tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27724245468128627372024-03-14T04:48:52.753-04:00Micah MullenPainting and abstracting the landscape of the Southeastern United States.
www.micahmullen.comMicahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772424546812862737.post-15489463018703039082012-07-01T21:21:00.004-04:002012-07-01T21:21:55.613-04:00Micahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772424546812862737.post-13421484957526855062012-04-12T10:47:00.004-04:002012-04-12T10:53:28.105-04:00Lower Falls, Rochester, NY<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WbTo3OAoDrbEsaUArAP5XcphoRYM2-fUsHTj8qXpfYcVaRnoejsmtjuub3b85lHTbd1oRQu7Qb010yZgHH1o7cVrDGAdn-iHkS0yacV-97v91w9LJbpRSqmewWJBDlW4wymuURGY5qux/s1600/lowerfalls%2528high%2529.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WbTo3OAoDrbEsaUArAP5XcphoRYM2-fUsHTj8qXpfYcVaRnoejsmtjuub3b85lHTbd1oRQu7Qb010yZgHH1o7cVrDGAdn-iHkS0yacV-97v91w9LJbpRSqmewWJBDlW4wymuURGY5qux/s400/lowerfalls%2528high%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730527385531447666" /></a><br />During spring break we drove through western New York and spent a few hours in Rochester. One of the places we visited was Lower Falls park. Situated below one of the Eastman-Kodak buildings on the Genesee river, Lower Falls is a powerful waterfall. I've painted dozens of waterfalls, but this is the first that incorporates urban structures into the painting.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Lower Falls, Rochester, Ny - 23x15" Acrylic on paper</i></span></div>Micahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772424546812862737.post-49771094768740111382012-02-27T09:36:00.004-05:002012-02-27T11:33:17.974-05:00North Ridge Country Club 2012 Art Gala<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZO0VCmONNWt3pFravQjg981iyb7sk9FlKVRkU4hsWFTSzffiVYNJvETfmYK7wRsiJv0ssgxP4kbjjdgfcBnzJvCAMOsI_HpzEMdC-jKWM0jc7CUNiZCvdjHAqY4z-75_rdwtvBmH-OXd/s1600/tn.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZO0VCmONNWt3pFravQjg981iyb7sk9FlKVRkU4hsWFTSzffiVYNJvETfmYK7wRsiJv0ssgxP4kbjjdgfcBnzJvCAMOsI_HpzEMdC-jKWM0jc7CUNiZCvdjHAqY4z-75_rdwtvBmH-OXd/s400/tn.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713826984654300770" /></a><br />Wow what a night! A second place award for my Crabtree Falls painting, several sales and now a solo show at the club through the end of March. <div><br /></div><div>I had two paintings selected for the juried competition: Crabtree Falls and Merchants Millpond State Park #1. Roger Manley - Director of the Gregg Museum of Art and Design at NC State University selected these paintings and subsequently chose one for an award. I am humbled and thrilled - the selection of works was amazing. The North Ridge Country Club also purchased this piece along with the first and third place winners for their permanent collection! Wow!</div><div><br /></div><div>This is the second year I have done this show and both times it is top notch. My friends Pat and George do an amazing job coordinating the show and making it real easy for the artists.</div><div><br /></div><div>To top it off: along with the award - North Ridge CC is showing sixteen of my paintings throughout March. It is beautiful clubhouse and the display looks great.</div>Micahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772424546812862737.post-8064743517905232762012-02-22T16:28:00.004-05:002012-02-22T16:31:28.645-05:00Confederate Cemetery at Oakwood<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFwFetBnkInuu8crSgiEutOpqBEmQyGBuFldlUwbmHXQpydKLARq5A1cmID05E3akdtYBMCerIZhTL7vOYZMIyajfM7ReQImT9lrK3aP56efqtY0FkgXl1nzjkEbVxH1lVFKpwGHkITLB/s1600/oakwood%2528high%2529.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFwFetBnkInuu8crSgiEutOpqBEmQyGBuFldlUwbmHXQpydKLARq5A1cmID05E3akdtYBMCerIZhTL7vOYZMIyajfM7ReQImT9lrK3aP56efqtY0FkgXl1nzjkEbVxH1lVFKpwGHkITLB/s400/oakwood%2528high%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712075300962603874" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; font-family:Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Oakwood cemetery is located in downtown Raleigh, NC. The cemetery is hundreds of years old with a portion of it devoted to the Confederate Soldiers who served in the American Civil War. Like many military cemeteries the markers are all consistent in size and shape and geometrically uniform in how they are positioned on the ground. This aspect of the composition immediately attracted me. I have visited this cemetery several times, but this is the first I visited the area during the winter months. The lack of leaves on many of the towering trees created a beautiful background to an already interesting composition. This probably prompted me to to paint this challenging work. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; font-family:Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; font-family:Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Confederate Cemetery at Oakwood - 48x36 Acrylic on Panel</span></span></div>Micahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772424546812862737.post-76728007123669765792012-01-12T11:13:00.003-05:002012-01-12T11:20:46.550-05:00Sampson Arts Council - Solo Show<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEQsX0GDXW1J9gFtzvdznfDV2aGua1V4dMTjRWOt3C3WoRrAR9cyl4vqi1L7e_WxpQllWmXGRGY-QZLQ4zY_SG7O_8_EPGg47K0dviu81PUn19TDkfPAzWmGIiM1eQiy0CeUuWpq7tdZT/s1600/sampson3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 398px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEQsX0GDXW1J9gFtzvdznfDV2aGua1V4dMTjRWOt3C3WoRrAR9cyl4vqi1L7e_WxpQllWmXGRGY-QZLQ4zY_SG7O_8_EPGg47K0dviu81PUn19TDkfPAzWmGIiM1eQiy0CeUuWpq7tdZT/s400/sampson3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696781224204370594" /></a><br />Beginning with an opening reception tonight January 12 - I will have nearly 40 paintings on display at the Sampson County Arts Council in Clinton, NC. The show is at the Victor R. Small house in Clinton and the show runs through February 23rd. The picture shown is one of man paintings that is on display that reflects the unique landscape of Sampson county, NC.<div><br /></div><div>For full details and directions please visit the <a href="http://sampsonarts.net/">Sampson Arts website.</a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Micahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772424546812862737.post-80953861449139628742011-12-18T18:53:00.002-05:002011-12-18T19:03:34.441-05:00Penny<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVw_YUvajanRDMjYzwnVtT_1MSfcd1ZTgMxvTUM1tHU1v-mK4KtrlGVrFLgTQE0oI9kyawkiZojWxGHYmY7fbcW0LWQj27bJZ5wcMF3rNQeYg3w8ligUKJSefDiZdl-xknWX3ypeAN1RL/s1600/penny.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 296px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVw_YUvajanRDMjYzwnVtT_1MSfcd1ZTgMxvTUM1tHU1v-mK4KtrlGVrFLgTQE0oI9kyawkiZojWxGHYmY7fbcW0LWQj27bJZ5wcMF3rNQeYg3w8ligUKJSefDiZdl-xknWX3ypeAN1RL/s400/penny.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687623363415951442" /></a><br />Santa came a bit early early this year and brought me a companion to keep me company in the studio. Penny is a ten week redbone coonhound. She already has tried to steal paint tubes, brushes and numerous other items and is quite the terror. Still she is a welcome addition to the Mullen home - since our previous dogs both passed on within the last year the house has become quite lonely. Despite her puppy antics everyone is certain she will be a ray of sunshine for many years to come.Micahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772424546812862737.post-35938795404007801682011-11-29T10:16:00.003-05:002011-11-29T10:22:52.111-05:00Sampson County Cotton Field<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7xt64JY77oBQvfgDobulXgYTshsqr8ClN-_0jjxGQPKxmVW-5CqmQRV35BbPoGv8umwdDaHnu67RKPvXNttwKlCDvSKBEG1bq1s6z9buF7QdYmGLGUapuMu0FtRccFN5f6dWA6MQxCnq/s1600/sampsonCotton%2528high%2529.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 302px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7xt64JY77oBQvfgDobulXgYTshsqr8ClN-_0jjxGQPKxmVW-5CqmQRV35BbPoGv8umwdDaHnu67RKPvXNttwKlCDvSKBEG1bq1s6z9buF7QdYmGLGUapuMu0FtRccFN5f6dWA6MQxCnq/s400/sampsonCotton%2528high%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680438532035844082" /></a><br />This is a painting inspired from a photograph taken on Halloween. Driving through Sampson county on the way back from Wilmington, I saw many of the cotton fields were still in full bloom. Being that it was a rainy and overcast day, I saw some different interpretations that I could use in the sky. I've painted several cotton fields, but this is the first with weather conditions other than a sunny day. <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Sampson County Cotton Field - 16x12: Acrylic on Canvas</i></span></div>Micahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772424546812862737.post-46016303608853671402011-11-25T08:19:00.004-05:002011-11-25T08:24:38.706-05:00Cityscapes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYMS-oEn14n-M3MRsvFqgbfMBIPLLPRox9RB7KhmwMSpawwUgd2v7vJ7OtwqYpJOTrFUDl2IZ4lolcFWtgPzVd6dhcCEWBg2pyIsNXeRzpvjy5rwFpvkrkqINb0x6dgj25miaw4EJ7Bmk/s1600/raleigh2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYMS-oEn14n-M3MRsvFqgbfMBIPLLPRox9RB7KhmwMSpawwUgd2v7vJ7OtwqYpJOTrFUDl2IZ4lolcFWtgPzVd6dhcCEWBg2pyIsNXeRzpvjy5rwFpvkrkqINb0x6dgj25miaw4EJ7Bmk/s400/raleigh2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678923692014643810" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzA74985cWZ8oYnAej6qYLsvtaxt27DT9R5-X1uVM7bp47atPaWJdmBkdbLnwlhB01IofRDk63lzd2BGODo61BuV1RI3hnL4CZpJVDg4A1Yvp7dClfstTNDytYGzxmuqe0cNxD_a_IMWh/s1600/raleigh1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzA74985cWZ8oYnAej6qYLsvtaxt27DT9R5-X1uVM7bp47atPaWJdmBkdbLnwlhB01IofRDk63lzd2BGODo61BuV1RI3hnL4CZpJVDg4A1Yvp7dClfstTNDytYGzxmuqe0cNxD_a_IMWh/s400/raleigh1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678923687823546114" /></a><br />It's been a while since I painted a cityscape. I finished these two 11x14" paintings earlier this week. They are quite challenging as the rigid lines in buildings, windows and other man made elements are not as forgiving as trees, water and other things found in nature. I need to do one of these on a larger surface, where I can concentrate on more detail. <div><br /></div><div>I'm taking these with me to Wilmington this weekend for a holiday show. I'm interested to see how people react to them.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Downtown Raleigh 1 and 2 - 1x14 - Acrylic on Panel</i></span></div></div>Micahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772424546812862737.post-13670050036021325232011-11-08T12:27:00.004-05:002011-11-08T12:37:12.314-05:00Merchants Millpond State Park<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrilRXer6Po-NWhdaXnPlPl-Z6E0iKMKW3EL8OM9uB8UAkjzDKCW5jG_B6dOa1olx4v75EgbAjQoDSUOpSMe3DfvhOgmZLd3s3AQ9eCOsVJg_So9HURr213OQKW4rxDcnl_5NNhk7Y6-kJ/s1600/merchantmill1%2528high%2529.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrilRXer6Po-NWhdaXnPlPl-Z6E0iKMKW3EL8OM9uB8UAkjzDKCW5jG_B6dOa1olx4v75EgbAjQoDSUOpSMe3DfvhOgmZLd3s3AQ9eCOsVJg_So9HURr213OQKW4rxDcnl_5NNhk7Y6-kJ/s400/merchantmill1%2528high%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672680276226046850" /></a><br />In mid October we visited Merchants Millpond State Park in Northeast North Carolina. The park is a combination of a forest and swamp with hundreds of places to explore. We took a canoe out on a beautiful day and I immediately began taking pictures. The sunken cypress trees and spanish moss created beautiful pictures which opened me up to all kinds of painting possibilities.<div><br /></div><div>The painting shown is the first of many that will materialize from the trip to this park. Glazing and impasto work along with vibrant colors make this work pop off the wall and come to life. </div><div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Merchants Millpond State Park #1 - 36x24" Acrylic on Canvas</span></i></div>Micahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772424546812862737.post-45542956658444621312011-09-30T11:38:00.003-04:002011-09-30T11:47:43.743-04:00Cascade Lake<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tksajnLKbRZGLyQV79CK06xpmBeqAHUiq0mDRj5XiumWfoSoE9MSF1cVUHV-vLDedLaWoposYQ8lNYLCFmSgb5uRxB-RdAnvor8wMsgpMYO1Trwu9YIviDDyK8Wocp3UZ8sTFnmPJhet/s1600/cascadelakepurple%2528high%2529.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tksajnLKbRZGLyQV79CK06xpmBeqAHUiq0mDRj5XiumWfoSoE9MSF1cVUHV-vLDedLaWoposYQ8lNYLCFmSgb5uRxB-RdAnvor8wMsgpMYO1Trwu9YIviDDyK8Wocp3UZ8sTFnmPJhet/s400/cascadelakepurple%2528high%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658179706942208466" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWoutoW369lL2WyhTwXtwOLctbv0ulLXbFjEVJP2wKWFK_6g9-67cyWiRSKX_QLoBiKVukUC4j2CMskO83CKMuab7ZDZxkBRFjBGrjOECH-uxKHgVhvNqGlc080oxsgda9ayRxC8o2Dt-/s1600/cascadelake%2528high%2529.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 317px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWoutoW369lL2WyhTwXtwOLctbv0ulLXbFjEVJP2wKWFK_6g9-67cyWiRSKX_QLoBiKVukUC4j2CMskO83CKMuab7ZDZxkBRFjBGrjOECH-uxKHgVhvNqGlc080oxsgda9ayRxC8o2Dt-/s400/cascadelake%2528high%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658179701764029106" /></a><br />These are a few recently completed works reflecting the same composition. When they are hung next to each other they work really well together. The vibrant colors of the first work provide an energetic feeling, while the subtle grays and purples of the second work create a more subdued look. Someone recently remarked that these works are "simple yet complicated". I suppose I can see the simpleness in the naive unrefined qualities of the paintings, yet the hundreds of colors and shapes allow for a complicated feeling in the middle of this simplicity.<div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Cascade Lake #1 and #2 - 16x20" Acrylic on Panel</span></i></div>Micahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772424546812862737.post-68305567610341255272011-09-17T08:09:00.003-04:002011-09-17T08:28:38.629-04:00The Broken Bridge<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJIrJkhxPP6y0TamQ95xhPDh8JIIrwS80PZMOlEdAIoUoNA9hPhDtjPV7xWJ-1r0RI54nuDykDS61sXLIwsTCBBwmPLTIVBhA8OLyqRnb9FKc6v3Ekfvh0ZVvzsV5WxsNrUR13Lh9aUEI/s1600/brokenbridge%2528high%2529.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJIrJkhxPP6y0TamQ95xhPDh8JIIrwS80PZMOlEdAIoUoNA9hPhDtjPV7xWJ-1r0RI54nuDykDS61sXLIwsTCBBwmPLTIVBhA8OLyqRnb9FKc6v3Ekfvh0ZVvzsV5WxsNrUR13Lh9aUEI/s400/brokenbridge%2528high%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653304439391261442" /></a><br />We spent our summer vacation in Cape Cod this year and stayed at our friend's house in Bourne. MA. A short walk from the house the broken bridge crosses over the inlet. This bridge has been there for over a hundred years, and at some point Grover Cleveland spent time here during his presidency.<div><br /></div><div>Being the bridge was built from actual rocks the natural surfaces allowed me alot of expression in how I detailed the stones. My initial intention was to use heavy impasto work on the rocks and have them three dimensionally pop off the canvas. After painting the sky and water, I decided against this - I think my reasoning was the sunrise created a focal point and having something too abstract might deter from this. </div><div><br /></div><div>Lately I've been doing alot of experimenting with clouds. I think the clouds in the broken bridge painting are my best effort so far. I did these by masking out several geometric shapes with tape. After this I painted the sky in hundreds of vertical bands that descended onto the sunrise. When I lifted the tape and began painting the clouds, I used the same colors as I did for the rest of the sky, but I used horizontal lines to contrast the vertical bands of the sky. This along with the white outlines provided good, but not overpowering definition for the clouds.</div><div><br /></div><div>This work will soon be hanging at my friend's home on Cape Cod. I can now look forward to painting more works inspired by hundreds of pictures we took during our vacation.</div>Micahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772424546812862737.post-70964820688362369802011-09-06T17:04:00.003-04:002011-09-06T17:14:24.808-04:00Falls Lake - Limited Palette Study<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzr1CjeJTFwlFTVs60BUIm-CdghkaYeX0iu45SuEz-LCyoMLBlstW1iCi6miQgXHlGjY6xqjCGoTFlDaWyhMG38NgZdY2sEiuu9UhIHKaU3N2v7mWjaOKjwoIPea9jbBmGyLX8yK8ITGs/s1600/fallslake.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzr1CjeJTFwlFTVs60BUIm-CdghkaYeX0iu45SuEz-LCyoMLBlstW1iCi6miQgXHlGjY6xqjCGoTFlDaWyhMG38NgZdY2sEiuu9UhIHKaU3N2v7mWjaOKjwoIPea9jbBmGyLX8yK8ITGs/s400/fallslake.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649357932742194530" /></a><br />I painted a picture a few years ago using just yellows, blacks and whites. I never really thought much of it, but it kept hanging around my studio. Too nice to throw out, but not really worthy of posting to my website or sending off to any shows. The painting shown is a new painting, but is based on the older work. The original photograph has long since disappeared, so this is a rare event where I worked from another painting rather than from a photo or en plein aire. I had alot of fun with this, it did not take me nearly as long as most of my work and being there was no photograph I did not concern myself compositional accuracy. Unlike the earlier work there are some dark blues present in the water. I think for my next study, I might try darks over lights.Micahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772424546812862737.post-18214812403097419402011-08-21T15:34:00.005-04:002011-08-21T15:54:12.344-04:00Top of Dingman Falls<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdW8ubAB9XNsURM_YHxVQxlkbdFtiLSTgKe1f9sLnX0e7xNNbEpUEGLHorjRfuxN1Iqre9f7w4b46HHfL6J8d64b8FigDznLxAfgrfAcdc0vsWOC2a6wLXMvv32vWyn-Z_-yYH_NWeTY4G/s1600/dingman%2528highj%2529.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdW8ubAB9XNsURM_YHxVQxlkbdFtiLSTgKe1f9sLnX0e7xNNbEpUEGLHorjRfuxN1Iqre9f7w4b46HHfL6J8d64b8FigDznLxAfgrfAcdc0vsWOC2a6wLXMvv32vWyn-Z_-yYH_NWeTY4G/s400/dingman%2528highj%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643399939251696034" /></a>
<br />Dingman Falls is located in Northeast Pennsylvania in the Delaware Water Gap. We visited the area on a very hot day in July. I got some great pictures of the falls, but the picture I took of the river leading up to the falls struck me as rather interesting. The water was very clear, so many of the rocks at the bottom of the river could be seen through the surface. This allowed for some cool glazes with different sienna colors. I tried to make sure this looked like more than just a river - the tops and "half" trees in the right/middle portion of the canvas show that the river takes a sudden vertical drop. The last part painted was the rock bed in the lower right of the canvas. I pondered for some time on how to do this - I considered three dimensional impasto effects and more glazing, but in the end I went with a style where the details resembled the stream. The differences would be in sharp color contrasts of warm and cool colors. I think this kept some balance to the painting, while not drawing one away from other portions of the work.<div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Top of Dingman Falls - 24x36" Acrylic on Canvas</i></span></div>Micahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772424546812862737.post-45449081443261715112011-08-08T15:56:00.006-04:002011-08-08T20:54:45.893-04:00Cedar Island #2<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KwLNbY2DjwOlWqpasOUhECU6v5MyCzTB7HivHqf_lgshUXDESWBVPf5TCCG0UkqmNP6782gUDV1H0wV4aaCUY0sazLubB0tzyy9rpaE7WMZM4cO3PyvyYrRZuK7zPf6SW_OSO6RvtlRy/s1600/cedarisland3%2528high%2529.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KwLNbY2DjwOlWqpasOUhECU6v5MyCzTB7HivHqf_lgshUXDESWBVPf5TCCG0UkqmNP6782gUDV1H0wV4aaCUY0sazLubB0tzyy9rpaE7WMZM4cO3PyvyYrRZuK7zPf6SW_OSO6RvtlRy/s400/cedarisland3%2528high%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638578366046847282" /></a>
<br />I've received alot of positive response from the the initial painting I did of Cedar Island. This painting is inspired from that same view, but encompasses more of the land and a second waterway. <div>
<br /></div><div>I am sure the first the thing that one notices is the depictions of the clouds. A few people have seen this painting, and people tend to love or hate this idea. My intent was to make the clouds flowing, but to confine them within a few centralized cloud masses. I felt the smaller shapes captured within larger shapes added a further element of interest. </div>Micahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772424546812862737.post-87043889236677176652011-07-28T15:05:00.003-04:002011-07-28T15:12:28.477-04:00Bear Island<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUZqzSR_XnMwH8R4NDQoCvzyv58pAYPwOoVpM8nMEdkBMzHn3XQt2wXvt5KcltHj9r31_oYtySrGzDgTisWOGFVvHKsK_e3O3Kvnh9snKZL8XpAGgHFR4iTmYv8NRd_MVhxxTiYvpHaxd/s1600/bearisland%2528surf%2529.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 321px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUZqzSR_XnMwH8R4NDQoCvzyv58pAYPwOoVpM8nMEdkBMzHn3XQt2wXvt5KcltHj9r31_oYtySrGzDgTisWOGFVvHKsK_e3O3Kvnh9snKZL8XpAGgHFR4iTmYv8NRd_MVhxxTiYvpHaxd/s400/bearisland%2528surf%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634483118251663730" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDyDwfZ_S2wiS3wGIw2oajpjGv7nUHV6IAP9MhgKNvXKmVjmzfiMOjsSyfpWr1ZVszQ50lPIJM0h-Q_iT4CbE0ZDbaT7NjQBJC9hVeAvfZu1VwjUxvpa4hYw7_hqj5-lsso4NXxp_R5vz/s1600/bearisland%2528beach%2529.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 322px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDyDwfZ_S2wiS3wGIw2oajpjGv7nUHV6IAP9MhgKNvXKmVjmzfiMOjsSyfpWr1ZVszQ50lPIJM0h-Q_iT4CbE0ZDbaT7NjQBJC9hVeAvfZu1VwjUxvpa4hYw7_hqj5-lsso4NXxp_R5vz/s400/bearisland%2528beach%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634483114540107714" /></a><br />Bear Island is part of North Carolina's Crystal Coast between Morehead City and Wilmington. There are no bridges to the island, so one must take a shuttle ferry. This limited accessibility leaves the beach in pristine condition - There is no pollution and the beach is just stunning.<div><br /></div><div>The two pictures reflect a view from about 20 yards on the beach and about the same distance looking back onto the beach from the surf. </div><div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Bear Island- A View from the Beach - 20x16" Acrylic on Panel</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Bear Island- A View from the Surf - 20x16" Acrylic on Panel</span></i></div>Micahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772424546812862737.post-1914215594869060632011-07-08T07:00:00.003-04:002011-07-08T07:05:54.494-04:00Cedar Island<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVedqxXEm8JDrmNl81pfcev0nut4XZDSA9G_RMjlTJ9sxxHXfJjFYcerqGh9oUONtGkQ7XfX9Hluk9ziRir5kv8geNUJvaIZZE5Zy7WR2RhaOCND-nG1hpLVtBQ40oDEOm_2cFBFuu6RUV/s1600/cedarisland%2528high%2529.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVedqxXEm8JDrmNl81pfcev0nut4XZDSA9G_RMjlTJ9sxxHXfJjFYcerqGh9oUONtGkQ7XfX9Hluk9ziRir5kv8geNUJvaIZZE5Zy7WR2RhaOCND-nG1hpLVtBQ40oDEOm_2cFBFuu6RUV/s400/cedarisland%2528high%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626936040319568354" /></a><br />This is a painting I recently finished that is inspired by a trip to the North Carolina coast. At around 7:00 PM we were crossing a long bridge connecting Cedar Island to the mainland. At the the middle of the bridge we saw a stunning sunset reflecting onto this marshy inlet. I knew very quickly that the photographs we took would materialize into a future painting.<div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> Cedar Island - 24x36" Acrylic on Canvas</span></i></div>Micahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772424546812862737.post-63316792322225507932011-07-05T07:35:00.003-04:002011-07-05T07:39:51.790-04:00Festival for the Eno - 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbvqOVzYXKdrLtvUyg6loSTfo6KN1Gsc1rYEuruzEQ3sgkZMgQV3utKb0P-gpTYw1LEa260qN_w7bKdsg6-DnIucW3wZ4tkDp2nLVYdPkZ1GhWRrG-X2FICUQ62ANtBs2rLWE05_m3mY3/s1600/enosandsculpture.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 325px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbvqOVzYXKdrLtvUyg6loSTfo6KN1Gsc1rYEuruzEQ3sgkZMgQV3utKb0P-gpTYw1LEa260qN_w7bKdsg6-DnIucW3wZ4tkDp2nLVYdPkZ1GhWRrG-X2FICUQ62ANtBs2rLWE05_m3mY3/s400/enosandsculpture.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625831555496171506" /></a><br />This year I once again participated in the Festival for the Eno in Durham, NC. This show is always alot of fun and always very busy. Despite the hot temperatures and thunderstorm at the end the show this event was definitely a success. The mascot for this years show was the yellow spotted salamander, depicted here in this huge sand sculpture. <div><br /></div><div>I look forward to next year's show as I hope this will be an an annual event for myself.</div>Micahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772424546812862737.post-42110280845927882062011-06-25T09:30:00.005-04:002011-06-25T09:48:17.676-04:00Kure Beach (A View from the Pier)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tEO2JoDgj1NQu8NsiGbk9z_By-DowBLgoxAZMq8cvuaozDKAKm2pjth4BpPyF4sVtyaV621mwJtJT4uOxpCjTO-8_kjSld8BWzPzctA0iqwiUOscqD9EdFARPAopcWJ-fH3TIz_Mx6sA/s1600/kurebeach%2528high%2529.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tEO2JoDgj1NQu8NsiGbk9z_By-DowBLgoxAZMq8cvuaozDKAKm2pjth4BpPyF4sVtyaV621mwJtJT4uOxpCjTO-8_kjSld8BWzPzctA0iqwiUOscqD9EdFARPAopcWJ-fH3TIz_Mx6sA/s400/kurebeach%2528high%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622153812828327634" /></a><br />This is probably the most involved painting I have done up to this point in my career. The subject originated from a trip to the beach we took in early May. The summer tourist season had not yet hit so the beach was not jammed with people. I think in most cases where paintings involve people they are the main focal point, I made an effort in this painting for this not to happen. The sky, the water and the beach each have unique elements - each of the three elements of the painting were done at separate times and in a way I thought of these as three separate paintings. The people and the houses were the last parts of the paintings done. This worked out well; After I had finished the beach I was pleased with the painting, therefore I did make the people and houses deliberately complex that they might take away from the larger composition.<div><br /></div><div>Despite the lengthy amount of time it took me to complete this work, I really enjoyed painting it. The color scheme is one I have rarely used and the painting techniques really allow for this to stand out. Despite the complexity of shapes I feel the painting is quite soothing and accurately displays atmosphere and time of day and year.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Kure Beach (A View from the Pier) - 40x30" Acrylic on Canvas</i></span></div>Micahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772424546812862737.post-6850063507393291232011-06-10T09:17:00.006-04:002011-06-10T09:25:51.304-04:00Rolesville and Puryear Road<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfu4IXsCSfXV81Y8f5zzRyWHss1yKmv1_MjNq63hoRiU_8G6WT468zDk_rQHDWgmpCw8DhPcNF1NNjInH_SBKsO5A_I4haukglC_DaQ-WKIX9rpBTpSwUFZTWtfLZa1aoYM9Mc58odXv6/s1600/rolesvillepuryear%2528low%2529.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 392px; height: 393px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfu4IXsCSfXV81Y8f5zzRyWHss1yKmv1_MjNq63hoRiU_8G6WT468zDk_rQHDWgmpCw8DhPcNF1NNjInH_SBKsO5A_I4haukglC_DaQ-WKIX9rpBTpSwUFZTWtfLZa1aoYM9Mc58odXv6/s400/rolesvillepuryear%2528low%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616581746278898850" /></a><br />Alot of the fields around my home take on some interesting colors at different points of the year. This painting is inspired from a picture I took in late October, about a month after the tobacco had been harvested. The foliage that grew in offered some spectacular colors and the fallen leaves and and the colors of autumn added to the effect. <div><br /></div><div>This is painted on a 2" wide canvas so the wrap is quite interesting as the crop rows extend to all sides of the painting.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Rolesville and Puryear Road - 12x12" Acrylic on Canvas</i></span></span></div>Micahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772424546812862737.post-849703378654744642011-05-24T14:02:00.003-04:002011-05-24T14:10:22.738-04:00Cotton Field Off Highway 64 #5<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17ctpluP_UAf8c_3jh55s_NsDNaIOUQ9OD94exjtRw7P9kkVuIKgyUC15KUWvRSjYAx66ojaoWoNhQTIW_Wn35ilQgPseHgNkMqwIIQHP8tQrjbFDpwkRoK3XeHwA-V3XEoBEPjXeQ903/s1600/cottonfiled4%2528high%2529.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17ctpluP_UAf8c_3jh55s_NsDNaIOUQ9OD94exjtRw7P9kkVuIKgyUC15KUWvRSjYAx66ojaoWoNhQTIW_Wn35ilQgPseHgNkMqwIIQHP8tQrjbFDpwkRoK3XeHwA-V3XEoBEPjXeQ903/s400/cottonfiled4%2528high%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610346590063884322" /></a><br />Cotton Fields are becoming quite a popular subject for me. I completed this work last week - So far this is the largest canvas that I have used in for my cotton field work. I have a 40x30" leaning against the wall in my studio- this might have a place for Cotton Field #6.<div><br /></div><div>I really do enjoy painting this subject. The timing on when the cotton blooms in North Carolina is early fall. If anyone out there knows of some picturesque North Carolina cotton fields, please let me know as I would like to get some more photographs this year.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:11px;">Cotton Field Off Highway 64 #5 - 18x24: Acrylic on Canvas</span></div>Micahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772424546812862737.post-7108767000709707892011-05-20T13:45:00.005-04:002011-05-20T13:54:53.488-04:00Artsplosure 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMkuTIYALkg-8UDKFJX_PGxl4Y21UeJJa4TgFzL3U3sV5JQscrx31uN1H7UK9xgAdBJVfOZ1WuK7lY4WOE_nDeXDWjc3QjQBh6MqRayEkQ8lcndG2QOiXTdyYsCG4RqYz7ZEU_F6O_Rr6/s1600/highfalls%2528high%2529.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMkuTIYALkg-8UDKFJX_PGxl4Y21UeJJa4TgFzL3U3sV5JQscrx31uN1H7UK9xgAdBJVfOZ1WuK7lY4WOE_nDeXDWjc3QjQBh6MqRayEkQ8lcndG2QOiXTdyYsCG4RqYz7ZEU_F6O_Rr6/s400/highfalls%2528high%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608858019668378082" /></a><br />This weekend I will be exhibiting artwork at Artsplosure in downtown Raleigh. the first time I visited Artsplosure was in 1997. The impressive selection of art and massive crowds of people was awe inspiring at the time. Here we are fourteen years later and I have a booth and am now an exhibiting artist! Life definitely can take some interesting twists. I'll have several new works on display that I have not posted to my website or shown in any galleries. One of these works is of High Falls in the Dupont Forest in western NC (shown).<div><br /></div><div>I'll be at booth 16 near Artspace. I hope to see everyone this weekend!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.artsplosure.org/">www.artsplosure.org</a></div>Micahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772424546812862737.post-37663877756079549772011-05-15T08:48:00.004-04:002011-05-15T09:02:14.022-04:00State of the Art / Art of the State<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsE86foFVpJ54TqVeNpJD1BHBc71kSiz2bSoQCF9OxR7fORh3Z4o_EWR70-HW9t4YQsLgC9ErvtN8zc27an3EfJ-Yl7heDHgqCJyPXGP0IBzFw1wPuLTns951eXcr5of4ETbtAB1lL2JEt/s1600/stateofart.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsE86foFVpJ54TqVeNpJD1BHBc71kSiz2bSoQCF9OxR7fORh3Z4o_EWR70-HW9t4YQsLgC9ErvtN8zc27an3EfJ-Yl7heDHgqCJyPXGP0IBzFw1wPuLTns951eXcr5of4ETbtAB1lL2JEt/s400/stateofart.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606927422274664498" /></a><br />Last weekend I attended the opening of <b><i>State of the Art / Art of the State <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, NC. The show was quite unique: no jurors, no entry fees - just bring one piece of art and it would be on display at the museum for six months. Hundreds of pieces of art were submitted and over 800 people attended the opening - there was little room to even move due to the amount of people that attended. Curators from NYC, San Francisco and London arranged the exhibit - and with the help of the staff and sponsors of the Cameron Art Museum an impressive show was put on. </span></i></b><div><br /></div><div>The quality of artwork at the show is quite impressive. With so many works submitted, I expected to see alot of mediocrity - this certainly is not the case. By the breadth of artists and the quality of art, I conclude the "state of art" in North Carolina is pretty good.</div><div><br /></div><div>I submitted Looking Glass Falls to the show. This is the painting hung high at the top of the doorway.</div>Micahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772424546812862737.post-87264450171720940962011-05-03T18:07:00.004-04:002011-05-03T18:13:49.594-04:00Atlantic Beach<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitatzW8zMxxZofXyGdUgttyuj-N0IeOKhNxplZTaXM88tFNJ9iMer-WzKIJJIc03Ymt9buAsDUcKDtkk9VdiT6MCVSLMZMARGXdkC1D_WdB3K0RpO-dPtHuT8N83qn_KiqIUir2ADJVdHL/s400/atlanticbeach.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602616335382605202" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pJ5_hRa8E_8h2cAT9wbrbwmc6hGdFKgpQje1lzEqVRRA2cmx-fD-kzIQyFXYq5NTotfyTSREdjDDSIsx59hn6CmTPKnt4GvfMQQReAOwngpZvgv0hvXcsq_xIDUOOB7Q2Jdpqixi17eQ/s1600/atlanticbeach%2528high%2529.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pJ5_hRa8E_8h2cAT9wbrbwmc6hGdFKgpQje1lzEqVRRA2cmx-fD-kzIQyFXYq5NTotfyTSREdjDDSIsx59hn6CmTPKnt4GvfMQQReAOwngpZvgv0hvXcsq_xIDUOOB7Q2Jdpqixi17eQ/s400/atlanticbeach%2528high%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602616340656893762" /></a><br /><br />This is the second time I have painted this subject (the picture on top is the newer work). I used alot of the same colors with the exception of some light purple in the splash area of the waves. The addition of the clouds provides a solid focal point and some more geometry in the sky might add some more interest.<div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Atlantic Beach -20x16" Acrylic on Canvas</span></i></div>Micahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772424546812862737.post-46497089695825761842011-04-27T20:54:00.008-04:002011-04-27T20:59:58.870-04:00Triangle artists face lean times after recession<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1qJzQn_yh-M_RhLGAaudCwvIhNq879jr2WGaCaQjK7kbfOGBRqGhrlbrDgszfRVA3zaoLY8XGeaQq5YJ1AmbfobTV4IVp7Tr_SEondtL7KF34GLWv7tXfa-PVIBPDIDN4F-v_KPHRaCX/s1600/micah%2528new%2529.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 279px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1qJzQn_yh-M_RhLGAaudCwvIhNq879jr2WGaCaQjK7kbfOGBRqGhrlbrDgszfRVA3zaoLY8XGeaQq5YJ1AmbfobTV4IVp7Tr_SEondtL7KF34GLWv7tXfa-PVIBPDIDN4F-v_KPHRaCX/s400/micah%2528new%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600431931156289826" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><h2 id="story_subheadline" style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Poor </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">economy brought fewer patrons, less income</span></span></h2><div id="story_bycredit" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="byline" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">BY CHELSEA KELLNER</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> - </span></span><span class="creditline" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">STAFF WRITER - Raleigh News and Observer</span></span></span></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; font-family:verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:1.3em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></span></span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:1.3em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">One month ago, Micah Mullen walked away from a comfortable corporate marketing job in the midst of a still-sputtering economy to work full time as a painter.</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:1.3em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">It's a 70 percent pay cut, though the hours are better. He and his wife have reined in food expenses, and with Mullen home, the couple can save on day care for their elementary-age children.</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:1.3em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Still, Mullen knows it won't be easy. But he's determined to try.</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:1.3em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></span></span></span></p><div id="story_text_remaining" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:1.3em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">"I don't plan on turning back," Mullen said. "I want to make this work, and I think I can."</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:1.3em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Mullen is jumping in at an odd time for the Raleigh art scene. With more galleries than ever, the city's commitment to public art and the opening of the new Contemporary Art Museum downtown, the area is in the midst of what Raleigh Art Commission Executive Director June Guralnick calls a cultural renaissance.</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:1.3em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">However, individual artists are grappling with an extended period of fewer patrons and lighter wallets as the area struggles to bounce back from the recession. Local artists say they have had to work harder and smarter than ever before to make ends meet.</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:1.3em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Mullen's geometric North Carolina landscapes are striking enough to stop patrons in their tracks, said gallery owner Nicole Kennedy, who sells Mullen's work in Nicole's Art Studio and Gallery on Person Street downtown.</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:1.3em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">"People look at his stuff and they're mesmerized," Kennedy said. "The more you look at it, the more you like it."</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:1.3em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">At the same time, Mullen has picked a tricky time for his career change.</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">"Leaving your day job - that's not necessarily a good thing to do right now," Kennedy said.</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Even in the best of times, there aren't many who have the combination of talent and boldness required to take on the life of a professional artist. Only about 23,600 people held jobs as fine artists like Mullen and Garrison in 2008, the most recent numbers available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. About 60 percent of those were self-employed.</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Most work on a freelance basis and may find it difficult to make a living solely by selling their artwork, according to the bureau report. Those with a steady salary earn a median annual income of about $42,000, which is Mullen's goal in the next five years.</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Most local artists have been riding out the recession through a combination of newly acquired business savvy and a focus on honing their craft, Kennedy said.</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="z_idx_alfa" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">"Most artists have had to take their career in their own hands," Kennedy said. "To expect galleries to make a living for you, unless you're a huge name, is not realistic."</span></span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="z_idx_alfa" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Even established artists have had a hard time. Raleigh painter Richard Garrison quit his job as a public school art teacher to paint full time 16 years ago. He and his wife, an English teacher, were able to live comfortably off their joint incomes for more than a decade in a large four-bedroom house in Cary.</span></span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Then the recession hit. During the past few years, Garrison has been selling half the number of paintings he used to. He and his wife have had to dip into their savings, and recently downgraded to a one-bedroom condo in downtown Raleigh.</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Last year, Garrison decided on a new strategy. His new focus on portrait painting won him two commissions last year that "probably saved me, financially," Garrison said.</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="z_idx_alfa" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Even those who kept their day jobs say times have been tight. Local artist Joe DiGiulio works full time in commercial and educational sales with Jerry's Artarama, as well as teaching workshops and creating instructional art DVDs. He and his wife call their backyard studio their retirement plan, a place to continue teaching art classes as the income supplement they will need to retire.</span></span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">"I was surprised that (Micah) was going to go full time," DiGiulio said. "Three years ago, it was a completely different story."</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="z_idx_alfa" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Mullen has done his research. He knows the career change could mean a difficult adjustment period. He's been painting for years, and sold $20,000 worth of his work last year while working full time. With so much more time free to invest in it, he is confident he can double that number within five years.</span></span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="z_idx_alfa" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">His wife Eileen, a personal injury lawyer, supports his decision completely - because of his obvious talent, and the positive change she has seen in her husband since he found work he loves: He's calmer, more social and has more time to spend with their two sons.</span></span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">"It is amazing to see the change in a person when they figure out what they want to be doing and what they're good at," Eileen Mullen said. "It really does make a difference to have fulfillment in your work life."</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Mullen is treating his new career the same way he did his full-time corporate job. He starts at 8 a.m. every morning in his upstairs studio in North Raleigh, creating new paintings or on business calls, working to get his canvaases in more galleries across the state. On a whiteboard on one wall, he meticulously tracks how he spends every hour of the work day. To supplement income from paintings, he has instructional DVDs, which he sells from his professional website. He also has his own show in the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences' Nature Art Gallery through May 1.</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="z_idx_alfa" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Kennedy notes that North Carolina landscapes are selling better in the down economy as patrons seek the comfort of the familiar. That Mullen's work is a fresh, striking take on those scenes may be exactly the thing that will allow his bold career move to pay off as the economy picks back up, DiGiulio and Kennedy agree.</span></span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="z_idx_alfa" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">"I've seen enough lighthouses and ... barns and rolls of hay in the field from painters all over this area," DiGiulio said. "Micah's work is totally unique from anything you've seen before, so he can really carve out a niche for himself."</span></span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="z_idx_alfa" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">An artist's life has never been easy, but for those like Mullen, it's worth it to try, Garrison said.</span></span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="z_idx_alfa" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">"Why do anything other than what you love?" Garrison said. "If you love it enough, and you follow your heart, I think things will fall into line and you can make a living of it."</span></span></span></p></div><h6 style="padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; "><a href="mailto:chelsea.kellner@newsobserver.com" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">chelsea.kellner@newsobserver.com</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> or 919-829-4802</span></span></h6><p></p><p></p></span>Micahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772424546812862737.post-54989812953805787332011-04-24T17:30:00.005-04:002011-04-25T10:41:42.912-04:00Mailbox Mosaics<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3lF_DJUPP_mGmB5C6omR7cSttkngE9XdQ6Qr5BcfvZg2zWEWIV-tQ4vBalEr5fkaxAJPYy93XQjqDa5EnPL7hW1a92zDqPGnEHm2F00WzKbdkjEh6yy099_bMO4R0nzgAa7CN0UTS1ES/s1600/mailbox.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3lF_DJUPP_mGmB5C6omR7cSttkngE9XdQ6Qr5BcfvZg2zWEWIV-tQ4vBalEr5fkaxAJPYy93XQjqDa5EnPL7hW1a92zDqPGnEHm2F00WzKbdkjEh6yy099_bMO4R0nzgAa7CN0UTS1ES/s400/mailbox.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599267734301532946" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7it8btV-h-pC2HN9wr_pCUBWYJDMKvn0CBREgntu_gjI8zFJWvxnSKLUk3reYfHqst9acdw9tPhkTY-MF2f7g6Q9zDBQnDISIrj8HQZklCngqH6EHbFdi-kCR-A80U-hQS7ujApH6NPb2/s1600/mailbox2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7it8btV-h-pC2HN9wr_pCUBWYJDMKvn0CBREgntu_gjI8zFJWvxnSKLUk3reYfHqst9acdw9tPhkTY-MF2f7g6Q9zDBQnDISIrj8HQZklCngqH6EHbFdi-kCR-A80U-hQS7ujApH6NPb2/s400/mailbox2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599267730116606530" /></a>The tornadoes that swept through Eastern North Carolina last weekend did a number on my mailbox. I spent Easter weekend building a new mailbox and creating a small mosaic garden at the base of the mailbox. Chips of broken plates and other odd ceramic pieces were embedded into two concrete pads. These pads were then surrounded by mulch and some small plants. The tiles need to be polished and the excess concrete and mud needs to be wiped off, but otherwise this project is complete.<div><br /></div><div>This project is a stark reminder that I am not a young man anymore. Short handled shovels, pick axes, and mixing concrete took a physical toll on me over the last two days. I am anxious to once again get in front of the easel in an air conditioned space where the heaviest thing I will be lifting is a paintbrush.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Micahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453241446564294709noreply@blogger.com1