When I composed this still life, the afternoon light was perfect, but something seemed missing. When I wasn’t looking, our middle child, Emily, slid in the photo of her and her sister, Sarah. Said she wanted to be in the painting. It was just the touch this composition needed.
Every September we load the kids in the van and pick apples at this local orchard. And, every September I come home with armfuls of stuff. Apples (multiple kinds – Fuji, McIntosh, Staymon Winesap – and multiple forms – apple dumplings, apple butter, apple cider, dried apples), pumpkins (and pumpkin bread and pumpkin butter), honey (the kids especially like the live bees behind glass in the back of the store), Indian corn, various gourds, squash, turnips – you name it, I buy it, much to my wife’s dismay… Wouldn’t have it any other way.
Every September we load the kids in the van and pick apples at this local orchard. And, every September I come home with armfuls of stuff. Apples (multiple kinds – Fuji, McIntosh, Staymon Winesap – and multiple forms – apple dumplings, apple butter, apple cider, dried apples), pumpkins (and pumpkin bread and pumpkin butter), honey (the kids especially like the live bees behind glass in the back of the store), Indian corn, various gourds, squash, turnips – you name it, I buy it, much to my wife’s dismay… Wouldn’t have it any other way.
Was drawn by the muted view of the Ben Franklin bridge in this view of Philadephia’s Chinatown. Also loved the washed out blues and grays against the colorful restaurant and shop signs.
Was on the road one Fall day – was early afternoon. A hot sun was creating some nice contrasts. Caught this old farmer unloading a batch of pumpkins on his roadside market stand. Loved the sharp highlights and deep shadows on the pumpkins, tractor, and the farmer. For this painting, I forced myself to stay with a larger round brush than I’m used to using. Was just trying to capture the essence – wanted to keep the detail to a minimum.
Was drawn by the muted view of the Ben Franklin bridge in this view of Philadephia’s Chinatown. Also loved the washed out blues and grays against the colorful restaurant and shop signs.
Stacey and I took our first European trip a few years ago – started the trip in Brussels. Right near the town center is a restaurant area along a winding cobble-stone street lit with neon signs. Each restaurant had someone in front badgering passers-by to stop in. Stacey and I stopped at one of the restaurants and had a great mussels dinner (you have to have mussels in Brussels) and Trappist Beers (I particularly liked Chimay) at a cozy table right on the street. Loved the shadows the restaurant signs created and captured a reference shot for this painting – that’s Stacey in the foreground.
We take a trip to Manhattan every year around the holidays. I’m an incessant people watcher. Love nothing more than walking the streets of New York and checking out the people. Took a reference shot for this painting on 42nd Street – if you look carefully, that’s the Chrysler Building (the pointy bright building) way in the background.
On a business trip to Seattle, had to drive past this carwash sign every day. Got a kick out of it. Snapped shots in the morning (on the way to meetings) and at night (on the way back to the hotel) to create this scene. See also “Seattle Pink Elephant – Night.” Found out later that this sign has inspired a number of artists/photographers.
Try to take a trip to New York City every year some time over the holidays. Usually see the tree at Rockefeller Center, check out the displays in the windows of the 5th Avenue department stores, and take a carriage ride in Central Park – real touristy stuff. Particularly like taking the kids to the Christmas Show at Radio City. During this trip, there was a fire scare at the beginning of the Radio City show, so everyone had to evacuate the building. We were seated up front and were evacuated to the same area as the performers. The kids got a chance to talk to a Rockette and saw Santa while we waited for the “all clear.” Was wild seeing the camels and other Nativity animals evacuated to the streets. Took the reference shot for this painting later that evening.
