#38 "Big Wave" 9x12 oil

Aloha!!   So, what do you do when you're in -4 degree windchill back here in Indiana and everything is black and white? Decided to think color and warmth!!! This is another painting done from a photo I took at the Pipeline on the north shore of Oahu. Won't be long until we venture over there again in hopes of finding more big waves.

After seeing some paintings by my good friend Victoria Gillieron last week I was so impressed by how she painted so "loosely" on some of her landscapes. We talked about it for some time during the show. It reinforced what I've learned but seem to lose sight of. Not on this one... fast and loose, no "do overs"  this time. When the paint hit the canvas.... it stayed where it landed!!! This one was really fun.

#37 "Lighthouse at Sunset" 16x20 oil

This is the Pt. Vicente Lighthouse at sunset. I was on my way home from northern CA (10/2010) and rounded the bend here in Palos Verdes around sunset. I pulled over and watched the sky and bluff light up with brilliant color. I took several shots that evening and I would like to try painting it again from different angles. I know some things I would do differently. It was fun to paint this but there were several times that I went back in and shouldn't have. I have to remember to lay down a passage and then leave it alone. Soooo hard to do.....!!

#36 "Grandma Schuyler's Teapot" 11x14 oil

This is my Grandma Schuyler's teapot.  Not sure she ever really used it as a teapot but it really doesn't matter.  She was a collector of cut glass and on occasion lectured on the subject. Grandma was an artist and musician, playing piano regularly at church. Most of all, she was a very fine and gracious lady. My memories of her are vivid as I look back at the many trips to the Schuyler Dairy Farm in North Judson, Indiana.

On September 23, 2010 at the suggestion of my good friends CW and Rebecca Mundy, I attended a Weekend with the Masters in Dana Point, CA. CW was participating and was one of several impressionists from all over the United States. They represented America's finest! Not only did I get to attend a couple of the workshops, I was fortunate enough to meet the likes of Quang Ho, Carolyn Anderson, Scott Christensen, David Leffel, and Dan Gerhartz. Being with CW, I got in on a few informal art discussions ( I listened only!) with Carolyn Anderson, CW and Quang Ho. Such a treat.

I attended the afternoon lecture/demo of Richard Schmid. It was in a large room with several hundred people. There were large screens on either side of the stage. Richard proceeded to sit down and paint a still life for us. He discussed certain techniques and added some humor as he worked. However, it was watching his process as he went from his palette to the canvas and back that was so intriguing. The greats make it look so easy. All in all, the day was very inspiring!!!

As a result, this is my first solo still life!!! (#35 is really #36 and is my second still life... I went in and changed this one and it's out of order. This was originally #35.... confused??? Me too.

This is a photo of my Grandma Schuyler and an article about her art exhibit published in the North Judson News, on September 29, 1976.

#35 "Teapot" 9x12 oil

My wife Linda Rendleman is co founder of the, Women Like Us Foundation. http://www.womenlikeusfoundation.org

Each year, they have an event fundraiser for the foundation. It is truly an amazing event with wonderful motivational speakers from all over the world. This painting was contributed to this years silent auction. Since this is the "Women Like Us Tea," I thought a teapot might be appropriate.

This is actually my second still life. I used the same teapot but added a green apple instead of the orange and changed the red apple to a different red apple.  I find that I like painting still lifes... can't wait to change it up a bit. Painting from life is much more exciting. Now I need to venture out and do some plein aire..... that worries me!!!!

"Teapot" has found a new home in Noblesville, IN

#34 "Another Look at Selma's Living Room"

While at the TC Steele home in Nashville, Indiana this past spring (2010), I decided to do some more interior shots of the living room. The lighting is so dramatic. My first painting of "Selma's Living Room" (#22) won a 4th place at the Indiana State Fair during the summer of 2010. This is the view from the other end of the living room. I have some more shots that I would like to paint in the future. Maybe one outside???

Critique from, "Paintings I Love"

Stunning, stunning, stunning!! Your palette and those thick and wondrous textures are such a joy!! Am esp. enchanted with the gloooooorious "olde worlde" look: This room could have been in my beloved old Grannie's beeeeeeautiful, old (300 years+)home in Bristol, England - right down to the look of the drapery, the furniture aaaand those soft and lovely peaches and pinks!! Adooooore this!! 5*++++++ Hugs, Charlotte

#33 "Pipeline" 8x10 oil

This was fun!!!

While in Hawaii a couple of years ago, my sister Deb and I ended up at a Big Wave surfing contest on the north shore. The waves were 20+ all day..... took a shot of this surfer just as the wave was beginning to break..... the wave would then completely surround the surfer in what is called the, "tube." If he's lucky, he gets shot out the end.... if not, well he's in a bunch of trouble!

I painted this fast and loose. Will do more in this style!!!

In my dreams!

#32 "Reed Point" 9x12 oil

While in Montana visiting with Toni and Jim we decided to go to town. We stopped at the, Waterhole Saloon in Reed Point, a town of about 300 people. When we got out of the car, I looked up the street to the north and noticed the dark skies and yet the sun was illuminating the old Occident Flour elevator that sits along the tracks. This is what the building looks like heading out of town. Thought it might make an interesting painting.

#31 "Sweetwater Swan" revisited ....... 9x12 oil

Back at Sweetwater Lake in Brown County at the Aw Kum On Inn. Taking another look at the, "Sweetwater Swan." It's full on summer with temps in and above 90 here in August. Nothing quite like being at the lake.

The swan hasn't been around much this summer. Rumor has it, he's hanging out at the north end of the lake.  Here he looks pretty comfortable and cool sitting on a rock that lies just below the top of the water, preening himself, watching the feathers float gently upon the surface.

2010 Indiana State Fair Juried Competition

Last summer (2009) after visiting the Indiana State Fair, I decided I wanted to enter the juried competition for the following year. You are allowed to enter two paintings. I chose, "Ella's Mom" #26 and "Selma's Living Room" #22. Both paintings were judged and then chosen for exhibition at the fair. That was a great feeling to have both selected!!! Much to my surprise, "Selma's Living Room" won a 4th place!!! I felt like the little kid whose  prized pig just won a ribbon! My wife Linda, my sister Deb and my mom went with me to the reception...... great afternoon!!!

Me and my mom Clara Cahill

My lovely wife Linda

Sister Deb Carlson

Me and Linda

#30 "B8" "8x10" oil

Just got back from Montana where we spent some time with Jim and Toni on their beautiful ranch on the Yellowstone River. It is the ultimate eye candy with beauty everywhere you look. Jim and Toni raise cows. I got to ride with Jim on the "swather" as well as some hiking and a trip to Big Timber for the rodeo!! All and all it was just a great visit. Last year when we were visiting, I rode with Jim and we checked fence lines. We pulled up to a particular spot and I took a picture of some of the cows that had gathered along the fence. Always thought it would be fun to try and paint some cows..... so.... here is "B8" and his buddies!!!

#29 "Charles Bridge" "16x20 oil

About a week before 9/11 I drove my daughter Darcy to the airport to see her off on her journey to study abroad in Prague, Czeck Republic. Needless to say, I was very apprehensive but excited about her opportunity to live in a foreign country. In November of 2001, I flew to Prague to visit and spend her 21st birthday with her. It was a wonderful trip in a most exciting city. When you visit Prague, it's the architecture that is most impressive. One of the highlights was just hanging out near the Charles Bridge. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and finished in the beginning of the 15th century! Now that's old!

#28 "Blue Gondolas" "18x24" oil

It's been awhile but I decided to try another Venice scene. Must thank Candy and Todd for the photo. This painting (18x24 oil) sure provided me with many challenges and and a whole bunch of problems to solve. This was definitely the most difficult painting I've tried. It's interesting for me when I complete a painting. While satisfied in many ways, I usually can't wait to get to the next one. Linda says I'm my own worst critic and that is soooo true as I start breaking it down in terms of how successful I think I've been in doing what I set out to do. I've learned from CW that there are fundamental truths that must be followed in order to create a truly successful painting. When I complete one, I try and decide how successful I've been in each of those areas. In my head I rate them on a scale of 1-10 and try to come up with an overall score. I then look at the areas that I've rated myself a see where I fall short and where I've succeeded. Each painting is such a learning experience... maybe that's why it's so much fun.... tiring, but fun.

#27 "Ristorante" 11x14 oil

It's been 30+ years since I've been to Venice. However, my friend Candace and her husband Todd were fortunate enough to travel there last summer as part of a wonderful cruise thru the Mediterranean. Some of the photos were posted on Facebook by, "Candie" and I took the liberty of downloading a few of them. Thank you Candace and Todd for the inspiration!!! One of several photos that struck me was of a ristorante on one of the Venice canals.
I just wanted to be sitting at that restaurant having pasta, and sipping a fine Chianti!!! Not sure if Candace or Todd took the photo but this what they saw. Hope to get back to Venice one day but until then, this will just have to do! Godetevi il vostro pasto!

Update! Todd took the photo while he and Candie were on a gondola ride! I did a little research and found that the name of this little hotel/cafe in Venice is Hotel Ca' Fortuny.

#26 "Ella's Mom" 11x14 oil

My granddaughter, Ella Rose Nickels -->

This is a painting of, "Ella's Mom" when she was a little girl. Of course, that is my daughter Darcy. About a year ago we traveled to Richmond, Virginia and visited Terry and Jane Mohr. Jane found an old photograph of Darcy and gave it to me. She must have been about 4 or 5 at the time. She was wearing one of her favorite dance costumes. Darcy loved to dance and would entertain us most evenings with a dance in front of the fireplace. I think it was Jane who happened to take this picture as Darcy stood in front of the living room window. The light illuminated her dress from the back and side as she struck a rather shy pose. Darcy is now, "Ella's Mom" and I'm sure it won't be long before she and Matt are afforded the same pleasures she granted her mom and dad when she was just a little girl. I decided to photograph my progress as I painted this afternoon.

This painting, "Ella's Mom" has found a new home in Carlsbad, California.


Turn up your sound and click the play bar above to watch a 60 second video of painting, "Ella's Mom."

#25 "Nineveh Road Barn" 9x12 oil

Well I guess if you're from Indiana, ya gotta paint a barn! I started this painting back in August. I made a few changes and I'll live with it like this for awhile but I have a feeling I'm going to go back in and make some more changes. This barn sits at the corner of State Road 252 and Nineveh Road. I've been passing this barn since the early 1970s on my way down to mom and dad's cottage on Sweetwater Lake. This past April (2009) I was on my way to Sweetwater for the annual, "opening" of the Ah Kum On Inn. It was time to get out the lawn and deck furniture etc. It was early spring so there was a hint of green in the trees but the grass was already a vibrant shade of green. Since it was morning, there is nice shadowing on the side of the barn and on the barn roof the from chimney. It won't be long before we repeat the ritual... and I pass by once again, the "Nineveh Road Barn".....

A few of years back my son and I went to Story, Indiana in the hills of Brown County to hear an outdoor concert. It was a perfect August evening and the concert was held on a stage built out from an old barn in a hollow behind the old general store that has now become a terrific restaurant and inn. When I was a kid growing up in Indiana, I used to hunt, fish and camp at Burr Williamson's place just a few miles from there. This was back in the 1950s. We would hike thru the woods down to that general store in Story to get candy and anything else a few quarters would buy.

However this night, almost 50 years later, most folks brought a blanket and sat outside underneath an August moon. There was a roaring bonfire casting flickering shadows into the woods that surrounded us. In addition to Ramblin Jack Elliot... we heard a local singer/songwwriter by the name of Tim Grimm. He sang a song he had written called , "Better Days" about a farm family and farm life. I really liked this song so I decided to learn it and record it myself... The song reminded me of my Grandma and Grandpa Schuyler's farm in North Judson, Indiana. It was the Schuyler Dairy. I put a few photos of the farm etc. towards the end of the song ........ Now, Randy Jackson might say, "it was a little pitchy" and he'd be right but, what the heck!!!



Turn on your sound and CLICK ON THE PLAY BAR above to see the slide show and hear the song.

#24 "The Lighthouse" 8x10 oil

I know I said I was moving on from, "lighthouses" but this is an 8x10 that I started months ago and couldn't get it the way I really wanted it. Yesterday I got it out and truly mixed a few pots of paint and just messed around. Can't say for sure if I'll keep it this way but it was fun being kinda reckless as I tend to be a control freak and it's hard to let go sometimes. I will say for sure.... not gonna post any more lighthouses in the near future!!!

#23 "The Lighthouse" 18x24 oil

My long time friends Dave and Diane Harrison were over for dinner a couple of weeks ago. Dave asked me why I didn't do more large paintings. I think because I was, and still am kinda new to this whole thing.... large paintings intimidated me somewhat. Well, after Dave's question to me, I decided to do an 18x24. After the first day of working on it... I was somewhat happy with the results but it needed some reworking. Went back in on 2/1/10 and worked a little on the sky, the rocks at water's edge and the ocean. Highlighted some of the cliffs with a few strokes of pure chroma! I think I'm done with lighthouses for awhile.... hope to start something entirely new this week!!!


Below is a short 30 sec video of the Pt. Vicente Lighthouse... great place to watch the gray whale migrate, dolphins play or simply enjoy the peace and tranquility.... I'll probably change the video from time to time.... today, 2/2/2010, kinda cloudy, cool... rain in the forecast.