Time To Live The Dream

Alaska...

My plan is simple.   I will get into my rusty 1997 Ford F-150 pickup, packed with supplies, towing my 25 year old popup camper and begin the drive from Upstate NY where I live to Alaska; a distance of some 4,500 miles.  Welcome to the road-trip of a lifetime! 

For over a decade, my mind has wandered over the possibility of a project like this.  Was it truly something I truly wanted to do?  Was it realistic?  Was it even possible?  I doubted the feasibility.  I doubted myself!  Now though I realize, one cannot fail at something, if one does not even attempt it.  That is where I ask for your belief in me.   Recent events in my life have taught me some valuable lessons.  None more valuable than the time we have here is short.  There may not be a next time.  That is why I am doing this.  My greatest fear is laying in a hospital bed, starring at the white ceiling tiles, tubes going in and coming out of me, and have the following thought wander through my mind: “I wonder how my life would have been different if……”  

There are two thing I enjoy more than just about anything else.  One is painting, the other is Alaska.  I have been blessed on more than one occasion to see the Great Land with my own eyes.  Don’t misunderstand me.  It takes time, extremely hard work, financial discipline, and some rather creative bookkeeping shall we say to be able to swing such an endeavor while working as a special ed assistant.  But that is how much I love Alaska.  I'm willing to do anything to get back.  I honestly believe I was allowed to see that incredible place so that a tiny spark could be lit deep inside my soul.  A spark, which in time would grow into a roaring inferno of creative energy allowing me to show the world what an astonishing place Alaska is.  Over every rise in the road, around every corner, behind every tree there is an example of nature’s beauty unequaled anywhere else on earth.  I want to show that to you.

I've figured out a preliminary budget and I need to sell roughly $7,500 worth of paintings, woodworking pieces, and yard art to have a shot at going.   If you are interested in any of my pieces, please contact me. I will be pleased to speak with you.  

Follow me as we travel through the next year as we make strides towards the Great Land. It'll be one hell of a ride!

Fresh Coating

16x20 acrylic on canvas

$225
SOLD

Just something about pine trees and snow.  They're a synonymous combination.  

10 Pointers Coming Soon

18x24 Acrylic on Canvas

You know you really like your hunting stand when you have somebody paint a picture of it!!  Thanks Shaun!  Give me some tender loins if you get one. 

The Peace Tree

 "Peace Tree - Clans of the Onondaga"

16 x 20 Acrylic on Canvas

I was approached by a lady who is part Native American.  She asked if I would paint her the "peace tree" by Native American artist Oren Lyon's.  I was apprehensive to say the least.  This to me is a huge deal.  I hope I did it justice. I followed his basic design, but added touches of my own.  This is probably the most significant work I've ever done.  I consider it an incredible honor to be asked to paint this.

Some recent additions

With the return of the winter season, I have once again had those urges to do snowy cold scenes.  There's something about the way the snow drapes over the bows of a pine tree.  Something about the oranges and yellows the snow pics up from the sky on a winter evening.  Even the play of bright white and dark blue in the highlights and shadows all make me want to smear some color.

 "Snowy Pines"

9x12 on masonite

$25

SOLD

 "All Plowed Out"

$25

SOLD

 "Snowy Fields"

11x14 on canvas

$25

SOLD

 "Winter Sunset"

9x12 on masonite

$25

Available

"Silence after the snow"

6x16 on masonite

$25

SOLD

CNY Spring-Time Road

"CNY Spring time road"

$150
SOLD

The sun was nice today.  I think spring might actually happen this year...

"Froze Up Good"

"Froze Up Good" 

 Dwyer Memorial Park, Little York, NY

16x20 Acrylic on canvas

$125
Available

Anybody who grew up in the Homer/Little York/Cortland area spent at least a couple summer days splashing in the small creek that runs between Green and Little York Lakes. So many great memories of hunting for crabs, floating coke can boats, and dam building. Here is a different look at the same creek. The recent cold has the creek bound with ice but the gorgeous red caught my eye as it clashed with the brilliant white of the snow.

A Nice Winter Day

"Jen's Been Here"
12x24 acrylic on canvas
$275

SOLD

This painting is from Dwyer Memorial Park on Little York Lake.  

A friend walks her dog there, hence the tracks at the bottom.

New Discovery

"Hot Days are These" 

12x17 acrylic on watercolor paper
Not for sale

I recently realized that it wasn't only the act of painting I so much enjoyed. Rather it is the explosion of color that is possible. Also the ability to accentuate traits of certain things like the highlights on the tree.

Stuff that just pisses you off

"fffffuck..."

11x14 acrylic on canvas
Not for sale

There are just some things that no matter how many times, no matter how long you endure them, they just fucking piss you off every single time.  I think I hit it with this one, for me any way.

Something about old barns

"Golden Hour on Clinton St Ext, Mcgraw, NY" Circa 1914
$350

SOLD

Growing up in Central Upstate, NY you're exposed to a lot of farming.  Farms dominate the landscape.   I for one love it, especially old, dilapidated barns and out buildings.  Somehow they seem like a link to the past, a voice from the past.  

This particular scene is from the tiny village of McGraw, NY.  Up on a hill, out in the wind, open to the elements.  God, I love where I live. 

The Adirondack Show Continues!!!

"Cold Day at Raquette Lake" 

11x14 acrylic on canvas
Done with limited pallet. Thanks Justin Farrell for the pic
$75
Available

For some reason the little town of Raquette Lake, NY always will be the image that comes to mind when I hear the word "Adirondacks."  Maybe it's all the time I spent around that area camping as a kid.  We used to stay at Brown Tract Ponds, Limekiln Lake, etc.  It's so gorgeous.  The painting was done on a very cold night(1/7/14) with the temp hovering around zero and the wind whipping.  So it was all really perfect for this image. 

I really like this painting. 

A Flurry of Activity

It always seems to happen this way to me.  For days, weeks, heck even months I won't paint a thing.  Then for a two week Christmas break, I paint like crazy(10 in all).

I guess it's the slow winter months that bring on my love of places.  After all, what do you have to do in the winter but stare outside and long for another place or time.  Oh sure, one might venture out, but with the recent cold ( -30 windchill) I think staying inside might be best. So I choose to use the time wisely and work on my painting skills.  Some proper lessons might not hurt.  Although I rather like going against what one is "supposed" to do.

Most of my recent paintings are based on the Adirondacks. So much material up there.  So many gorgeous vistas.  So many wonderful childhood and adult-time memories. 

"Upper Sargent Pond Sunset" 11x14 Acrylic on canvas. Thanks to Justin Farrell for the pic.
$95
Sold

 "The Silence of an Adirondack Winter" 12x24 acrylic on canvas.
$225
 Available

 "Loons in the distance" 11x14 acrylic on canvas.
 $50
Available
 

 "Get out the frog" 4x12 Acrylic on canvas
$35
Available
 

 "Frosty Blues"
Crane Pond, Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area
$175
SOLD

Alaska Inspriation

It's really hard to explain Alaska to somebody who has never been there.  You are more likely to understand what Alaska really means by the look in someones eyes.  They always say "the eyes are the window to the soul."  That's where Alaska lies, deep in ones soul.

I always thought I'd like to take a trip to Alaska and spend the summer.  So many times driving around AK, you come over a rise, and there in front of you will be something so amazing, so beautiful, your brain can barely comprehend it.  I want to experience that longer than a couple weeks.  Slow down, really experience Alaska.  Maybe start driving around April 15th from here in Upstate, NY.  Make stops along the way.  Paint, fish, enjoy myself.  That'll happen when I hit the lottery early next year... (wink wink)