Milwaukee Wiener House

Milwaukee Wiener House | 5"x7" | oil on hardboard

This is a Sioux City landmark. The Milwaukee Wiener House has been an institution in Sioux City for over 90 years. There are a few historic hot dog joints in the city and a nice article describing them was published in the Sioux City Journal recently.

Old advertising posted on the wall of the Wiener House boasts that it has served 4,000,000 hot dogs, but Gus Demetroulis says that statistic was true when he and his partner Thomas Eliades took over the restaurant in 1960. Today, Tom's sons Mike and John run the place and estimate that the current tally is likely close to 10,000,000 wieners sold.

I also should mention that it was featured just last week on one of my new favorite blogs called Iowa Backroads. The blog features a daily photo of an Iowa building and also a brief history of the building or the community it is in. Ironically, they featured the Milwaukee Wiener House last week at the same time I was starting this painting. What are the chances of that happening?

Let me know if you're interested in buying the painting of Milwaukee Wiener House?


Amy Van Roekel

If you recall, Amy Van Roekel, from Orange City won the drawing for the painting recently. She was so happy to receive the painting and is going to give it a nice home on her mantle. That makes me happy.

Peanut Butter and Jelly on Toast

Peanut Butter & Jelly on Toast | 5"x7" | oil on hardboard

It's one of my favorite things in the world. Peanut butter and jelly on toast. I've seen a number of other artists tackle peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as a subject, but toast is my preferred platform for the famous combination.

I used a reference photo I took on a sunny saturday morning as I prepared my breakfast, with the warm sunlight skimming directly across the plate of toast. I'd like to think that sunlit feeling comes through in the painting.

I picked strawberry this day, but I think grape may have been a better choice. Perhaps another time.

Interested in buying PB&J on Toast

Gray Day

Gray Day| 5"x7" | oil on hardboard

We've been having our fair share of gray days lately. I don't mind them occasionally, but I think they do begin to affect my mood when we have too many of them in a row. It was good to see the sun today.

I suppose it is ironic, because gray is actually one of my favorite colors. The simple composition and color scheme of this piece are appealing to me.

SOLD

Happy New Year

Saturday Evening Post cover 1945 - Norman Rockwell

The new year is officially here. The guy in this Rockwell cover from 1945 seems to be contemplating what lies ahead of him on the first day of 1946. Whether it is 1946 or 2011, we all have some of those same feelings as we anticipate the start of a new year and the opportunities, challenges and successes that are sure to be a part of it.

Thanks for the many extra comments and words of encouragement about my Snowy Creek near Maurice painting. I did the drawing for the painting yesterday, and the painting is going to Amy Van Roekel. Congratulations, Amy.

Happy new year.