Haman's Ear

Haman's Ear | 5"x7" | oil on hardboard

The festival of Purim is celebrated every year on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar. It commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in Ancient Persia from Haman's plot "to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day." My wife recently led a Bible study on the book of Esther where the story unfolds. This year Purim is celebrated March 19 beginning at sundown.

On the final day of the Bible study, Denise, baked these Jewish cookies called Hamantashen, which translates means "Haman's Pockets or Haman's Hat", but in Israel they are gleefully tagged "Haman's Ears." The name comes from a legend describing the evil Haman as a man with ugly, twisted ears.

I thought they were beautiful cookies, so why not paint one?

Interested in buying Haman's Ear

Zippo

Zippo | 6"x6" | oil on hardboard

I found a new painting challenge website this week, and was drawn to the image like ...a moth to a flame. A Zippo flame that is. The classic shape of the Zippo lighter was created in the early 1930s and was popularized throughout America and the world after American soldiers carried them in WWII.

Part of the painting challenge was to paint the photo using only three colors–Ultramarine blue (a deep royal blue), Burnt Sienna (a deep rusty color), and Titanium White. You can check out a ton of other interpretations by going to the DPW Challenge. There are currently 99 versions, and counting.

Interested in buying Zippo?

Bill's Apple Blossoms

Bill's Apple Blossoms | 6"x6" | oil on hardboard

It seems like the right time to post something that gives us all a little glimpse of spring. Especially considering it is 4 below zero outside as I type this.

My neighbor has a couple young apple trees and these blossoms are from this past spring. It won't be long and we'll be looking at them in bloom once again. Right?

Interested in buying Apple Blossoms

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.

Snowy Creek near Maurice

Snowy Creek near Maurice| 5"x7" | oil on hardboard

It is the season of giving, so I think I'll give this painting away. All subscribers to the blog will automatically be entered in the drawing and if you make a comment on the painting (below), I'll throw your name in the hat a second time. It will double your chances!

This is a small creek one mile west and two miles south of town. Winter officially arrived today and it looks and feels like it too.

Another year has flown by. Thanks for taking the time to view my work and a special thanks to those of you who have written kind comments and sent e-mails. They mean a great deal to me.

Merry Christmas, and may you have a blessed new year.

I will do the drawing for the painting on December 31.

Highway 20 Motel

Highway 20 Motel | 5"x7" | oil on hardboard

This hotel is located somewhere east of Sioux City, Iowa on Highway 20. I remember it being on the top of a hill possibly near Moville. It's one of those old fashioned motor-lodge kind of places that we stayed in occasionally when I was a kid. They were Mom and Pop kinda places owned by the locals rather than being a chain of carbon copy Holiday Inns.

This one, like many in this style, is a single story tall and room after room is stretched out next to one another. Those repetitive doors and windows, combined with the symmetry shown here make it visually appealing to me.

Interested in buying Highway 20 Motel

Red Pistol

Red Pistol | 5"x7" | oil on hardboard

I enjoy going to auctions occasionally, and this old red tin pistol was in a box of "treasures" I bought at a sale in Ireton quite some time ago. It is metal and looks like it is probably from the 1950s. It says that it is a water pistol, but I sure can't figure out where you put water in the thing.

I like the sleek styling, and thinking about the fun that some young boy had playing with it. I'm guessing this gun came out after the traditional western guns with holsters and if you had this sleek sidearm, you were definitely the cool kid on the block. Looks like it got played with a lot.

The strong sunlight cast a hard shadow, and I liked how the shadow echoed the shape of the gun. I have a couple other small paintings started as well. It sure feels good to be in the studio.

Interested in buying Red Pistol