Sunday, July 5, 2009

105 and Bone Dry...No Party. But..Challenging Challenges

I tried to get a party blog together, but the weather has slowed me down to a snail's pace...and a lot of my files are on my other computer at my son's in Houston. It has been 105 for about 2 weeks, and no rain. The shack has no air=conditioning and at 8:00 it is still over 100 in there. Crud.

Anyway...I have been painting out under the trees and catching up with the art challenges.

Michelle Burnett's "Following the Masters" invited artists to pick a piece by Maxfield Parrish and submit their rendition. Being the wishy-washy bozo that I am...I couldn't make up my mind. So I picked two. The one above is entitled "The Canyon" and was painted in 1924. I provided a copy of the actual painting at the top so you can see what a truly marvelous artist he was.

Once again, I have provided the actual work at the top, and my rendition below it. This one is entitled "Stars". Growing up in Houston, my Grandmother had a large 2 story house that Stephen King could write a dozen novels about. "Ma" had pictures all over the place, but one of her favorites was Maxfield Parrish, and this painting was one she had displayed in her bedroom. I was in love with this woman. I remained in love with this woman until Judy Garland came along and shamelessly stole my heart and left it somewhere over the rainbow. Throughout the next half century or so, I have maintained my admiration for Maxfield Parrish. A truly magnificent artist.



Karin Jurick's Different Strokes From Different Folks Challenge was from a photo of a woman rowing a rowboat across a very calm Lake Michigan. I found that as exciting as these ants chewing on my Little Debbie Oatmeal Cre.... WHAAAA!!! Oh well...I wasn't that hungry anyway. Needless to say, I added something. At the risk of showing my age, I put Cecil in there, from the old Beanie and Cecil cartoons of 1962. Don't worry, Cecil won't munch down. He might ask her where her life jacket is.



And finally, this is the first of my renditions for Windows to the Words July Art Challenge. The little fellow pictured is Roscoe Parker....a Blue Lacy, which is the national dog of Texas. Roscoe belongs to Dena Wenmohs, artist and owner of the famed "Bunkhouse Gallery, Studio, Workshop and B & B in Cypress Mill, Texas. I am trying to get together a "Texas Paint-Out" there in August, so you will be hearing more about that. Click HERE for information.




Thought for the Blog: Some folks I know are waiting at the airport when their ship comes in.

21 comments:

  1. All the paintings are beautiful. Wish this summer heat would go away for awhile and we could have some good soaking rain - keep those icepacks around your neck and keep painting.

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  2. Wow, you've been busy! I love all this work. The DSFDF sure gave me a smile!

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  3. Wow, What a beautiful job you have done on these paintings! You really brought the art work to life!
    The CANYON one speaks to me- so beautiful.
    And the portrait of Roscoe Parker is magnificent.
    You captured soul and all. You are the best!
    xoxoxo
    tweedles

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  4. You rose to the challenge again James! All of them!!

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  5. Great job on all of these, James! The Parrishs are really wonderful. Love your humor in the DSFDF. Knew that was Cecil at first glance and cracked up laughing.

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  6. My word but you have been busy! What great copies of the Masters, James - you've done them proud. And love the monster in the water - I haven't a clue who he is - never got those comics here.

    But the absolute best is the little dog Roscoe Parker. He is stunning!

    (PS it's winter here so we are quite cool! [sorry]!!!)

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  7. You win the prize for the most fun DSFDF. Most of them were so "the same"..... including mine.
    If I had time to do it over, I'd do a giant rubber ducky on the lake. Boy, do I remember Beenie and Cecil. I wrote a scary story about a monster dinosaur on Mars when I was in grade school. I didn't know how to end it, so I had the monster come down to earth and become Cecil on the TV show.

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  8. What a treat visiting your blog! The Parrishs
    are fantastic! Your DSFDF entry made my day! It's the greatest and I sooo remember Cecil but hadn't thought of him in years! What a super job you did on the water! Little Roscoe is too precious for words! Love the eyes! Great pieces all!!

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  9. Great job on all of them as always, James. The DSFDF challenge with Cecil is hilarious! Very cute puppy too.

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  10. Hey James,
    Great job on all the paintings! You've been a busy man despite that heat.... whoa!

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  11. I knew as soon as I saw the sea monster it was yours before I saw your name...too funny, James!!
    Love Roscoe too!

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  12. These are all great! I'm partial to Cecil, and your portrait of little Roscoe--they show your humor and heart.

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  13. It reminded me of Puff the Magic Dragon the moment I saw it!

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  14. Man, oh man! You have so many blogs...and so much art in this post that I may have to pack a lunch and come back later!
    Great job illustrating the tragic Cecil attack on lake Michigan...we shall all miss her.

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  15. I love your comical take on the DSFDF challenge. I had forgotten all about Cecil the Seamonster

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  16. OH I love the cartoon and painting look so much fun. I was wondering what you were going to do. You don't disappoint.

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  17. Maxfield Parrish is my second favorite artist (after Van Gogh). Great job!

    Stay cool (temperature, because you're already kewl). :)

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  18. Love the one for the DSFDF! So creative. Great colors, such a vibrant piece :)

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  19. 105! No AIR CONDISH??? YOU POOR THING!!!!
    Come on over and spend the weekend for a break.

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  20. Laughing out LOUD: DSDF challeng painting hih-are-ee-us! Thanks. (:

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