Skeet's Blog

"Trois Poire" or "Three Pears"

2012-01-31T06:27:00.002-06:00

"Trois Poire" 5x7in Oil/Canvas Panel $90

These pears are from my neighbor's tree. Thanks neighbor.

"Old Green GMC"

2012-01-21T20:03:00.002-06:00

"Old Green GMC" 5x7 inch Oil/Panel $90

I love old farm trucks and tractors. This was an old GMC I found tucked away in a hedge row a while back and I decided to do a small painting of it. I have a few more in my resource library that I'm sure I'll get to eventually.

Profile of a Sock Monkey

2012-01-21T19:55:00.002-06:00

"Profile of a Sock Monkey" 5x5 inch Oil Panel $50

My wife said she read that sock monkeys were making a comeback! She just happens to have one her grandmother made her some $#%??? years ago. He's been sitting up on a shelf in one of the bedroom closets and I decided he needed to come down and sit for a portrait. I say it's a he...I'm not really sure. How do you tell with a sock monkey?

After Byong Hwa Son's "Blood of My Lord"

2012-01-16T19:27:00.003-06:00

NFS

This is a little 7x5 inch oil on panel painting I did from an Upper Room Cover (March - April 2010). I love the original painting entitled "Blood of My Lord" by the Korean artist Byong Hwa Son. Unfortunately I couldn't find anything on the artist on the internet.

I wanted to see if I could capture the essence of the original painting and possibly learn something from the experience (it's all learning). I like the results. This painting was done only for the purpose of study and is not for sale.

"With This Bread and Cup"

2012-01-02T19:30:00.003-06:00

"With This Bread and Cup" 8x10 inch Oil Canvas

This is one of my favorite things to paint and is a reoccurring theme in my work. Art for me has a very spiritual connection and this theme makes it even more so.

Key On A String

2012-01-01T18:14:00.004-06:00

Key On A String 4x6 Oil Panel

This is the first painting of the year. I am committed to doing much more painting this year than last year. Which isn't saying much because last year was bad as far as painting goes. I'm an artist and this is the work the Good Lord means for me to do so I need to be doing it.

Kris Kringle Drawing

2011-12-27T18:38:00.004-06:00

This is a bad picture of a little pencil drawing I did entitled Kris Kringle. I did this for my wife for Christmas. She loves all things Father Christmas.

Pulled Cork

2011-12-22T14:01:00.004-06:00

"Pulled Cork" 5x7 inch Oil on Canvas Panel (unframed)

I have a show to do in April so I thought I better get started working on some new pieces for the show.

Panhandle Railroad Museum 16x20 Oil

2011-11-27T21:28:00.002-06:00

This is the Panhandle Railroad Museum in Wellington, Kansas. The building has been many things over its lifetime but it makes sense to be a railroad museum since the old town steam engine is right across the yard from it.

Sketchbook #12 - Neighbor's Truck

2011-02-21T13:35:00.002-06:00

A quick sketch I did yesterday afternoon in my Moleskine.

"Same Old Apple Times Four"

2011-02-20T20:40:00.002-06:00

This 12x12 painting was inspired by a painting challenge put out by The Daily Paintworks.

"Bales Over The Creek"

2011-02-19T15:10:00.003-06:00

Don't know if anyone is still following my blog posts or not. If you are then I'm going to try and begin posting more frequently. I actually quit painting for almost a year with the exception of one or two paintings here and there. I don't know why it took me so long to get back to it. Anyway I'm back to painting. This is a little 5x7 oil painting I did this morning. The painting is a little gift for a friend.

"Olive" 8x10 inch Oil/Canvas

2010-01-02T21:41:00.003-06:00

This is just a fun little graphic piece I did this evening. It was fun. Let me know if you're interested in purchasing it. $80.

Kansas Country Road

2009-12-26T21:15:00.002-06:00

This is a Kansas landscape I painted this evening. It is a metric sized canvas so its not even inches. The basic size is around 39"x12". I haven't done a landscape for a while.

Lucy

2009-12-24T14:12:00.002-06:00

Lucy is a wonderful dog that belongs to my dear little friend Ashley. I painted this painting of Lucy as a Christmas present to Ashley. I hope she likes it.

Heffron Cellars

2009-12-24T14:07:00.003-06:00

This is a commission I finished up over the weekend. It was a blast to paint, I hope Gene likes it. Merry Christmas to everyone.

I'm back to painting regularly so expect more frequent posts.

Be Back To Painting Soon!

2009-01-16T21:42:00.002-06:00

"Out Back of Burton's"

16x20 in. Oil/Canvas

I haven't disappeared from the face of the earth. I started a new job on the first day of December and it has been all consuming along with the all consuming Holidays. I've been busy building a website and doing all kinds of graphic design work besides working my regular job so painting has been pushed to the back burners. I'm ready to get started again. So, I'll start posting again soon. I the mean time here's an older painting of a little farm that's about three blocks from where I live.

In The Country - Exhibit at United Country Wichita

2008-11-25T18:51:00.002-06:00

SOLD! Green Basket

2008-11-25T18:43:00.002-06:00

I just love the colors in the painting, I'm sure I'll paint this basket again.

SOLD! A Snifter's Worth

2008-11-25T18:38:00.002-06:00

I painted this some time ago and it finally has a home.

Longaberger Basket

2008-10-29T11:47:00.003-05:00

This pen and ink drawing is of a small Longaberger basket titled "Discovery Basket 1492 -1992". This is one of the many Longaberger baskets in my wife's collection. I must say I have a fondness for these baskets myself.

Spartus six twenty Camera

2008-10-27T22:01:00.005-05:00

I just started a new Moleskine and this is the first pen and ink drawing in the book. I must say that I love old cameras; there is something about the thought of these old cameras capturing moments in peoples lives and the effort it took to see the results. There was always that time of anticipation and sometimes excitement when you first got the pictures back. Who knows if the pictures this little camera produced are still around. I hope they are stuffed in a dusty photo album somewhere with names on the back telling someone somewhere about a moment when the world was much younger.

Art on the Trail

2008-10-18T19:12:00.004-05:00

I had a great day of painting. I participated in Art on the Trail at the Great Plains Nature Center in Wichita, Kansas. I was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, the wind was practically nothing except an occasional gentle breeze. What more could you ask for as a plein air painter. Thank you to all the folks at the Great Plains Nature Center, it was fun.

Silver Ornament & Art Presentation

2008-10-16T08:25:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I gave a presentation on art to a group of ladies. I hope it was interesting, I know it was too long, but it's tough to shut me up when I'm talking about something that I'm so passionate about. I gave this little 5x7 inch painting away in a drawing. Ladies if any of you are reading this, I had a wonderful time yesterday, I hope you did as well.

SOLD! School Days

2008-09-25T16:10:00.000-05:00

The Problems with Plien Air Painting

2008-09-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

I just love these little animated shorts.

Fallow Fields

2008-09-16T20:15:00.002-05:00

Click here to bid

This is a typical fallow field here in south central Kansas.

Question: What Is Art?

2008-09-15T14:01:00.000-05:00

Different Strokes From Different Folks!

2008-09-11T21:38:00.002-05:00

"Through the Fence"

8x6 in Oil Canvas/Panel

Karin Jurick started a new blog last week called Different Strokes from Different Folks. The objective of the blog is that she posts a picture every Wednesday and anyone that wants to can paint their interpretation of that picture. This is my interpretation of this week's image. Thanks Karin, this was fun.

Jacob

2008-09-09T21:12:00.002-05:00

This little painting is of a young friend of mine name Jacob. The source photo I used was a year or two old so he's changed a little bit. The little smurk on his face is still the same.

Prix de West 2008

2008-09-08T10:34:00.004-05:00

My wife and took a daycation on Saturday and went down to Oklahoma City which is about an hour and a half from where we live in southern Kansas. We did some shopping and dining and went to see the Prix de West exhibit at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. It was a great exhibit filled with exceptional artists of course (even though I'm not much of a cowboy art enthusiast.) The exhibit ended yesterday.

We also went down to the Paseo Art District in OKC. This was our first visit to the area. They have monthly events the first Friday of every month. Lots of galleries and restaurants. We got there late in the day so we didn't get to wonder into too many of the galleries. We did have a wonderful visit with artist Lyn Kopta at the Mariposa Gallery. I'm sure we'll be back to that area soon.

Paintings Available on eBay

2008-09-03T10:07:00.002-05:00

If you want a great deal on one of my small oil paintings then you need to head over to eBay and catch one of my pieces I have up for auction.

Just Click Here.

SOLD! Motif #1, Rockport, MA

2008-09-02T14:13:00.008-05:00

Red Canister and Garlic

2008-08-28T21:40:00.000-05:00

Click Here to Bid

I posted this little painting a while back. It's up for auction out on eBay.

"Savior" - Digital Abstract

2008-08-26T14:02:00.006-05:00

You're probably thinking, "Where is Skeet and What have you done with him?" Well back to my normal stuff later in the week. I am truly fascinated with the kinds of graphic things that can be done with the computer and let me tell you the above painting is primitive in comparison. This painting was done in Photoshop 6.0 (yes and ancient version I know, but it's all I have.) For some reason when I'm doing this kind of work on the computer I feel abstract so that's often how things come out.

And yes, I do believe that Jesus is my Lord and Savior.

What? Cartoons?

2008-08-25T16:43:00.004-05:00

Yes, it's true. I occasionally enjoy doing a cartoon or two. I use to do cartoons all the time and publish them in company or church newsletters, but I haven't done that for a while. Cartooning is not as easy as you might think. I definitely admire those cartoonists who can come up with a gag and a drawing every day.

The cartoon above was done as a reminder to my church choir to please come back from their well deserved break. The cartoon below I just did because I had the image in my head. I still don't have a gag for it. It you think of one you might pass it on to me. As always I love to ready your comments.

Inkwell and Pen - 6x6 inch Oil

2008-08-18T17:49:00.004-05:00

"Inkwell and Pen"

6x6 inch Oil Unframed

[PURCHASE]

I collect fountain pens and all kinds of old writing ephemera so you would think I would paint more of these kinds of still life. Perhaps there's more to come. Enjoy.

Susan Carlin on USTREAM.tv

2008-08-04T13:55:00.004-05:00

I sat in on a USTREAM.tv painting session held by Susan Carlin yesterday afternoon.

After getting home from church and lunch I had missed most of it but what I caught was very good. It looked like, based on the comments, that everyone was having a good time watching Susan paint her kitty cat. I've been tracking her blog for quite some time now and I really like her portrait work. She recently did some knife painting which I thought was terrific. Go check her out, she posts pretty regularly.

SOLD - Snow on the Carriage House

2008-07-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

SOLD - Bales Along The Creek

2008-07-23T16:21:00.002-05:00

Red Delicious in a Longaberger - 6x6 inch Oil

2008-07-20T16:54:00.005-05:00

My wife collects Longaberger baskets and it occurred to me the other day that I had never painted one of these fine baskets, so I did. I'm sure they will appear again.

Bales and a Barn - 8 x 10 inch Oil

2008-07-12T15:16:00.003-05:00

Charity Auction:
I painted this small piece for a charity auction in Emporia, Kansas. The auction is being held by the Kansas Grand Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star and will go to support two different charities: one is heart related the other is spinal-cord research. The auction is today and I hope it will bring a good amount to support those two worthwhile causes.

My View:
I think it's important for every artist to use the gifts and graces she/he has been given and give back in ways like this. If you haven't donated some of your work to some cause you believe in yet then seek out an opportunity to do so. You'll feel better for it.

Short Stacks - 10 x 8 inch Oil

2008-07-09T12:30:00.002-05:00

Short Stacks

8 x 10 inch Oil/Panel (framed)

PURCHASE

This was a fun little painting I did over the 4th of July weekend (I was in a red, white and blue mood). It's going to be in the Reals Gallery show I'm hanging today.

William J Reals Gallery of Art Exhibit

2008-07-09T06:07:00.002-05:00

Just a reminder to everyone about the one man show at the William J Reals Gallery of Art.

William J Reals Gallery of Art-West

2008-07-02T13:51:00.002-05:00

I am really late on getting this promoted. I hope a few of you are able to get by in the next 6 weeks and see the exhibit, especially if you weren't able to get to the Coutts exhibit in El Dorado, Kansas. There are a couple of new paintings that were not in the Coutts show so even if you were at the show in El Dorado come by and see the new pieces.

The exhibit is at the William J Reals Gallery of Art-West at The University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, 1010 N Kansas, Wichita, Kansas. There is a reception on July 11, 2008 at 2:30 pm so stop by and have a little punch and a cookie or two and enjoy the exhibit. The paintings will be up until August 29th so if you miss the reception stop by anytime.

Wheat Festival Buttons

2008-07-01T16:07:00.002-05:00

Yes, I am the winning designer of both the 2007 and 2008 Wheat Festival Button designs. I must say it is pretty neat walking around Wellington, Kansas during the Wheat Festival (July 9-13) and seeing my button design displayed proudly on peoples shirts. I understand that last year's design (the Wheat Festival Penny) was the most popular design ever; we'll see how this year's design sells.

I'm already fretting about next year's design and this year's festival isn't even here yet.

Moleskine®: Pope John Paul II and Father H

2008-06-26T12:11:00.007-05:00

Just a couple of sketches from my moleskine®. The sketch on top is of Father H.J. Setter a priest in Wichita, KS. I did this sketch from a photo that appeared in the Wichita Magazine June 2008 issue. The photo was actually taken by Randy Tobias/Wichita Magazine. It seems that Father Setter is a cigar aficianado and is pretty well known in the cigar world. It was an interesting story.

After finishing Father Setter's sketch I felt the need to seek out a photo of the late Pope John Paul II. Unfortunately I couldn't find anyone to credit this photo to. I'm not Catholic although I am a part of the catholic church (that's catholic with a little 'c' meaning the universal church.)

Sketches done with mechanical pencil HB lead.

Green Basket - 8 x 10 inch Oil

2008-06-24T21:06:00.003-05:00

"Green Basket"

8x10 inch Oil (unframed, Free Shipping in USA)

$80.00

Finally a painting! It's been about two weeks since I actually painted anything. I've done some drawing and some sketching but to actually paint it seems like ages. This little painting actually started out as a warm up painting before getting back to one of the larger pieces I've been working on. I actually spent more time on it then I thought I would. I found myself just enjoying each stroke.

Unless it gets purchased by you or someone else very soon, I think I'll put it in my up coming show at the Reals Gallery at the Kansas University School of Medicine in Wichita, KS. More on that show later in the week.

Moleskine Sketches

2008-06-19T17:00:00.003-05:00

These are just a couple of lunch time sketches in my most recent Moleskine. Both are from photos that I didn't take myself so I can't take credit for that. The one on the left was from an original photo by Susan Treft and the one on the right I found in the latest issue of Mid-West Living Magazine. These were done with mechanical pencil, HB lead.

"Bryana" 8x10 Graphite

2008-06-18T19:46:00.002-05:00

This is a pencil drawing I recently finished for a friend of mine. This is her daughter, the first of three drawings she has commissioned me to do.

I haven't worked in pencil for quite some time and in some ways it was refreshing to jump back into it. For many years it was all I did along with pen and ink.

Any comments from anyone? I'm always willing to hear them.

Peg Box - SOLD

2008-06-09T12:40:00.000-05:00

Peg Box

5"x4"

oil - Multimedia Art Board

I love this little painting and I thought about keeping it for myself, but I can't keep all the good ones. At least I know where it is and can go visit it occasionally. Thanks Greg and Juliah, I know you'll find a perfect spot for it.

Exhibit at Century II, Downtown Wichita, KS

2008-06-05T10:49:00.004-05:00

"With a Banjo on My Knee"

24x30 in. Oil/Canvas

$720

Purchase this Painting

This painting is part of a Kansas Academy of Oil Painters group exhibition at Century II in Wichita, Kansas. The painting is one of three (3) that I have in the exhibit. This is a self-portrait and yes, it's true, I play banjo. Stop buy and take a peek at the exhibit, it's up until June 30th.

Southwind Gallery - Topeka, KS

2008-06-03T15:16:00.005-05:00

I am very please to announce that I have two paintings juried into an exhibit at Southwind Gallery in Topeka, KS. Go out and check out the exhibit online or if you are in Topeka between now and July 14th stop in and see the exhibit in person.

"Apple Bowl" - 8x8in Oil/Panel

2008-05-31T06:32:00.004-05:00

Apple Bowl

8x8in Oil/Panel

Unframed, Free Shipping in USA

$90.00

This is a small painting I did a week or so ago. I primarily wanted to see if I could handle the various reds as well as the shadows on the bowl. I used an almost top view as my perspective on this which flattened out the bowl a bit but I think over all it works pretty well. It's definitely more colorful them most of my other paintings. I like that.

"Odd Duck" SOLD

2008-05-29T17:26:00.000-05:00

The exhibit at Coutts Memorial Art Museum ended yesterday and one of my favorite little paintings sold. I will miss this odd little duck, but I'm sure it's going to a good home.

Thanks to everyone at Coutts for a good show a special thank you goes out to Mary Binford Miller and Nancy Whitaker for sharing the show with me.

Derelict

2008-05-25T21:55:00.003-05:00

Derelict

4x6 in. Oil/Plywood

Purchase

This is a tiny landscape I painted last night. It's of an old farm house a few miles from where I live. I've actually painted it before. When your painting this small it's definitely difficult to do any level of detail...at least for me. It was fun.

Grapes on White

2008-05-24T12:43:00.006-05:00

Grapes on White

4x5 in. Oil/Plywood

Unframed

$35

This is a little sketch I did recently of some green grapes. They were pretty tasty.

On and Off

2008-05-23T10:09:00.005-05:00

"On and Off"

5x7 inch Oil/Canvas Panel

$45.00

(unframed, includes shipping in USA)

I am a big fan of Carol Marine's paintings. I love her loose brushwork and clean color. It is so not like how I paint. I had a couple of apples handy and a little time on my hands so I thought I would set up a still life with a "Marine perspective" and see if I could capture that "something" she does on the canvas. I don't think I'm even in the same town much less the same ball park, but it was fun!

Purchase This Painting

Dave The Painting Guy - Dave Darrow

2008-05-22T12:42:00.004-05:00

I have watched Dave Darrow paint for quite some time now and frankly I should have blogged about him before now. He is a fabulous painter of portraits as well as other genres. His brushwork is full of grace and precision. I personally think you'd be hard pressed to find a better portrait artist (no he's not paying me to say all of this.)

But wait there's more....

Just in the last couple of weeks he has started painting before a live audience (an internet audience that is) as Dave The Painting Guy. If you enjoy watching a professional artist at work in his studio and would occasionally like to ask as stupid question (like me) or two, then you need to tune in. You can go to www.davethepaintingguy.com and find out when he is planning to paint again and then go get registered to log in and chat.

If watching live doesn't fit your schedule, he also had previously recorded sessions you can watch as well. He is very generous with his knowledge and experience. Overall he's a good instructor. I hope to be able to attend one of his workshops sometime in the future, we'll see.

In the mean time, see you at Dave's!

EmptyEasel.com

2008-05-20T11:24:00.003-05:00

Today I wanted to quickly tell you about an eNewsletter I get every week. The newsletter comes from a website called www.emptyeasel.com and it is literally packed full of information for both the beginning arts and the advanced artist. There are some incredible articles about selling art over the web, about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and everything else you can think of relating to the internet.

The website doesn't just focus on selling art and websites. There is plenty of other information on this site. If you are serious about your art, there is a wealth of information for you at www.emptyeasel.com.

I've been receiving the eNewsletter for sometime now and I'm just now beginning to try and apply some of the things I've learned. Gooooood Stuff!

Shave and a Haircut ..

2008-05-19T17:48:00.003-05:00

Shave and a Haircut..

Oil/canvas/Panel

5x7 inch

This little painting will soon be on eBay so keep watching because soon I'm going to be posting several small paintings on eBay.

Coutt's Memorial Art Museum - Exhibit

2008-05-05T15:55:00.004-05:00

We had a wonderful time at the artist reception for the exhibit at Coutts Memorial Art Museum in El Dorado, Kansas, this past Friday evening. Mary Binford Miller, Nancy Whitaker and myself were all present for the reception along with around 40 other people. The ladies from the museum indicated that we had a good attendance. I did a gallery talk on the subject of Relationships within the context of Art. As a part of that talk I read a neat children's book entitled "The Dot" by Peter H. Reynolds. The talk was well received. I also did a drawing for 2 small oil paintings; one went to Jim Clements and the other to a lady named Dixie Rose.

If you haven't had a chance to view the exhibit it will be up until May 28th. Stop by and see it and let me know your thoughts. ss

2008-04-24T16:45:00.003-05:00

Red and White

30x24 inch

Gallery Wrap Canvas

$720

Just a reminder to everyone who reads this blog (that is if there is anyone who reads this blog) I'm having a show at Coutts Memorial Art Museum in El Dorado, KS from May 2 -28, 2008. The artist's reception is Friday, May 2nd from 6:00-8:00pm and I'll be doing a gallery talk at 7:00pm. Oh yes, and if you happen to see my wife that evening tell her Happy Birthday!

Hope to see you there...that is if there is a You out there.

Quick Study - Small Oil Painting

2008-04-22T12:57:00.003-05:00

Dylan

5x5 inch Oil/Panel

I did this little quick study of Mr. Robert Zimmerman (aka: Bob Dylan) last night. It took about an hour to throw down. I'm sure most of you are probably thinking that's just what it looks like too, something you threw down. I like to do little studies like this from photos off of the internet. I do, however, want to make it clear that I don't sell these little studies because that would be an infringement upon the photographer's copyright...it's probably an infringement just painting it. Forgive me if it is. Unfortunately I don't know who the photographer actually is or I would give them credit here.

I find it important to do these little quick studies. It helps me put a stroke down as accurately as I can and then leave it alone. I'm notorious for mushing paint around until I have a big pile of mud.

I managed to accomplish that for the most part on this one. I think there's a little resemblance to the legendary troubadour, who by the way just won a Pulitzer...what are your thoughts?

"A Moment of Grace" - Oil on Panel

2008-04-17T12:46:00.003-05:00

"A Moment of Grace"

24x12 inch

Oil/Panel

$440 Framed

I have painted this a couple of times because it is one of my favorites. I find myself drawn to the image of bread and wine...the Eucharist really. The image is primarily a cruciform with the bread and wine at the center. The cloth that forms the base is unfinished at the bottom getting more complete and a purer white as it ascends toward the bread and wine. It is only by God's grace through His Son Jesus Christ that we are made complete. I pray "A Moment of Grace" speaks to you.

"Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." - 1 Corinthians 11:25

This painting is part of my up coming exhibit at Coutt's Memorial Museum of Art in El Dorado, KS, May 2 - 28, 2008. If you are in the area come and see the show.

Tips and Tricks Passed Along

2008-04-16T13:11:00.004-05:00

This is a tip I found on Michael Shane Neal’s blog. If you don’t like the messy goop that builds up in your can when you’re cleaning brushes take a zip lock baggy and place it in the can. When you’re ready to clean up the can just recycle the turps or odorless mineral spirits or whatever you use to clean brushes and throw the baggy away. Thanks Michael for the tip and the photo.

William Tell Triptych in Oil

2008-04-12T16:52:00.003-05:00

William Tell Was Here

5x5" Oil/Panel Unframed

$75 (S/H included in USA)

I truly love the work of Karin Jurick and I've watched her blog as she posted a series of paintings with an alphabetic theme. I was thinking about "A" and of course apple was the first thing that came to mind. I didn't want to paint just any old apple and then it hit me, how about an apple with an arrow through it (like I'm sure that's never been done before). Oh yes, and it would be a triptych rather than just one painting. Well, anyway here it is. I had to borrow an arrow from Jim Strader who is a friend of mine (thanks Jim!)

If I actually do the alphabet series I'll probably do something different the "A" is for Apple. We'll see...I still have a few apples without arrows through them.

E-mail me if you are interested.

Celebrate - Small Oil Painting

2008-04-05T19:00:00.004-05:00

Celebrate -

Oil/Canvas/Panel 7x5" -

$50 Unframed (s/h included in USA)

This is a quick little oil sketch of a champagne bottle (technically it should be called sparkling wine.) I almost didn't post this piece because it's not particularly colors I am drawn to, but someone out there might like it, so here it is. Contact me if you're interested.

Very soon I'm going to start posting these little paintings on eBay. I'll let you know when I'm ready to start doing that.

Kansas Academy of Oil Painters at City Arts

2008-04-04T10:54:00.006-05:00

Members of the Kansas Academy of Oil Painters are exhibiting at City Arts in Old Town, Wichita, KS. City Arts is a great space to exhibit. The artist's reception is this evening so stop by and take a peek at the paintings. You never know, you might just find one you can't live without.

City Arts is at 334 N Mead, Wichita, KS
The Artist's Reception is tonight: Friday, April 4 from 6-8pm

Small Oil Painting - Cork and Cork Screw

2008-04-01T17:13:00.003-05:00

Cork and Cork Screw - Oil/Panel 5x7" - $50 Unframed (includes s/h in USA)

This is a quick little painting I did last week. It's actually on a surface that is new to me: Panelli a Olio. It is an oil primed panel and I liked the way the paint went on to the surface; it's definitely different than a gessoed panel.

If you're interested in this painting contact me.

"First Cup" Small Oil Painting

2008-03-24T12:52:00.004-05:00

First Cup

7 x 5 inch

Oil/Canvas/Panel

I love the little paintings done by the group of daily painters you can find at www.dailypaintworks.com. I admire their fortitude and daily discipline of painting everyday.

This is a quick little painting I did Saturday morning as I was having my first cup of coffee. I'm a bit dysfunctional until I get that first cup down. It was a treat to do something small and quick after spending so much time working on a large piece. I did another small one Sunday as well; I'll try and get it posted in the next day or two.

Our Daily Bread Finished

2008-03-15T20:28:00.004-05:00

I just love it when I think I'm finished with a painting! I say that because, as I have said before, I often find things that I need to correct or change or something. Anyway, here it is for the world to see. I'm going to let it rest for a while before putting it in the frame and hanging it in the parlor at the church.
My wife, Mardon', is a wonderful interior decorator and she is close to putting the finishing touches on a redesign of the parlor at the First United Methodist Church here in Wellington,Kansas. The room actually serves as our Sunday School room as well as basically the living room of the church. I'll post a final picture of it actually in the room once it is framed and hung over the fireplace.
Well, now on to wrapping up the paintings for my show in May at the Coutts Memorial Art Museum in El Dorado, Kansas. The Coutts gallery is a large space that requires a large number of paintings to fill it (about 30-40). I will have around 25 paintings ready by May for the show and two lovely ladies who are fantastic artist graciously agreed to fill out the rest of the show. It is such a pleasure and honor for me to share this show with Mary Binford Miller and Nancy Whitaker. Go out to their websites and pay them a visit.
I'll keep you posted as we get closer to the artist reception on May 2nd.

"Our Daily Bread" - Progress Report

2008-03-06T19:18:00.003-06:00

This painting is finally coming along. I don't know if it's just me or what but almost every painting I do I reach a point where I start getting anxious about it and almost get stuck. I reached that point last week on this painting and managed to paint my way through it.
I've got several things to finish on this: the chair, the basket on the right needs a bit more work, there's a hint of flowers on falling into the painting on the right side that hasn't been painted yet, the table needs to be finished up and I still have a cross to paint on the wall. Lots left.
I'm hoping to be done with this next week sometime. We'll see.

Rail Songs - Finale

2008-02-26T20:49:00.005-06:00

Well, I think it's finished. I say that because I often sign a painting and then wind up working on it some more. Let me know your thoughts on this one.

Our Daily Bread Revisited

2008-02-19T20:31:00.002-06:00

After looking the painting over and having my best critic (my wife, Mardon') look the painting over I decided to make a couple of changes. First, I moved the window over just a bit because it was doing what the late Helen Van Wyk called "kissing" the pitcher handle. Second, I decided to paint a different goblet. Right at the moment it's just a flat gray under painting. Third, I darkened the wall behind the table and did a gradation from the upper left side down toward the bread, grapes and goblet. I'm hoping it gives a since of the light coming through the window and will move your eye down to the main point of the painting.

There's still a ways to go on this one and probably more problem solving before it's done.

I'm going to be away from my easel for the next couple of days so I probably won't get much done until next week.

Our Daily Bread - Progress Report

2008-02-13T17:24:00.002-06:00

This is the next step in the development of this painting I'm calling "Our Daily Bread". It's going pretty good so far. I did most of the work up to this point with a large palette knife to try and get as much paint on as quickly as possible. The white area is actually a window that is suppose to be the source of light for this painting, we'll see how well I handle that. I'm also going to be painting a hint of landscape viewed throught the window but haven't decided what exactly yet. There's still time.
I do have to get cracking on this again so we can get it hung later this month. I hope it's at least touch dry by then.

Our Daily Bread - Under Painting

2008-02-07T20:37:00.000-06:00

This is the under painting I did a couple of days ago. You can see a few more shapes beginning to appear.
This is a little unique for me in that I'm painting this for a specific room in the church with a specific color palette in mind. I just hope I can keep things on track as I move forward with it. The other thing I'm dealing with is a deadline of the 22nd of February so I got to get to painting on this. Well, gotta get busy.

Our Daily Bread - Commission for the UMC Parlor

2008-02-02T10:42:00.000-06:00

I've decided to log another painting as it progresses. Mainly so that those at the First United Methodist Church in Wellington, Kansas, want to peek into my studio and see it as it comes to life, they can.
This is a large painting for me, it measures 26x38 inches. It is linen that I stretched myself (I don't particularly like stretching canvas but this was kind of an odd shape.) I did a wash of thinned down Transparent Oxide Red and let it dry for a week or so. This is the initial sketch, as you can see it is pretty basic, just enough to get the correct scale and placement on the canvas.
That's all for now, I'll post after each painting session so stay tuned.

Everyday Matters No. 1 through 6

2008-02-01T20:16:00.000-06:00

I have enjoyed doing these little assignments from the Everyday Matters list. I've just been doing one every day and they typically only take fifteen to twenty minutes to do so, I do them during my lunch hour. These little sketches were done with a Pentel ballpoint pen in a small Moleskine sketch I keep with me at all times. I'm sure that the ballpoint pen ink is not archival so one hundred years from now these sketches will probably disappear or eat through the paper or something.
Now just a little about each of the drawings:
1. Draw your shoes
2. Draw a desk lamp - This is actually a lamp that sits on an end table in our basement. The shade is out of proportion to the rest of the lamp.
3. Draw your wallet, purse or bag - This is actually my camera bag.
4. Draw a mug or coffee cup - This is a giant mug I got at Disney World. It actually holds about a half of a pot of coffee. Needless to say I don't actually use it, but I thought it was fun.
5. Draw your bed - This is the side of the bed I sleep on and yes those are my feet in the corner.
6. Draw your favorite well-loved object - I love a well squeezed tube of paint.
Well, that's it for now. I actually have completed fourteen of these sketches but I'm only going to post 6 at a time so, watch for more. Give it a try yourself, it takes the guess work out of trying to decide what to draw on a daily basis.

More of Frisco Jack

2008-01-29T22:27:00.000-06:00

Well, I am getting closer. I still need to work on the guitar and hands and then clean things up a bit. I should be done with this one sometime next week. It's been fun to do.
What are your thoughts on this one? All feedback is welcome.

Uno Vino - Small Painting of A Glass of Wine

2008-01-28T17:26:00.000-06:00

When it comes to wine, the only thing I can think of that's better than painting a glass of wine is drinking a glass of wine. In this case I did both. This was my "occasional" glass of merlot that I decided to paint alla prima (in one sitting) last night.
This isn't a particularly good photo so the painting looks a little better in person than it does here.
Let me know if you're interested in this small painting.

"Uno Vino" 7"x 5" oil on canvas/board, $70 unframed, postage paid in USA.

The Painting of Frisco Jack Continues

2008-01-20T20:46:00.000-06:00

I finished up the face, for now anyway, and worked on the background. Now it's time to start working on the the rest of Frisco Jack.

I stated in my last post that I would talk a bit about my palette. I use a fairly limited palette consisting of mostly Talens Rembrandt oil paint and a couple of Winsor Newton colors. I use Webers Permalba White, Cadmium Yellow, Yellow Ochre Light, Cadmium Red, Permanent Madder Deep, Transparent Oxide Red, Ultramarine Blue, Ivory Black. That's it. Every once in a while I do use an additional color if I can't seem to get the right mix with my regular palette. I don't use any mediums except a little linseed oil occasionally.

It's probably going to be a couple of days before I can get back to Jack so keep painting and keep in touch.

Oil Painting of Frisco Jack Revisited

2008-01-18T22:19:00.000-06:00

Here's the next post of Frisco Jack. I didn't get to spend as much time on him this past Tuesday as I thought I would. I worked primarily on the face and one of the window panels. I'll continue to branch out from there trying to be a little looser the farther from the center of interest I get.
This picture was taken a little after 10:00pm on Friday. It's beginning to emerge from the canvas a bit. So far so good.
Tomorrow, if I have time, I'll post my palette so you have some idea what I'm using to make this painting happen.

2008-01-16T21:19:00.000-06:00

I recently returned to the pencil for these to drawings of Rembrandt. He is one of my favorite painters so, I thought I would do a couple of his self-portraits. I'm planning to do one more. These small drawings (4.75"x 3.75") will hang in my office.

I'm thinking about continuing to do some pencil work. Drawing is what I grew up doing and I'm itching to return to it. I'm sure it will help my painting as well.

Oil Painting of Frisco Jack

2008-01-15T10:27:00.000-06:00

I have watched other people do this on their blogs and I thought I would try it myself. What I'm talking about is photographing the progress of one of my oil paintings.
This is the painting I currently have on my easel. It is a 16"x 20" linen canvas and I'm working in oil. When I paint from photos I almost always paint from the computer screen rather then printed photos. It's more convenient and I can zoom in and out on the section I'm currently working on.
The source material for this painting is a photo I took at Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO a year or two ago. The gentleman's name is Frisco Jack, at least that was the name on his guitar strap. He was playing and singing some of the old time favorites for a small audience, most of which were singing along with him. I did a little bit of "googling" to see if I could find him and I found several Frisco Jacks but not the one I'm painting.
As you can see I have completed the under painting and let it dry. I started working on the face last night. I'll be working on it tonight as well so we'll see how things progress.

Everyday Matters 138 - Draw something soft

2008-01-12T10:59:00.000-06:00

One of the things I have resolved to do this year is spend more time sketching and drawing. One thing I'm using to help channel that a bit is a weekly challenge called Everyday Matters. There are a huge group of artists out on the web who are actually participating in this activity which was started by Danny Gregory.
The Teddy Bear above is my first attempt at the weekly challenge. It's a sketch I did last night of a little Boyd's Bear I have had sitting on my nightstand for years now. The assignment was to draw something soft so what better than a Teddy Bear.
It was a bit more of a challenge to do since our dachshund, "Liebshon" wanted to sit on my lap while I did it. She likes to rest her head on my arm which made it even more of a challenge.
I'll be publishing my future attempts here as well as the past 137 challenges that I need to catch up on. It should give me a great excuse to fill up my Moleskine®.

"EDM #138 - Teddy Bear" - Moleskine®/Pentel R.S.V.P.

"Play Me A Memory" has a new home

2008-01-10T15:47:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone -
My painting "Play Me A Memory" has a new home and I must say it looks great on Greg and Juliah's wall. I'm always happy when one of my pieces gets to take up residence some place other than my tiny studio. Thanks Greg and Juliah, there are others in my studio looking for a new home. =)
On another note, I told myself that I was going to spend a bit more time blogging about various things related to art this year than last. I wanted to put up a new painting with every blog entry but I may resort to posting other things of interest (at least to me.) So keep watch as the year progresses. You just never know what might show up here.
All for know (afk).

Field of Blue

2007-12-21T12:54:00.000-06:00

I just completed this little landscape earlier in the week. This barn is located in the northern part of Kansas City out near where some friends of ours live. I was quite taken by the blue wildflowers and quickly crawled out of the car to snap several pictures before meeting our friends for lunch. The pictures were taken earlier in the year of course.
This painting is planned for one of the shows I'm working on for next year, however, I'm willing to let it go if you're interested.
"Field of Blue" 11"x14" Oil/Canvas ($180 Unframed, includes S/H in USA)

Happy, Merry, Joyful

2007-12-06T13:17:00.000-06:00

I know this isn't a normal entry for me but I couldn't resist sharing this with you. If you're a little confused about what the world is celebrating this time of year this should clear that right up for you. =^)

Give a big warm round of applause for two friends: Jaime Oppenheimer and Carter Green and have a Happy, Merry, Joyful Holiday...whatever that might be.

(Click on the picture to go to Scruffins Multimedia Blog and listen to the song.)

Skeet.

Round Bales of Hay

2007-11-25T21:22:00.000-06:00

There's something about big round bales of hay that grab my attention when I'm traveling down the highway at 70 miles an hour...ok, maybe a little faster than that. Perhaps it's because when you live in Kansas they tend to help break up an otherwise monotonous landscape.

This post is of my most recent painting. I actually haven't done a landscape for a while so it felt good to try my hand at atmospheric perspective. Enjoy.

Summer Rolls - oil on panel 12"x24"

Contact me if you are interested in this painting: www.skeetsirmons.com

Painting of St. Nicholas

2007-11-24T08:56:00.000-06:00

I thoroughly enjoyed painting this little painting of St. Nicholas. My wife collects Father Christmas figures and she asked me to do a small painting for a wreath she was putting together for a charity auction at our church. The wreath was beautiful and my little painting added a little more spice to the mix. The sold at auction, but now she wants me to paint a couple of more, one for her, and one for you. I might just do that.

St. Nicholas, 5x5" Oil on Panel SOLD.

Visit me on the web: http://www.skeetsirmons.com/

Play Me A Memory

2007-11-03T11:14:00.000-05:00

I have been working on this painting off and on for months and I finally have brought it to a finish, at least I thing so anyway. I'll put it this way, I signed it. The painting is of a friend of mine, Greg Ewing. He and I play in a old-time gospel band called Zebedee's Blunder but I wanted a painting of him playing the piano. The title comes from an old Billy Joel song "Piano Man" which came to mind about half way through the painting. I like naming paintings after songs or with a song in mind, perhaps that is an attempt to connect my paintings to the music side of me.

There was originally a lot of stuff in the background but I wanted to give the feeling of Greg playing the piano on stage. Overall I'm pretty happy with the results, that is as happy as I ever am with my paintings. It'll probably be in a few shows this year so perhaps you'll see it hanging somewhere along your life's journey.

Art Presentation - Art is about Relationships

2007-10-25T21:43:00.000-05:00

This past Tuesday night I did a program for a group of very gracious ladies. They asked me to do a program on the arts so I gathered a few paintings together along with the little 5"x7" painting that I have included here. We did a drawing for this painting and the lady that won it was delighted. The program was basically about how art at it's basic level is about relationships. Relationships between God and man, man and man, man and the earth, etc. I then talked about relationships within the art itself which was basically dealing with composition, values, edges and color. This was the first time I have ever done a presentation on art and, although I talked way to long, they all seemed to have a good time and they were full of questions. I hope I have more opportunities to do this in the future, I had a blast. >Skeet.

Small Portrait after Sorolla

2007-10-16T17:57:00.000-05:00

I know, everyone probably thinks I dropped off the face of the earth and has probably removed my blog from their notifier by now. I apologize, September was a crazy, crazy month. I hardly had time to pick up a brush but I'm back now and it feels good to be painting again. I have a large piece I've been working on and I'm 90% done however that last 10% is always a killer. I think that's why I love doing these small paintings because they take just a couple of hours at the most to do and for some reason I paint much looser on the small ones than I do the larger pieces. Does anyone else have that same problem? This painting is a 7x5" painting I did of Sorolla after his self-portrait. He is one of my favorite painters and I enjoyed doing this painting.

If you are interested in this painting please let me know:

"After Sorolla" Oil 7"x5" unframed $70 postage paid in the USA.

visit me on the web: http://www.skeetsirmons.com/

On The Sax at Willow Creek

2007-08-17T18:41:00.000-05:00

A small group of us from church attended the Arts Conference this past June at Willow Creek up around Chicago. One of the treats for those of us attending were street musicians that played during the break. This is one of those musicians. He was a wonderful sax player and I enjoyed listening to him share his gift of music.

Just a word or two about the Arts Conference. It was a wonderful praise filled experience that I would do again in a minute. God has bless the world with artists and he truly intends for us to use those gifts to make the world a better place.

If you are interested in this painting please contact me.

"On The Sax At Willow Creek" (oil/panel 7x5) $70 includes S/H inside the USA

www.skeetsirmons.com

2007-08-11T13:07:00.000-05:00

A dear lady from church recently brought me a box of painting supplies. She said she no longer painted but didn't want to through them out so she thought I might want them. I eagerly accepted the box and carted it home. For some reason I have always had this thing about digging through boxes of "junk"--perhaps that's why I work for an auction firm.

The box was filled with all kinds of treasures: paint brushes, tubes of oil paint, medium, old sketch pads, books and more. I had to through some of it out but most of it I kept. I loved digging through the box and I loved doing this little painting of some of those supplies.

This small painting is of three tubes of yellow paint. I don't have any idea how old they are I just know they had such character that I had to paint them. Thank you Dora for a wonderful gift. And just so everyone knows, I'm always willing to accept paint supplies.

Let me know if you're interested in this painting.

"Old Yeller" (oil/panel 5"x7") $70 unframed, includes S/H in the USA.

http://www.skeetsirmons.com/

Elements

2007-07-28T10:54:00.000-05:00

It's been a little while since I've posted. I've been working on a larger painting so I really haven't had anything to post. Today I do have a small painting that I finished a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to let it dry a bit before photographing it.

This is a little 5" x 7" piece called "Elements". It's basically a Eucharist painting with the elements of communion. I actually love painting this subject because, for me, it is so much a part remembering who I am as Christian. The wine and the bread are really the only two symbols Christ gave us to remember him. So much of our focus is on the cross but that is a symbol we have associated with Christ rather than something he gave us as a means of remembrance. So, the next time you sit down with a glass of wine to break bread with one another, either casually or formally, take a moment and thank God for the greatest gift he's ever given. S

Let me know if you are interested in this painting sirmons@sutv.com

"Elements" Oil/Canvas Panel (5"x7") Unframed - $70

Visit me on the web: http://www.skeetsirmons.com/

Up for Auction

2007-07-12T12:35:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone -

I haven't blogged for a while. It's been crazy busy is the only excuse I can come up with. I wanted to let you know that I have a few paintings on eBay right now for auction. They are small oil paintings either 5x7 or 6x8 so go out and take a look if you're interested in picking up a small unframed painting to give as a gift or just to frame and hang in your own abode. The painting I have pictured above, "Grandpa's Pipe" is one of the paintings that is currently out there.

I've been busy with the band lately. Zebedee's Blunder, which is an old time gospel bluegrass band, has been at work with a couple of gigs. We are actually scheduled to play tomorrow evening in Wellington, KS for the the Wheat Festival street dance. The show starts at 9:00pm and we are the first on followed by a rock and roll band called Smuggling YoYos. It should be a lot of fun. Zebedee will have our two CDs for sale around their somewhere. Come out and join us if you get a chance.

All for now.

Last Night's Exibit at Mead Street Gallery

2007-06-30T10:38:00.000-05:00

Thanks to all who braved the deluge of rain last night and came out to the show. Attendance overall was low for a Final Friday because of the rain. The show is up until July 24th so if you didn't get a chance to get out last night you can still stop by the gallery.

I want to thank the folks at Mead Street for allowing me to use their gallery to showcase my work. They are so nice to work with and I look forward to shows in the future.

On another note, I have started putting some of my small pieces on eBay again. So if you're interested in picking up a small painting check out work on eBay.

You're always welcome to stop by my website and look around http://www.skeetsirmons.com/

Mead Street Gallery Exhibit

2007-06-24T17:58:00.001-05:00

Hi everyone -

I'm excited about the show this coming Friday; Mead Street Gallery is a nice space and what a great location in the heart of Old Town. I'm looking forward to seeing many of you there and I hope you'll take the time to visit some of the other galleries on the tour. It's a lot of fun.

This painting, Puerta de Santa Fe, (24x12", oil/panel) is one of my most recent and it's a part of the show. Talk to the folks at Mead Street Gallery if you are interested. S