#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