“Ferris Wheel.” Oil on Canvas, 4x4.” 2020. Central Washington State Fair, Yakima, Washington.

Moons and Junes and Ferris Wheels

February 5, 2020

Ferris' idea was a wheel, a giant wheel large enough to provide a bird’s eye view the entire Chicago exhibition and surrounding landscape. A wheel made of steel that Ferris said would "out-Eiffel Eiffel." The idea was too ostentatious for even Burnham. "Too fragile," was his reply to the concept of a giant wheel held up by slender rods rivaling the height of the recently opened Statue of Liberty.

Field of Red Tulips, Skagit Valley.Oil on Canvas, :24x24." 2017. — Field of Red Tulips, Skagit Valley.
Oil on Canvas, :24x24." 2017.

Evolution of a Painting

January 16, 2017

I spent the past few months trying to complete this painting focusing on the original composition. Something was not working though.

Mount Rainier →

June 2, 2016

Growing up in Washington State, Mount Rainier is omnipresent. Mount Rainier is the boss of mountains out here. Mount Rainier is bred into the culture of the Pacific Northwest -- revered by the Native American tribes that lived in the region for thousands of years. Mount Rainier is symbolic of the Pacific Northwest for its majesty. Mount Rainier is the grand dame of the six major mountains in Washington State. Mount Rainier is also an active volcano (remember Mt. St. Helens, May 1980?)

"Tulip Field, Skagit Valley." Oil on Canvas, 4x4" 2016.The tulip is the world’s peace flower, with special status in countries like The Netherlands and Turkey. It has a “sacred significance” in Istanbul. — "Tulip Field, Skagit Valley." Oil on Canvas, 4x4" 2016.
The tulip is the world’s peace flower, with special status in countries like The Netherlands and Turkey. It has a “sacred significance” in Istanbul.

Tulipmania!

April 26, 2016

"Tulipmania," as it is known, occurred during the Dutch Golden Age, when a rare tulip bulb went for the cost of 12 acres of land.

Morning Harvest

April 23, 2016

Upon wrapping up my visit, I am touched by the simple elegance of the tulip harvest, filled with so much honor and meaning. These people are earning their living by picking tulips. It is my privilege to witness the dignity of which they are earning their livelihood.

I will remember this experience for a long time. The next time I stop in the grocery store to purchase my $4 bundle of tulips, I will say a silent "Thanks" to those who picked them for me.

"Returning from the Field." Oil on Canvas, 4x4." 2016. — "Returning from the Field." Oil on Canvas, 4x4." 2016.

Anthologia - A Collection of Flowers

April 22, 2016

The word "anthology" derives from ancient Greek, anthologos, (antho + logos, adj. derivative of légein to pick up, collect) literally means "flower-gathering."

So, how does flower gathering have anything to do with literature and anthologies?

Well, an anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts. In genre fiction anthology is used to categorize collections of shorter works such as short stories and short novels, usually collected into a single volume for publication.

Thus, an anthology preserves the best of a kind, the "flowers" of the art.

Working in the Tulip Fields

April 17, 2016

Walking along the edge of the field towards the back where the tulip pickers are, I join them.

They are working in a quiet manner, silently picking the spring flowers. In unison, they advance, slowly, rhythmically. Reaching over, gently snipping the bottoms of the tulip stems.

Four Traveling Musicians. Seattle, 2014. Photographe, M. Lamery.

Washington Americana

March 23, 2016

For all of my life, I have had a love for the outdoors. When I was a kid, you would find me building tree forts with scrap wood rounded up from the neighborhood. I used some of that wood to build go-carts, using 2x4s for axels and nailing old wagon wheels to the ends. When I wasn't building something, I was exploring dirt trails in the backyard woods, flying kites and paper airplanes, riding bikes. Being outdoors was about a sense of exploration and adventure.

Over the years, I continue to enjoy being outdoors for the same reasons--to explore and for the sense of adventure. I am now setting out to capture the natural beauty of our spectacular environment through painted landscape. I am titling my project "Washington Americana."