July 4th

On this date two and a half centuries ago (almost) a group of well-heeled, generally well-educated men pledged our independence from England, basing their declaration on certain "inalienable human rights." Amazingly, that declaration of principles has stood the test of time and conflict, and the many new tests we citizens have proposed or permitted. The principles embodied in their declaration remain a standard for all people, even today. Despite our flaws, despite our fumblings, this country is still an example for the world.

Happy Independence Day, USA

"What to do?" (after Leyendecker), 2014

This is a small oil I painted a few years ago using a magazine cover painted by the great 20th century illustrator, J.C. Leyendecker. Not a political statement but instead simply an observation of the American public's difficulty with guns in our own time.