Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Peanut Buttery


Peanut Buttery | 5"x7" | oil on hardboard

I love peanut butter. My wife, Denise, prefers the creamy variety (Jif), but for me chunky is the only way to go (preferably Skippy). There was a time in our marriage when Denise purchased only the creamy variety, and I silently ate it. Until one grumpy day when I lashed out and declared my desire for chunky. Ever since that day we've had a jar of each in the cupboard. Anyway, perhaps you can see that I opted for the chunky in this piece.

This painting has simple lines and geometric shapes with a big blob of peanut butter to balance the composition. The late afternoon light was coming through the window and I liked the shadows that were cast. I think there is also something interesting about the whole thing being shades of white and gray with the exception of the peanut butter. That lovely, yummy, chunky peanut butter.

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Monday, January 11, 2010

Spillway Drive-In


Spillway Drive-In| 5"x7" | oil on hardboard

After the last couple weeks of winter weather and sub-zero temps, I figured we were due for a glimpse of summer. This is the Spillway Drive-In that sits on the south edge of Spirit Lake, IA. I don't think it has been open for the last couple of years, but perhaps someone will feel a bit of nostalgia and re-open it.

For me, there are two drive-ins that I frequent. Bob's Drive-Inn in LeMars and the Dairy Dandy in Sheldon. Both still have that nostalgic charm from a bygone era. My favorite menu item? They both make a very good peanut butter malt. Summer can't come soon enough.

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Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Portrait Swap


The woman that I painted and posted last week turns out to be Susan Lile, who resides in Missoula, Montana. Above you see the portrait that she painted of me. You can go check out all 180 portraits at the Different Strokes blog.


It is extremely cold these days, but the air is wonderfully clear and the bright white snow on a sunny day is stunning. This is a photo taken looking out my studio window.