Boots, 192

Larger version of pieces done for my friend, Cindy, for whom I painted the Jeep and the Ford Tractor. This is her painting of her father's boots.

Signature Canvas

Got my first shipment of Signature canvas today. I have always used Fredrix , Utrecht, or Dick or Blick Premier canvas in gallery wrap or museum wrap. This canvas was recommended to me Brian Fortson who handles all of Steve Penley's work. They got the gig in the Highlands for me. Brian recommended that I use their museum wrap for this adventure. I have always wanted to use more museum wrap, but it is expensive!

This stuff is impressive. After I ordered it, I waited a few days and never got a shipment notification. I called their number and BAM got a person immediately... it was the owner. very impressed and apparently it was a cell because she wasn't in the office. She told me she would check on my order and call me in the morning.

She explained their product to me and I was even more blown away. Their product is made 100% in the US. Cotton grown in the south and everything. She said they carried no inventory and all canvas was custom made to order, thus the delay in shipping. Either way, I was blown away. Great product, incredibly customer service... just have to see how it takes paint!

Did I mention free shipping...

Red Tractor VI, 192

Smaller version of one of my favorite subjects. This is the same Farmall I have painted several times before from references taken in Tennessee. I really like the way it broke down on the 24"x30" canvas, sometimes I miss that abstract quality I get on the small canvases. Eventually, when I am done with the work for the restaurant, I will try to break them down a bit more... I just need to ride this one out.

Sunflower, 191

Ran out of really big canvas, but had this great square 24"x24" museum wrap tucked away in my canvas closet. I have done several studies of sunflowers growing in my garden, but i really wanted to see one large scale, I would like to go even larger. I guess I was also reminiscing about warmer times! it has been so cold down here, especially inside this old farmhouse! But I would not have it any other way. This piece will be available at the Log Cabin Restaurant in Highlands, NC in late February.

Red Tractor V, 190

This may be the last of this specific tractor that sat out on Hwy 85 here in Gay. I think I have spent all of my photo reference. This is the 3rd large painting of the week and it did not feel as good as the rest. Perhaps because I have done so many this week. We are headed to the mountains in NC this week, so I am taking my plein air kit and looking forward to getting out of the studio and photo reference.

Washington Tow, 189

This tow truck could very well be the reason I am obsessed with old, rotting vehicle carcasses. At the very least I am pretty sure it all started with the city of Washington, GA. We would visit my grandparents there every month or so and we would drive past this truck every time. As long as I can remember it was always there. It was curious to watch it change. It seemed to become more beautiful to me the longer it sat there as nature did it's work to her. My grandparents also had an old barn that was full of old cars and tractors.

There was a Ford Model T that was sold to a neighbor. It is actually up and running. There was a convertible Packard. It was in the process of being restored when lightening struck the barn it was stored in and burned to the ground. All that was left was a puddle of glass. It was my favorite, it still had the key in the ignition, an old rabbits foot that was missing all of it's hair. There was also an old Farmall tractor that was traded to a friend in exchange for the restoration of my Dad's '57 MGA coupe.

I used to go out to that old barn out in the woods and play in those old cars, I loved the smell and I loved the accumulation of moss and dust and dirt that only comes from decades of abandonment.

Out to Pasture 188

Found this old Chevy out in a field in Dover, TN. I got several great shots of it so there should be more paintings to come. I love this Chevy body style, it has appeared in my paintings several times before. I was very excited about this one when I started, but that quickly went away. This painting was easily the most frustrating piece ever! As usual, it came together with the last few strokes of the brush and made me proud. I will be sad to see this one go, love the square format, too.

Drugs 187

I found this sign in Blue Ridge, GA this summer. It is beautiful. No rust, still used as a sign for the Rexall Pharmacy in downtown.

Budget Motel, Chattanooga 187

Found this gem on or excursion of Highway 41. The way up to Lookout Mountain is covered in old Googie signs. This one was actually a bit further out, but I found several more between this sign and the top of the mountain. This piece will go into the grouping for the Log Cabin Restaurant.