Moses

"Moses"

11" x 17"  'Spirit in Stone'

acrylic on unknown type of stone

This stone is so textured and reflective that I will show you a detail below.  It has "flows" of quarts-like reflective surfaces...not mica, as they are very hard.  I left as much of the natural stone as possible.  My son claimed this one.

"Into the Wild"

I am very happy to announce that I have been juried in as an exhibiting artist at Arts Clayton Gallery in Jonesboro, Georgia! 

The first group show I'll be participating in is "Into the Wild", in which exhibiting artists offer their different viewpoints on wildlife, wilderness and wildness in all mediums.  A grouping of my 'Spirits in Stone' will be shown as well as a painting or two.  The response for this theme was so great that the gallery could not hang all that was submitted.  I can't wait to see it!  Arts Clayton has a beautiful gallery space and I invite you to attend the reception Thursday, June 3rd, 5:30-7:30, when you can vote for the Patrons' Award.  The show will hang from June 1 through July 30 and all artwork is for sale.

After the Bath

"After the Bath"

2" x 4" acrylic on red/gray striated slate

... a 'Spirit in Stone'

This is a sweet little stone with such a shallow relief that you almost have to use your fingernails to follow it.  I left the body and the upper left corner the natural color of the stone.  Some small pieces like this I have turned into broaches, but given the subject matter of this one, I think I'll just offer it bare.  Maybe someone will put her in a shadow box or let her be a paper weight.

Sunset Tom

"Sunset Tom"  ...a 'Spirit in Stone'

18" x 28" acrylic on blue shalimar

This is another of the stones that I have reserved over the years for display.  The relief and textures are absolutely amazing!  That God can carve out these creatures in perfect conformation and allow me to see them just amazing... I can't think of a better word.  It just gives me goosebumps to find such a stone as this!

"Survival"

"Survival"

20" x 36" acrylic on blue shalimar

...a 'Spirit in Stone'

Here's another BIG stone!  I can see this one embedded in the rock of a fireplace above the mantel, can't you?  The relief on the eagle is a good half inch or more.  Even the antlers are in relief.  There are actually two winter-beaten wolves in there... do you see the second shadowy one?

Out of Africa

"Out of Africa"

18" x 28" blue shalimar stone mounted on 24" x 36" panel

...a 'Spirit in Stone'

This is an older stone...one of only six stones that I have not put up for sale because they are so difficult to find in this size.  Please do enlarge and check out the texture in this old bull's trunk...it is amazing!  I mounted this one (no easy feat due to its' weight) because the stone gets thinner at the edge of the ears and shalimar will break if dropped.  The edges can also cut you if thin, as I have found out.  I have enjoyed this in my home for about ten years and I'm considering making it available at the solo show in April, along with several others that I've enjoyed as long.  It's a hard decision, though, as this old boy has become a member of the family.

'Spirits in Stone'

For the past two weeks I've been painting 'Spirits in Stone' for my upcoming solo show.  Let me explain.  I take a stone as I find it in nature and look at the shapes, textures and colors that I find... much like looking for images in clouds.  Then I paint what I see without altering the stone... no chipping allowed!  I hesitate to present them in photographs because the only way to truly experience them is to put your hands on them.  Feel them.  Each stone is a gift, waiting to tell us something of our connection to the Earth, to Time and to the Creator... I am just an interpreter.  Here are a few:

"Avoiding the Badger"

8" x 25"

"Elephant Walk"

8" x 14"

"Polar Scent"

10" x 18"

So far I have 14 with high hopes of having 24 to offer at my show.