Lost Things: Beer cans and Georgia

Beer Can Collection (Original) by The Vintage Painter

My mom, Georgia, and my twins

It was very difficult to paint. It was nearly impossible to be creative.

As such, I had to find something more detailed and labor intensive that required more concentration than creativity. I settled on my brother’s vintage beer can collection. He inherited most of the 600 cans from an older cousin.

Out of the 600 cans I chose some for sentimental reasons and some simply because I liked the imagery on the cans. Almost all of them are from Minnesota and Wisconsin with the rest from Iowa and one from West Virginia.

During mom’s illness my Partner would tell me to go and paint. He would insist that I go and work on it for a few minutes or a few hours. It took me nearly a year to complete. This time frame was partially because painting in thin layers of glazes and paints requires long dry times and partially because of the mental fatigue brought about by life’s situations.

It is interesting at how many shows people of all ages stop and reminisce about their more-often-than-not lost beer can collections, which one they drank in their youth and which ones they remember a relative loving. People have even offered me money on the spot for he Grain Belt cone-top.

I can’t count the number of times someone told me they lost their can collection when they left for college and their parents threw it away. During the late 70’s and 80’s the trash-bins of America must have been full of steel and aluminum cans as kids left for college and boomer parents cleaned rooms and garages of “trash” in order to make way for the study or spare bedroom.

Almost all of these cans are as old or older than me…and I’m, um, older.

After talking to so many people and listening to so many stories, I see something more than oil and canvas. I see history, culture, family and my mother.

Beer Can Collection (Original)
16″ x 40″ Oil on Canvas
Framed: Recovered and re-purposed metal and barn-wood. Handcrafted.
$4000 + S&H

Beer Can Collection (Canvas and Paper Prints)
FREE Shipping through 10/31/2013.

Canvas Print
Small, 8″ x 20″, $95 + $12.99 S&H = $107.99 –> SPECIAL $95.00
Full, 16″ x 40″, $250 + $28.99 S&H = $278.99 –> $250.00
Framed, Small, 8″ x 20″, $250 + $49.99 S&H = 299.99 –> $250.00
Framed, 16″ x 40″, $600 + $79.99 S&H = $679.99 –> $600.00

Paper Print
Matted, 11″ x 17″, $25 + $3.99 S&H = $28.99 –> $25.00

All canvas prints are in limited editions and are signed by me.

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Three for the Road, Now 35% off through March 31.

Save 35% on the original oil painting “Three for the Road” plus free shipping through 3/31. Now only $585 (Originally $900).

I will even pay the freight through 3/31. Click here for details.

Original Painting: Three for the Road

Off the Easel: Albuquerque Neon

Three new paintings just off the easel.

All of these oil and canvas paintings are based on source material I took along Route 66 when I visited the Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Festivals and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in 2012 in Albuquerque, NM.

Click here to see a great video of Route 66 Neon or look at the bottom of this page.

Original Oil and Canvas: Hot Neon
Finished 03/2013
24″ x 36″ $2000 includes shipping within the continental U.S. — at Absolute Neon, Albuquerque, NM.

Original Oil – Owl Cafe
Finished 03/2013
20″ x 24″ $900 includes shipping within the continental U.S. — at The Owl Cafe – Albuquerque, NM.

Original – Dog House
Finished 03/2013
16″ x 20″ $750 includes shipping within the continental U.S. — at Dog House Drive-In, Albuquerque, NM.

Trip to Texas

Deep Ellum Art Festival 2012

Spring is sprung! Almost!

In four short weeks I will be leaving for my first show of the year at the Deep Ellum Art Festival. I can’t believe it has been a year already.

Last year was my first major road trip with my partner and we had an amazing time stopping at Bill’s Garage in Lebanon, MO and seeing hundreds of other wonderful people, places and things.

This year will be even better. I won’t be towing a trailer (because I bought a large cargo van), I have a new high clearance tent and the show promoters at Deep Ellum assigned me an end booth on a high traffic corner! It’s going to be a good time.

Plus I have new work. Check out some of the images below.

My partner can’t wait. He went and bought a CB radio just for this so we can chat with the truckers on our 20 hour drive.

Painting: Bill’s Garage

This year I will be in Texas for two shows back-to-back.

Obviously, April 5, 6 and 7 at the Deep Ellum Art Festival. If you will be there come see us, I’ll be in booth 127. The following weekend I will be at the San Antonio Fine Arts Festival. I will let you know exactly as soon as I get my booth number.

Either way I hope you will come see me.

We will be making a detour to Houston and Austin between shows for my partner’s business. He has to still work. If you are going to be in the area please let me know. We would love to have lunch or dinner.

We are always interested in meeting new people and lovers of art.

Happy Trails!

My new van.

Here are some samples of the new work I will be bringing with me.

Framed Print: Bill’s Garage

Framed Original: Brains and Donuts

Original: Jim’s Music

Original: Piddle

Thank You

Wausau Art Fair 2013

Last year I made the decision to do a few things differently with my business.

The result?

2012 was the BEST year I’ve ever had as an artist and 2013 is already better than last.I owe it to all of you.

I am so excited about this year I have the tingles…or maybe I have to pee.

Maybe both…

Anyway, as the show season is quickly approaching I have to make room in my van and booth for new work. As such I am having a one time clearance sale through my website. You can save up to 35% on selected original paintings. I will even pay the shipping if you are in the continental United States.

You can even make payments and I will put it into layaway for you until you are ready.

Also, in the spirit of trying something new, I am also auctioning off one of the most popular framed prints through eBay. You can make a bid on a custom framed print of my vintage Beer Can Collection. Hopefully it will go to a good home.

Framed Print: Beer Can Collection

Thank you again for everything.

Happy Trails!

My new van.

New Work

Original: Piddle

Original: Jim’s Music

Framed Original: Brains and Donuts

A close view of Pididdle,

A close up of Jim’s Music.

Two new and then the flu

Yesterday I finished two new paintings. Today I caught the flu. Or it caught me. I’m not sure. Uggg…

So without any wordiness here is the gist.

Jim’s Music

A close up of Jim’s Music.
Original oil painting: $$1200. Size: 20″ x 24″. Unframed. A custom frame is available at an extra cost.

On a road trip I took to Coyote Woman Gallery in upper Michigan in the fall of 2012, I stopped in the town of Escabana, Michigan to research the site of my Escabana Beach Combers painting.

Through serendipity I found this beautiful building and music store. Jim’s Music is a specialty retailer selling musical instruments and equipment across northern Wisconsin and Michigan. Check them out!

To learn more about this painting or my other works visit my website or email me.

Pididdle

A close up view of Pididdle.
Original oil painting: $250. Size: 9″ x 12″. Unframed

The source material for this painting is from a road trip my partner and I took to Deep Ellum Arts Festival in 2012.

We stopped in Lebanon, MO and met Roger and Bill. The painting “Bill’s Garage” is also based on that trip. You can read more about that stop and see more images from Bill’s Garage by clicking here.

To learn more about this painting or my other works visit my website or email me.

Pididdle drying down on the easel.

A little distance for perspective.

A close up of Jim’s Music.

This was the painting I was researching. Escabana Beach Combers. Original oil and canvas 20″ x 24″ $750

A little distance for perspective.

On the easel drying down.

A close view of Pididdle,

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I Cried Today

Wausau Art Festival, 2012

I cried today. Twice.

Let me explain.

When I woke up this morning I saw my partner had posted a long forgotten interview he found stuffed in a virtual folder somewhere is cyberspace. He posted the article and picture of me on my business’ Facebook and Google Plus pages – straight hair and all.

I found myself reflecting on how overwhelmingly significant the moment was for me as a woman, as a mother and as a painter. The tears startled me as they burst out.

That was the first set of tears.

It had nothing to do with the straight hair.

I cried as I though of how significant this moment was for me as a creative child making my way through an often indifferent Universe. That moment in time, captured on such a temporary medium, was a reminder of what the Universe expected – demanded – of me: Be a woman. Be a mother. Be a painter.

They were tears of gratitude at the moment.

In truth, the Universe doesn’t care about much. It only cares about the path it wants for itself and for us. We either conform or it beats us about like a tiny pea pod in a summer storm. All the while it is pelting us with regrets, lost moments and overlooked opportunities.

“Learn the lesson! Learn the lesson! Learn the lesson! Oh, and don’t make that mistake again,” being the Universal mantra. The ability for life’s bountiful harvest to come to fruition depends on our own ability to learn and live forward and not backwards.

The photo was taken in 2007 at the ArtStreet event by Green Bay Press-Gazette writer and photographer Warren Gerds and was attached to a wonderful article. The picture shows Tina Quigley, the Executive Director of Arts Events Inc, presenting the “Best of Show” award to me.

My wonderfully supportive, and beautiful niece, Betsy Bemmer enthusiastically jumps alongside and shares in my surprise and joy.

That summer had been difficult.

I had two very young twin boys at home, it was my second year on the show circuit and the weather had been wet all season. Two weeks prior to ArtStreet I was working the Festival of Arts in Oconomowoc, WI and they allowed the artists to evacuate early due to heavy rains and flooding.

As any art carnie will tell you – that never happens. Needless to say I didn’t make any sales at that show.

Me at the Bike Art Gallery.

At home there was no sincere support for me as an artist and except for a few diehard cheerleaders I was very much emotionally and spiritually alone.I was feeling knocked down and defeated. Really, I had gone to this show just wanting to get it over with and just go home.

I was finished.

When it happened, I was as surprised as anyone.

Tina showed up in my booth with an award. A Best of Show award!

Yes, the look on my face in that picture is surprise, joy and relief.  It was the validation that I so desperately needed at that time.  That award meant more to me than the $500 prize that came with it.  It was encouragement and validation for what I had put all my passion into. Someone else recognized that my work stood out and had value. I wasn’t a hobbyist or a failure or living a pipe dream.

Germany, 1990.

The Universe knew what I needed and gave it to me. I’m grateful. Thinking of it makes me tear up again.

It was a reminder of where I have been and where I am going to.  A reminder of how blessed my life has been because I am willing to make sacrifices to do what I love and to follow my Vision.

It was a reminder of how important it is to have a partner in your life that believes in you and supports you. As I was telling my partner all this, I cried again. He patiently, quietly waited for me to explain through haltingly happy breaths.

Now that hair made me cry.

So the day ended the same way it started – with tears.

Tears of joy, happiness and strength that the Universe has allowed – encouraged, forced – me to embrace my Vision and gave me a partner to remind me that what I need and wants matters.

Like the article, my partner helped me find the truth again. Be a woman. Be a mother. Be a painter.

I had forgotten that too.

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My favorite phrase

“That is me!” is one of my favorite phrases to overhear.

At every opening and art show men and women, parents and grandparents, siblings and life-long friends will come look at my art and see themselves. They will look at the two children in the washtub and remember their summers on the farm. They will see three “kittens” on a motorcycle and identify with the mischief and rebellion of their youth – or their friend’s youth. Someone will look at the girls in the garden and remember their mother’s gladiolas.

And, as I said, at every show someone will look at a painting and say, “That is me.”

The simple truth is I love storytelling and history. I love how our past ties us to our future. The way we remember our youth and our relationships with our friends and relatives provides the foundation for who we want – or don’t want – to be. I am fascinated by the American Dream and what is a uniquely American experience. I seek to portray that dream in my paintings and want to show how the memories of life’s experiences still define us, touch us and move us.

In my opinion, what makes my paintings special is not their uniqueness – and they are unique – but their universality. The strength of my painting style is in its ability to touch so many, each in a unique way.

I started using family photos as a resource and reference. In the process of tracing my roots, I was struck by the scenes of the 1930s. Grandma working the farm, driving a tractor. A barber proudly posing next to his new sign. A farm girl chatting to her pet crow.

I found one of my grandmother, Elizabeth Pritchard, in a waitress uniform, standing in front of a café in Eau Claire, Wisconsin from 1932. Behind her was a sign reading, “Regular Dinner.”

It was appealing because I had been a waitress, and I wanted to know, what is a “Regular Dinner” and where can I get one?

As a self-taught, classically-styled oil painter I can, and occasionally do, paint in a traditional realistic style. However, today my style has evolved into my own uniquely impressionistic delivery: the moments are real, the delivery is my impression and the reaction is personal.

 

WOW. Simply WOW.

Gwen presenting my First Place Prize for painting!

What a GREAT weekend.

At the Spring Green Art and Crafts Fair I took FIRST place in the Painting Category. The prize included a Blue Ribbon (…and good prize money)! That makes two prize ribbons in 5 shows!

I sold my favorite original signature painting to private collectors. My painting is hanging 50 feet from an ORIGINAL Renoir and dozens of other beautiful works.

The kids were delivered to a new home on Monday. Thank you B & C for the love and support.

…AND I sold two original paintings and two giclees to a corporate buyer and my art is hanging in their new 11,000 seat auditorium or one of their new farm scene themed corporate buildings. Hundreds of their 5,500 employees and thousands of their clients will see my work every year.

One of my paintings is going to be featured on the cover of an INTERNATIONALLY known literary magazine and there will be a two page spread about me inside (I can’t tell you the details yet – hush-hush).

I was contacted by a very nice gallery in Benton Harbor, MI that wants to carry my originals and prints.

St. Luke’s Cemetery in Plains, WI.

And I spent two days visiting cemeteries, churches and talking to people to do some genealogy research on my German Catholic roots.

WOW. Simply WOW.

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She drowned in Lake Michigan

Madeline by a Car

The short story is Madeline drowned in Lake Michigan.

I’m sure these is a long story but who has time for details?

She never married. She was the strange women that lived next door. She was senile.

Every community has someone like Madeline.

I’m sure she lived the same way she died: the subject of much gossip and alone. Her life – and death – allowing for endless speculation.

The gossip in Racine probably lasted well longer than her wake.

After she was found, her kin raided her house and pitched everything they didn’t think had “value”. Among other things, clothing, dishes and lamps were piled on the curb waiting for the trash pick-up. Basically the flotsam of a life lived.

Her photo album, a lifetime of laughter, fun and memorable experiences, carelessly tossed in the garbage can too.

So not only would Madeline be lost but so would her memories – crushed beneath the flotsam of other people’s lives.

Except that is not what happened. It is because of the compassion and heart of Michael V. and Cynthia C. from Racine, Wisconsin, Maddie lives…or at least a moment of her life lives.

See Michael was Madeline’s neighbor, and Michael has a soul. He fished Maddie’s photo album out of the trash and took it home. He probably thought, “What am I going to do with this?!” but took it home anyway and placed it on a shelf.

Regular Dinner

I met Michael and Cynthia at The Lakefront Festival of the Arts in Racine. They purchased my print of The Regular Dinner and we talked about some of their old photos.

They returned the next day, gave me her album and introduced me to Madeline…and that is when I fell in love.

The the moment I saw her I saw someone special. Through her photos I met a girl with a warm honest smile and sense of adventure. Her ghost spoke to me. As such, I took Maddie home and gave her a place, a history and a future.

There is more, but as I said, who has time for details?

Servi-Cars and Billboards – A woman from the 1930’s sitting on a Harley Davidson Servi-Car.

Madeline is the beauty with the smile of the Cheshire cat sitting on a Harley Davidson Servi-car in front of a 7-Up billboard.

The original painting was 36″ x 48″ and bought by a good family at The Bellevue Arts Fair in Washington in 2010.

At the 2012 Indianapolis Arts Center’s Broad Ripple Art Fair May 19th and 20th several people took Maddie home with her. It was the most popular fine art print at this show.

It happens. Different communities. Different cultures. Different people. Everyone sees something different in Maddie.

What matters to me, and the wonderful thing about my art, is that people are touched by it for different reasons. Photos end up in books, on shelves and in small frames. Paintings end up hanging on walls greeting you as you walk down the hall or watching over you at dinner.

In truth, as long as someone hangs Maddie on a wall that moment in Maddie’s life will continue to live and how she died is unimportant.

And as I said, the details don’t really matter.

Servi-Cars and Billboards – A woman from the 1930’s sitting on a Harley Davidson Servi-Car.

Oil Painting in Progress

Madeline by a Car

Regular Dinner