Updated Website

I didn't realize how long it has been since I wrote a blog. Most of my painting blogs have been recorded at my updated website:jeremysams.com

Thanks!
Jeremy

North Ridge Country Club's People's Choice Award

Jeremy with "Morning At Cloudland"

Humbled...overwhelmed...Shocked! These are a few of the words to describe my emotions I felt this past weekend at the North Ridge Country Club Art Gala, Raleigh, NC. As I walked into the ball room after we first arrived, I remember thinking, "Oh my! There's some great art here...am I supposed to be here?" Honestly,  I was hoping to see some mediocre art displays, since this was a juried event. Of course, every artist wants to have the nicest looking art at a show. So, needless to say, I was a bit nervous.

There were 25 pieces to be juried which were selected out of a host of other submitted artwork throughout the state, of which my "Morning At Cloudland" was picked. At the beginning of the event, Jennifer Dasal, Associate Curator of Contemporary Art at the North Carolina Museum of Art, (the juror of the show) announced her 1st, 2nd, and 3rd picks. My name wasn't called..."Oh well...at least I got in the show", I thought to myself. Just being chosen to be in the show was a huge honor to begin with, so even though I was a bit saddened, I was grateful just to be there among such talented artists.

Toward the end of the night, George Wallace, one of the masterminds behind the event called everyone's attention back to main stage. It was time to announce the "People's Choice Award". Elevated on the stage was a painting hidden behind a draped cloth. My wife, Crystal, nervously informs me to stop chatting with the other artists and look. "I think that's your painting!" she exclaimed. The dimensions of the painting looked like mine, but, "maybe there were other paintings the same size", I thought. I became tense, I think I felt a bead of sweat form on my brow. The drum roll seemed to last for minutes...the anticipation was killing me. Finally, the cloth was removed and there stood my painting. There I stood, humbled, overwhelmed and shocked!

We met so many talented artists and wonderful art collectors that night. It was truly a joyous experience. Below are a few pieces of art from the artists that I had the privilege to meet:

Stephen Filarsky

James Daniel

Gerard Erley

Matt Tomko

There were many more artists that we met but I failed to get pics of their work...sorry about that.

I'd like to say thank you to the North Ridge Country Club in Raleigh, NC for allowing us to come, to all those who voted for my painting, and a special thank you to God for His wonderful blessings and provision. He is faithful.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Sorrow Turned to Joy

The Cross-over

12x9 acrylic on panel

Sorrow...it's inevitable. Job 14:1 tells us, "Man [that is] born of a woman [is] of few days, and full of trouble." Last week, we lost a dear friend. She was the piano player at our church and a real spark plug...always smiling with her own unique little giggle, and never one to back down from a friendly match in sarcasm. Carol was a real jewel of a lady, and a jewel of a Christian. She will be greatly missed. 

Her passing was unexpected and a shock to our whole church family and I can only imagine what her immediate family is going through right now. No doubt, their world has been engulfed with sorrow.

The disciples of Jesus also knew full well this feeling of sorrow. In John 16:16, Jesus tells them, "A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father."

They, of course, didn't comprehend this proverb and begin to question amongst themselves what He meant. Jesus then answers their questioning hearts with a proclamation explained by an object lesson of child-birth. He said, 

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you."

 There is much to be said about these few verses, but the main idea that catches my attention is the fact that the object which brings so much sorrow to the mother is the same object that brings much joy. What is it that causes this mother excruciating pain and brings her to a place nearest to death? The culprit of the pain is the baby. Yet, when the baby is delivered, it is this same baby that becomes the source of joy. It's not some phase-like process as if the object of pain evolves into a totally different object of pure bliss. No, it's the same object.

To the disciples, the death, or the "not seeing me" of Christ was the cause of this extreme sorrow that was felt by them. However, this same crucifixion would be the reconciling of everyone who believes to God. Jesus Christ would drink the cup of God's wrath for all who are willing to come to Christ. Three days later, He would be raised in vindication of His own righteousness and holiness. Through this resurrection, their sorrow would be turned into, or become joy!

We can say like Paul, "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ!" This object of death has now become our banner of life!

Another interesting detail is the "who's seeing who" in this passage. Notice in verse 16, twice He mentions "ye" seeing. He says, "ye shall not see me" and, "ye shall see me". However, in verse 22, there's no mention of "ye seeing" but of Jesus seeing you. Notice also the shift from sorrow to joy is after the reference of Jesus seeing you.

How can we apply this and why is it relevant? I can speak personally here...there are times when I've been consumed in sorrow...times of holding a limp lifeless child...times of financial ruin...times of abandonment...times of betrayal...times of sickness, physical ailments, etc...In all these times, it has been so difficult to be able, with eyes of faith, to see Jesus. It's as if the circumstance that is causing my sorrow and my own unbelief builds this massive solid wall between Him and me. "Lord, where are you?" I cry out. In my darkest of hours, it's as if He's hidden.

Luckily, my joy does not have to be hinged upon whether or not I can see Him. I see through a glass darkly, and my lack of faith makes my spiritual vision cloudy. No, my joy is not founded upon whether or not I can see Him, but it is foundational upon the fact that He sees me! What a glorious truth to know that the supreme Joy giver has set His eyes upon me. When I can't see Him, He sees me...when I can't hold onto Him, He's holding me! In this passage, Jesus redirects our perspective. Do we look to Him? Yes, but it is only because He has first set His eyes upon us. Do we love Him? Yes, but only because He first loved us.

Finally, we see that Jesus, Himself, is the object of the joy that no man can take from you. If we're searching for joy in anything else, it will be short-lived. If we're searching for joy in money, a simple turn of events can wipe it out. If you're searching for joy in relationships, you'll never be satisfied in fleeting emotions and fairy tale dreams. If you're searching for joy in your self-worth, you'll never measure up. If you're searching for joy in family or friends, they'll die. True joy...irrevocable joy, can only be found in that which can never again die. It is found in Solus Christus, Jesus Christ alone.

In order for this joy to be irrevocable, it can not be an object that is temporary; it must be everlasting. Only one Man fits this requirement: the resurrected Christ. Carol is now experiencing this reality face to face.. Because of the resurrection, she is now in the presence of Joy that will never die. Because of the resurrection, her joy is now eternal.

I pray that sorrow will be turned to joy for the Shackelford family in this season.

Plein Air With Triad Outdoor Painters

Is it ever too cold to plein air paint? If you're using acrylic paints, I suppose so...one of my last trips painting in cold weather resulted in me having to pack it up early because my brushes wouldn't move the paint due to being frozen solid with ice. This day, however, was a bit warmer. Cold, nonetheless...but not cold enough to freeze my brushes!

I had the privilege of painting with a fairly new painting group called "Triad Outdoor Painters". They meet regularly in the Germanton, NC area. Artists from Winston Salem, Mount Airy, High Point, Greensboro, and other surrounding areas are a part of this group.

This is Craig Richardson. I met Craig at a paint out near Blowing Rock, NC. He's the organizer of the group.

Painting along with Craig is Dolly Manion, who is also from High Point, NC. It's always good to meet neighbors who share the same painting interests. Behind those clouds at the horizon is Pilot Mountain. It would peek out throughout the day as the clouds moved.

Here is Arlene Daniel's plein air set up and painting....always a good idea to have your vehicle nearby in case you need to sit and rest or warm up!

This is artist, Gail Spane Jr. from Mount Airy. I have to admit, he's probably the smartest of the bunch that day as he painted from his home-made painting station from his truck.

 You can see how many containers I have open here...4. Titanium white, ultramarine blue, cadmium red medium, and cadmium yellow medium. For this dreary overcast day, I only needed my very limited palette of 4 colors. The good thing about painting on an overcast day is that you don't have to chase shadows. The light remains very constant and my acrylic paints stayed wet for a good long while.

Here's my final painting...9x12 acrylic on panel en plein air.

Am I therefore become your enemy...

In our study of the Epistle to the Galatians on Wednesday nights at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, I came across the verse which I find relevant to a popular mentality of today:

"Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" Galatians 4:16

 Here's a commentary from Barnes Notes on the Bible concerning this passage:

"Am I therefore become your enemy ... - Is my telling you the truth in regard to the tendency of the doctrines which you have embraced, and the character of those who have led you astray, and your own error, a proof that I have ceased to be your friend? How apt are we to feel that the man who tells us of our faults is our enemy! How apt are we to treat him coldly, and to "cut his acquaintance," and to regard him with dislike! The reason is, he gives us pain; and we cannot have pain given to us, even by the stone against which we stumble, or by any of the brute creation, without momentary indignation, or regarding them for a time as our enemies. Besides, we do not like to have another person acquainted with our faults and our follies; and we naturally avoid the society of those who are thus acquainted with us. Such is human nature; and it requires no little grace for us to overcome this. and to regard the man who tells us of our faults, or the faults of our families, as our friend.
We love to be flattered, and to have our friends flattered; and we shrink with pain from any exposure, or any necessity for repentance. Hence, we become alienated from him who is faithful in reproving us for our faults. Hence, people become offended with their ministers when they reprove them for their sins. Hence, they become offended at the truth. Hence, they resist the influences of the Holy Spirit, whose office it is to bring the truth to the heart, and to reprove men for their sins. There is nothing more difficult than to regard with steady and unwavering affection the man who faithfully tells us the truth at all times, when that truth is painful. Yet he is our best friend. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful," Proverbs 27:6. If I am in danger of falling down a precipice, he shows to me the purest friendship who tells me of it; if I am in danger of breathing the air of the pestilence, and it can be avoided, he shows to me pure kindness who tells me of it. So still more, if I am indulging in a course of conduct that may ruin me, or cherishing error that may endanger my salvation, he shows me the purest friendship who is most faithful in warning me, and apprising me of what must be the termination of my course."

 I couldn't have said it better myself.

Portrait Ornaments

Here's my latest project for preserving memories...portrait ornaments. The ornaments are oval masonite panels (same material as my plein air paintings) that measure approx. 4.25". The name of the individual, as well as the year, can be painted on the ornament. Attached at the top is a nice little bow and ribbon of the color of your choice which will match the backside of the ornament. 

Each ornament is a hand painted portrait from the photograph of the customer's choice and is varnished once completed to make sure it's nice and sealed. Most ornaments I paint are of a single individual. More people can be painted, but I may have to rotate the ornament to a horizontal position. The price will vary depending upon how many individuals are in the portrait. Contact me for pricing and more info on muti-person portraits.

How Do I order a portrait ornament?

All you need to do is provide me with a good digital picture that you could email to me at jeremy@jeremysams.com . If you need to pay online, I will set up a paypal link when your order is complete. In order to do this, I will also need to know if you'll need the ornament shipped or if you'll be willing to pick it up. I also accept checks, if you prefer this method. Be sure to think about what color you would want the back of the ornament painted, as well as the ribbon color, and include this in your email.

Be sure to visit my website to view more ornaments and artwork www.jeremysams.com

Firefighter Christmas Ornament

Firefighter Christmas Ornament

$20

September is a month infused with many memories. We reflect back to 2001 and remember that tragic day that many lost their lives due to a terrorist attack upon our own soil. In remembering that day, you can't help but think of all those men and women who risked their lives and the many who gave their lives to help others. The firefighter is one of those special people that stand out in my mind when I think of 9/11.

The firefighter has an incredible duty upon his shoulders. He is trained in how to rescue the perishing and how to quench the fires that are given to destruction. In an emergency situation, their training kicks in, and without hesitation they forget themselves and go to the heat. Their fears are overcome by a passion to save others from a horrible fate. This is courage. This is selflessness...risking your life for the benefit of another.

As a Christian, I can find many good qualities from the firefighter. When it comes to eternal matters, there is nothing more destructive than God's wrath upon sinners. We, as Christians, are called and (should be) equipped to be ministers of reconciliation. Man is perishing in sin and apart from the atonement made through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus the Messiah, man will suffer God's righteous wrath, which means an eternity in the lake of fire. It is our obligation to be like the brave firefighter by manifesting that quality of selflessness, overcoming our fears with the passion of saving others from eternal death.

"Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;..."

2 Corinthians 5:11

"The Firefighter" Christmas ornament is available for purchase. The top and edges are ready for customization in case you want someone's name and date painted on it. If you're interested in this ornament and you need it shipped, you can order through my website Here. If you don't need it shipped, order Here. If you want to order more than one and would like to save on shipping charges, Contact Me.

August Portrait Special!

 

Gail Gurley

20x16 acrylic on canvas

For the rest of the month of August, 2012 I'll be offering a painted portrait special. The special will include a bust portrait, like the one above, of a single individual painted on a 16x20 canvas. The portrait will be painted from a photograph.

The usual price for a portrait of this size is $600, but for the month of August, these portraits will be available for $350. So, if you're interested in getting your Christmas shopping done early, and want something unique and original, order a hand painted portrait! 

Visit my portraits page to see more. Contact me if you're interested!

My Latest Pochade Box

Agur wrote in the Book of Proverbs 30:15-16,

"...There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough: The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough."

I believe Agur would have added one more character if he would've know any plein air painters in his day..."the plein air painter saith not, just one pochade box is enough".

This is my 3rd box, and I just can't get enough of the thrill of building my own homemade pochade boxes. So, what's different from this one and the other two? Well, I'm an acrylic artist, and I get tired of my paint drying so fast and being wasted en plein air. Us acrylic artists have several things against us besides the fast drying qualities of acrylics...heat, wind, and transportation from one place to the next while our acrylics sit and dry in transport. The heat and wind I can't help...but the drying-during-transport problem...I can.

I finally bought a sealable palette from Hobby Lobby (40% off coupon, of course) to help with my wasting paint dilemma. So, I had to build a new pochade box to accommodate the 9.25" wide, 13.25" long, and 1.25" deep dimensions of the palette. I used the same materials as my second homemade pochade box...except for the friction hinges as found on my first box. The increase of weight, due to the increase in size of the box, caused me to incorporate some new features. Instead of mounting my water can on the box along with a brush holder, I decided to make a separate panel to mount to my tripod legs to hold that extra bit of weight. See below:

This little panel slips onto the front two legs of my tripod. With the large hole cut into the front center, it snugly holds my brush cleaner eliminating the weight that would have been hanging off one side of the box...causing more stress on the head of my tripod. A slot was cut on the right in order to slip my knotted cotton rag into for wiping brushes. My brushes stand comfortably upright in the holes drilled on the left. It also works well to rest things on top of...such as my spray bottle of slow drying medium/water...or, more palette space, if you needed it.

When I'm finished painting, I remove the panel and place it on top of my sealable palette, close the lid...and, voila! Now, I'm ready to travel again.

Even though the box is slightly larger than my first homemade pochade box, it still fits easily into my back pack. The canvas panels attach the same way as my other boxes, courtesy of the design of Jim Serrett.

Here's a pic of my sealable palette...notice the moist chamois cloth mounted in the lid:

The chamois cloth keeps moisture in the sealed palette to keep the paint from drying. It's attached to the lid by using velcro. You can buy sticky-sided velcro at your local hardware store by the foot. I bought one foot of this material for about $1.60 or so. The velcro is stuck to the lid with it's rough side facing up...Thanks to my wife, Crystal, the opposite piece was sown into the chamois cloth...the sticky side of the velcro wouldn't stick to the wet chamois material, so it had to be sown.

Notice the red and yellow paint on the lid? Yeah, that's my one critique of the Golden Open Acrylics...great paint and very slow drying...but a little runny. Hiking several miles in the mountains...with my palette inside my new homemade pochade box...while tucked inside my backpack in a vertical position...causes the paint to run all over the place making my palette look like a small Jackson Pollock painting. So...back to the drawing board on how to fix that problem.

It just never ends. But, it's all in good fun :)

Woodmen Center Mural

Here's the progress on the mural I'm painting at the Woodmen Center, in Kinston, NC. The dimensions are approx. 37'x9.5'.

I drew in the sports figures and the flag background on the 1st day.

Day 2...I began painting.

I love this lift...the bounciness of it, however, does keep you on your toes.

Day 3...finished drawing off the left side of the mural

Day 4...more fill-in

I'll post more as the mural progresses. Lord willing, I'll have it completed in a couple of days...then, I'll document the whole process.

Someone Stole My Paintings!

"Behold A Sower Went Forth To Sow"

12x24 acrylic on canvas...Stolen!

"Bluegrass on the River"

20x24 acrylic on canvas...Stolen!

Psalm 29:11

9x12 acrylic on masonite...Stolen!

This is the 2nd time that I've ever had a painting stolen...interestingly enough, the first time was at a nursing home. I guess some little old lady just couldn't pass up that farm scene...reminded her of home, maybe. This time, however, someone stole not just one, but three! I have to admit, there's mixed emotions with this. I'm somewhat honored that someone liked my work, but for crying out loud...did they really like them so much that they're willing to risk the penalty of the law???

Every time we take something that does not belong to us, our conscience bears witness that we have stolen. Stealing is breaking the 8th commandment...that righteous standard that God has proclaimed to show that every man comes very short. That law, which is engraved on every man's conscience, screams out every time we steal that we are breaking God's law and therefore we are thieves. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul declares to not be deceived...the thief will not inherit the kingdom of God,

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God"

 The fact is, we can not live up to God's righteous standard...and there is a penalty for this. However, the good news is that a Substitute has been provided. The just penalty and wrath that we deserve, God has placed on His Son, Jesus Christ. He willingly died on the cross to settle God's wrath for everyone who will believe in Him. Three days later, He rose from the dead and now offers us everlasting life and the power to live in Christ's righteousness. Without this "only Savior of the world", we would all perish. This "belief" is not merely an intellectual knowledge, but a full trusting in the promises of Christ...What does it look like? It is a repentant faith that is daily turning from sin and turning to God. It is treasuring Him above all things.

I, like everyone else, hate being stolen from...especially when it's something that I've invested countless hours in. But, I have to trust God that He has a plan in this and that He will be glorified. I pray that this person or persons will come to the knowledge of Christ and His ultimate work on the cross and find forgiveness...and therefore, return my paintings :)

These paintings were stolen from Pines and Needles Art Studio in Fancy Gap, Va. If you ever see these paintings or have any info., please contact me.

Kayaking and Plein Air...Blessing Defined

Kayaking, plein air painting, and a little daddy-daughter time...does it get any better than this? You know you're a recipient of God's grace and blessing when you can enjoy all these different passions all at the same time.

We often use the phrase "we're blessed". But what does it mean to be blessed and how do you measure it? Do we measure and define it by the annual income that you report to the IRS every year? By the popularity that a name may offer? By the awards or degrees that hang on your wall? These are all nice things to have I suppose. However, these things are temporary. They have no eternal value. Being blessed is not measured in the temporal materialism or fleeting emotions... being blessed is measured in our completeness in God...finding our all satisfaction in Him. 

To say that blessed simply means "happy" is to come short of a full biblical definition of that often used term "blessed". We usually think of happiness as that fleeting emotion that is dependent upon outside circumstances. When you itch all night due to the numerous chigger and mosquito bites from playing in the woods...your happiness will probably go south like mine did. Or, when your name gets called because you won some grand prize, your happiness will pick right back up. This is usually the typical definition of this roller-coaster ride that we call happiness. Blessedness is not that way.

 It's hard to be "happy" when you have to lug a kayak and painting gear through the woods while the mosquitos feast on your tender skin.

Blessedness does not depend on outer circumstances but depends on an inner satisfaction that only God can produce in you. When you read Matthew 5 and the infamous "beatitudes" of which Jesus spoke, you must understand that these character traits do not produce this blessedness...but this blessedness produces the character traits.

So, the question is, are you blessed? Has God performed a work in your heart so that that you produce the fruit of a satisfied, complete, blessed life which results not just in happiness, but true deep-rooted joy? Does your conduct prove your character? 

My nephew, Aaron learning to kayak.

Poppie assisting Ashleigh while Ellie and Aaron unpatiently wait their turn.

"Riverbend"

8x10 acrylic on masonite painted en plein air

Here's the plein air painting that I painted that day located on the Uwharrie River in Randolph County, NC .

Kinston Plein Air Competition

School Teacher's Garden

8x10 acrylic on masonite

What a great week to paint en plein air. The weather was beautiful. The skies were clear, the leaves were green, the flowers blooming and producing a sweet aroma. The temperature, however, was a little warmer than what I'm used to in early in May... The highs were in the mid 90's! So, shade was a must!

The event began Wednesday morning and ended Friday evening at 5pm. I think there were 20 or so artists in attendance which is a great number. The talent was very high at this paintout according to several who had attended before...and it showed. At the judging, which took place Friday evening, the talent was made apparent as everyone paraded their masterpieces into the gallery.

I met many wonderful artists. All were braving the heat...some in the shade, sitting, while others in full sun sweating it out. I hope they loaded up on sun-screen! I tried my best to stay in the shade as much as possible, sometimes having to break out my "shade-buddy" plein air umbrella to keep my painting and palette out of direct sun. Shade paintings turn out much nicer for me than sun-paintings...if I paint in full sun, the painting will be much darker in value and look horrible when hung in a gallery setting. So, I prefer painting in the shade when possible.

I was blessed to have received 1st place for the above painting entitled "School Teacher's Garden" which is located beside an old schoolhouse behind Harmony Hall. This location was perfect for plein air painting. I was shaded by a nice overhanging tree, and the light was just right. I was drawn to this scene by the reflected light in the shadows of the white schoolhouse and picket fence. It's amazing how green shadows on white surfaces become when reflecting the grass and shrubbery... an average camera won't detect these subtle temperature changes in color. Even the judge, artist Mike Rooney, claimed to have gotten cold chills when he saw the painting. How cool of a critique is that!

Below are some other paintings that I painted during the competition.

Neuseway

8x10 acrylic on masonite

Neuse Sand

8x10 acrylic on masonite

This was an interesting piece...I was painting under the bridge of Hwy 11, when this huge water snake which was about 4.5 ft. long comes sliding out of the water right in front of me. He layed there for about 5 minutes just checking me out. So, I stood there for about 5 minutes just checking him out. Finally, he moved on his way to some nearby grass. Later that evening, a fisherman informed me that he was ran out of that same spot by 4 or 5 different snakes... not a comforting thought understanding that this area is well know for rattlesnakes and water moccasins.

 

Roots on the Neuse

12x9 acrylic on masonite

 

 

  Queen and North

12x9 acrylic on masonite

 

 

  City Lights

12x9 acrylic on masonite

Mike Rooney offered some good advice for this painting. He loved it, and so did I...except for the cars. I should've kept the edges much softer and took a little more time with them. I painted them the day after I actually painted the scene...20 minutes before "turn-in" time. And, it shows...so, if I get this painting back, rest assured the cars will be repainted!

Special thanks to the Varner family for their always generous hospitality! I can't wait to visit Kinston and all the good people there next year!

Mooresville Artist Guild Plein Air Paintout

Liberty Park Falls

10x8 acrylic on masonite

The good people at the Mooresville Art Guild hosted a plein air painting competition on March 31. What a beautiful little town! The historic downtown area was packed full of great places to paint. If you enjoy urban scenes, you'd be in a painter's paradise. 

The morning started out drenched in rain. I think everyone who came out was a little hesitant to see if anyone else would brave the weather. Luckily, there were plenty of artists who didn't mind a little moisture in the air...especially when you've came equipped with your painting umbrella (a must-have for this time of year). Toward the middle of the day, the sun broke through and all these nice highlights popped out. What a beautiful day it turned out to be!

I was privileged to paint along side of fellow artists, Craig Franz and Scott Boyle. We chose Liberty Park to set up our gear and begin our painting process. It's always good to paint with other artists when possible. They tend to give fresh perspectives and constructive critiques in each other's paintings. Sometimes we get bogged down on particular parts of our paintings and we neglect other problem areas. Another artist's eye can help you spot these. It's also good to hear their tips and to bounce techniques off each other...iron sharpens iron.

 Craig Franz

Scott Boyle 

(check out the ez-up canopy he's painting under...now that's being prepared!)

Thanks Shade-buddy for keeping me dry!

As for my painting of the day, I was honored to have received an honorable mention in the show. 

 

 Does adidas sponsor painters? Hmmm...I doubt it.

What could be better than salad, meatballs and pasta in the company of talented friends? Thanks Cheri for the great meal!

This particular show will be on display until the end of April. So, if you're in the area, come out and see the beautiful work. Visit Mooresville Artist Guild for more info and to see the other great paintings. 

My painting, Liberty Park Falls is for sale through the gallery for $320. If you're interested, feel free to contact me or contact the Mooresville Artist Guild.

Acrylic Landscape Demonstration with Video

 Red Barn in the Morning

18x24 acrylic on canvas

The painting above is the final product of an acrylic landscape demonstration that I gave Feb. 17th. at the Waterworks Visual Arts Center, in Salisbury, NC.

The picture below shows the painting at the end of the 1.5 hr. painting demo.

When I got back home, I made quite a few changes to the final painting. Here's a list of corrections I made:

• reworked the sky to be more of a warmer morning feel rather than the overcast look (the pics here may not show the truest color of the actual painting).
• broke up the tree formation on the mountain tops to get rid of "the big bird" look.
• minimized the window on the barn
• added some rust on the roof
• adjusted the background trees going into the valley
• detailed the foreground grass with more variety of mass, textures, values, and temperature changes (cool shadows, warm midtones and high-lights)
• added a farmer walking toward the barn, to help give it some life.

It always helps to get away from your painting for a while so that when you return to it, you'll have a fresh perspective and will be able to see what needs to be changed or added.

Here's a video that fellow acrylic artist, Rex White made for me during the demonstration:

Thanks to Plein air Carolina and Waterworks Visual Arts Center in Salisbury, NC for allowing me the opportunity to demonstrate. Thanks also to Rex White for taking his time and tech-saviness to make the video.

Contact me if you're interested in purchasing the painting.