Still painting like a lunatic

My life is crazy but somehow the paintings seem to be going absolutely fine. I don't get it. These two are at one of my favorite places above Coon Valley WI.

Back from the dead

My last two posts have been kinda brutal in regards to life things. Oddly I got quite a few less emails which wasn't bad considering the life situation. Which for now is good and it is back to being an overworked artist. I had my best show ever at the last show and then after months of pushing ourselves Katie and I crashed for a few days. I cleaned/listened to records and played guitar. A few days later I went out to draw and could barely do that. Drawing never hides anything. I went to my Grandmas last week in Wisconsin Rapids and painted. It was great, I even had a buddy join me on a couple. Going from the steep hills of Vernon County to the flatest part of the state is a mind bender but stimulating. And so is going back to places that I literally painted 16 years ago. When I graduated collage I lived with my Grandma for the summer and painted everyday until I left for grad school. I should have stayed in Rapids,anyways... The first painting is of a cranberry marsh I painted 16 years ago and I remember it being a breakthrough for me. I really enjoyed painting the boxcar, it looks much better than this crappy image of it. I think it fits into my themes of change and decay. The last one was sitting at the visitors sign at the Buena Vista Grasslands. Smelling all the native plants and the fresh rain was very memorable. I have said this before but I really am touched and grateful for people supporting to the level they do. I can't believe it is my life many days.It should also be noted that I am incredibly lucky to be 38 and be able to go to my Grandmas to work and relax. I feel completely loved by her.

Been Awhile

Sorry I haven't posted for a while, things have been busy. The show has at Tory Folliards went amazingly well, I felt like George Bailey at the end of It's A Wonderful Life. We got a write up in the Sunday Milwaukee Journal which goes statewide, and we got a write up in March's American Art Collector magazine. On the same day the show opened my Father in Law went into intensive care and still is not home yet. Without going into details we have had to cancel a few shows this year on the first part of our schedule due to selling so much at the show and now having to deal with a family crisis. Please forgive us if we don't see everyone this year. I have still been painting and this one I am taking to Austin this weekend. I am a sucker for the Cream City brick, which is an old style in southeastern Wisconsin

Big Show

I am very honored to have a show with Katie at Tory Folliard gallery in Milwaukee. Unfortunately my computer has crashed and I haven't been able to write about it and properly promote it. My apologies. Also life happened and a friend of mine died, so forgive me I haven't been on it. But still we are looking forward to the show and the opening. You can visit the Tory Folliard Gallery website for more details.

White Christmas

Thank you everybody once again, I can not say that enough. Thank you el nino for the brown Christmas. This painting is actually from Nov. 21, in my hometown. My good friend Greg(the railroad conductor) and I spent many hours by the old Soo Line depot in Waukesha. It's a couple blocks from where I grew up. I like the link between railroads and history and painting landscapes. Like barns I am drawn to old buildings, local materials and well, things that are beautiful. If you have read any of this blog and wonder, why does Andy get sarcastic or pessimistic, or why is he a non-comformist. Well the short answer is: things used to be more beautiful; and if you were me and make your living painting things, wouldn't you feel the same way? My hometown looked better in previous decades and most nearly every place I have ever been to I could say the same thing about. Anyways I respond to things built by hand, with character or an emphasis on aesthetics instead of always efficiency. The important things in life are not efficient. I vow to never embody that and encourage everyone to do the same. Merry Christmas and everything else.

Noah

Noah in its entirety. You can get a print from Calvary Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee for $30.There were only 100 made. All the proceeds go to the church. I was married there and want the church to get a new roof. I am blessed to have them in my life.

Painting Unveiling

Something a little different. Katie and I have been working on this painting of Noah and the Ark for the last two years, in between things. The painting will be unveiled at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee on Nov. 22. The church is where we got married and is on 10th and Wisconsin. Their website is Bigredchurch.com The public can come and talk with us between 2-4PM that Sunday. This is our first major collaboration together and we are excited. The painting is 4x6ft. It is a real deal painting. I have never done an Olde School historical painting before and it was a challange but a lot of fun. It was nice to be able to paint new things as a painter. Now that it is done I feel pretty empowered.