Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Chucks

Chuck's, 12"x16", oil on Ray Mar panel, SOLD
Did this commission for a friend of mine and I am very happy with the outcome. I put an APB out for some well worn, what Chucks. A fiend on mine has a very active teenage boy who only wears white chuck hightops... a kid after my own heart.

 I love shoes... them more worn the better. I enjoyed this so much, I have pulled all of my old shoes I have been collecting in my classroom and plan on doing a series of them. My father is also known for his shoes, specifically saddle oxfords. People in town loved them so much, they would go to the former Brothers, LTD on the court square to order "Boyd Shoes." According to one of the proprietors of Brothers, LTD, Ellis Mansour, Newnan was the per capita sales leader of the infamous shoes. Dad retired them once after many resoles to the basement his studio only to be unearthed years later by a friend who nailed them to the wall of his studio. I can't wait to get my hands on them. I also have a pair of 1940's Foot Joy wing tip golf shoes I used to wear in high school. Man, I got some grief for those... but I looked sharp! Also up for painting is a pair of brown Dr. Martin's I wore in high school that have about a thousand miles on them.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Mitch's '61

Mitch's '61, 3'x6', oil on gallery wrap, SOLD
Painted this commission for architect, Mitch Ginn. Mitch owns the most beautiful '61 Corvette I have ever laid eyes on. This piece is a monster at 3'x6' and a pleasure to paint. Mitch and mary Jane were great to work with, as well. The best client are the ones who know EXACTLY what they they want or want you to do EXACTLY what you want. The Ginn's knew exactly what they wanted.

Back in the Saddle, Again... Again

Wow, three weeks away from the blog and I don't know what to do with myself. After a series of unfortunate events including kidney stones, rain shortened kayak trips, a death in the family, and lipotripsy,  I am ready to start posting. I never stopped painting, just lost the will to post.

The first week of April I took my annual pilgrimage to the coast of Georgia with my friend and fellow teacher, Gail Jones. We take a group of 7th graders to Skidaway Island every year to sea kayak as part of our interim experience at The Heritage School where we teach. The group at Sea Kayak Georgia have become good friends over our years of coming down.

The camping/kayaking was shortened due to rain. I was sad and glad to be home a bit early since it was the beginning of spring break and I just got a extra day.

My wife and I were married in late may last year. Shortly after our wedding her father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the young age of 59. Those of you familiar with this cancer know how cruel it can be. My wife left the day I returned to go home to take care of him in his final days at home. He fought the good fight, continuing to stay very active until February when the cancer spread to his liver.

I was to follow the next day after unpacking and getting things together. Much to my dismay, I  had a kidney stone attack. I had one before, ironically 6 years earlier and after returning early from a snowed- out interim trip. Someone is watching out for me, for sure. I was very disappointed that I had another one and that I would not be able to get to Tennessee to be with Julie and her family.

 After my first attack, 6 years ago, I vowed never to experience them again. I really got myself together. I quit smoking and drinking and ate better, I took up painting and exercising in their place. I will say that my stones that I just pass were much better looking than the ones I had passed earlier, but I have missed out on some good single malt scotch drinking.

Regardless, I was stuck at home and could not get out of the house until the stones passed. The trip to Tennessee, where Julie's parents live, is 6 hours away and kidney stones are nothing to have outside of your house. I would not even let my own mother come sit with me due to the language that was coming out of my mouth.

After a week of phone calls, CT scans and blood work I got into a Urologist after my father in law passed away. I was disappointed to hear that my stones were to big to pass and they could not Zap them for another 2 weeks and even more saddened by the news of my father -in-laes passing and the hopeless feeling I had from passing a stupid stone while her was fighting for his life.

I was glad to know they were stuck and with a wish and a prayer (and a pocket full of Percocet) I went to Tennessee to be with my Tennessee family.

I am back home, kidney stone free and ready to get back to the blog. I have a small collection of pieces I did while home during Spring Break and pieces I completed before break and after my return from Tennessee.
Jerry loved the water. I did this piece for them for Christmas. He was  Great American.
Jerry Knott
1952-2011