So Incredibly Grateful

This week especially I am so incredibly grateful that this man was born. 

Happy Birthday to my best friend, lover, partner in crime, fix-it man, biggest fan, greatest support, comic relief, work out buddy, business adviser, chief paper pusher, and the best thing that ever happened to me.

 

Photo credit: Rebekah J. Murray

"The Evening Rush" 11x14 (Another little painting grows up)

 

"As They Go By"

6x8, oil

sold

Another small painting grows up! And one of my favorites.

I've discussed in the past how I usually paint a small painting before I ever attempt a larger work ("larger" is relative. Some still consider my "larger" pieces as small, but we're still calling them "larger" :) ) Some of these smaller pieces turn out well and I end up selling the smalls before I make it to painting the large. This was the case for "As They Go By", which sold last year to a long-time Midlothian resident. 

Almost a year later, here is the "big brother" of As They Go By.

 

"The Evening Rush"

11x14, oil

email for purchase information.

For the larger painting I borrowed the caption title chosen by writers at the Chesterfield Monthly in March. See the painting/caption online HERE.

This painting will potentially be a part of "AROUND TOWN", an exhibit of my Midlothain paintings at Urban Farmhouse at the Millworks April 1-30, 2014.

Click image below to see more paintings to be on display:

"The Mill House" 11x14

I spent this week and last prepping the paintings for an upcoming show at Urban Farmhouse in Midlothian.

Yes, I'm getting excited!

One of the paintings to be displayed is "The Mill House". It is a enlargement of this smaller (6x8") painting that is on exhibit in Gallery Flux's "Structures Brought to Light" show. I enjoyed the smaller painting so much I wanted to recreate it in a larger format.

 "Mill House" (small version)

6x8, oil

sold

And the larger painting... which will be part of "AROUND TOWN", a display of painting depicting familiar scenes around Midlothian, Virginia. If you are local, be sure to check out the display at:

 Urban Farmhouse 

(Midlothian location)

13872 Coalfield Commons Pl, Ste 102, Midlothian, VA 

April 1-30, 2014

"The Mill House"

11x14, oil

View at Urban Farmhouse, Midlothian 

April 1-30, 2014

13872 Coalfield Commons Pl, Ste 102, Midlothian, VA

Available for purchase

"Burning the Midnight Oil at Packard's", 6x6

"Burning the Midnight Oil at Packard's"
Packard's Stamps and Rocks, Midlothian Turnpike and Woolridge Road
6x6, oil

Packard's, a 50 year old establishment, started with an inventory of stamps half the size of a shoe box. Now the show cases and book shelves are crammed with  rocks and gems, books, boxes and folders of collectable stamps. The marquee regularly announces the arrival of new inventory.

"The Sycamores" 6x6

Of course I have to post a green painting on Saint Patrick's Day... even though it's white outside.

(Spring, you can come any day now.)

The Sycamores 

6x6, oil

The Woolridge brothers, partial owners of the Mid-lothian coal mining company, built what is now Crab Louie’s Tavern in the 1700’s. It served as the home of Abraham Woolridge and his family. In 1875 the John Jewett family purchased the estate and turned it into a boarding house. It was named “The Sycamores” because of the abundance of sycamore trees in the area. One hundred years later the house was converted into a restaurant named “Sycamore Inn” and the surrounding area was developed into the Sycamore Square Shopping Center.

"Spring Clean" 6x8

"Spring Clean"

6x8, oil

Sadly this building was torn down shortly after I photographed it last spring. It was the old Midlothian Cleaners, next to Swim World on Midlothian Turnpike.

"Engine 5", 6x12 and Urban Farmhouse Show in April

I started pulling out my reference photos taken around Midlothian from last spring. Mmmm, those spring greens are come in small portions even now. 

"Engine 5"

6x12, oil on board

Fire Station #5, located on the corner of Midlothian Turnpike and Salisbury Road, was established in 1949 through funds donated by the community. This bright spring morning brought Engine 5 out for a wash, thankfully, rather than an emergency.

Wow, March is 1/3 the way over. Time certainly flies! Today was a lovely 77 degree day. I spent a couple hours working on the computer on the back deck, soaking up the sun and warmth. 

I worked on a postcard design for a small art show at Urban Farmhouse in Midlothian during the month of April. I'm thinking of calling it "Around Town". What do you think?

 I stuck this recent painting of the Midlo Fire House on the postcard for some spring cheer and a little punch of color. 

I'm still waiting to hear the hanging date. April 1-30 isn't definite, but the artwork will up ABOUT those dates.

"Structures Brought to Light", a juried exhibit at Gallery Flux in Ashland, VA

I was honored to hear a few of my pieces were accepted into "Structures Brought to Light", a juried exhibit at Gallery Flux in Ashland, VA.

The opening reception is tonight, Thursday, March 6th 5:30-8pm.

Gallery Flux

307-B England Street, Ashland, Virginia 23005

 

Take a sneak peek at the artwork in the show -- both 2D and 3D works below:

Structures Brought to Light Exhibit Details

The gallery is allowing purchase ahead of time if you see something you love.

 Winter Light on Trabue's Tavern, 6x8 // Mill House, 6x8

 December Dusk, 16x16 // Window to the Past, 6x8

"Amber in the Light" 6x6

Amber in the Light

6x6, oil

Same location as this painting.