"The Simple Life" Figurative Seascape Window and Woman Acrylic Folk Art Painting

Here is the latest one. I can picture myself living here, probably without the cellphone, or a TV, or the laptop. I don't know how long I could last, but I'd be willing to give it a try.

Have a lovely, relaxing Easter.

"Cafe" - New Figurative City Interior Painting

I enjoyed doing the larger figures in this painting, with the extra detail involved. I haven't been out for a lunch for a while, and the subject matter appealed to me. You will note that no one is eating. Hmm... Wonder what that says about me.



16 x 12 inches

See you next time.

"The Commander" Faux-Colonial Naval Officer Portrait

I had a need to paint something Colonial-looking. Since I cannot afford to buy originals from that Early-America itinerate-artist School, I always make my own. Sometimes I keep them to decorate my own walls, and sometimes I offer them for sale. It's a very specific taste, so I don't expect a rush of interest, but I absolutely love doing them.

My "Commander" goes well with "M'Lady", painted a few months ago, so I've included her here.





"Market Day" - Latest Figurative Naive City Folk Art

Acrylic on 16 x 12 Stretched Canvas

There is no market day in my area, as far as I know. Of course, it could be so well-hidden that I've yet to discover it, but I think someone would have mentioned it. In Britain - in fact all of Europe - whole town squares become markets with dozens of stalls, and I've bought some incredible collectibles from such places. Canada has its share, and I'm guessing the States does, too. Being in the Antipodes, which entails doing a lot of things which are opposite to the rest of the world, Sydney has permanent markets, in dim, vaguely stale, buildings, where you can buy just about anything, but which lack the spontaneity of the outdoor versions, and certainly the fresh air. Paddington has an outdoor one, but it's too far for me to travel. No doubt, out of town, there are some great country markets, but I haven't found one yet.

This painting represents my memory of good city markets. I miss them.


Don't even ask how long this one took me to paint. I couldn't stop.

Two New Naive Escapist Folk Art Paintings

I don't know why I have this need for pleasurable things outside my immediate experience right now. I keep picturing beaches, and secret city places, and good food and wine. Perhaps I have a real need for a holiday.

In any case, these are my two latest paintings. Both have some relationship to food, and definitely gave me a warm glow as I painted them.

No explanation for the missing diners in the park. I leave that entirely to your imagination. But it's certain the pigeon is in for a nice little snack.




"Perfect Plaza" New Urban Primitive Folk Painting



We all have our favorite places to unwind.  For me, it's always been al fresco meals, soaking up some sun and feeling part of nature as I eat my Bruschetta. Even coffee doesn't taste as good as it does when you're outside in the fresh air.

We were very excited when our local city planners  began construction of a walking plaza here.  They blocked off each end of the main thoroughfare - a small street of shops that had little attraction because we have a hugely popular indoor mall a block over - and new signs appeared diverting traffic to a linking road. We patiently lived through the constant sound of road-building -- the whole area was being resurfaced -- because we were going to have a little oasis at the end, a perfect pedestrian mall, outside.

The construction guys finished and moved out and we curiously wandered into the area. There were now lots of benches along the sides (although we were puzzled by the new sidewalks). There were some trees, planters filled with flowers, but then we saw that there were traffic lights at each end of the block, and that a very small amount of cars still used the road.

The Powers-That-Be had decided to allow vehicles through our pedestrian mall. Store owners and others with business in the area had made a fuss and were permitted access by car. The whole thing had been a huge mirage. We had been duped. The only things that changed were the addition of more plant life, and a reduction in the amount of traffic.

So my painting this week is my idea of a perfect plaza, one where you can sit in quiet contemplation, or have a snack, do a little shopping, and not be overpowered by noise and bad air quality.

These places are common in Britain. Almost every small town has turned its high street into a car-free zone. We don't seem able to get it right. Of course, I still have hope that Council will reconsider our re-vamped street. Obviously reducing traffic has some benefit, but we deserve more. We are not all genetically attached to the car.

See you next time.