Artistic Release

“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way–things I had no words for.” ~ Georgia O’Keeffe

For me art is like reading a book… I can go anywhere in the world… or even create a make believe world with the strokes purposely placed on my canvas. I can time travel, make a statement, or run a gamut of emotions that range from turmoil to peace. With this painting I traveled to the poppie fields of France and included a make believe cottage similar to one Tami loves that is in the mountains of North Carolina. My imagined journey brought me home with a peaceful, easy feeling.

“Cottage and Poppies”… 24″x30″ Oil on Stretched Canvas, 2006.

I wish you peace…

Bernie

“Baseball is made up of very few big and dramatic moments, but rather it’s a beautifully put together pattern of countless little subtleties that finally add up to the big moment, and you have to be well-versed in the game to truly appreciate them.” ~ Paul Richards, Orioles manager

“Baseball is like church…. many attend but few understand” ~ Wes Westrum

This was a painting I recently did of one of my favorite spots since I was a kid… Grainger Stadium. The ball park (although renovated since I took this photo in 1990) still has the feel of one of the old parks from the 1940’s when it was built. In the 1970’s my father took us kids…  In the 80’s and 90’s I took my children (still do)…. and in the 2000’s I take my grandson. As a kid we watched Kinston of the Carolina League change hats several times. My earliest memories were of the Kinston Eagles, then the Kinston Bluejays and now it is the home of the Kinston Indians… a single A farm club of the Cleveland Indians.

This was an exercise to help motivate myself to paint more often…

Thanks for dropping by for a gander…

Bernie

“Take me out to the old Ball Game”… 11″x14″ Oil on Canvas board. 2006.

I did this painting last summer while vacationing in the mountains of North Carolina. I saw this old truck abandoned along Highway 194 (thus the title) and took several photos for reference for this painting. I just had to paint this for my brother, Mike, who has a thing for old cars and trucks. In fact he has a 1949 Chevy truck, a 1954 Chevy car, and a 1957 Chevy Bel Air. It was his Christmas present last year…

“Abandoned Along Hwy 194″ near Valle Crucis, North Carolina. 18″x12″ Oil on Stretched Canvas, 2005.

Close Ups…

Thanks for looking…

Bernie

I’ve always had an avid interest in history. I credit my high school art teacher, Blanche Johnson, with cultivating my love for art histotry. I still study and try to emulate the styles and techniques of the Old Masters. I have done several cover paintings from some of my favorite masters and plan to share them with you at a later date.

I have always enjoyed American history… especially the time period of the War Between the States (1861-1865). My son, Dylan, and I are members of the Cape Fear Living History Society and reenact battles and life from that time period. The painting I share with you today is special to me because it is of Dylan as the regimental (18th NCT) drummer boy. Although he has been reenacting for years this painting captures the first event that he was allowed (finally being old enough at age 12) to go on the field with the regiment. His first time was a major event… the 140th Anniversary Battle of Gettysburg (July 2003)… where several thousand reenactors took part. I started the painting in 2003 but didn’t finish it till 2005… thank goodness for reference photos!

Enjoy, Bernie

“The Drummer Boy of Gettysburg”, 20″x16″ Oil on Panel, 2005

Dylan and Dad at the 140th Anniversary Battle of Gettysburg, July 2003

“Three Generations”, Dylan, Pappy, and Dad at the 135th Anniversary Battle of Gettysburg, July 1998