Had the family to a small, local rodeo last Summer. Interesting event. They have the traditional bull riding, bronc riding, and calf roping events. Most of the cowboys were from other areas. But, you could tell some locals tried to get in on the action. If the cowboy was from the area, it was almost a guarantee that he didn’t last more than 3 seconds on a bull. The highlight for me was the barrel racing. There must have been 70 girls signed up for the event. When they were worming up, the sun was at it’s golden time – right before it goes down, it gives of a wonderful warm orange glow. Got a number of great reference shots. This is the 1st painting from those shots.

Was in New York City for the Allied Artists of America show at the National Arts Club. Hung out at a nearby park, and this band of skateboarders took over the area. Got a couple of great reference shots.

This grid layout is the original layout I wanted for “Jam” – the first of my toy-themed car paintings completed a few years ago – but, I opted for more of an angled format after reviewing the reference photos. The idea of doing an overhead grid stayed with me, and I decided to try again once I picked up a number of toy cars that had fun, cheesy, junk food consumer-culture sponsors. Love the Hellmann’s Mayo car. Hid the kids’ and Stacey’s names in the painting.

This grid layout is the original layout I wanted for “Jam” – the first of my toy-themed car paintings completed a few years ago – but, I opted for more of an angled format after reviewing the reference photos. The idea of doing an overhead grid stayed with me, and I decided to try again once I picked up a number of toy cars that had fun, cheesy, junk food consumer-culture sponsors. Love the Hellmann’s Mayo car. Hid the kids’ and Stacey’s names in the painting.

Snapped a bunch of shots of the kids playing with sparklers at my in-law’s pool during a 4th of July party. Love the confident pose of my daughter in one of the shots – used it to create this pencil drawing.

Please note – original painting is 36″ X 48″. Enjoyed painting this large-scale toy-themed painting – this one ties the themes of all the other toy paintings together. Originally wanted to paint a super realistic close up of the “Pinpression” push-pin toys. But, wasn’t pleased with any of the photography. So, I incorporated in to a larger still life. I love peoples’ reaction when they view this painting in my studio. Like the other toy paintings, there’s a lot of detail and a number of nostalgic toys and ones with personal meaning. This arrangement includes Star Wars figures, Mr. Potatohead, various superheroes like Wolverine and Spiderman, Rock’em Sock’em Robots, Barbie dolls, a James Brown doll (had to figure out a way to shoehorn “The Godfather of Soul” into one of my paintings), various dinosaurs, toy soldiers, Hot Wheel cars, and a slew of others.

Enjoyed painting this large-scale toy-themed painting – this one ties the themes of all the other toy paintings together. Originally wanted to paint a super realistic close up of the “Pinpression” push-pin toys. But, wasn’t pleased with any of the photography. So, I incorporated in to a larger still life. I love peoples’ reaction when they view this painting in my studio. Like the other toy paintings, there’s a lot of detail and a number of nostalgic toys and ones with personal meaning. This arrangement includes Star Wars figures, Mr. Potatohead, various superheroes like Wolverine and Spiderman, Rock’em Sock’em Robots, Barbie dolls, a James Brown doll (had to figure out a way to shoehorn “The Godfather of Soul” into one of my paintings), various dinosaurs, toy soldiers, Hot Wheel cars, and a slew of others.

Note – original painting is 48″ X 60″. Started working on this painting in early September and put the final touches on the painting in April. Had a lot of fun painting this – the large G.I. Joe soldiers were similar to ones I used to play with when I was a kid. The blond-haired ones in the center and top-center of the painting are the ones with “real” crew cuts. And some of the soldiers are the ones with the special kung fu grip. My brother and I used to play with similar soldiers for hours. And, I’ve included comic books with covers painted by Frank Frazetta, my boyhood idol and early art inspiration. Frank Frazetta is the guy who, among other things, invented Conan’s look. Prior to Frazetta, Conan looked more like Flash Gordon – short hair and squeaky clean. In fact, the cover near the right-center of the painting, the one with the grimacing soldier shooting a gun while holding a wounded comrade is a Frank Frazetta painting I copied when I was in high school. Brought back memories recreating it here. Special thanks to my Uncle Joe for lending me some of his vintage comic books. Also, the red-coat soldier pins are part of a bowling set my wife played with when she was a kid. And, couldn’t resist including and posing the little green army men, another childhood favorite. Hope you experience similar nostalgic feelings viewing this painting.

Started working on this painting in early September and put the final touches on the painting in April. Had a lot of fun painting this – the large G.I. Joe soldiers were similar to ones I used to play with when I was a kid. The blond-haired ones in the center and top-center of the painting are the ones with “real” crew cuts. And some of the soldiers are the ones with the special kung fu grip. My brother and I used to play with similar soldiers for hours. And, I’ve included comic books with covers painted by Frank Frazetta, my boyhood idol and early art inspiration. Frank Frazetta is the guy who, among other things, invented Conan’s look. Prior to Frazetta, Conan looked more like Flash Gordon – short hair and squeaky clean. In fact, the cover near the right-center of the painting, the one with the grimacing soldier shooting a gun while holding a wounded comrade is a Frank Frazetta painting I copied when I was in high school. Brought back memories recreating it here. Special thanks to my Uncle Joe for lending me some of his vintage comic books. Also, the red-coat soldier pins are part of a bowling set my wife played with when she was a kid. And, couldn’t resist including and posing the little green army men, another childhood favorite. Hope you experience similar nostalgic feelings viewing this painting.

Completed this painting to complement “Jam” and “Crash.” When on a family vacation in California, went to this candy/50’s nostalgia store. Found a few toy cars with candy logos on them – liked the colors and decals – thought they would be fun to paint. Wanted to pull in a little closer on the cars. And, wanted an abstract composition. My favorite – love the icecream truck.