"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.





Painting during a heat wave. Water, water, everywhere...

"Nearly Home"
Acrylic on 8 x 10 Stretched Canvas

Here are my latest offerings. As usual, subject matter is all over the place, although I did feel the need to include water in four of them. I wonder why? Maybe because of a couple of days when it was over 46 Celsius here in Sydney? (115 Fahrenheit!)

Let me know what you think.




"Beach Picnic"
Acrylic on 8 x 10 Stretched Canvas



"Sydney Harbour Sunset"
Acrylic on 10 x 8 Stretched Box Canvas

"Let It Rain"
Acrylic on 8 x 10 Stretched Canvas



"Old Red Boat II"
Acrylic on 10 x 8 Stretched Canvas

 Just finishing a courtyard cafe scene. That means the weather is just right again.

Six New Naive Paintings to Close Out the Year

It has been a long time. I apologize, but I've been immersed in the publishing business. So immersed, I believe I figuratively drowned. Enough of that. I have started painting again, which always helps to salve any literary wounds.

My latest pictures produced last week are below. No theme, no message...just how I was feeling on the day.



"Bad Hair Day"
Acrylic on 8 x 10 Stretched Canvas



"Afternoon Tea For Madam"
Acrylic on 8 x 10 Stretched Canvas



"M'Lady"
Acrylic on 8 x 10 Stretched Canvas

"Self-Expression"
Acrylic on 10 x 8 Stretched Canvas



"Coffee With Carol"
Acrylic on 10 x 8  Stretched Canvas

"The Captain"
Acrylic on 8 x 10 Stretched Canvas

"Bad Hair Day" has already sold on eBay. I'll paint more, of course, over the holidays. I'm well and truly back in painting mode. And The Writing Business can take a long, long vacation.


This season, my thoughts are with Squeakie. Hang in there, friend.






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...

Latest Painting - A Little Naive Australiana

Had a problem finding the right light to photograph this one. So many different greens, and not one of them emerald! I've added enlargements so you can see the detail.

I have always loved this kind of folk art. There are one or two famous artists out there that make me drool with their detail. Alas, my work is not as refined, but the essence of a simpler time comes through, I think.

"Village Life"

And guess what took the longest time to paint? Those darned chooks! (Forget the ducks. From here they could be geese.) Those chickens were a challenge. And no, they weren't just a blob of white paint, and a touch of orange for the beaks. I really thought it out as I applied the paint in the direction of the feathers. Not that you'll believe me. Only I know how long they took.

See you soon.  I'm on a roll now.

Michelle Rae Schafer's folk art dolls at the Studio at Crowhaven Farm

Michelle Rae Schafer is another oddball artist from Etsy. I find so many of these lovely, weird and wonderful people there. No one should be offended by my description, because it's simply an indication of their child-like glee, the cheeky eccentricity that they bring to the world.

These quirky dolls (which are not toys, of course) are part of Michelle's 'Gossip Girls' series. They are hand-sculpted out of polymer clay, with movable arms and legs. They're hand-decorated, then receive numerous layers of acrylic paint, which, in turn, is crackled and antiqued, finally sealed with double coats of glaze for added protection. The skirts are hand sewn and dyed in coffee for that authentic vintage folk art doll look. Each is approximately 7 inches high.








Whimsy Friday just wouldn't be the same without people like Michelle. Go check her out at The Studio at Crowhaven Farm at Etsy. Don't forget to find the link to her blog there, too. It's brimming with all kinds of interesting bits and bobs. (But be prepared to stay for a while. There's a huge amount to look at.)

Have a great weekend. If you can - if you're so privileged - give your Dad a hug.

MurphyMae at Etsy and a Tad Bit of Snarkiness...

Murphy Mae Adams is a wacky primitive artist at Etsy. But this is the kind of wackiness that helps us take life and ourselves less seriously. We can always use a few more like her.









Murphy describes her work this way -

"cartoon-like innocence entwined with a tad bit of snarkiness"

You can say that again! More than a tad, Murphy...

These crazy paintings are perfect for Whimsy Friday, and you'll laugh despite yourself. They are done in acrylics and ink on archival quality paper, some framed, some not. MurphyMae also has prints at her site, so don't be shy about looking.

Have a crazy, wacky weekend!