Artistic Release

I’m a simple man… one who appreciates the simple things in life. Many artists thrive with creativity in times of turmoil… I’m just the opposite… give me peace and harmony and the creative juices flow much easier. I like muted and earthtone colors for my paintings. Much like this still life I did for my daughter, Whitney.

“Apples”, 12″x18″ Oil on Stretched Canvas, 2005

I tend to be drawn to muted colors even in the clothes I wear. It’s almost embarassing when people ask me “what’s your favorite color?” and I reply… “gray”.  With that said… you will see that these next two paintings were experiments in taking me out of my comfort zone… my Expressions in Color!

My goal was to work with only two dominant colors in these paintings…

Experiment #1: In this painting I used the complimentary colors Red and Green.

“I Will Fight No More Forever”… Chief Joseph, 20″x16″ Oil on Stretched Canvas, 2004

Experiment #2: In this one I used the Cool color Blue and the Warm color Yellow…

“La Venus DeColores”, 20″x16″ Oil on Stretched Canvas, 2004

Like most times when we step out of our comfort zones… it was a learning experience that was priceless.

Have you moved out of your comfort zone lately?

In Faith, Bernie

The first painting that I’d like to highlight is one I just finished recently titled “They Came In Peace”. It is a 24″x24″ oil on textured canvas and depicts the statue and wall at the Beirut Memorial at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base in Onslow County, NC. I was fortunate enough to be one of the artists chosen for an invitational show which highlights Onslow County (my home) through the eyes of local artists and photographers. This piece was included in the exhibit… “Around Onslow” at the The Bradford Baysden Gallery in Jacksonville, NC.

I chose to paint the Beirut Memorial as a tribute to the Marines and Sailors stationed at Camp Lejeune who make up such an important part of our community.

“They Came In Peace”, 24″x24″ Oil on Textured Stretched Canvas, 2005

Brief history…

In the early morning of October 23, 1983, the First Battalion, 8th Marines Headquarters building was destroyed by a non-Lebanese, terrorist-driven truck, laden with compressed gas-enhanced explosives. This truck, like many others, had become a familiar sight at the airport and so did not raise any alarm on this morning. The resulting explosion and the collapse of the building killed 241 Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers.

Many of the victims of this atrocity were residents of Jacksonville, North Carolina. They were known as fathers, neighbors, fellow church members, and little league baseball and soccer coaches. The community was stunned over the loss of these fine men and donations began to flow to their memory. This became the “birth” of the Beirut Memorial where their names are engraved along side “They Came In Peace”..

Hope you enjoy,

Bernie