The Delta Optimist

Our local newspaper did a feature on my "BEARTHOVEN" in today's issue!

 

"BEARTHOVEN"

My finished design for "Spirit Bears in the City" Project.

I had lots of fun... also arms and backaches embellishing this bear... found out this is completely different from doing a painting on a flat canvas. One has to be a contortionist to paint it... kneeling, squatting, lying on the floor, climbing on a ladder... but the result is all worth it.

Thanks to TP Systems and BC Lions Society for giving me the opportunity to participate in this charitable project.

DETAIL (BEARTHOVEN)

The ruffles are actually cut out ends from a nylon lace curtain, sewn on grosgrain ribbon and bonded to the sculpture using up several tubes of super glue.

Update: (Feb 7)

The project committee requested a revision on the ruffles... as the loose lace may not survive the outdoor elements and possible vandalism; so I reduced the amount, bonded the entire lace on the surface, then covered with several layers of clear top coat.

The ruffles are not as fluffed as pictured here but still look good. Now any vandal would need a jackhammer to remove it! LOL

DETAIL (BEARTHOVEN)

The fashionable hair-do of early 1800's. 

DETAIL (BEARTHOVEN)

Close up shot of Bearthoven... in his preppy get-up!

The brocade effect on the coat was done by ragging several shades of gray over the base coat of charcoal gray.

The buttons are real buttons glued on with super glue, gessoed, and painted.

DETAIL (BEARTHOVEN)

On his right leg: "Moonlight Sonata" Composition.

Thanks to my wife Cynthia for her painstaking work of writing the musical notes.

DETAIL (BEARTHOVEN)

On his left leg: "Für Elise" Composition.

DETAIL (BEARTHOVEN)

This is the back... with full scale piano keys.

The big buttons are actually plastic furniture movers, those you put on the legs for easy slide; they are bonded with super glue, primed with gesso, and painted.

"BEARTHOVEN"

This is me with my finished bear for Project "Spirit Bears in the City." Thanks to my sponsor TP SYSTEMS http://tpsystems.com/ and project organizer BC LIONS SOCIETY for making it possible.

This one and over a hundred other bears done by BC artists will be on display in different parts of Vancouver, Victoria, Whistler, and other cities.

Finally, each will be auctioned off to the highest bidder with the proceeds going to various charities supported by the BC Lions Society.

SPIRIT BEAR

Just got the blank sculpture in today... can't wait to paint it. It will be turned into "Bearthoven" a spoof of the Great Maestro Ludwig van Beethoven.

FISH & MORE FISH

This is my latest painting... the 2nd in a series of seascape collection. (The 1st is "SMILEY'S). Click on the picture to have a bigger view, and be sure to scroll down to see the details and how the work progressed from a blank canvas to a "masterpiece."

I'm now working on the 3rd painting... it's about sports fishing... that's all I can tell you for now; wait a couple of weeks and you will see the result.

Thank you for visiting!

Detail (Fish & More Fish)

The boys are successful in catching some fish... and the cat too, or rather he "stole" some. 

Detail (Fish & More Fish)

Kingfisher II is a reliable supplier of fresh fish for the cannery... on Neptune Bay.

Notice the vessel's registry number is actually my son Kirby's birthday.

Detail (Fish & More Fish)

Crates full of fish from the Kingfisher II.

One can also find more sea produce in the fish market. If you can read the writings on the wall it says: "If it swims... we have it!"

Of course, not when you try to order a mermaid!

Detail (Fish & More Fish)

Father and son caught a fish... and so did the pelican.

FISH & MORE FISH

This is the finished painting. What do you think?

I will post the details next.

FISH & MORE FISH

"THE BIG RED Herring" is a restaurant specializing in seafood cuisine. Today's specials are: Grilled Salmon, Crab Bisque, and Clam Chowder. Yum!

At first it was to be a marine hardware and supply store... but the facade looks so nice, more suited for a restaurant... so I changed it to casual dining by the sea.

FISH & MORE FISH

Now I painted the houses in my "signature" bright colors.

Notice there's a church on top of everything... my way of honoring "God above all."

FISH & MORE FISH

Blocked the roofs, painted the clouds and a wash of blue for the water. 

FISH & MORE FISH

Started a new painting titled "Fish & More Fish"

Medium is Acrylic on Canvas
Image size: 24 x 30 in.

No.2 in a series of seascape. (No.1 is "SMILEY'S)