The following were completed in Oct – Dec of 2016. They are acrylic on canvas. Your comments, criticisms, etc. are all welcome.
The first painting was a challenge because I have never painted an animal before. I had to learn as painted. This is called, Riley the Dog, because it is Riley the dog. Getting him to pose was my greatest challenge. Several dog lovers have seen this in person and they called it a…. “master piece!!!” (chuckle) I like a compliment as well as anyone, but honestly, I think I was getting kudos for the subject material and not the painting style…besides, c’mon, it’s my first dog painting, hopefully I’ll improve!
The painting in the middle was done for a local art exhibit celebrating Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead, where Hispanic families remember their ancestors in a lively and fun way. It was well received, although this is not my style. I did it because I was asked. My critics said they thought they’ve seen this somewhere before…nope, came right from my head! As odd as it is, a few of my regular reviewers (friends and family members) thought the technique of blending colors, especially on the sombrero, was possibly my best ever. The more I looked at it the more I liked it. I think this one has to grow on you. Would NOT be my first purchase in a gallery, that’s for sure!
Ocean scene at dawn #3: I like colors, what can I say? lol
If you look close at the surf you can see the transparent effect as it rolls onto the beach. This painting has since been modified and the fog line in the background was made more dramatic. Also more gulls were added on the beach, rocks and in the air. Didn’t really improve it, but it did give the viewer more detail to discover.
Quick comment…your critics are correct, Riley is a masterpiece. My first thought was “Riley at attention” which, given your background and training seems appropriate…
Back to closing down my business.
I’m so sorry about your business, maybe with a new economy a comeback is possible?
Thanks Jack but, no, It’s not something we’d want to do at this age. This business takes quite awhile to ramp up. We’ve done it over a few downturns in the past but this economy has been a real killer. It’s sad to see a business die a slow death. I never thought it would end like this…never thought it possible in America.
But life goes on. Once we get passed this difficult task…lots of paperwork and 30 years of acquiring stuff 🙂 …it will be fun to figure out what’s next.
FYI – Good read.
Why Businesses Leave California:
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/426974/businesses-leave-california-texas
Peggy Jerry Browns response (in your article) to Toyota leaving California is indicative of the progressive mindset when it comes to business and “the people” in general:
Arrogance leads to a particularly damaging brand of stoopid. Is it any wonder we have suffered at the hands of Obama, and Brown, lo these many years!
Sorry to hear you’re closing your business, Tina. Shutting down something you’ve worked so hard to build is tough – been there, done that.
Whether you stay in Taxifornia or depart for greener pastures, please don’t give up posting your insightful comments here! You would certainly be missed!
Thanks NLD, J!
I have no plans to leave PS and look forward to what lies ahead in terms of posting. In Trump we have a real opportunity to restore America to greatness again and see the American people have the opportunity to achieve and prosper once again.
Just had a thought…your new handle should be “Never Deplorable Jay Soden…Hillary and her weeping minions are terrible judges of character…her “basket of deplorables” was an empty (ugly) pander. I suspect the response was due to their own shriveled, hateful hearts.
Oh No! so sorry for that….. Maybe there’s a door opening for something else, outside of California.
Harold we’ve given leaving California some thought…I’ll keep you posted. Chico is home to us so it’s not an easy decision.
Now, back to the paintings. Seems like you just keep improving, Jack. I like the birds, and is that a turtle in the “colorful” seascape? It’s amazing how a small animal can make a painting more alive…to me at least.
I do love the first 2 paintings. Nice.
Tina the grass is greener on the other side? Not always. I can not wait to get back home to CA.
Well paid people spend money. People are not well paid and do not spend money anymore. When they do it s on technology and fun.
America will never be the same. We have to reinvent it.
Dewey I’ve lived in other states; a decision to move would not be a “grass is greener” decision.
Do you notice how often you talk down to people?
Nothing is ever “the same.” There is a very valuable document that I believe should be given the respect it deserves in America, the Constitution. I have no desire to “reinvent” America because of the value of that document.
People are not well paid and enjoying full employment because of the big government policies that have poisoned the well…it’s been happening for at least seventy years. Getting back to the basics that made America great in the first place is the path I support.
Oh Tina, I’m so sorry to hear you’re having to close your business.
I know it won’t be any comfort, but you’re not alone according to today’s articles on the labor force participation rate hitting a historical record low last month. Obama’s legacy is a disaster that will haunt him and the country forever.
Americans Not In The Labor Force Soar To Record 95.1 Million: Jump By 446,000 In One Month:
“So much for that much anticipated rebound in the participation rate.
After it had managed to post a modest increase in the early part of the year, hitting the highest level in one year in March at 63%, the disenchantment with working has returned, and the labor force participation rate had flatlined for the next few month, ultimately dropping in November to 62.7%, just shy of its 35 year low of 62.4% hit last October. This can be seen in the surge of Americans who are no longer in the labor force, who spiked by 446,000 in November, hitting an all time high of 95.1 million.
Adding the number of unemployed workers to the people not in the labor force, there are now over 102.5 million Americans who are either unemployment or no longer looking for work.”
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-12-02/americans-not-labor-force-soar-record-951-million-surge-446000-one-month
New Record: Americans Not in Labor Force Breaks 95 Million for First Time:
“446,000 more individuals stayed out of the labor force this month than last
The number of Americans not participating in the labor force hit a new record in November, exceeding 95 million for the first time, according to the latest numbers released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In November, there were 95,055,000 Americans not in the labor force, an increase of 446,000 people from the previous month.”
http://freebeacon.com/issues/new-record-americans-not-labor-force-breaks-95-million-first-time/
Jack, I love all of your pictures. Your talent shines through in each one.
Not so sure about Riley at attention due to training, but it does reflect his attitude toward the pizza delivery guy……Shhhhhhh do not show this to your daughter.
You have talent my friend, lots of talent!
I like to think that your posterity will hang Riley the Dog for a long, long time.
And some iconoclastic great-grandchild will distress its parents by taking Los Muertos to heart.
I have an “Old Man and the Sea” that my long dead grandfather did.
If you could just bring yourself to cut that cable, it would be a lovely world.
As they say, “it is in the eye of the beholder”, what I see in the Ocean picture is a bit reflective on the Last days of Obama.
A lost deserted isle, reflective of a long legacy of barren empty policy’s, fodder a drift if you will, washed ashore on a turbulent sea of change, and viewed through redden eyes, swollen with tears and confusion viewed through a dense fog of disbelief.
Nothing for the ‘Left’ to salvage other than represented by bird droppings deposited on the shifting sands of denial.
All of which solely created by relentlessly penned executive orders, soon to be washed aside by the tide of change.
WOW Jack, as I see it , your cable is connected!
ROFLMAO
Libby, thank you. I’m glad you have your grandfathers painting, I’m sure it brings you comfort whenever you look at it.