MoonPie, 200

Wow, made it to 200. Thought I would get here a LOT sooner!

Here is the compliment to the RC painting. From Columbus, georgia to Chattanooga, Tennessee. They both share 20" sides in common, so I hope they go to the same place and hang together. These were so much fun to do. I love typography and graphics. Made to look simple and graphic and to be recognizable instantly. I have hand lettered many signs in my day, although I don't know jack about it. I have the right brushes and enamels as well as 10 years of house and mural painting under my belt... but hand lettering is an art unto itself. Mike Malloy does a great deal of it around the Newnan area, he has promised lessons that I plan on taking him up on it. I don't go to YouTube much because I live in the boonies and video takes forever to download, but when I do, I love to look for those guys who do pin striping and custom lettering. There are some amazing videos of those guys doing what they do. Long Live Von Dutch.

RC Cola, 199

I have wanted to work with old corporate identities and logos for quite some time. As a younger art history student, I loved Andy Warhol and many of the other Pop artists and their progenitors. Having grown up in a print shop and graphics company, I have always appreciated the time, effort and thought that goes into the creation of a corporate identity not to mention creating a few myself. It is more than a symbol or brand, to me, they are works of art... more so when they are signage with some years on them. I hope to do many more retro signs/ logos... my next obsession.

Many questions continue to concern me about copyright/trademark infringement. I have researched these questions a great deal, but short of speaking with a copyright lawyer... I still have questions than need answers. From what I can tell, creating works of "art" from them is acceptable as long as I do not mass produce (create prints) them to make a profit. I know that Campbell's was more than happy to have Andy Warhol use their soup cans, hell, even Disney let him use Mickey Mouse. Coca Cola must love Steve Penley, too...

Amongst the Tires, 196

Another rusty Ford for the collection headed to NC later this month. Happier with this one this morning than I was last night. Switching gears to signage and advertising to round out the bunch... I may have more than 20 to take, that would be great... sometimes it pays to just paint instead of count.

Crossing, 194

First piece on Signature canvas and a favorite of the batch for the Highlands. The canvas was great. Given the size, the canvas remained tight as a drum even when working into the middle. Very responsive with a great texture.

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.

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.