Vanitas

I finally finished the "vanitas" mentioned in earlier posts. The painting is 20x16 on a panel and although the cap and skull are amusing, the idea is that the items scattered about are potentially deadly--salt, sugar, fat, cigarettes--risks for heart disease.

Perhaps this is more a "memento mori" than a vanitas, reminding viewers that we're all mortal.

The sketch I posted earlier was quite a lot different, but that's the nature of doing this kind of thing. You should work out the final image long before you start the final painting.

Dead of Winter

Although the days are getting longer, the thermometer keeps falling. I've been working steadily (but not posting nearly often enough) these last months, finishing various portrait commissions and other work. In particular, I've been working on a series of pen and ink drawings, several of which are shown. These are approximately 11"x 7" on Bristol board.

The first three are from a group of inks dealing with vintage railroad subjects. The final drawing in this group is a view of the Iowa State Capitol.

Prints will be available in the spring.