The Fortune Teller

In honor of October being national Fortune Teller week, I have painted 'The Fortnue Teller'. Her name is Madam Fortella. She is 102 years old and lives in a tiny island in the Caribean. She shares a small shanty with the islands only tattoo artist. Fortella's visions come from the crystal ball and appear on her palms, where if you look closely you can see images. It is painted on boards from the side of a very old wood crate. It measures approx. 12" x 15". I used the same colors as I used when I painted Socks. It is for sale at Sweeties. - Dave

Little Irene Bord

Here is a new piece I just completed, 'Little Irene Bord', painted on a small old ironing board. It measures approx. 34'" in height. Kind of a bad picture. It is for sale at the Gallery on Second in Kewanee.

Art Well Groomed Auction Results

Hi Folks...Long overdue update on this.
On Oct. 4th the AWG public art and fund raising project held their auction for the 32 dog and cat sculptures. In a surprise twist at the beginning of the Auction they announced a 'pick of the litter bidding' to start the event off. The highest bidder could pick any one statue. The bidding quickly narrowed down to 2 people, one of which was Greg (& Marilyn) Anthony, original sponsors of Socks. Swiftly the bidding moved up in hundred dollar increments. Both competing bidders seemed focused and undeterred no matter how high the amount was. Of course neither bidder had any idea which of the statues the other was after. At $2,800 the bidding was over and Greg and Marilyn won the bid and took Socks. Greg and Marilyn was determined to get Socks and I was so happy that he went to them as they really wanted Socks from the day I put the first dot on him. It just would not have been right if Socks went to any others. Their bid of $2,800 was double the next highest amount of $1,400. Most of the sculptures went in the $300 to $600 range. I have two pictures of Socks at his new home. You can see all the sculptures if you click on the gallery on the right side of the home page at the AWG web site. Dave

http://artwellgroomed.webng.com/

Blues Art by Grego

It's time once again to plug another artist. Art by Grego!!! Grego from Austin, Texas has all your Blues Art needs. Check out Grego's site and I am sure will agree he has the right mojo. Make sure and visit his on line store, Mojohand. Grego's work is outstanding and can be had at a great price.

http://www.artbygrego.com/

Sweeties is coming to town.

Friends of mine are opening a Caramel Corn shop, Sweeties, on South Main St. here in Princeton next week ( Sept. 11th). Sharilyn Davidson is the propieter and she makes some awesome caramel corn. Sharilyn has been kind enough to allow me to have some of my artwork for sale at her shop. So if you are in the neighborhood check the place out.

Here is a piece I made for her shop to keep. Very simple, kind of cartoonish. I call this my 3rd grade style!!!

My Crosses To Bare

Here are some small crosses that I recently made out of very old cedar boards from fencing saved from the burn pile. They are very simple and measure 5 1/2"wide X 7 1/2" H. I experimented with a few different styles. They all have the aged / distressed look and can be hung on a wall or sit on a shelf.

People seem to like the ones without the painted background better. The center and right front ones have crosses made out of clay (from Hobby Lobby) while the others have the crosses cut from the cedar boards. I have a few earmarked for gifts and a few will go to a new retail outlet I will try and sell a few pieces at.

Socks Update

Socks was put back out on Friday, August 8th, at his original foster home in front of the Festival 56 Summer Theatre. Socks has since been moved as Festival 56 is now over. We planned all along to move Socks to Sweeties a brand new Karmel Korn shop in Princeton. Sweeties had planned to open in late July, but there has been some delays in construction, but you can still find Socks in front of Sweeties while construction and set up is nearing completion. I am not sure of the exact address, but Sweeties is located on the West side of South Main St., between Townsend Coffee shop and the Court House. Socks looks better than ever after I touched him up and had a new clear coat put on him, after his swim in the canal. He will remain at Sweeties for the next month.
I will get a photo of Socks at his new home and attach it soon.

Socks Big Day

Here are a few photos of Socks big day when all the AWG statues were unveiled during a parade and festivities at the park. The photos show Socks on the trailer just prior to the parade, Socks and admirerers at the park, Sponsors Greg & Marilyn with Socks, Socks and me, and Socks' temporary home for the Summer.

Socks has a great location for his Temporary 'foster home'. He sits in front of the Festival 56 (Summer Theatre) building, which is right next to the Post Office, and very near the busiest intersection in town.

A note about leaving a comment on this blog.

Several individuals have mentioned that they have trouble leaving a comment about a particular post. If you are having a problem you might find it easier to do it as 'anonymous'. If you do leave a comment anonymously please add your name at the end of your comment. That way we can tell who it is from. Thanks ....Dave

SOCKS IS NOW COMPLETE

Socks is now complete and will be hitting the streets on July 12th when all 32 of the Art...Well Groomed statues will be on display for Princeton's public art exhibition. A 12 noon parade on the 12th, will kickoff the festivities followed by the placement of the dogs and cats at their foster homes. Socks will be at a great location, in front of the Festival 56 Theatre on Main Street. I will post a picture of Socks at his foster home once he is placed. See more of Socks photos on his slide show.

Create Your Own Radio Stations

For all you music buffs out there, here is a cool website http://www.pandora.com/ . On this site you can create your own radio stations to listen to on line. Check it out. It is real easy to use.

Los Dias de los Muertos

From time to time I plan on introducing you to a few artists whose works and talents I like and appreciate. The first one is by an Artist in New Mexico, Kim Kirkpatrick. If you know me I am not going to show you where to find your ordinary merchandise. I am sure you all know where to find those straw baskets, woven pot holders and leather key chains that we all love, but you may not know where to go for all of your Days of the Dead needs. Kim has created a graveyard full of really cool Days of the Dead items and you can find everything you need to know about Kim, her talent, awesome products and where to get it on her website, http://icdedpeeples.com/. Check it out and if you want to purchase something or know someone who has a retail outlet and would like to sell her items, email or give Kim a call.

Slideshow

Somehow I got lucky and was able to put a slideshow on my blog using Flickr. It can be found over there on the top right. Only a few pics are on there now, but I will add more soon. The photos will be mostly of my art work, but may include other things such as family, events or things like the 3 legged squirrel I see in my yard and trees.
Enjoy ......Dave

I always wanted to paint something with black and white legs.

Here is a photo of the Bluebird Table that I recently finished. I believe this old table may have once been a telephone table. It is perfect for a plant, vase or that antique water pitcher you can't find a home for. There is a neat little shelf under the top too. The top is 14" x 18" and is 28" tall. It is painted with acrylic paint and a mod podge finish. I included a before picture.

This piece on sale at the Gallery on Second in Kewanee, IL. for $120.

Art....Well Groomed

Here is an updated picture of Socks, my Art...Well Groomed (AWG) public art project. Information on this can be found on the link or a previous blog post below. Socks is now completed and waiting to be unveiled on July 12th.

I wanted to share with you a little bit about the design of Socks. Socks will be brightly painted primarily using yellows, greens and purples. He will have alternating yellow and green stripes / bands wrapping around his body. Detail will be added by use of dots on these bands. Socks’ head and tail will have different patterns and will use lots of purple along with the yellow and green. The legs will have a bit more color, design and detail, and have ‘somewhat’ the appearance of wearing ‘socks’ because of the change in color patterns on his legs. Socks will also have about 20 phrases of his ‘favorite things’ printed on his head and body within the design. These phrases may not initially be noticed by an onlooker, but will be clearly visible once someone looks at the detail. The base, not shown, will be painted green with a little design, but not so much design that it would take the focus off ‘Socks’. The base will also have the title printed on the top.

I believe Socks will create a “WOW” effect when viewers first see him on Main Street. The eclectic use of bright colors and detail will catch the eye of all viewers from a distance. Socks will be enjoyed by many all summer as they get acquainted with his strong, eclectic, colorful and comfortable presence in town. He will be a constant reminder of the ‘Art …Well Groomed 2008’ collaboration as he draws attention to himself just like all dogs do. Socks will not only be eye-catching, but will also carry a message. That message is of course in the title, “Socks’ Favorite Things”. This will help create interest in that the public can find and read the verbiage written on his body, which will show what Socks’ or any dog loves to do. This may help influence a person to think about what joy they could bring to a dog by adoption or ownership.

I also wanted to mention that I am very fortunate to have great sponsors for Socks, Greg and Marilyn Anthony. Greg and Marilyn are both dog lovers and are well known for their many volunteer contributions to the Princeton community. We have a great location picked out for Socks home this summer, where he should be enjoyed by many.

Dave

Steery Night and 8 Strats

Here are two photos of pieces I completed this past winter, 8 Strats and Steery Night.


Normally you can click on the picture to enlarge, but somehow I can't get these photos to enlarge. Hmmmm...?



Steery Night is made with ¼” plywood for the steer, attached to an end piece from a wood crate. Painted with acrylic paint, this piece is approx. 16”W X 13”H and is for sale for $120.




8 Strats is made on ¼” plywood using acrylic paint and mod podge finish. This piece is for sale at $90.

About my artwork, locations and contacts

All of my Art Work is for sale except for donation pieces. At this time I have very few pieces at home as most of my pieces are for sale at one of 3 locations. Contact me at the numbers or address below if you want to purchase or discuss the pieces. I also do commission pieces too.

In the next few weeks I plan on getting a slide show on this blog that will have all my pieces that are currently available.

Currently I have select artwork at these locations:

Outside Gallery - 409 N. Erickson St. – Bishop Hill, IL. 61419 – 309-927-3314
This is a very unique gallery in historic Bishop Hill that features whimsical, elegant and functional items. Steve and Marcia Carlson run the gallery and both of them have many pieces of their own artwork in the gallery.

Gallery on Second – 116 West Second St. – Kewanee, IL. 61443 – 309-853-5875
This shop is more of a fine arts shop, and they have a very wide variety of artwork there.
Both proprietors, Kellie Lane and Pat Monroe, who are very talented artists, have a good eye for choosing just the right type of pieces for their beautiful gallery. They also specialize in stained glass art and antique glass art and repair. The Gallery onSecond is open Wed. - Sat. 10:00 AM t0 4:00 PM.

Hornbaker Gardens - 22937 1140 N. Ave. Princeton, Illinois 61356 815-659-3282
This is an absolutely incredible nursery garden center that has in the past few years started carrying more pottery, gifts, garden art and antiques.

Voodoo Lounge – (my basement, I will get more into that story later)
508 Park Ave. West - Princeton Il. – 815-872-0083 or 815-878-8370
or check out my website

Contact me if you have any questions or comments.
Dave

Art....Well Groomed

This spring and summer I will be participating in a very cool public art exhibition here in Princeton. The project is called Art....Well Groomed . The event is a fund raiser for the local Friends of Strays facility. Check the link above and it will give you all the info you should need on the event. Activities will revolve around area artists designs and paintings of fiberglass dogs and cats, who will then have them outside in prominent places for most of the summer. Money is raised through sponsorships and the auctioning of the statues this fall. My design (Socks, Favorite Things) was chosen by sponsors, and I am now working on my sculptured dog. As I am spending considerable time painting / dotting Socks, and it will take me weeks to finish, I will post a few new photos here prior to the completion deadline in mid June. In my next Socks update, I will share with you the idea and thoughts about the design. ...Dave

About this Blog

I have created this blog mostly to be able to show new works of art that I have recently created. It is my hope that you will enjoy this as it will be a quick way to view brand new items and information before things get posted to my website. This site will also be a way to keep abreast of my work on an exciting public art project, Art....Well Groomed, happening this Summer in Princeton. Dave

New Lizard Bench

This is a bench I painted this winter. Pretty cool huh...? It is for sale at Hornbaker Gardens a beautiful gardens and nursery in rural Princeton. Hornbakers is where my wife Sharry works.

Oh my gosh my first blog

Hi this is Dave's daughter Megan setting up the blog. Visit this again and again!!!