"In The Field"
Graphite, Watercolor and Acrylics on Paper.

The Merhorse

Epoxy balls prepped and ready to be made into scales.

This project was started several years ago. I took great delight in sawing a stablemate sized resin in half (No idea what I did with the back portion) and creating a "Merhorse" of sorts.

Recently, while looking for something in my basement studio, I came across the merhorse and was inspired to finish him...or her. Not sure if it would be a he or she. In any case I remember taking detailed photos of the severing of the body and creation of the back portion but those photos seem to be long gone. I knew it would have made a great tutorial. I personally tend to learn a lot from such fun projects as I give myself leeway to explore and just create. There are no rules and regulations and I can just have fun. It's important to take time out to just have fun.

My carousel book came in hand for scale reference.

Newly finished commission: Little Lonestar in bay roan.

Shades of Dappled Rose Grey

"He Mouse"
Graphite and Watercolor on Mixed Media Paper.

I thought it might be fun to document the production on a Morgen Kilbourn "Kipling" resin who is being painted a rose dappled grey. The steps shown below are just the initial stages. A piece will go through many shades of color using a glazing technique. Once the color has been achieved dapples are added. Here is what has transpired so far. More to come!

Light coverage of color throughout.

Darkening the hind quarters first.

Extending the darker rose grey color throughout the body.

White oil paints applied to all lighter shaded areas.

Oil washes added to existing rose grey areas and blended.

"She Mouse"
Graphite and Watercolor on Mixed Media Paper.

"Rain"
Graphite, Watercolor on Paper.

On The Farm

Beautiful lines and inspirations in the barn.

Yesterday I dropped everything in the studio to go and hang out with my cousin. I was riddled with guilt as I drove to her farm. I knew I had a ton of commissions to complete and even thought I did bring pieces to prep I knew I'd probably never open the "work bag" once I got to her home.

I was right about the work bag, but never expected to be so inspired at every turn at her house. She and her husband own a farm and although I have been to their house once before I never really went with my "artist's eye" on. Once on though, I was overwhelmed.

Their property is gigantic and from the bedroom window where I slept I caught the most enticing and amazingly beautiful and colorful landscape. The view was what I was mulling around in my head to paint for the entire summer. Each window from her house produced a new view and one I got excited to flesh out on canvas.

The black and white against the green is absolutely enticing

Add some cows to those landscapes and the longing to paint increases. There is just something intriguing about black and white on green.

My cousin also has horses which captivated me for most of the barn visit. It was literally impossible for me to walk away, especially from the Appaloosa gelding whom took a liking to me and kept following me everywhere I went. It wasn't until the boss hen started yakin away at me that I turned attentions to the chickens. There are lots of them and they all were free ranging and beautiful. I was dying to draw them, but I neglected to pack the sketchbook in the work bag. First thing I did once home however, was sketch out everything that inspired.

He provided a plethora of Appaloosa reference
and an abundance of hugs.

The structure of his face made me want to sculpt again.

A most impressive comb.

Boss hen
Talking up a storm.


Graphite and watercolor on paper.

Of course, right before I was set to leave the barn for the day I spotted feathers about and what looked like a flattened bird on the floor of the barn. Yes...upon further inspection it was a most beautiful sight. An impressive black bird carcass in a cool state of decay. There was no way I was leaving this gem behind.

So despite the fact that I am behind somewhat in studio work I am greatly inspired from the small trip and am excited all around about sketching, painting and working on models.

Beauty in Decay just waiting for me to paint it!

"The Dance"
Graphite, Acrylic and Watercolor on Mixed Media Paper.

It's a Mystery

Wooden base sanded and ready for stain.

So today was quite a strange day. Most days I really don't know what I'm going to write about on the blog. I sorta "wing" it and wait for the articles to reveal themselves to me. For a few years now, I've been pretty lucky! I always manage to find something to discuss.

Add stain to the wood and let dry.

Today was no different. I woke and half way through my morning coffee posted the same question I post to myself every morning over coffee and that is, "What are you going to write about today?" Since the Stormwatch had gotten a bit of air time (btw, he is for sale now) the little Netsky was next on the list to show off on the blog.

Finishing her gave me a nice opportunity to discuss bases and how to make a simple one. Her pink bows prompted the urge to make a base with green and pink flocking. Of course the best laid plans get changed when something more extraordinary comes along and that is exactly what happened today when I took a studio break and headed to the grocery store.

Painters tape is used to cover the sides.

Sobo glue is brushed on the top.

I pulled out a dollar bill to pay for my items and I noticed a signature on the bill and it looked familiar. Actually there were four names on that bill and all of them were familiar. Monica, Selina, Thelma and of course Sylvia were names of people I all knew from Brooklyn, NY when I lived there. All were close friends and all were represented on this bill I almost handed to the cashier.

I stood in disbelief. Somehow, someway this bill that was signed "lucky dollar" by my good friends and given a date of 3/5/2005 managed to make it's way to me at this point in time Why? I have no idea. But as I sit here with the dollar bill neatly tucked into one of the ribbons of my french board (Ill never cash it) I reminisce about all the fun times I had in Brooklyn with these ladies. The dinners, the painting sessions, the laughs and the tears when Syl was moved by her company to Florida to work. That was in 2005 right when this bill was signed. I have seen her once since she moved. Time just flies and distance prevents frequent visits.

I have absolutely no clue how this bill found its way into my wallet in PA. It definitely put the brakes on most of the work I had to complete in the office today. I did manage to finish the base, but just barely. I just couldn't stop thinking about the bill. What were the odds?

It's a strange, but beautiful mystery.

A mixture of small rock and sand is spread on the glue.

Green and pink flock is also added.
I never get to use this pink flock but it
worked perfectly for this set up.

The finished display.

Close up of Netsky with her bows.
She will be for sale.

The bill....

"Hug"
Graphite, Watercolor and Acrylics on Mixed Media Paper.

The Lake

Painting station complete with samples from Renoir and Manet.
Two of my favorite Impressionists

My travels found me at Nuangola Lake yesterday for the annual dock lighting ceremony. Each year a theme is chosen and everyone's dock is decorated with the theme and lights. It's a most pretty celebration which inspired me to no end. It was the first time I ever attended this event.

I was enthralled with the lake and the houses around the lake. I loved the little stone paths to the water's edge and all the pretty landscaping everyone had done. There were paths and bridges and turtles and Herons and water lilies. The water and scenery were captivating. It's no surprise that I got lost in a painting today of a little portion of the lake that inspired me.

The lilies proved to be a most challenging subject in perspective, shape, color and composition. I'm not 100% happy with the painting, but there are aspects I am happy with. Not every piece comes out fantastic, but each one is a learning tool. Today's adventure in paint was, without a doubt, a hard lesson.

I documented the painting process.

"The Water Lilies"
Acrylic on canvas board

A Collection

Fun to see them all together.

I'm a collector of many things. I enjoy collecting model horses, animal skulls and bones, books, beautiful postcards, antiques, anything with birds or mice on them, ceramics and ordinary stones. The ordinary stones, however, must be in the shape (or closely resemble) a heart. This is my collection. I couldn't resist having the mice play with the tiniest stone heart in my collection.

"Two Mice, One Heart"
Graphite, Acrylics and stone on Paper.

Yes, More Dumpster Diving

Beat up table found on the street.

Searching for beat up unwanted furniture never ceases. Amazing as well is pieces that I need for certain parts of my house seem to magically turn up on the sidewalk just when I need them. This piece was found around the corner from my house, in the rain, beat up and very used. I had been searching for the perfect table for under my large bay window in the fireplace room to no avail. That is, until I spied this beauty standing unwanted waiting for the garbage truck.

It needed a bit more elbow grease than normal, but in the end it's turned out to be the perfect addition to my front room.

My brother graciously volunteered to sand the top down.

The top sanded and grooves filed.

The piece stood in my front room unfinished for months. I decided in the end, after painting the faux marble finish on the other pieces to let this piece match the others somewhat. Once I had part of the idea down, the rest fell into place. I refused to buy more paint so I just took stock of what I already had and then mixed up a custom color.

I was pulled to these colors and decided to see
what I'd come up with when I mixed them.

Two of the colors had primer mixed in already so I figured
I could just straight to painting.

The top and side spindles are painted a flat black.

Marbling effects added.

Blue oil washes added here and there to
help create a soft glow.

The finished piece.