Crossing the Line

"A Fine Power Line" - 12" x 24" - oil

During my last trip to Virginia I did some sight seeing. At the time, I was just snapping pictures of any and everything in Richmond, hoping that I'd have something to paint. I drove down some familiar roads to see what, if anything, had changed. While reviewing the photos I came across a photo of a side street that I use to park on when I taught at VCU. I must have walked, parked and driven this street hundreds of times but that day the light was just right.

It wasn't until after I received a call for entries from the Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Art's that I would find a reason to paint this scene. The call for entries was for the upcoming "Fine Line" Show. This piece was just one of the 61 pieces selected for the show. The show starts Friday May 1st in Fredericksburg, VA from 6-8:30pm.

The Cautious Ninja

Super Duper Chocolate Eruption - 13" x 36" - oil

A couple of years ago I was on a study tour with Marywood University for my graduate studies. During the tour, one of our guest speakers was illustrator Roberto Parada. A few years prior, he was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia (bone marrow failure) which sidelined him for quite a while and required several blood transfusions. The heavy exposure to Benzene (included in several oil painting mediums) was most likely the cause to his illness.

Although there are now non toxic mineral oils for cleaning brushes Roberto suggested using baby oil as a paint thinner. My eyebrow raised in a most curious manner. Since I'd rather meet my end through defending my ladies honor in a no holds barred ninja fight or even while wrestling a polar bear than bone marrow failure, I thought I'd give this baby oil thing a try. The transition has been incredibly easy and I will post the results of my efforts soon.


Plug: The Evelyn Davis photography show will open this coming Friday, August 1st at the Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts