A painting for my twin brother Jim

1. dys*pho*ri*a---
2. eu*pho*ri*a---
3. u*to*pi*a---

 I was given three words by my twin brother Jim.  He asked me to take my time after reading the definitions to really think about what it all means to me, and then paint my thoughts.  There is a lot of symbolism, and there are many random things that just sort of happened as I was painting. (pretty normal)If you look at it and think it makes no sense, you're right.  Yet if it makes all kinds of sense, you're still right!

We Remember

16" x 20" acrylic on canvas

This picture was painted for my neighbors.  They lost their son a couple years ago unexpectedly.  I really like them.  Their son was always coming over to take care of their yard, and anything else they needed him to do.  While I did not know him very well other than in passing, I know his folks miss him greatly!  I wanted to do something nice for them, and so this painting is my gift to them.

Katie's Dream Catcher Net on Fishing Boat

24" x 36" Acrylic on Canvas 
My daughter is into Native American styles that are currently the "In thing", and of course that means dream catchers too.  Since that is not my thing or my style, I decided that I needed an option to present her with that gave both of us what we like.  Thus, beachy meets Native!

Baby Caddy

16"x20" Acrylic on Canvas
This painting is of a friends Grandson.  Seeing the picture of this baby on her desk, just about every day at work made me want to paint this.  His eyes are so full of glimmer, and light!

Great Wall of China

16"x24" water color, then acrylic, then gloss polyurethane on canvas.
The thick water color painted on first gives this painting a crackled texture which adds interest in an aged look.  This painting was given to a friend who has talked about the idea of some day living in an Asian country.

Grandma and Cali

12"x15" acrylic on canvas
This is My Dear Grandma with one of her great grandchildren at her feet.  They are both soaking in a basin of hot water.  My Grandma is no longer physically with us, but remains in our heart and minds.  The thought of this picture is fading from her dining room into a dream like ocean view background.

Way back when

16"x20" acrylic on canvas--I grew up in Des Moines Iowa, and in the basement of the OLD downtown library there were, what I referred to as, ghetto style painting on the walls.  They were huge, and painted directly on the walls.  They were awesome to gaze upon and they kind of reminded me of J.J. Walkers painting on "Good Times".  I absolutely love that style, and this is kind of a flash back to the good ole days via that style (at least to me it's kind of like that).  This painting actually takes place in a small town called Irvington, which is part of Indianapolis, Indiana.