at home and finished it at the event.

Jefferson Street Bridge

Alcohol Ink and Pen

11 x 14

Not For Sale

The night was magical. Enjoy the pictures.

Day 15, January 30 in 30

Day 15, January 15th.

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Yesterday's work in progress is today's
finished painting. 


Rockford Historical Buildings;

The Midway theater,designed by architect JEO Pridmore of Chicago, was the largest exclusive motion picture theater in the west in the 1920's. It boasted of its 2,000 seats all ready for the opening on August 3rd, 1918. On that night, 11,648 people were in attendance.

The Shumway Market Building appears to be an old train station but it is not.  Shumway donated the land to the city in 1904 to be used for an open-air farmers market which was in existence for 90 years. The building, designed by architect Charles Bradley, was built  in 1920. It was many things over the years, a bakery, restaurant to name a few. In 1987 it was renovated. It currently is the home to the Rockford Area Arts Council.

Midway Theater & Shumway Market Building

Alcohol Ink and Pen

Day 14, January 30 in 30

Day 14, January 14th

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

After about 10 months, I have returned to my Drive-By Series for this painting. The series depicts some of the wonderful architecture found in Rockford, Illinois. Once a booming town of manufacturing, Rockford grew some pretty majestic buildings. For a long time it was the second largest city in Illinois, next to Chicago. Things changed in the 80's when so many manufacturing jobs went over seas and most of the plants in Rockford closed.

Rockford has plenty of problems, gangs, crime etc. But it remains a pretty incredible city full of theater, music and art. Can Rockford recover? It's yet to be seen, but I see it as the big, little city 15 minutes down the road. Where else can I see cornfields than 13 story building within 8 minutes of each other?

Today's painting of the old Midway Theater and Railway Station (which has been turned into the Rockford Arts Council building) is a work in progress.  Next week, I will be in a show with the Rockford Arts Council,
 Art in the Lofts at Garrison Lofts 419 john Street, Loft 111, Rockford.

Midway Theater& Rockford Arts Council Buildings

Alcohol Inks

Work in Progress

Check back tomorrow, I'll show you my progress and give you a bit of background info 

on these two incredible buildings.

Beginning a Series of Alchol Inks

I'm starting a series of Alcohol Inks for 

various shows that are coming up. 

 I love the bright, vivid colors they offer but even more I like that I don't always have control over what happens. These paints sometimes have a mind of their own, and sometimes they throw you an issue you just have to deal with. Sometimes it makes the painting better, sometimes it doesn't.

This week, I'll be working on a photo from Venice and also a Rockford chapel. The Venice picture is pretty complicated. By being very selective about where I put the masking fluid I hope I will have more definition left after applying the first layer of paint.

Yesterday, I ordered more art supplies, including more Yupo paper in 11" x14" and in a very large size, for me, 23" x 35". Some new colors are coming also; Tangerine, Calabaza Orange and Chile Pepper. (Don't their names sound great - sort of like Crayola names.) Alcohol inks are fairly simple to mix but a lot of these colors were "Italian palettes" as I'm pretty excited. I also think they'll be helpful for portraits which I haven't given up on.

Well on to all the other things I put off while doing the 30 in 30. I'm still painting each day, just not as much until I get some of these errands out of the way.