One of the beautiful Wisconsin Scenes I've come across in the last few days of my visit to this upper mid-west state; Lake Monona.  I could not resist taking the opportunity to capture this scene, of the really nice lake-

within the City of  Madison.

The rendering:
Woman and 'Vette Outside a Scnucks
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Happened in Rockford Illinois.

The last moments of my first visit to Chicago ended with a sketch of Ethelberto done in a laundramat in the Sheridan Park -North Broaday neighborhood.  The man was very happy and proud to have his picture drawn by a traveling quick sketch artist.  When I first approached him and sugested drawing him he offered to give me some money which I couldn't refuse since it helps to keep me traveling.

  But when I finished he made good and doubled his original offer.  The kind of people you meet in laundramats in Chicago!...  True art lovers and patrons!

Finished painting of the statue of Ernie Banks by sculptor Lou Cella is the presented image. 

Sculptor Lou Cellas statue of Ernie Banks.

The painting is of sculptor Lou Cellas statue of Ernie Banks. I had made it to Wrigley Field; was not able to gain admission to the ballpark to do an on the spot rendition, in which I had intended to add baseball players and other figures later. As this statue had already spoken to me on my way to approach someone in the know about how to access  
Wrighley field- I knew right where to go once my original plans failed.  Upon my traversing the perimeter of the landmark in search of the right viewpoint I settled on this one, since it included not only the image of the baseball icon, but also the workers on the adjacent lot -which I deemed subject-worthy, since Chicago has long been associated with the blood and callous feature of the working class.   I hope you enjoy the painting!

On the spot rendering of the Willie Banks statue posted outside of Wrigley Field that was a work authored by sculptor Lou Cella...

And finished!  Except for the crane outrigger arm.

Latest development of Tad's portrait...

s portrait...

Tad's On The Rock: Latest development:

Work now beginning on the portrait-painting of Tad's On The Rock; Rockford, Il.
NOW IN PROGRESS!  Traveling  Artist's Oddyssey!....

DEVILS TOWER: WYOMING

Devil's Tower: definitely unlike any other scene I've come access in my travels.  Please enjoy the progression of my rendering of this really special place!...  This work is finished....

   PORTRAIT- BLACKSMITH'S ITALIAN

While driving thru Montana to attend a memorial for two cousins who were beloved in our family, my first inclination was to make a beeline for the goal and comfort of my family; that seemed the easiest thing to do. But before reaching Montana, a realization hit me, and my mind changed. I decided to stop in Bozeman and make good on a promise I made two and a half years ago to Corey Dragone: part owner with his father Steve, and Chef at their restaurant of two and a half years: Blacksmiths Italian.  The promise to Corey was that one day I would make it to Bozeman and I would do a rendering of Blacksmith's Italian.  I realized while approaching Bozeman in this trip, that I could not be sure how long it would be before I came thus again.  Corey and I met when Corey was owner-operator and chef and also originator of a foodcart in Portland Oregon and I was including a plien-air rendering of the foodcarts in the city as part of a mission I was on to capture some iconic images of Portland.  Corey and I became friends and kept in touch and so, that way- I got to hear about his business shift from a cart in Portland to a brick and mortar spot in Bozeman with a (hardly surprisingly, if you've ever met Corey, or his father) a completely original theme, ingenious menue, and food quality that already has earned a reputation in the small city. Here's to the success of a fellow artist!!

2016 Midwest Travel log

Portrait of a restaurant 

BLACKSMITH'S ITALIAN

While driving thru Montana to attend a memorial for two cousins who were beloved in our family, my first inclination was to make a beeline for the goal and comfort of my family; that seemed the easiest thing to do. But before reaching Montana, a realization hit me, and my mind changed. I decided to stop in Bozeman and make good on a promise I made two and a half years ago to Corey Dragone: part owner with his father Steve, and Chef at their restaurant of two and a half years: Blacksmiths Italian.  The promise to Corey was that one day I would make it to Bozeman and I would do a rendering of Blacksmith's Italian.  I realized while approaching Bozeman in this trip, that I could not be sure how long it would be before I came thus again.  Corey and I met when Corey was owner-operator and chef and also originator of a foodcart in Portland Oregon and I was including a plien-air rendering of the foodcarts in the city as part of a mission I was on to capture some iconic images of Portland.  Corey and I became friends and kept in touch and so, that way- I got to hear about his business shift from a cart in Portland to a brick and mortar spot in Bozeman with a (hardly surprisingly, if you've ever met Corey, or his father) a completely original theme, ingenious menue, and food quality that already has earned a reputation in the small city. Here's to the success of a fellow artist!! 

It was quite a thrill to get to go to the Strip, in Las Vegas, at night and render a painting of the scene, on the spot.

I owe a big thanks to my cousin Phil Stears, for his photography -capturing me with my easel, painting on the spot.



Attempt to travel to Las vegas and Phoenix becomes  Oregon art journey...

Escape New York Pizza -by the slice -in the Bur-

nside district became the first subject on my travels. Besides that, experience in Portland, and a few other nice moments, meeting people there, and drawing some dancers,

there were people a-plenty to draw in Eugene, OR and there was the mill located right next to I-5 when passing thru Roseburg, that I decided to treat as a landmark.  I had to hold my easel from being blown around while doing the painting -it was probably the fastest painting I ever almost completed on the spot.  (I touched up and added a few details the next day in my mobile studio).  Besides the wind -it was spitting and finally in the end actually raining -but I was determined I switched painting style, using a large palate knife for almost the whole painting which really simplified my choices and kept things moving right along.  A cop showed up to explain that the property adjacent to where I was standing was owned by the people who had a utility trailer dealership there, and the woman had complained so he was glad that I told him I was just about thru, and left satisfied that I would keep my promise.  The whole affair took about forty five minutes, at the most from rolling out  the paint, and equipment to beginning work on the painting, to slapping the last brushstroke folding up and leaving.  It was unusual.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PHOENIX RISES painting completed in February 2016, by myself, of the Anacortes, Washington schooner recently rescued and restored in boat haven, Port Townsend, after sinking in the October, 2015 storm.
More about that here:
                                 https://w

ww.giveforward.com/fundraiser/mxcb/u/updates/134881

 

 

 

LIVELY LOCAL SPOT
Portrait of the UPTOWN PUB
Completed February 2016
Commissioned by owner- Crystal