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Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Moon Fest, Sullivan Goss Gallery Jan 19, 2011



I was invited to set up and paint the Winter Moon rising over the Santa Barbara Courthouse, from the balcony of Sullivan Goss Fine Art.

The evening was a "MOON FEST", the celebration of the winter moon, rising to the back drop of eighty original oil paintings by Lockwood De Forest. Many of his paintings were nocturnes of the Santa Barbara area in the late 19th, early 20th Century. Pure, prehistoric views of Santa Barbara before development.

I was fortunate to be a part of the celebration of Live Jazz, Poetry, and celebrants of the Moon. Also present were descendants of Lockwood De Forest who came from as far away as Europe, for this event. Mr. Goss also allowed me to exhibit a couple of my original oil paintings that evening. I am happy to announce I have a new collector!

Right on time the moon rose over the Court House Tower. I quickly sketched it in and applied the paint in an avaunt guard composition. Something I hadn't done since I painted the Mad House in 15 degree weather in Iceland.

It was a night to remember!

Winter Moon Rise, SB Court House
12x10 oil Collection of the Artist

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Full Moon Over Auschwitz. Jan 27, 2011


66 years ago today, the Russians liberated Auschwitz.

It's still a dark place; occupying a dark space in many a memory.

I often wonder about transcending the history of mankind; his trials and tribulations, His momentary and fleeting life spans.

The Moon is a constant; a portal. It is the same orb that transcends time throughout the ages.

Its a link between the past, present, and future. It was present then, as it is now, and will be around, looking over our shoulders, long after we are gone.

Nothing is new under the sun, yet everything is old under the Moon.

When will it sink in that we are always being watched?

Full Moon Over Auschwitz
10x20 oil/canvas 2010

Collection of the Artist

Friday, January 14, 2011

Mamatus Over Carpinteria Jan. 14, 2011




Never have I seen Cumulus Mamatus this profound. I know it's a stretch, but it reminded me of early Roman Antiquity; specifically the statue depicting the story of Romulus and Remus.

The skies this day were full of hope, in the form of sustenance. I yelled out, "MAMMY!!"

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Hunter's Moon Rise, Butterfly Beach Jan. 9, 2011



Fall Evenings in Santa Barbara: not too cool, not too warm, but just right! Perfect ambiance to stroll in moonlight.

It was well worth painting for.

Hunter's Moonrise
12"x12" oil/canvas 2010

Private Collection

Saturday, January 8, 2011

New Year's Eve. Dec. 31, 2010



What a way to end the Year; go out a paintin'.

New year's Eve, Butterfly Beach
6"x8" Oil/board
Pvt. Collection

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Common Sense: Thomas Jefferson and the Philosophy of Freedom Dec. 21, 2010
















HOPE YOU'LL TAKE TIME TO READ THIS...


Thomas Jefferson was a very remarkable man who started learning very early in life and never stopped.

At 5, began studying under his cousins tutor.

At 9, studied Latin, Greek and French.

At 14, studied classical literature and additional languages.

At 16, entered the College of William and Mary.

At 19, studied Law for 5 years starting under George Wythe.

At 23, started his own law practice.

At 25, was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses.

At 31, wrote the widely circulated "Summary View of the Rights of British America " and retired from his law practice.

At 32, was a Delegate to the Second Continental Congress.

At 33, wrote the Declaration of Independence.

At 33, took three years to revise Virginia 's legal code and wrote a Public Education bill and a statute for Religious Freedom

At 36, was elected the second Governor of Virginia succeeding Patrick Henry.

At 40, served in Congress for two years.

At 41, was the American minister to France and negotiated commercial treaties with European nations along with Ben Franklin and John Adams.

At 46, served as the first Secretary of State under George Washington.

At 53, served as Vice President and was elected president of the American Philosophical Society.

At 55, drafted the Kentucky Resolutions and became the active head of Republican Party.

At 57, was elected the third president of the United States .

At 60, obtained the Louisiana Purchase doubling the nation's size.

At 61, was elected to a second term as President.

At 65, retired to Monticello .

At 80, helped President Monroe shape the Monroe Doctrine.

At 81, almost single-handedly created the University of Virginia and served as its first president.

At 83, died on the 50th anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence along with John Adams

Thomas Jefferson knew because he-himself studied the previous failed attempts at government. He understood actual history, the nature of God, his laws and the nature of man That happens to be waaay more than what most understand today. Jefferson really knew his stuff. A voice from the past to lead us in the future:

John F. Kennedy held a dinner in the white House for a group of the brightest minds in the nation at that time.. He made this statement:" This is perhaps the assembly of the most intelligence ever to gather at one time in the White House with the exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."

When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe , we shall become as corrupt as Europe. Thomas Jefferson

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson

It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world. Thomas Jefferson

I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. Thomas Jefferson

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government. Thomas Jefferson

No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.รข€� Thomas Jefferson

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. Thomas Jefferson

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants..� Thomas Jefferson

To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:
I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property - until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered..



I wish we could get this out to everyone!!!

I'm doing my part. Please do yours.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Avalon at Sunset: (off Bora Bora) Dec. 12, 2010



I've recently completed this large commission for Patricia and Charlie Senn, of Texas.

They were fortunate to travel the So. Pacific for a few months, in this large sailboat named, "Avalon". Out of appreciation for the owner of the Avalon who loaned his boat to them, Pat and Charlie commissioned me to paint his boat motoring in to Bora Bora.

It would have been nice to actually experience first hand the awesome colors and light Tahiti is known for, but alas, I was restricted to the reference photos they had from their trip.

The painting was beautifully framed and presented to the owner of the Avalon on December 7, 2010. I can breath a sigh of relief as I am told it was well received, and the gesture appreciated.