Moon Over Montecito December 29, 2011

A Crescent Moon, tethered by a sparkling Venus; both heavenly bodies hover above the old Montecito Fire House.  

I Imagine what mysteries lie still unresolved, and contemplate the moon;  bearing witness to all.

Nocturne Demo Scottsdale Mission, Scottsdale Arizona: December 28, 2011

A couple of years ago I taught a Nocturne Painting Workshop through the Scottsdale Artist's School. This was the first in a series of demonstration paintings I performed during the workshop. One of the students, Marjorie Weaver, volunteered to pose for me by sitting on the wall in front of the mission. 

By the end of this evening, my eyes had completely adjusted to the darkness. So much so that I drove off to my hotel without the headlights of my rental car turned  on. Needless to say I got pulled over by the Scottsdale Police who were suspicious I'd been drinking. I showed them my painting and denied I'd been drinking. however I admitted I was completely drunk on Moonlight!!

My, "Night Vision Story",  made them laugh, and they let me go.  

Old Scottsdale Mission Under Moonlight

9x12 oil/board  private collection

Cool Blue Christmas December 26, 2011

Post Christmas Blues; and my other lover hovers...

I...must...go,,,get...my...paints!

Christmas Lights, Carpinteria December 22, 2011

Its the first night of Hanuka and the Near Beach Hotel is all lit-up and cozy. Even the Orbs have come out to play.  

I imagine...with hope, and give thanks for the chiaroscuro of the moment.

The True Christmas Spirit December 18, 2011

Tis the season, spirit's tappin';

Try to witness miracles happen.

Mother Nature; when she calls,

Reveals to us orb-like balls.

Light the way for us to see;

The metaphor of a Christmas Tree. 

Deep and meaningful is it's light;

Guiding the hopeless through the night.

Relax, enjoy this time of year.

An attitude of gratitude, 

Will bring great cheer.

Claude Monet in Spirit December 17, 2011

Sailboat at Petit-Gennevilliers

All I know is that I am motivated by that which makes my heart sing.

I love art, so I study it, and make it a priority to surround myself with it.

I buy lots of art books with pictures of paintings made by the great Master Painters of the past.

In a way, they become my mentors...

As I seek out my motif's,   Nature reveals to me similar patterns of what may have been witnessed by one of my mentors when they walked the Earth.  I am at choice to use these patterns in one of my own paintings; (i.e. STEAL THE IDEA) and develop my art work with this influence at the core of it's configuration.

The other morning I walked outside my home and saw this view at Sunrise. The cloud patterns (Alto Cumulus) reminded me of patterns in a painting I'd seen before by French Impressionist Painter, Claude Monet.  This scene lasted only for a few minutes, but I captured it on camera, with the intention of sharing this idea of reference with you.

Alto Cumulus at Sunrise  photo: T. Van Stein

Presenting this evidence serves to keep me on track with my tact of being an artist; aligning present moments with the past, in a way that affects my future in a positive way. 

Mastery is Memory

Lion Eyes December 14, 2011

Imagination is Everything

Calm Between Storms December 13, 2011

 A Silvery Day in Paradise.  

It's good to be above ground!

Gingerbread Barber December 12, 2011

Freshly Baked Gingerbread House
Victoria Street, Santa Barbara California.


Passion beyond words! 

Lunar Eclipse Over the Artist's Home December 10, 2011

Lunar Eclipse Over the Near Beach Hotel: Carpinteria

A nice omen to begin one's day.


Fifty years ago I was born the night of a Lunar Eclipse. Is it possible, this is why I pursue the Moon in my nocturnes?

They say coming events cast their shadows...and in this case, the Earth over the Moon.

Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 2011

Tigers Over Kweilin  by Thomas Van Stein  78"x92"  oil on Canvas 2009  On display at the Commerative Air Force Museum, Camarillo California

70 years ago today, young Americans answered the call after the U.S. 6th Fleet was devastated at Pearl Harbor Some who were paying attention to world events made tremendous sacrifices in their own lives to get involved; and though America wasn't at war as of yet, they volunteered as mercenaries to help stem the tide of evil growing on the planet. 


These young Americans and their small  contingent of aircraft, were already in place; flying as American Expatriates for the Chinese Air Force.  The Americans earned the name, "Fei Hu" (Tigers of the Air), but more popularly known as, "The Flying Tigers".


When Pearl Harbor took place, these brave airmen took to the skies in Indochina to stop the advance of the Japanese into Burma, (Now called Myanmar)
This skeleton crew, exhausted and down to the last few men and planes held out for six months, they gave their all and did halt the advancement of the Japanese Brutal Imperial War Machine.


Every Vet who answered the call that day, were willing to put their personal lives on hold and signed up to protect our country in its time of need, is to be congratulated, and appreciated. I try to remember them with every brush stroke, on every canvas. Their dedication and Spirit of Freedom inspires me.

My Father was one of these who answered the call as a U.S. Merchant Marine.  This is his flag; a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capital on December 7, 1941.  It is flown almost every holiday, with great pride and remembrance. 

Long may these colors wave. Remember Pearl Harbor!!

Communing with Talia December 5, 2011

 

"A riveting story of unimaginable heartbreak and courage. It leaves you in awe of this mother's vast ability to love and to heal. It cannot help but change your view of what is possible."
~ Ellen Simon screenwriter One Fine Day and Moonlight and Valentino

“The story is compelling, fascinating and riveting—I couldn’t put it down! The chapter on ‘Raising Talia’ is one of the most intriguing accounts of parenting I’ve ever read.”
~ Jennifer Read Hawthorne, #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul and Chicken Soup for the Mother’s Soul.

"This spellbinding, true story shows how the human spirit can triumph in the face of adversity with some inspiring help from beyond the veil."
~ Randy Peyser, Author of The Power of Miracle Thinking

Blogger Van Stein: Commissioned Painting
"Talia's View": the Beginning July 7, 2011
http://tvs-theartist.blogspot.com/2011/07/talias-view-beginning-july-7-2011.html

Ghosts Orbs at the Coral Casino, Santa Barbara December 4, 2011

Built in 1926-27 by Reginald Johnson, the Coral Casino (part of Ty Warner's Four Season's Biltmore) has played host to many a celebrity and guest. Friday night I strolled alone the empty corridors and cabanas clicking away with my camera. Not a creature stirred.  

However, the Art Deco Era Architecture played host to the sound of my echoing footsteps and my clicking camera catching big blue bouncing Orbs hovering away like globules in a 1960's  Lava Lamp!
 

Van Stein Smaller Images Exhibition Opening: December 2, 2011

The Opening at James Main Fine Arts, was packed. I even made a couple of sales! I am exhibiting 27 paintings, all on the smaller side in size.

It's a great feeling to be exhibiting on the same walls as famous "Dead Artists" such as Collin Campbell Cooper,  Douglas Parshall,  and Ed Borin.

The show will be up til January 9, 2012

Van Stein Small Images Exhibition: December 1, 2011

Van Stein Art Studio

Smaller Images

A collection of recent Original Van Stein oil paintings

at 

James Main Fine Art

27 East De la Guerra Street 

Santa Barbara, California 

(805) 962-8347 

December 1 through January 9, 2011 

Artist Reception:

December 1, 5-8 pm 

(First Thursday) 

Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday Noon to Five 

Van Stein interview about "Smaller Images" exhibition can be seen  on the "American Riviera" TV Show,  Santa Barbara Public Access.  Channel 17
 

  

www.thomasvanstein.net

 

Van Stein Small Images Exhibition: November 30, 2011

Early Moon Rise   6"x 8"  oil/board   2011

 

Smaller Images

A collection of recent Original Van Stein oil paintings

at 

James Main Fine Art

27 East De la Guerra Street 

Santa Barbara, California 

(805) 962-8347 

December 1 through January 9, 2011 

Artist Reception:

December 1, 5-8 pm 

(First Thursday) 

Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday Noon to Five 

Van Stein interview about "Smaller Images" exhibition can be seen  on the "American Riviera" TV Show,  Santa Barbara Public Access.  Channel 17
 

  

www.thomasvanstein.net

Van Stein Small Images Exhibition: November 29, 2011

St. Anthony's, Fall  14x12  oil/canvas  2011

 

 

Smaller Images

A collection of recent Original Van Stein oil paintings

at 

James Main Fine Art

27 East De la Guerra Street 

Santa Barbara, California 

(805) 962-8347 

December 1 through January 9, 2011 

Artist Reception:

December 1, 5-8 pm 

(First Thursday) 

Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday Noon to Five 

Van Stein interview about "Smaller Images" exhibition can be seen  on the "American Riviera" TV Show,  Santa Barbara Public Access.  Channel 17,
 

  

www.thomasvanstein.net

Van Stein Small Images Exhibition: November 28, 2011

Afternoon Light, Butterfly Beach 11"x9" oil/board 2011

Smaller Images

A collection of recent Original Van Stein oil paintings

at 

James Main Fine Art

27 East De la Guerra Street 

Santa Barbara, California 

(805) 962-8347 

December 1 through January 9, 2011 

Artist Reception:

December 1, 5-8 pm 

(First Thursday) 

Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday Noon to Five 

Van Stein interview about "Smaller Images" exhibition can be seen  on the "American Riviera" TV Show,  Santa Barbara Public Access.  Channel 17,
 

  

www.thomasvanstein.net

Van Stein Small Images Exhibition: November 27, 2011

Santa Monica Nocturne   12"x16"  oil/canvas  2011

Smaller Images

A collection of recent Original Van Stein oil paintings

at 

James Main Fine Art

27 East De la Guerra Street 

Santa Barbara, California 

(805) 962-8347 

December 1 through January 9, 2011 

Artist Reception:

December 1, 5-8 pm 

(First Thursday) 

Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday Noon to Five 

Van Stein interview about "Smaller Images" exhibition can be seen  on the "American Riviera" TV Show,  Santa Barbara Public Access.  Channel 17,
 

  

www.thomasvanstein.net

 

Van Stein Small Images Exhibition: November 26, 2011

Country Road, Carpinteria  12x9  oil/board 2011

Smaller Images

A collection of recent Original Van Stein oil paintings

at 

James Main Fine Art

27 East De la Guerra Street 

Santa Barbara, California 

(805) 962-8347 

December 1 through January 9, 2011 

Artist Reception:

December 1, 5-8 pm 

(First Thursday) 

Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday Noon to Five 

Van Stein interview about "Smaller Images" exhibition can be seen  on the "American Riviera" TV Show,  Santa Barbara Public Access.  Channel 17,
 

  

www.thomasvanstein.net

 

Van Stein Small Images Exhibition: November 25, 2011

Bird Refuge,  Early Summer   11x14  oil/panel   2011

Smaller Images

A collection of recent Original Van Stein oil paintings

at 

James Main Fine Art

27 East De la Guerra Street 

Santa Barbara, California 

(805) 962-8347 

December 1 through January 9, 2011 

Artist Reception:

December 1, 5-8 pm 

(First Thursday) 

Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday Noon to Five 

Van Stein interview about "Smaller Images" exhibition can be seen  on the "American Riviera" TV Show,  Santa Barbara Public Access.  Channel 17,
 

  

www.thomasvanstein.net

 

Van Stein: Small Images Art Show November 24, 2011

Moonrise, Carpinteria Marsh  14"x20"  oil/canvas  2011

Smaller Images

A collection of recent Original Van Stein oil paintings

at 

James Main Fine Art

27 East De la Guerra Street 

Santa Barbara, California 

(805) 962-8347 

December 1 through January 9, 2011 

Artist Reception:

December 1, 5-8 pm 

(First Thursday) 

Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday Noon to Five 

Van Stein interview about "Smaller Images" exhibition can be seen  on the "American Riviera" TV Show,  Santa Barbara Public Access.  Channel 17,
 

  

www.thomasvanstein.net

Van Stein Small Images Exhibition: November 23, 2011

Crescent Moon Set, Carpinteria  8"x8" oil/panel  2011

Smaller Images

A collection of recent Original Van Stein oil paintings

at 

James Main Fine Art

27 East De la Guerra Street 

Santa Barbara, California 

(805) 962-8347 

December 1 through January 9, 2011 

Artist Reception:

December 1, 5-8 pm 

(First Thursday) 

Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday Noon to Five 

Van Stein: Small Images Interview on the "American Riviera" TV Show,  Santa Barbara Public Access.  Channel 17,
November 22, 2010   6-7PM 

  

www.thomasvanstein.net

Van Stein Art Show: Small Images November 22, 2011

Summerland Vista    8"x8"   oil/board     2011

                                                        

Smaller Images

A collection of recent Original Van Stein oil paintings

at 

James Main Fine Art

27 East De la Guerra Street 

Santa Barbara, California 

(805) 962-8347 

December 1 through January 9, 2011 

Artist Reception:

December 1, 5-8 pm 

(First Thursday) 

Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday Noon to Five 

Van Stein: Small Images Interview on the "American Riviera" TV Show,  Santa Barbara Public Access.  Channel 17,
November 22, 2010   6-7PM 

 Stream Live

www.thomasvanstein.net

Van Stein Small Images Exhibition: November 21, 2011

The Sky Hole    8"x8"   oil/board   2011

 Smaller Images

A collection of recent Original Van Stein oil paintings

at 

James Main Fine Art

27 East De la Guerra Street 

Santa Barbara, California 

(805) 962-8347 

December 1 through January 9, 2011 

Artist Reception:

December 1, 5-8 pm 

(First Thursday) 

Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday Noon to Five 

Van Stein: Small Images Interview on the "American Riviera" TV Show,  Santa Barbara Public Access.  Channel 17,  
November 22, 2010   6-7PM 

 Stream Live

www.thomasvanstein.net

Van Stein: Small Images Art Show November 20, 2011

Coastal Fog   11x14  oil/canvas  2011

 

 

Smaller Images

A collection of recent Original Van Stein oil paintings

at 

James Main Fine Art

27 East De la Guerra Street 

Santa Barbara, California 

(805) 962-8347 

December 1 through January 9, 2011 

Artist Reception:

December 1, 5-8 pm 

(First Thursday) 

Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday Noon to Five 

Van Stein: Small Images Interview on the "American Riviera" TV Show,  Santa Barbara Public Access.  Channel 17,  
November 22, 2010   6-7PM 

 Stream Live

www.thomasvanstein.net

Van Stein: Small Images Art Show November 19, 2011

Mountain Drive Vista   12x24   Oil/Board   2011

Smaller Images

A collection of recent Original Van Stein oil paintings

at 

James Main Fine Art

27 East De la Guerra Street 

Santa Barbara, California 

(805) 962-8347 

December 1 through January 9, 2011 

Artist Reception:

December 1, 5-8 pm 

(First Thursday) 

Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday Noon to Five 

Van Stein: Small Images Interview on the "American Riviera" TV Show,  Santa Barbara Public Access.  Channel 17,  
November 22, 2010   6-7PM 

 Stream Live

www.thomasvanstein.net