Category Archives: Painting

Bell, Book and Candle

“Bell, Book, and Candle” Acrylic on MDF, 5″ x 7″

The movie, “Bell Book and Candle” has been a favorite of mine for many years. This painting is not an effort to create a scene from the movie, but rather is inspired by the name of the movie. It was quite a task to find that bell. Eventually I found it in an antique shop and asked the owner if I could “rent” it for a prop. I paid her the full amount, with the agreement that I could have back all but $5 of the price when I returned the bell. But I ended up keeping it at full price—still the idea of renting cool objects from antique shops for paintings seems like a win-win situation for painter and shopkeeper.

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Paris Street Singer

“Paris Street Singer” Acrylic on MDF, 4″ x 4″

This street entertainer is well known all over Paris. He plays a barrel organ and sings (bal-musette, I’m told). I met him on Rue Cler.

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Greek Fisherman’s Cap

“Greek Fisherman’s Cap” Acrylic on MDF, 5″ x 7″

I realized, suddenly, that I’d lost my cap! I’d enjoyed lunch a few hours earlier at a restaurant on Rue Cler, in Paris, and after I checking everywhere, I finally decided I must have left it in the restaurant. I went back and in very broken French, I asked the maitre d’ if he had come across my cap after I’d left. He gestured for me to “wait here.” In a moment, he returned, with a waiter and the chef. The chef, between the other two, was holding my cap in both hands, and as he handed it to me, he bowed slightly, saying, “Here is your hat, captain!” And they all 3 saluted me. Well, I had to stay for dinner there, you know? (I no longer smoke, but the pipe goes back to the ’70s when I first tried to quit cigarettes.)

$100 – Buy on DailyPaintworks.com

Fifty-Cent Stand Oil

fifty-cent stan oil acrylic on mdf, 6" x 6"

“Fifty-Cent Stand Oil” Acrylic on MDF, 6″ x 6″

Recently, two students of mine rented a house together. It had once belonged to an art teacher and there were lots of art supplies in the basement. Her son told my students to “take whatever you want.” One evening these two ladies brought me a boxful of painting and print making goodies—all from the ’60s and ’70s! Maybe earlier. Included, in its original shipping box, was this beautiful bottle of fifty-cent stand oil. I keep it in my studio like a bottle of fine wine.

$150 – Buy on DailyPaintworks.com

Sleepy Kitty

“Sleepy Kitty” Acrylic on MDF, 5″ x 7″

I always think “There’s tomorrow. I can paint my kitty tomorrow.” But don’t put off painting those you love “till tomorrow.” I’m glad I painted this little girl now, and I have 3 more kitties to go before I can begin with the first one again.

NFS