Embedded Files
"Not Only to Mark the Path"
The answers are in the monoliths if you ask me. It's not just for clickbait.
A doodle that started this past week as I passanged from Erie to Saegertown with Winnie.
It morphed from an image in my head that I hope to get more perfect before I attempt it again.
"A Place to Rest"
Stone
Sky
Greenery
It just all works together if you ask me.
$50.00
An Aspect of the Cabin-
Cut and dry I think.
A view of the cabin- tough roof line in real life- not made much better by my skills- but it makes the angle jump a bit.
Depth to the windows with construction adhesive holding discarded dried up paint to the back of the glass.
I poured a ton of myself into the reconstruction of the cabin and the haphazard whimsical decoration makes it feel like lee X excessive art + a magical bend in the river = something that I find is very special and many of our guests at the air bnb are feeling quite similar.
$60.00
Two Empty Rooms in the Blue Television Light
Painting started from a song from John R Miller - Naked Shenandoah.
And then you kinda paint what you know and I was thinking - Alone and kinda alone grey and I thought of my Grandfather Skadhauge - alone in his house there for a bit before he went in to the retirement home- and this is a version of his house- maybe- more if I was him or something along those lines.
But sitting on that what he called a davenport - looking at his chair- and the almost now always empty dining room after my grandmother died-
Blue Telivision Light worked for me. Different and less dense the the John R. Miller version of a lonely blue; a bored and limited blue.
“Who Ever You Think He is - That’s Who He is”
So I was triggered by a word - like I often am. So I was on a road that had a last name of a semi famous person in history and I thought. “Oh I’ll try and paint him”
And I did.
I painted the back and then both Winnie and her mom had a few guesses who it was..
They were both wrong. (Not that you really should know who it is)
Then last night when I went to finish him. 5 or 6 times I started and then scraped off why I had. Not becuase it was bad but because it didn’t look like what I was intending.
So I’m back to the place I get with these sometimes.
It’s better unfinished
Left up to the viewers imiganation, judgement, or view point.
This man from history was born sometime between 1600-2001
Whoever you think he might be… that is who he is.
“Victory Song”
Housepaint on glass with mirrors and broken glass affixed.
Winnie Oberrath who seems to get me just about as good as anyone said
“Why would you call that Victory Song?”
I don’t know if I answered.
But I’m sticking with Victory Song and I don’t want to say why.
I’d prefer to let the observer interpret for themselves and if you want to have a discussion about it - fire away
A copy of the Erie sign
A Version of the Erie sign with the PI turned map view
Tulips on the Amstel
Boils down to this- I was compelled to do a windmill. I would guess most people associate windmills with Holland\THe Netherlands|Dutch folks... you can connect the dots.
Now You Have One .
As is par for the course when I'm on the phone with my mom - once every other call I choke up the guts to ask about my brother. No matter where the discussion goes my stance has been the same for some time- You can't be on the hard stuff and expect to have any kind of semblance of a life. The last time I was on that soap box my mom said "Well I don't have a crystal ball"
Thing is you don't need a crystal ball to know where that shit ends. But now you have one...
Depth as there is construction adhesive on the back of the glass.
It took me about 2 hours-
5 dollar frame or so....
Or we could just call it 45 bucks.
For whatever reason the stupid ass water tower at the mall is just about as Erie to me as anything- I mean we feature it on the fricken news... Is that what happens in our expansion out - anything that doesn't look just boring as hell- well thats special.
And for some reason - I like most water towers and this one specifically - What about them is so captivating? I don't get it- even though they kinda captivate me- and typing that sentence just encouraged me to paint the Sigsbee reservoir and the one over by Tracy School.
Defunct Smoke Stacks from the South Pier
I understand I have a love affair with the urban waterfront that is best saved for drunks, fishermen, and the homeless. I am rarely "on" the water and that doesn't do all that much for me. I can enjoy it for periods of time- like hours of an event....but the effort to get smaller boats to the water; or the upkeep and expense of anything larger- the effort just isn't worth the amount of enjoyment I get out of being "On the water"
"In the water"- Cabbage Can't Swim- is a joke my friends won't let die.
Technically - I think I can swim. Physically probably not for all that long- so I could swim- I just haven't often seen the need.
But being near the water - all types. And usually I am in LOVE LOVE LOVE- with isolated places with pristine water and scenery. But there is an allure to me about the contrast between man made objects and the natural world- and how industry abuts it here so closely.
This was inspired by a very nice walk with Winnie this summer.
Sophia's Tavern- Erie PA 22x18
I said it another one of these write ups but there were so many small to medium sized taverns all over the city of Erie growing up...
Both the fabric of the neighborhood and the destruction of community and society...
Mixed media- housepaint; glass and plastic on glass.
3 hours of work or if it's easier
60 bucks
Often Misunderstood
14x17
Kindof a cartoon version of a bigfoot
Whump- 10x12
Not The Tallest Man - On Earth
Intentionally primitive
After a meeting with one of my least favorite people of all time - who asked if maybe “ one of my small grandchildren” had produced one of the paintings I have displayed.
Touché
Oh confidentiality I curse you.
He’s on a walmart plexiglass frame that I got free from a great friend with about 75 other frames.
He’s out of spite - but I dig him anyway.
Winnie calls it the Seussical thistle bird.
House paint on glass
I looked up Jabberwocky and that shit was too scary, but it got me thinking about fantasy and just weird obscure things. I’ve never really cared for fantasy all that much but I’ve had tons of students who live for it. As I was painting the fun colors and angles of this fantastical bird, I was making up different names and stories for him and Winnie came in and said it looks like a Seussical thistle bird.
Hence, the title
I kind of liked fantasy there for a little bit more when I was in control of it. I think I get it a little bit more now than I did before.
Write your own stories about this guy give it a new title if you want to
16x14
Creepin in the Deep-
Currently for Sale at the Hippie and The Hound
The Best Kind of Rest
The Best Kind of Rest
Housepaint on glass.
19x26
I will admit I am biased- but the sky is pretty awesome. Quite a bit of depth to the piece. Inspired by walking about 200 paces from my office the other day and just laying down in the grass and taking time to mindfully rest. When you do it well- it feels so fricken great.
Took me a few hours or so - old wood frame I paid about 6 bucks for. 65 bucks + shipping if you are doing that- I'd estimate that tack on another stupid 35-40??????
Ebbo Skadhauge I
Return of the Paint yo Saint Series.
Cause I'm weird like that.
Pseudo Saint Ron
(Not Ronnie or Ronald- just fricken Ron- got it?)
Ron is the Pseudo Saint of dudes all over this country who are subs in bands. Ron has done the steady band gig - and he aint about it. "Practice?"
"Are we talking about practice?"
" Dude- the bar doesn't pay me to practice."
As a result - Ron has worn out his welcome in many bands- but the dude can shred- and if you call him on short notice and tell him there will be a twelver of MGD on ice waiting for him- and of course the standard 100 bucks- He's always in.
Ron is the patron saint of people who always seem to be on a different page then everyone else in the conversation. You know those people who comment on an ongoing conversation and it just stops dead. That's Ron and his people
Ron is the Pseudo Saint of sporks and people who prefer to never do dishes - so eat off of disposable plates and plastic utensils at home most of the time.
Ron is the king of eating out cheaply! HIs preferred establishment is what he refers to as the Squat and Gobble. It is actually a buffet in a topless establishment. Ron has been chronically single and is has the deepest and most sincere aspirations to save one of those girls and give her the life she deserves.
As a result Ron has on more than a few occasions been fleeced of his disposable income - making him the Pseudo Saint of people who are just barely above living paycheck to paycheck.
Ron is the Pseudo Saint of people who have odd ass opinions; and the rationale behind these opinions is even more odd. He is one of those people who just doesn't ever change his mind- despite the evidence.
Ron is unfortunately the Pseudo Saint of people who constantly bitch about politics- no matter who is in charge- yet secretly has never voted. He doesn't even know where is polling place is. When questioned Ron says something along the lines of "If you are slimy enough to get into politics in the first place- I can't vote for ya." In reality he is just pretty lazy.
Ron is the Saint of people who rent for their entire lives - because they do not want the responsibility of larger home improvement type projects.
Ron is also the Patron Saint of:
Crabgrass
Cowbirds
Foul tips that are hung on by the catcher for a third strike
People who never pleasure themselves
Fungus growing in the shower
And waking up mad thirsty
Elephant Boy - Just doodling with paint.
Graduation Flowers
17x13
Inspired and exhausted after Aida and Dyl’s graduation party. I had the best Sunday. Slowly picking up post party and cranking out 4 paintings from the time I woke up till the time I went to bed.
This one took about an hour or so
Metal frame I’ll clean up a bit.
I’d say 25 or 30 bucks?
Levander Forests?
This one I’m actually excited about. Top 5 of all time for me. Maybe top 2.
It’s small.
And it was an afterthought.
I was ready to be done with “graduation flowers” and had a tiny bit of extra paint.
Went into the studio and found a small frame I didn’t remember ever seeing before (Winnie later told me she found it in her stuff in a tote the day before and finding anything in my studio can be a miracle at times…)
So I just started to use up paint with almost no intention at first.
I was gonna do thistle and the paint was to clumpy.
This is what I got.
It’s lavender
But it’s also a forest in the background? Or an ocean - like lavender on the sea side- or is it just an ocean of lavender plants?
It’s all of those things to me
It’s little. 5.5 inches by 5.5 inches but I wouldn’t let it go for less than
200
SAMTHEMAN - Available for Sale at the Hippie and the Hound
Surprised Beaver- Chopping Wood
335 W 2nd - Painted it because it's interesteing- went to deliver it and I think the house it empty. I'll save it a freak out the new owners the day the move it. HA
Washed Out Hazy Sky on a Breezy Day 6/3/2023"
I don't watch the news- it's all bad. I didn't understand that Canada was on fire and that was the reason for the haze...
Now we are under attack from Canada? At yu thought you knew your neighbors.
50 bucks
"If Eric Carle Ever Took Acid and I'm Not Saying He Didn't- Shadow Work 1 - When was the First Sign?"
6/3/2023
Mixed Media= Housepaint and glass on glass
"My View of Bay View 6/6/2023"
Maybe the first time I just sat and painted what I saw at the moment. My friend Joe pointed out I am missing the portapotties and the homeless guy who is usually yelling under the one tree... Also missing the power lines; traffic; noise
I prefer my version of my view- rose colored even if it doesn't come out in the painting.
akey - housepaint on glass
6/4/2023
Painted at Raccoon Creek State park after an evening with the BGA crew and before the Dead show. 2 pretty fricken great days.
Serenity- 6/4/2023
Just a doodle from in session that turned into Harv
15 bucks
Doodles from the Edge Series-
Still trying to figure out the "best" way to display the doodles.
Most all of them done in session. Quotes directly from clients.
15 bucks
Bone Fish Clouds
Clouds above Altered States for a Eric Brewer and Friends concert.
Currently driving over the American West and am understanding that some of the most beautiful stuff- including the clouds- doesn't look all that realistic-
but there were bone fish clouds that day...
Somewhere on a Mesa
Started ? Put it down for a bit of time a month or so - almost scraped it off and started over.
Finished 6/1 and 6/2
Dont love it but like aspects of it
The cooler elevations of Arizona and New Mexico have been calling.
16 x 20
Cool oldish frame
33 bucks.
“It’s Quickly Evident Upon Entering Town, why the People of Troy Call their Teams the Water Rockets”
House paint on glass.
12x12
Another one that sat around for quite some time- months - that I almost scrapped.
I tidied all day In the studio and put aside 8 unfinished works to decide
If they were worth having new life.
This long titled simple piece did
Finished 6/7/2023
20 bucks.
Oliver Bates Craven of Western Centuries and in support of Sierra Ferrell.
16x18
Housepaint on glass
As usual my crappy photography doesn't do my better than crappy painting justice.
10 East 5th Street
Currently Glass Growers Gallery
Buildings inspire me
Old buildings really
Old Erie buildings more than anything - except energy and nature.
80 bucks
Pyramid of the Sun
Teotihuacan Mexico
6/8/2023
Mixed media
Mirror
Broken glass
Housepaint
On glass
22x18
Pyramids ya can’t go wrong painting pyramids. Except the hexes and stuff.
I think this one is potentially pretty good.
8th Street Spire
Window out of my parents house on west 35th street.
My dad put aside 3 for me and said "go paint some pictures or something"
This house is on the north side of 8th street a few in from Cherry. Some massive old beautiful houses- that some are still awesome- but the gem city is missing it's gems. 8th street is void of the trees that tied the neighborhood together and now it looks a bit stark and it just feels like concrete and asphalt between old homes- plant some trees- there are a bunch of free ones from the city...
150.00
South East Corner of 5th and Parade
It's often my route home and I just love the building.
Housepaint and items on glass.
$125.00
New Powers.
It's weird.
But it certainly evokes emotion i'd say.
I've done three of these so far- this is the biggest and weirdiest.
there is a little piece of glass or mirror in the stick.
The idea is this person (in this instance) has found this magical stick or wand or staff- and it has powers...
Were does it go from there is left up to all of our imaginations.
250.00
A Theory of Evolution
One of the Magic Staff pictures.
An orangatang ape like guy finds a magic staff... A theory of evolution...I think It's kinda smart and funny. and the sky around the staff is pretty cool.
65 bucks.
Their Arguments
and
Eagle Shit
are
Giving Her Anxiety
Mixed Media- doodles; housepaint; glass objects; and eagle shit on glass.
200.00
The Miner-
Small frame on an angle.
I had the outline done for him for months- but get so scared to try and finish the "people" who seem to have so much untapped potential.
I'm super happy with how he came out!
SOLD TY POKEY
Hold on for the view.
Houseaint and mirrors on glass.
Just wanted to paint a cool ass sky with depth- success.
Really is fun to just look at.
45 Bucks
A Heron for Holets
I guess it was April 25th 2023 and I was thinking about what I wanted to paint and I was feeling a tripped out heron. I had sketched it out and before I started to paint
and I thought-
Hey dummy - you have this cosmic link with blue herons- they have on at least three prior occasions brought me messages from beyond - that has always meant death or impending death...on all of those occasions.
Increadible stories each of them...
But my father had been admitted to the hospital - and I was pretty certain he wasn't on his way out...
So I continued. and painted the back
Earlier in the day Dibbs had reached out and talked about a get together of college buddies.
Those texts started to fly and Matonak asked when the last time I talked to Holets was...I gave it some thought and was like Damn- it's probably been almost an entire year. Which isn't necessarily uncommon for us- but generally there would be a few smart ass comments in between.
I looked back at my last three messages to Jimmy and saw they had gone unresponded to.
Greg reached out the next day with Jimmy's obit around noon:
I left work and drove until the gas light in my car turned on. Hopped out at the Rez in New York and loaded up.
Went and sat by the lake for a few hours and sat in the warm sun on a brisk windy day and cried off and on.
I drove towards home and said goodbye with a bunch of great tunes-went home and finished the front of this painting.
This one hurts.
SOLD
Vincent-
Housepaint on glass.
I was listening to John Craigie's song Rachel - which I love:
https://open.spotify.com/track/2n4HuYmGQGuWUuzX3opEQA?si=680ce7d226cf4da8
And got to thinking about the song and maybe what life was like before home boy went 100% nuts and found this picture of him on the interweb - and took a shot at it.
I think it is close enough - that you get the idea.
To be 100 percent honest - what is the left arm- right side of the painting-wasn't going to be all trippy like that- but I got the perspective and size off- so that was my improv.
Happy accidents as a maybe now more famous artist would have said.
I don't think i'd let it go for less than 210.00
SOLD
Magnetized Movement
This painting has layers upon layers and the dark purple and black combo of the background really pulls you in.
This painting does have an almost magnetic energy to it.
My feeling is that for art to be what I consider "good" it must elicit an emotion inside of me. Even though they are essentially just blobs of paint over a sheet of paint on a pane of glass- this is one that does give me an emotional reaction- so I am not afraid to call this one- approaching good to me.
You could make the frame so that you could rotate angles- I am just thinking that as I am typing this - 130 miles away from the painting.
It's 16x14
Let's call it 100 dollars even.
Saint Mary’s Orthodox
721 E 5th.
Housepaint on glass.
I really like this one. Tons of depth on the sky you can't pick up in my cruddy photography. I like this church when I pass by.
It has good energy.
I’ll tell ya what. I’m asking 130.00. And I’ll donate half to the church. Assuming it’s functioning as a church if it isn’t. We are too late and we can pick a charity together.
BOBO-
Just kind of doodling with paint.
BOBO doesn't have a story - other than he reminds me of a type of person- The pudgie funny kid- who has way more self doubt that is evident to the rest of the world- and the rest of the world is aware that he has a bunch of self doubt.
15.00
District 13
Driving through fucking Ohio. Don't get me wrong CLE; CBUS; CINCI; Dayton - and their surrounding areas are all more than fine with me. And there are all kinds of Gems in between I am sure...
But for gods sake sometimes it just feels grey and flat and blahhhh
It's weird how every state has it's own overall vibe.
There is quite a bit of depth - it's kinda fun to look at in person and it does make you feel a certain way.
15 bucks.
A different kind of symbol.
At ac concert- watching the cymbal and kinda feeling the reverberation of sound and physical energy- I did capture a bit of it in the background.
Housepaint on glass.
15. Fifteen bucks.
Strang Birds
Driving through Ohio on 5 or 20 or 90 - you get this lovely view of at least one nuclear power plant.
Coming back from Michigan Winnie followed a route right up adjacent to the reactor - it was a clear day in 360 degree view of the power plant...but it was raining right there---
and the houses around there were mostly shells- but a few were shells with people living in them... certainly part of the district 13 vibe.
And there were all these marshlands in the area- with these crazy stork\heron like birds. I distorted them quite a bit- as I'd guess life adjacent to this reactor has done to all kinds of genetics???
20 bucks.
Rise Up-
Just an image on a day I was thinking about being by the Atlantic ocean.
10 Bucks.
Sun and Sand
Housepaint on plexiglass (I think that might have been the first time I went on plexiglass- and it's different; actually maybe easier?
For the longest time i was passing on frames that had plexiglass in them - this one I grabbed on accident.
I was gonna just put it in storage- but I thought- ehh give it a try.
It's just different. I can't wash off the sharpie off the front so you need to paint over it- which isn't how I do it on glass.
But this accepts the paint a bit better-
I won't pass on plexiglass in cool frames from now on.
I think the painting itself turned out cool- I think this was also the first time I allowed the paint to drip on the surface as I transported it over to the plexiglass on the brush. I like the effect- occasionally.
75.00
Hector-
Just playing and everyone who has seen this one is person pauses and then keeps looking.
No story just a doodle I was trying to take to the next level.
Zoom in to my crappy photograph- there is a done of depth in the paint.
125.00
Practicing with Rainbow Gums
The internet taught me that rainbow gum trees were a thing. Do I ever need to paint anything else again? It was fun as heck with an F! I was using different strokes to see what I like best.
This painting has SO MUCH DEPTH
I can literally just look into the sky for minutes at a time and get sucked in.
Personally I do not love the tree on the right- but I have also found that we all like different things. Some of my paintings or even just little aspects of them - I don't care for...
And when I get in a rare mood- I can see how artists take a knife to the canvas- it just isn't what you intended or wanted or envisioned and it can be frustrating as fuck.
Overall - I do like maybe even love this one; but I'd do it differently if I could do it again. But I never go for perfect.
17 x 21
March, 2023
It took me longer than I want people to pay that much for - I'd say $200 bucks
Cool older wood frame with small painted flowers on it.
Peacock that made me Quit
I was in a mood- and I painted this in a shitty mood and although it's objectively fine - I almost smashed it to pieces.
And I put painting down for 3 or 4 days - which is like going cold peacock- I was shook.
I noticed when I was in that shitty mood I wasn't doing all the things I like-
Peanut Butter
Painting
Music
Walks
Dog petting...
I'm glad the stretch was short this go round-
7.5 x 9.5
1/2 hour of work and a 3 dollar frame- someone make it go away please.
March, 2023
Happy Mug
My favorite of all coffees: Outdoorsy Sumatra
8 x 8
March, 2023
Chicken King-
Someone on FB said "Birds got personality" and I agree. Kinda like a fog horn leg horn. Tough dude with an interesting interior as well.
15 bucks- I don't want stuff sitting around!
8 x 8
Vagabond Roast-
You know, like hobo flavor?
March, 2023
Cypress in the Portuguese Moonlight
Win left for Portugal.
In my head- that is where these are at.
Sky turned out cool.
Trees; moon; foreground all turned out exactly as I wanted.
I really like this one. Not all art evokes emotion.
Not all of my art evokes emotion in me. This one does for some reason.
1.25 hours work and a 5 dollar frame
4.5 x 10
March, 2023
SOLD
21 x 9
Bringing the Dawn (Or as Winnie first heard it: Bringing the Dong {That isn't what I see, but art is subjective})
Blue Heron with a Magic stick with orb. A theme I might roll with here for a bit.
Sky and separation turned out awesome- tree; mountains also turned out very cool.
March 25th 2023
Took about 3.5 hours and a 7 dollar frame.
Chandra
5 x 7
March, 2023
Listening to a podcast in which the bad antagonists were Indians and Indian Americans.
It made me reflect on some of the very awesome young Indian Americans I have had the pleasure of working with.
I was going for like positive\calming\female\Indian energy with this version of an auntie in the moon.
1.25 hours of work and a 5 dollar frame.
Double Sided Pecker
I mean might as well give it a bit more depth.
Both sides turned out awesome- I glued it in the frame so you can see both sides.
Interesting that both side of the frame also work without issue.
8 x 10
2.25 hours work and a 5 dollar frame
March, 2023
J- Stick- Captivating Sky
A doodle I did in a session at home during COVID this week and then painted it at lunch rather than take a nap.
It's fun the different styles I'm doing with birds. If I keep switching it up- I can't get bored.
And the sky really is captivating in my estimation.
5 x 7
1 hour work and a 2 dollar frame
March, 2023
Night Flight
Sky turned out awesome
Bird in flight is a thing of practice.
8 x 9
45 minutes work and a 4 dollar frame
March, 2023
Third Story View of the Pear on the Last Day of Winter 2023
Housepaint on an old window- taken from 2123 West 35th St.
Kinda big 24 x 34
Sky turned out fun.
March, 2023
2 Hours work
I got the window for free- so pay me the 2 hours work and you can have the window for free as well.
Happy Mothers Day
5 x 7
Bird on a Fir
30 minutes work 1 dollar frame
March, 2023
Night Bird
The first of the birds I did like this.
People loved him on FB- and I wasn't ready to let him fly the nest- but out he goes.
Small little painting 6 x 8
March, 2023
He didn't take all that long but I love him- $ 75
Desert Bird at Night
He's a little slower- more of a gatherer than a hunter I think.
He took me about a hour or so and a 2 dollar frame.
7 x 8.5
March, 2023
My Attempt at Pisa
Incredible frame I got from the Thrifty Shopper, so I thought I should go big.
You know that Lee kinda fine art, kinda folk art vibe. All in one.
10 x 12
20 dollar frame and 55 dollar painting
March, 2023
Horse No Rider
Housepaint on glass
It's biggish.
24 X 16 Cool older frame donated by Matt and Phyl from You Frame It.
So Josh Ritter (top 3 - probably 1 artist of all time for me) has been releasing new songs- one a week until the EP is out and then I think an album is coming right after that....Anyway song number 1 or 2 off the new album is called "Horse No Rider".
Not the song I'd suggest you start the JR adventure; but I enjoy it.
Other than there being a horse without a rider- the rest of the picture has things to "do with" the EP and Josh as I listened to the EP on repeat as I painted this; much of it is from inside my head- but quite a bit of what is inside my head has been influenced by JR- more than John Irving, McCarthy, Twain, even Garcia and Simon.
So I'll sell ya the painting for 175 dollars- and I'll sell you the story behind the whole thing for another 50 bucks-
225 total- but I want to know what the hell you think it's about before I tell you.
This painting inspired another series of a staff or stick with a tiny piece of glass; rock; or mirror in it- and it has power or magic or something along those lines.
Lucid Loons
Idea from the package of lucid tea I saw up in Toronto - I don't know like 5 or 6 years ago now.
The tea had some suggestive powers I suppose.
I love this frame.
20 dollar frame
80 dollar picture
10 x 12
March, 2023
Panos
17 x 10
March, 2023
Aerial View Bay Harbor
Housepaint and Erie Grit
17x21
I worked at what was Community Integration at the time that became Safe Harbor while I was there.
My house sits directly above Bay Harbor
And it was just last week- after a stretch- debriefing with my co-worker, friend, and exceptional therapist Michelle Jones...
She was talking about not navigating in other people's chaos - not living reactively all of the time... and I envisioned for the first time ever- that I can set boundaries to keep my waters calm- inside my harbor.
I've rarely had an issue with this professionally - if I did I couldn't survive.
But when the rough waters are adjacent to your harbor - It can be fricken difficult y'all.
Fatso -
March, 2023
There is no story. I thought they are kinda like blobs- really cute blobs- but how hard can a blob be to paint? Not that hard is the answer to that question if you ask me.
Water turned out cool and the blob looks just like a manatee- I have too many paintings- 15 bucks- - cool gold frame - 14X9
Why Is It Still Just a Dream-
Everywhere is Birmingham Series
March, 2023
Windle Rose Oberrath- Gifted teacher and partner extraordinaire had her 8th graders read "Child of the Dream" by Sharon Robinson. Sharon is the daughter of famous American Jackie Robinson.
I read the book with Winnie as she was reading it with her class.
It's written for middle schoolers.
But the history lesson I got from listening to history from a real life perspective of a middle schooler near the front lines of segregation- with her father being who her father is...
More than anything I am so proud of my person - introducing this to white; rural; middle school kids.
It impacted me for certain.
I think I'm gonna give this one to a friend.
Saint Jules-
Pseudo Saint Jules is the pseudo saint of diminutive people who always seem to get their point heard. She is the Pseudo Saint of people who are much older than they appear for their entire lives. Jules is the PS of people who take being naturalistic to another level. She is the PS for all people who use a bike as their main form of transportation.
Jules is the Pseudo Saint of women who have never worn makeup; of those who are chronically underweight but still have no appetite; and people who never cuss.
Jules is the Pseudo Saint of those who exude genuine care and compassion.
She is the PS of those people who are so light on their feet that they are constantly apologizing for unintentionally frightening people. Consequently she is the Pseudo Saint of cat burglars who steal to provide for others and to ethically redistribute wealth.
Jules is the Pseudo Saint for those who have well tended gardens without fences that seem to live in harmony with the critters.
She is the Pseudo Saint of women without child birthing hips that spit out a small clan regardless.
Jules is the PS of people that never complain.
Jules is the female Pseudo Saint of men with erectile dysfunction by default as she is the Pseudo Saint of anything that can be abbreviated E.D. - without limit:
Eric Dickerson, Erie Days, Ed, Evaporating discs; Elephant Dung; Ear Disorder; Eastern Direction; electric device; easy Dick; envelope decorator; elevator doctor; especially dark;...
Jules is the Pseudo Saint of women’s whose husbands die young; and never date again.
She is also the Pseudo Saint of people who hang signs that tell people how to feel- such as Live Laugh Love- that shit is so adorable to people and some of us don’t get it at all. But Jules does.
Jules is also the Pseudo Saint of people who lose less than 2 sections of a digit; people with club feet; and donkeys born without sphincters.
1.5 hours for the painting
.5 hours for the story
5 dollar frame.
March, 2023
Saint Max -
(9x22)
Paint Yo' Saint Series- Saint #3 -
March, 2023
Pseudo Saint (PS) Max
Pseudo Saint Max is the Pseudo Saint of all haircuts done at home; bowl cuts; as well as Amish and Mennonite barbers.
He is the Pseudo Saint of scotch and those little glasses that you drink it out of.
He is the PS of heating pads; dice; and mice born in captivity.
He is the PS of back up singers and under studies.
Max is the PS of people who are much more sensitive that they appear and as a result they are often quite isolated.
Max is the Pseudo Saint of heels on mens shoes; pigeons, step stools, velcro and small gloves.
He is the PS of guard dogs that are treated better than children; people who are sneaky generous; and hot air balloons.
Max is the PS of people who are louder than they need to be (He and many of them have chronic ear wax problems). He is also the PS of those with chromosomal abnormalities and people who keep a stuffed animal from their childhood.
People take me a bit to paint-and I'm still learning- so although this took me 3+ hours - I don't want to price it that high.
Let's call Max 55 bucks. Dark brown Mahogany frame.
North Coast
I really like to paint maps-
Here - Green is parks; orange is business; grey is residential; blue is water; red is just bayfront; and the dock is different because I made it that way?
One of my students (who is from Erie) said something about wanting to live "Up by the coast" I had never heard it called the coast before.
I think it much more of a shore- but we can go with coast for the sake of the title and a story.
Housepaint on glass
21" x 9"
December, 2022
10 dollar frame a 3.5 hours of work
The Old Alcanon Club
Housepaint on board and glass
22" x 18"
August, 2022
Winnie was in Texas with the boys and I took the dogs on a few epic long death marches while they were on the road. I was enjoying what East 6th Street must have looked like in the Early 1900's and thinking about how the city is laid out in three sections based on the parks; and how they are distinctly different now.
I distinctly remember crossing the bayfront highway and thinking about how the route is super benefecial for navigation; and how at that specific intersection - Penn Dot did do a decent job of making it feel less divisive than most highways do in a city scape...
I was thinking of the old Super Duper that was in the plaza; and wondering what the hell is this neighborhood gonna be?
I stopped and took a picture of this building- which I think is abandoned- but it can be kinda hard to tell sometimes in parts of the city...
Cool old frame for 10 bucks and 1.5 hours work
Jupiter - Corner Pocket
Those nights in the start of March 2023 when Jupiter and Venus were so close together- it was literally other wordly.
The picture looks so much cooler in person there is a ton of depth- and I am a shitty photographer.
Housepaint on glass
21" x 17"
2.5 hours work
10 dollar frame
PseudoSaint Reginald
The first in the Paint Yo' Saint Series
PusedoSaint Reginald - but everyone calls him Reggie and it always ticks some kinda nerve inside him;
The few people he likes to tolerate - call him Reginald.
Saint Reginald is the PsuedoSaint of Circle-K; 7-11; WalGreens and the such workers who seriously do not give a fuck; but still kill it at their jobs.
He is the Pseudo Saint of “these disgusting things” (cigarettes)
Reginald is the Pseudo Saint of:
Baths -
Wind up alarm clocks - because that ticking keeps him soothed
Slippers without a back
Newspapers- The Smell- the feel- their ability to be reused.
Reggie abandoned the class ring to be taken as Reginald; and it helped. But he unapologetically loves a good- nicely done- female size class ring. Which in default makes him the pseudo saint of all class rings.
Reginald is the Pseudo Saint of people others have always assumed were gay. Well y’all are just nosey bitches who don’t really care anyway- so why do you give a fuck so much?
You would think that Reginald might be the Psuedo Saint of cats…but those bitches shit in the house and don’t pay their own bills- so they can fuck off.
Reginald is however the Pseudo Saint of parakeets because they also like to be called by their full names; seemingly aren’t really affected by other people; Like Reggie - never really stop making some kind of noise and are never truly still.
Reginald is the Pseudo Saint of reruns; ash trays; memorizing lines in movies; and having a love hate relationship with Paula Dean.
I apologize for the glare - but it's on glass.
I honestly was really surprised when I flipped him over- I said to myself "Fuck maybe you do know what you are doing?"
Housepaint on glass
17.5" x 21.5"
March, 2023
13 dollar frame and 4.5 hours of work (People are hard to do for me!)
Jeffrey
I set out to tackle this before I had the skill to do it.
It sat and waited for me and I added to it for more than 18 months. These unfinished pieces kinda eat at me. I had just got a call back from the Erie Art museaum that they accepted a portrait I painted; and I finished my first saint- so I took to Jeffrey's human features-
If I chose to do it again- I would- it certainly wuldn't be the exact same; but this is certainly the longest project I ever had. I sketched out the ball and dude and just kept adding to it over time until - I finally finished it.
Housepaint on glass
14.5" x 20"
Finished in March, 2023
I can't measure the hours this one took me- let's just call it 200 bucks.
Fat Beaver Diving or Diving Fat Beaver - Whichever You Prefer
Long awaited return of the Beaver Series- both funny and that sky is pretty awesome if you ask me.
Housepaint on glass
7" x 9"
February, 2023
Found Crown
Housepaint on glass with found objects
I found glass and Winnie found a reflector and said something along the lines of "This seems like something Lee Shadeck would pick up and do something with"
I thought- diamonds....
17" x 14"
March, 2023
Frame has water damage - I got it for free- it's cool but it does have a little water damage-
1.25 hours work and a free frame
Cacti with a View
Housepaint on glass
People went out of their way to comment on a few of the western theme stuff I was doing.
This frame had the fricken creapiest little girl - ballerina and her ballerina dolls in it at the Salvation Army- but I thought the super faded pink would do well with the colors of that part of the world.
17" x 24"
March, 2023
3 hours work and a 5 dollar frame
Mushroom Man Matt
Housepaint on glass
January, 2023
Sketched him during an 8 am session. Painted him during my 9 and 10 sessions as my clients knitted and walked, respectively.
10 am session ended up with my client asking about the use of microdosing to treat his life long depression...
Listen for messages and you hear them.
3 hours work and an interesting metal frame that has depth to it as well. for 5 additional bucks.
Blue Moon Monsoon
Housepaint on glass
The title came to me before the painting- that happens to me quite a bit actually.
The brush strokes in this are interesting in that I really have no fricken clue what the hell I am doing. And maybe to skilled artists that is evident? I honestly don't know. I just know that I love what I am doing - right now- for now.
Regardless I think the moon is awesome; sky; water; the separation... I am more than content with how it turned out
34" x 24"
It Pretty Darn Large
November, 2022
Glass Eyed Hippo
Housepaint on glass
I just set out to sketch some critters and paint for fun.
For some reason this painting- maybe more than any other one so far - brings me a level of joy when I look at it. It's small and pretty; and the sky turned out better than I could have planned...and the hippo is actually happy I think and even though I created it; and I know the hippo isn't real so it can't really be happy...
This hippo is happy and it make me happy.
8.5" x 6"
January, 2023
2 hours work 2 dollar frame
Blahardinal
As the title would indicate - I do not love it- but I am one of my worst critics so...maybe you like it more than me?
Housepaint on glass
6" x 8"
January, 2023
30 minutes work and a 3 dollar frame
Blind Sand Crane
A few times out on Mount Pleasant Road- out in the Washington Valley - on a few occasions - I saw a few different types of cranes.
There is something so alluring about so much of nature.
I loved my time in nature out on Mount Pleasant Road and the wildness that remins very close to us.
Housepaint on glass
6.5" x 8"
January, 2023
1 hour work 2 dollar frame
The Path Over the Tributary Of and To NowHere
Housepaint on glass
Found the frame at Cobbs- what what and decided I was up for a big piece.
The ugly print that was in the frame had a road and a bridge; but it was during victorian times - and looked like it should be hung over up of someone's wallpaper from 1991. Just not a great look - ever.
So I kept a bridge and turned a road into a path and made it much more serene.
I have a sign up in my office that says -
"Hope is nowhere" Humans being humans about 90 percent of clients who comment say something along the lines of "Why the hell would you put up a sign that says hope is no where?"
Of course the point of the sign is to discuss perspective- you might see no where where a few people end up saying : "Oh I see what you did there- kinda clever- kinda tricky..." "You want me to say No Where - but you could also say Now Here"
So it's a bit about perspective. I understand mine is limited. I am trying to both stay comfortable and advance my perspective- is that possible?
It's kinda massive
quite a bit of depth in the painting that is hard to grasp by the photograph
33.5" x 27"
7 hours of work and a 15 dollar frame
February, 2023
Wicked Skies Over PI
Love the view from the bay cliff in the front yard-
Zoom in - the sky is pretty intense.
Housepaint on glass
12" x 10.5"
1.75 hours of work and a 5 dollar frame.
February, 2023
My View of Bay View
Housepaint on glass
Small and delicate.
The sky reminds me of 1970's illustrations - which of course are nostalgic for me and bring me back to the roots of me - which really does feel like this city.
I love the surface level Roots Winnie and I have been placing here this first year.
This is an approximate view from a few feet to the east of us looking north.
Every time I am outside here I attempt to pause and take in how lucky I am to be alive and living here.
16" x 9.5"
February, 2023
3 hours of work and a 13 dollar frame.
Looking through the eye of orphans
Chandelier parts are his eye balls-
I bought those on Friday morning and started painting it before the strike of noon.
Later in the day an old client asked if we could talk and help get him through a transition into the working world...so we took one of my fast; very chilly; almost death marches around the LWS.
On a corner I found what ended up being the inside of his eyes- a broken computer or TV screen of some kind. The combination of the two - the shattered screen being looked at through the curvature of the glass- is quite interesting.
I am up for changing the title-
Shattered Ideas
Where Ideas Come From...
But Winnie looked at it - and thought it was kind of like a weird robot thing version of see no evil; hear no evil; speak no evil...
but this thing kinda looks like it sees evil; but I don't want anything to do with that; so he sees the evil so we don't have to????
Housepaint on glass with found items
19" x 23"
February, 2023
5.5 hours of work and a 10 dollar frame.
Unleveled but Beveled
When I bought the frame from the Salvation Army out shopping with my mom and Winnie one day- the frame had a picture of a big silver maple in it and a white garage or barn or something in the background- and my mom said that she kind of liked it like it was... so I kind of painted it similar(ish) not really - to what it was.
All of the items in the little windows I found on the bayfront washed up on shore.
The mirror in the big window is part of why I have been loving art so much.
This was a massive- beautiful mirror that Winnie, Dylan, Isaac and I brought home after Winnie's Uncle Pat O. passed away and we were cleaning out his apartment. The mirror was going to go unclaimed- so me being me- took it home and started to think of all of the great options I could do with this massive mirror.
I leaned it up against the carport and a day later it was lying in pieces.
I was bummed for maybe 5 minutes tops and decided to clean it up and save it...that I'd find something I could turn this bad luck into (Funny story- I don't believe I broke the mirror- I should have listened to myself and put it somewhere else- but I didn't break it- It was a guy working on my house Richy Rich- no joke- OMG and the story to go with Richy!)
Point being - I have used the remnants of 2 mirrors- that it is my fault they are broken- and one large window- that it is my fault is broken; and used them as parts of tens of art projects thus far.
Mistakes are for learning.
Housepaint on glass with found items
It's large - 24" x 20"
February, 2023
7 hours of work and a 10 dollar frame.
Stonework Surrounding a Den of Thieves
Kinda going for a stained glass on a stone wall vibe.
And people like catchy names...
Housepaint on glass
7" x 8"
February, 2023
1.5 hours of work 5 dollar frame
Late Summer Sunset Over Presque Isle
It's the view from where I sit and paint- I hope there are 100000000000 of these before I die.
Housepaint on cardboard
8" x 10"
February, 2023
30 minutes of work- no frame but it has a stand.
Aldo's Mexico
Listening to Josh Ritter I get transported back to the paperback cowboy books my uncles used to leave lying around my Memere's house
Housepaint on glass
12.5" x 16"
February, 2023
3 hours of work and a 10 dollar frame.
Delicate Arch
Dylan just took a job in Utah...
When I think of Utah - other than the stinky Salt Lake, Mormons, The Utah Jazz, and low alcohol beer; this is what I think of.
Housepaint on glass
5.5" x 14"
February, 2023
2.75 hours of work and a 5 dollar frame.
Mighty Fine
Housepaint on glass with found items washed up on the bayfront.
It's supposed to be rough; jaded; barren; and yet welcoming.
That is Mighty Fine Donuts to me. The only donuts I ever need to eat. Other gourmet donuts are obviously good. But as far as just straight donuts homie - nothing comes close.
I made the sign out of some broken coffee shop type china wear. Rocks; tiles; pieces of glass washed up on lower west side.
11" x 7.5"
February, 2023
I'm just gonna put an art show price on it- cause I think I want to save it for an art show. But if you want it for my art show price- I'll find something else for the art show:
$300
Just the Signal Man
I got to thinking quite a few artists paint weird stuff.
I go to their shows and am drawn to weird- but then am like- wth am I gonna do with something that weird.
So I think people like weird- but I don't think they buy weird.
He's kinda interesting and haunting
Housepaint and broken mirrors on glass
6.5" X 8"
February, 2023
3/4 of an hour time- free frame
My Mom Didn't Paint These Homemade Jamz
Housepaint and mirrors on glass
These colors remind me of Jamz in 198whatever year that was.
My dad was too cheap- so my mom made me some.
Not nearly as cool!
10" X 21"
February, 2023
2 hours work and a 6 dollar frame
Lift
Housepaint and found items on glass
I found a few sun glass lenses washed up on the bayfront and a few pieces of mirror.
I glued them on and then painted the back... flipped it over and then decided on a shuttle type launch.
This one is very cool in person and I like it.
2 hours work and a 5 dollar frame
5.5" X 7.5"
February, 2023
Donnelly's Dogfish
Housepaint on glass
This is an old etched piece I found in a junk shop made by someone named Donnelly and I painted their work. Judging by the paper and tape that was in the frame with this - it seemed kinda old
5 bucks - because its not original - original
8" X 6"
February, 2023
Beaver Hunter 2
Housepaint on glass
The beaver series is supposed to by kinda funny. So I started to paint this as is - to be Beaver Hunter 2-
When I flipped it over - I thought that the sky was too cool and complex to be a funny painting...so I sat on it for months- trying to think of what to do with it.
I have all these started projects that are not completed - and from time to time they taunt me. So I decided screw it- just finish it and I did.
14" X 17"
Completed February, 2023- started early 2022
I'll Take Ya Back to Church
Housepaint on glass
I so enjoy doing stained glass and bricks - when the painting is not huge.
Really no idea why I even started it- other than I wanted to do another stained glass.
I'm biased - but I really like it.
"I'll take ya back to church" was a quote from In Living Color back in the day
5" X 6.5"
February, 2023
2.25 hours of work
2 dollar frame
Untitled for now
Housepaint on glass
7" X 7"
February, 2023
30 minutes of work.
The Cave
Housepaint and found items on glass
I think the thing in the front is a bunch of copper wire- I found it under the concrete porch at the Saegertown cabin and kept it to use it in a project like this.
The wood on the back is cut off a burl I made into book ends a few years ago...it had been laying around for quite some time.
Then there are a few pieces of mirror on the back and different levels- to give the cave a bit more depth.
2 hours of work and a 5 dollar shadow box frame.
9" X 11"
February, 2023
Open Range
Housepaint on glass
9.5" X 12"
Quite a bit more texture and depth in person. I was looking around thinking "What do I want to paint?"
And I was looking around and for whatever reason people paint and like to look at paintings of flowers and animals. I love painting mountains and sky-
This is what ya get.
3 hours of work and a 5 dollar frame
February, 2023
Hung Both Ways - If You Know What I Mean
Housepaint on glass
Got out paint to paint tress - sky and water and this is one of the three that came out that evening and next morning. Constructed so you can hang it either way.
This one is painted on only the back side of the glass.
2.5 hours of work and a 4 dollar frame.
14" X 5.5"
February, 2023
Doug's Fir
Housepaint on Glass
5" X 7"
February, 2023
Miller's Moth
My top band of the last 3 years and one of my most favorite bands of all time. The only nationally touring band that has ever slept at my house- unless you count Jake Triola; and he hasn't toured the United States.
Housepaint on glass
4 hours of time and a 10 dollar frame
11" X 17"
February, 2023
Double Sided Trees
I have to get it ready to be hung up; but it is so it can be displayed either side is a complete and finished painting.
Each tree is painted with different brush strokes- kinda teaching myself as I go still.
Housepaint on glass
2.25 hours and a 5 dollar frame
11" X 13"
February, 2023
Monument with Electric Easter Sky
Housepaint on glass
1/23
I sold the original monument- so I had to paint a few more. It is even more special to me now - as we can see it lit up each evening from the second and third story of the new house.
Cool molded frame- 10 bucks plus 2.25 hours of work
Monument and Massive Poplar - 1/23.
I remember riding my bike there as a kid; launching canoes and kayaks a number of times throughout my life, always bringing visitors from out of town for a ride around the PI...and a quick stop here to talk Erie history and look at the city from the monument. Probably my favorite memory of the monument is my sister and Ryan getting married there.
2.5 hours work
The Lorax and Fingerprints of the Past
1/23
I have always love Dr. Suess.
I have always loved everything about the Lorax.
As I was painting this I got a text from my ex wife Heidi that she thought I should consider applying for some newly formed Erie City Environmental Board.
Considering the synchronicity - I probably should.
2 hours work
Blue Jay on a Grey Morning
There have been a few blue jays in the side yard this winter. So I tried my hand.
1.25 hours and a 2 dollar frame
Western Centuries Meets Vegas-
Been wanting to paint a Western Centuries painting forever.
I have one started of the Sportsman's Tavern in Buffalo- but the angles inside of that awesome room are more complex than I can yet paint.
So we start here.
Paint - glass and mirror on glass.
8X11
3 hours work 5 dollar frame
Heirloom
1/29/23.
Got this cool blue(ish) frame in Dubois yesterday when we drove down to meet Aida 1/2 way. The brand of the frame was Heirloom something or other- that word association game made me think of Heirloom Tomatoes...
This is what I came up with.
2.5 hours - 6 dollar frame
Pink Morning on the Bay-
housepaint and mirrors on glass
10x12
2 hours work and a 5 dollar frame
Do You Like What You See on the Other Side of the Fence?
Housepaint and mirrors on an incredible frame. Inspired by our backyard and fence here on West 2nd...but rearranged a bit to fit what I wanted it to be.
The idea is to look through the fence- and you get a distorted view of yourself...
This one took me quite a bit of time before I decided how to finish it. This one hung on the wall for months from when it started to when it finished here 1/23. That really isn't like me all that much. These few incompletes seem like they taunt me.
7 hours work and a 35 dollar frame.
Abstract Horizon
Odd piece of bumpy glass
6 bucks total price
Middle of Summer Bouquet
Unstained Glass series
2021
1 hour of work- 5 dollar frame.
An Immense Invitation -
Housepaint on glass 2023.
Doing one of my regular- wake up at 4:00 a.m. and try to find an idea to paint. Surfing facebook I see a click bait post about something Egyptian- and I get my inspiration.
Throw on Josh Ritter - and was torn between "For Lillian" from the song "Lillian of Egypt"
and "An Immense Invitation" from the song "The Curse"
If you haven't listened to Josh IDK where to tell you to start. Because the guy is a prolific genius:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSYpXz5KOUY
I'm trying to avoid what I see many artists do and paint something so similar over and over.
I must admit pyramids are tempting.
And the frame is some designer frame I picked up at a garage sale. It is very nice!
3.5 hours and a 10 dollar frame.
Erie from the Bay -
Fairly accurate current view of the Gem city from PI bay.
I will spend my life adjacent to these waters.
3 hours of work a a 10 dollar frame.
Just Jerry
Housepaint on glass
1.5 hours of work and a cool old vintage 5 dollar frame
"I don't even know what these flowers are called"
And you certainly never see them in a bunch or on display.
I think my grandma called them johnny jump ups- but she lost quite a few things in translation.
I think the are pansies- and I swear they have no scent. But at my grandma's they always did. She had them in the 4 inch wide garden she had running alongside the chain link fence that divided her concrete and garbage from the neighbors concrete and more garbage.
I have no idea how a few over cared for pansies and some overgrown hostas could make 12th and Fillmore always smell sweet and welcoming; and make me see around the poverty; abuse; and addiction.
Maybe it wasn't the flowers?
2.5 hours of work and a 4 dollar frame.
"Jerry's strumming hand"
If you know you know.
I don't need it- don't necessarily love it myself.
10 bucks.
"Trying Times"
Honestly- since this war started now a year+ ago- I can't watch. I've watched less then a few hours of information on the subject ; and I understand my level of ignorance on the history of the region- but I just can't watch. I can't believe we haven't evolved past our differences yet.
1.25 hours work + 3 dollar frame
"The United States and Soap Scum"
Housepaint on found shower door
I guess it's my political map of the United States and me trying to be funny.
It's big- its a shower door.
It's for sale- but I don't want to sell it- because I kinda love it.
8 hours of painting- 30 minutes of scrubbing- free shower door.
"Another Blanta"
For a minute there in 2021 I was really into painting santas with a darker skin tone,
Here is an unpopular view on things- why?
Why do we tell kids everything is fine and magic and bullshit?
I never really got it.
Let me lie to you about the world and you can slowly discover there is no magic.
Naw. I'd rather not lie to my people about reality; and show them the real magic.
1.50 hours work + 3 dollar frame
"Playing with Oil"
Oil paint on glass.
First and only time thus far.
I think it took a month to dry- I'm not that patient or careful.
2 hours work + 3 dollar frame
"Erie Ship Yards- South Side"
The first of this building and this area with more to come for certain. My Grandfather Ebbo Skadhauge was a security guard here when I was a kid. At the time it was a few massive buildings that were mostly empty. Word on the street it was much busier before; and it is again since
5 hours of work and 15 dollar frame.
It's big 36"X30"
"Hovering Heat"
Mixed media-
Housepaint on glass
With printouts of pictures superglued to the back.
A painting of the stove that heats the cabin and the decorative chimney thing.
11/22
2.5 hours of work and a 5 dollar frame.
"Where Greg Should Live- In My Head"
Somewhere in the high desert
“Recycling”
12/2021
Housepaint on glass
Inspired by a picture of stained glass I encouraged a student to splurge and purchase.
1.25 hours work and a free frame
"Steelie for Libby"
"Unstained and Untitled"
House paint on glass with mirrors and broken glass
2021
10x10
1 hour- free frame
"Unstained Cardinal"
Sale Pending
My first ever attempt at making a replica of stained glass.
Fun.
Not too difficult
Will be trying to make things two sided in the future but that is dependant upon the frame.
3 hours and a free frame
"Mock Iris"
12/2021
House paint on glass
Bought this for the frame.
The frame had what I think is an ugly picture of some irises.
I have tried my hand at Irises a few times and have found them to be difficult. So I am attempting to not have the edges defined as much- which i find a little more forgiving.
I am using bronze and gold housepaint in the foreground. The background is mostly white with a bit of bronze and a small touch of the yellow I used in the flowers. I enjoy the depth the white gives to the piece.
(2.25 hrs my time - frame 5 bucks)
"The people in My Head Have People in Their Head"
Just a small goofie piece. Just my doodles 2.0 - which I love more than anything- but understand they are weird and certainly not for everybody.
(20 minutes my time - frame 2 bucks)
Bald Beaver Washes Up
2021
"Gridley Park"
Quite a few people; but men in general responded to some of the maps I have painted.
Erie was laid out with three park systems- City center and then 8 block east and 8 blocks west of those. This is Gridley Park- my park groing up as a kid- on the west side of town.
What I have always found very odd- is that the traffic pattern is distinctily different around each of the three parks. Only in Erie do you make what are essentially three traffic circles- laid out equidistant from each other- and make the rules for traversing each different.
2.5 hours work 3 dollar frame
"Alaskan Figure"
Don't understand them at all; but am pulled to these the same way I'm pulled to stonehenge and other mystic things that I can feel the power of- but am basically ignorant of.
.5 hours work- free frame
"Plagiarized flowers"
Ealy stages of me teaching myself how to paint.
At first i was just copying pictures right in the frame. I did this for a few works before I understood how to start to paint; and was confident enough to come up with subject matter on my own.
20 Bucks
"Imperfect Roses"
Again here- more tracing and taking a picture I thought was really ugly and making it much more enjoyable to me.
25 bucks
"Repurposed Glass"
Found this frame in the garbage on route 99. Someone had drawn the outline of the flower in puffy paint- I just took it to the next level.
.5 hours work and a free frame
"Unstained Glass Round Church Closet Window"
Double sided
Housepaint
Glass.
Mortar on outside view
3.5 hours of work- free frame
"Blockhouse on a Clear Day"
Sale pending
House paint on glass
The lore of Mad Anthony Wayne is simply fascinating to me. Margarie and the pizza bomber circa 1800.
On December 15, 1796 General "mad" Anthony Wayne died and was buried at the foot of the flag pole at Fort Presqu'Isle. In 1853 the abandoned fortification was burned down and the land around it leveled. The gravesite of General Wayne was lost until rediscovered again in 1878. In 1880 the state of Pennsylvania built a replica of the fort's blockhouse over the re-discovered grave of General Wayne and called it the Wayne Blockhouse.
The story of Major General "Mad Anthony" Wayne, Revolutionary War hero and Commander-in-Chief of the American Army, being buried in two separate locations nearly 400 miles apart, is truly strange, but true. The Wayne Blockhouse is the original location after his death in 1796, and the place where his flesh was buried after his remains were dismembered and the flesh boiled off of his bones in 1809. The rest of General "Mad" Anthony Wayne was buried at St. David's Church, in Radnor, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia.
Local radio and sports media James R. lachorick wanted to name the Erie minor league baseball team - the bone boilers- we missed the boat n that one.
1.25 hours work and a 1 dollar frame.
"We Were Born Homesick"
This painting came to me in a NyQuil/ low grade fever dream when I was sick in November of 2021. The dream had a soundtrack the song Slow Down Easy - by John Moreland.
It was more of a feeling than a visual dream. The feeling was about not understanding why we need separated as a people; about deserving safety; about what we would all do to protect and care for those under our charge. About not understanding why we can’t put aside our animalistic urges\hate\negativity and just be energetic love.
It’s supposed to be a wall - a border wall.
It’s called “We Were Born Homesick”
It means a great deal to me. I hope it touches an energy inside of you.
NFS- artists collection
"The Grotto at Hemlock Landing"
Overhead Map of Grotto Lane
House paint on glass 2021
(2.25 hours 5 dollar frame)
"Someone Else’s Pond"
9/2021
Again play on words because I copied a rendition of it from what was an ugly pic in the frame. Reminds me of a view that is no longer possible at Presque Isle - because the trail is now a waterway.
3.75 hours and 5 dollars for the frame
“Not H. Robert’s Obelisk”
So this is one of the first paintings I have ever done in my entire life.
This isn’t a story of Bob Ross’s happy accidents, it is more a series of coincidences.
In 2019 going through a divorce I purchased a dilapidated fishing shack on French Creek just north of Saegertown. I poured myself into turning a fishing shack into an artsy cabin - where I could start to rebuild my life and provide a place where my youngest daughter could be comfortable living half the time with her crazy father.
Through 2019 and 2020 I transformed the cabin and am quite content with the vibe, comfort, and functionality.
In 2021 I turned my focus to the outside of the structure and the grounds. I have this trailer part of a semi truck on the property that has been repurposed into a garage\car port\and goat pen- that can be hard for me to look at. I decided that I needed to do something to transform the structure into something I can stand to use.
I was going to put siding on the structure but decided a mural was more economical and possibly a heck of a lot more fun. So I decided to paint a mural on the side of this trailer; which turned out to be fun as hell and start a new obsession on my part.
Every day i would prepare the colors i was going to need for the painting for the day… but at the end of each session I had at least a little bit of extra paint left over. This waste eventually became bothersome to me. So then I decided I was going to not let that paint go to waste and just started painting anything I had on hand.
That morphed into me painting on glass.
I found this frame at a local junk shop…and obviously had to paint an obelisk- due to the title already on the frame.
It’s meant to be on one hand funny and ironic- because here is this 46 year old guy- just painting funny shit.
But as I started to take this serious- i understood that I was more than enjoying the entire process of being creative.
The obelisk went from being ironic to having almost powers.
The power of creativity was shaping me as I was shaping it.
Also the piece itself has an almost Stonehenge power to it- that I cannot explain - But I can feel.
Honestly I’d prefer not to sell it.
But I’d entertain offers.
"Made up Philodendrons "
This is an early piece when I was just learning.
One of my favorite house plants and certainly one of my favorite to paint. It’s just hard to go wrong.
Leftover paint from other things I was doing at the time.
Salvation army frame.
Paint on both side of the glass to give it depth.
I like it.
(1.5 hours of time- 7 dollars for the frame)
"Ite Inflammate Omnia"
Go forth, and set the world on fire
House paint, paint on both sides of the glass, and remnants of a window I shattered with a trailer, kayak, and stubbornness-
As named by someone i didn’t appreciate enough until I stopped being in their proximity all of the time Daria Grabowski.
Something about art, depth, texture, space, and outerspace are very fun. I feel like I can almost be careless and it should turn out pretty darn OK - like I can’t really screw it up. It is just freeing to paint these in my estimation.
2 hours- free frame
"A Cacti in Strange Times"
I have no idea.
House paint on glass with a small mirror that I took out of Winnie’s make up case.
(2 hours free frame)
“Unorthodox”
house paint on glass
10/2021
I painted this in early October 2021 - I was in the mood for painting buildings and trees. I wanted to paint the church I grew up in- I went and took pictures and made sketches…and quickly learned- oh snap that building is too detailed and ornate for me to be able to do it justice.
A few days later I was driving down Holland Street in erie and saw this Russian orthdox church and thought- yep I can do that.
I didn’t take any pictures- i just made a rendition from memory- and I was content with the outcome.
The story of the painting is actually after it was completed.
I was doing a bit of construction work down at my Uncle Joe Koehle’s house (242 east 2nd street) a few days after I completed this painting. He lives in the southern shadow of the big russian orthdox church on east front street- you know the big golden dome you see from all points on the east Erie bayfront. At this period of time my partner Winnie and I are beginning to think of next steps in life and where will we be as our children move on and we have just been walking through houses all over the city of Erie.
So there is this kinda shack of a house in Joe’s backyard- the small house faces German street. I ask Joe about that house and he says things along the lines of- well it’s been empty now at least 15 years… last I knew the house was full of cats… and the people who own that place are crazy…all kinds of people have been trying to buy that off of them for years- they won’t even let people in there to look at it…i have offered them cash; the church has offered them cash… that isn’t going to happen.
As we wind up our construction project the crazy people who own the house roll out of their little white car and start to trim back the hedges with scissors that one might cut paper with. I observe them for a bit. Swill down my umpteenth beer of the early afternoon and go over and talk to these mysterious urban legends.
I introduce myself to a very long haired, very short of stature youthful looking American Asian guy-; with the largest cuffs on jeans I may have ever seen in my life who introduces himself as Shawn. Shawn has a few lanyards, patchy facial hair, and a cell phone in a holster on his belt. He kinda screams computer science, IT, and D+D. He introduces me to his - well he stumbles over her title- friend\partner\girlfriend\woman\bizitch- probably “lady friend” is what he calls her in private- Debby. Debby seems a significant amount older than Shawn. Also very short, very thin, the kind of person who was born frail, will live frail, and will die frail. Debby is a mixture of meek bird and extremely anxious human.
I can see i have my work cut out for me.
We exchange pleasantries for 20-30 minutes when I get to the point of telling them I would not mind - if they would consider selling the house- throwing an offer in.
3.5 hours - 5 dollar frame
"The Courthouse of Judge Judy and the Leper Messiah”
House paint on glass 2021
This is the second painting that “kind of” came to me in a fever dream when I was sick.
In my dream I was telling people that I wanted my art career to take off. That I wanted to be more artsy so I felt I needed to do a massive abstract work in which the title had nothing to do with the picture.
So i unveiled this very large; just abstract nothing of a boring ass painting in my dream and said
“I call it Judge Judy and the Leper Messiah”
And the crowd did not like my painting- and neither did I. HA
But I most definitely liked the title.
So, I unveil to the online world “The Courthouse of Judge Judy and the Leper Messiah.”
I think I’m trying to be funny- but I kind of like it as well.
4 hours work - 10 dollar frame
"Overhead map of Frontier Park"
Paint on glass
12/22
Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier LEAF was just Frontier when I was a kid. This park is where I fell in love with nature. Many hours- alone- on a bike- with a dog- exploring. Some of my favorite memories without other people involved.
15.5x18
2.75 hours and a 3 dollar frame
"Before The Bend"
House paint on glass 9.5x11
Inspired by the stretch on French Creek near the cabin
2.5 hours of work and 8 dollar frame.
"Painted etched bowl"
1 hour of work + 5 bucks for the bowl
"Doodles off the Edge"
I took doodles I did in session and throughout my days at the cabin- during covid- often alone with other people on the other side of my zoom calls...and rather than putting those paper doodles onto another surface- I painted them
2 hours- 2 dollar frame
“Not (Just) Anywhere, USA”
House paint on glass.
10/21
Inspired from the feelings I get watching sporting events at Prep events center. Makes Erie feel gritty and industrial.
Not just anywhere USA because the water tower- the town name ends in 'KEN" - I have a name for the town in my head...do you?
Tags on the train:
Shazam
ezy ed
Rzer
Kin Kim
B Skal
Schwa
Dope is Dope
L Fats
Aunt PA
2.25 hours work 2 dollar frame
"Cat Tail Lamp"
It does have a shade now.
Retro MCM lamp I painted
40 bucks
"Unstained Iris"
10x10
House paint on glass
(1 hour and 4 dollar frame)
"Learning to be a Lumberjack"
It's a big one like 24x 36 ish
No idea why- but it is one of my favorites.
I was in the mood to paint a steam whistle.
I love that the angles are ehh.
Its a really nice sky
I love the smoke and the whistle- I'm uncertain why it moves me- but it did the entire time I was working on it.
5 hours of work and a 5 dollar frame
"An unrealistic version of Water Works in Erie"
I have always loved this building and the pumphouse across the street.
The brick work -
The green roof-
The purpose of the building- bringing some of THE BEST water from the tap I have ever had in my life- to the residents of Erie County.
Is there anything more important? I don't think so!
We live in conjunction with one of the largest sources of fresh water on the entire planet.
Maybe not quite in my lifetime - but maybe in yours...there will not be a more valuable commodity on the planet. It is a beautiful treasure we do not think about or plan around nearly enough!
Doodles From The Edge Series:
I’ve always needed to doodle while listening to be able to more fully retain what is being said. I did it all through school and at every conference or meeting i've ever been invested in.
The same holds true in my role as a listener in counseling sessions. When topics are heavy - I have no issue staying a hundred percent mindful and focused. However, when things are a bit slower, when we aren’t making a quick pace, or when someone might be telling a story… I need to keep myself focused on the here and now- so rather than taking notes on things I will not necessarily need to remember- i just doodle to keep my focus on the story and the storyteller.
All of these doodles have been done in counseling sessions. All of the quotations and statements were said by a client of mine- or occasionally by me.
As always anonymity and confidentiality are of utmost importance to me; so if there is a name- it is code that only makes sense to me.
Painted Brown Jar
5 bucks
Small Vase - 5 bucks
Painted Blue Bowl with metal band 8.00
Painted Red Jar with metal lid $8.00
Painted Jewelry dish with legs- inside the sky series- 10 bucks
Small painted blue bowl- inside the sky- 5 bucks
Inside the Sky - Blue cylinder- painted glass 5 bucks
Blue and yellow painted vase 5 bucks
Red Square Vase - 5 bucks
Green and Yellow vase- 7 bucks
I want to know what you see.
The first three people I asked what this was...I got three different answers.
So before I tell you what it is intended to be...I want to know what you see and feel from this piece.
3 hours and a 5 dollar frame
True North
True North
"Fly Away"
Etched mirror repurposed
$15
"Light it up - Sun"
12/22
Painted and titled listening to a totally unrelated song by John Craigie- Helena- off the album Mermaid Salt.
Amazing to me how much the music shapes what I do in the minute to minute.
2 hours - 5 dollar- cool frame- with dark green velvet.
Painted blue Glass
7 bucks
"You All's Place"
Erie and the PI- good amount of depth in lower layer.
12/22
2.25 hours and 3 dollar frame
"Nearly Perfect Beaver"
From the Beaver Series.
Beaver Bob got one to hang on the fridge.
2 hours- free frame
Silver Maple
Supposed to be like a tree guide.
I have always been in love with Silver Maples. There was a massive one in front of my house at 826 west 7th street that served as the backstop of my basketball hoop growing up that took out portions of 4 homes when it came crashing down a few years ago.
There was a massive one outside our home at 14500 Mount Pleasant all of those years. Looking down from the top of the ski hill - that silver maple crown was as large as the crowns as all 4 hundred year old sugar maples on the other side of the house combined.
Now back in the big bity - our back alley is dotted with large; old; cragalie silver maples; and I love it!
1.75 hours and a 4 dollar frame.
"Beaver Hunter 1"
Hang this in your little chap"s room- he'll love you forever.
1.5 hours 3 dollar frame
"Hot Box"
Imagined vehicle
Lots of depth if you zoom in.
2 hours- 5 dollar frame
"Double sided winter tree"
Painted on both sides of the glass- they are similar but quite different from each other.
Not intended to be hung in a window- you need to enjoy one side at a time.
I'm kinda proud of this one.
3 hours - 3 dollar frame
"Woodruff House"
Mixed Media
Housepaint on glass- mirror and porcelain pieces found on the bay shore.
Cashiers House on 400 block of state street.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cashier%27s_House
2 hours - 3 dollar frame
"Adrift"
3 hours of work
Shaggy Bobbie.
Mirrors and housepaint on glass
Purple and white tie dye
Small 8X8
1.25 hours of work
Mixed Media
White Boys in Nature
Early 2022
The title come from a crack my Aida made when we were vacationing in the UP of Michigan- and there were a bunch of teen boys blowing smoke clouds with their vapes and taking videos...
Aida looked at the group of pubescent douchebags and said "Oh White Boys in Nature"
It's certainly a self portrait.
I'll sell ya the story along with the painting
2.5 hours of work and a free frame.
Hot Water Music-
Dust Jacket Series-
I guess to call it a series you'd need more than one.
So this is the first in the series of one- which is fricken perfect for a painting of a Bukowski book. Unsure if in his spirit I should give it away for free or ask for a million bucks.
First read this book in 1995 or 1996.
Then it sat on a shelf outside my bedroom for about 15 years and i saw it a number of times a day right at eye level- it's colors- that I didn't exactly capture here (close but not exact) are burned into my memory.
2 hours of work and a 10 dollar frame.
I Always Knew That I Should Not Be A mother
It's a sentiment.
It is a normal human feeling and way to be.
And there should be nothing wrong with it!
Sitting in the seat across of people for the last lifetime - I understand this is natural for a percentage of us- we do not feel maternal (or paternal) - and I think that has always been viewed as problematic - something that needs fixed... and I'm not so sure that it does. That being said most of those I've encountered who feel this way have had some fairly broken parents themselves - so a level of repair may be in order.
The feeling I am attempting to convey here is that feeling of knowing that I do not want to be a mother- knowing I am not maternal- and the emotion that can come with that. The women I have spoken with who have ignored that gut instinct and had children (usually at the pressure of a man or a family or a society) despite that inkling - lead lives of regret and constantly feeling like they are lost on their own life map...
While young women grapple with that pressure - I attempt to push them to be true to themselves first.
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