Still Painting. When Will I Return to My Writing?

These are the paintings I've completed through June. I'm not prolific, but when I start, I can't stop. The varying subjects are an indication of where my thought processes are these days...unpredictable and inexplicable, but always spontaneous. I think Pinterest has a lot to do with it...

Click on the images to enlarge them.

"The Village House"

16 x 20

"Star Bright"

15 x 11

"Trifid"

16 x 20

(My first abstract ever. Will do more.)

"Buttercups"

15 x 11

"Sundown"

17 x 14

I've started a small oil painting. This is the first time in decades that I've messed with oils, and, believe me, I do get into a mess with oils. But I'm persevering. I admire the apparent freedom most oil artists seem to have, and would love to experience that. The image I've produced at present looks as controlled and contained as anything I do in acrylic...more so, in fact, because I'm trying so hard not to get messy! I guess my other complaint is that I have no patience with waiting for paint to dry, and I will not use turpentine to speed the process. Of course, I'll blog the result when and if I ever get the thing finished - and dried.

Until next time.

The wonderful, wacky world of Ken Oberholtzer at Coastwalker Folk Art

Today I'd like you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the stunning primitive paintings of Ken Oberholtzer, a folk artist in purist terms who lives in Maine. His work is deceptive: first you notice his brilliant abstract backgrounds, then you see the crazy animals, the birds and fish, the bold flowers, and the humor. His use of color is a delight. For those of you (really?) who try to link your artwork to your interior design colors, you can't go wrong -- he uses every color in the spectrum, throws it onto his wood panels without reserve, impulsively, hugely confident in the stunning result.

If you're an abstract art lover, you'll want one (or two, or three...) of these. If you've always loved Folk, he's a master. You get 'em both with his work.. Of course, I had to get the painting below. This is literally the motto of my life (you know how much travelling I do).  I just can't accept it...

This last one has been sold, but I think it's my favorite.  If he ever does another one similar to this, it will be mine. Did I mention I bought a few of his already? So much for being a struggling artist myself...

I suspect that Ken paints every day. I'll wager that he's a funny, unpretentious, but philosophical kind of guy, but he probably doesn't need to hear that. I've probably embarrassed him with all this high-falutin' talk.

Go look at his Coastwalker eBay shop. You'll be well rewarded.

If you're outside North America, you'll have to throw yourself on his kind nature to have one mailed internationally. But he's such a nice guy, I don't think that will be a problem.

Until next time...