LUNA & DANDELIONS

                                                     LUNA & DANDELIONS
                                                        8x8inch oil on panel

Sometimes everything just works out.  Art is such a crazy thing to have to do. I say have to, for if I'm not paintings, searching, and needing to paint I would go nuts.  So for me, it's a lifeline to who I am.  It is a great escape, it is my moment to get lost and explore the wonders a never-ending moment.  I'm at home 

"GET-A-WAY"

                                                        "GET-A-WAY"
                                                   6x6 oil on panel

The need to get out 0of town and disappear at times really becomes overwhelming.

Well, not having a camper and all of the paraphernalia I became friends with campers.  Told them I can cook some really great meals and this started a long relationship with me as the cook, and sometimes a driver.   So this is in tribute to those days.  my life took me in another direction and I'm sure they are still wondering the back trails of adventure.       

THE PIX

                                                                    THE PIX
                                                             6X6inch  oil on birchwood 

It is truly rewarding to revisit one of my paintings.  The original was 30x03, so to downsize and make work was challenging and fun rolled up in one.   So much to learn, loving the journey. 

"THE PIX / LOVE STORY"

                         

                                                                   THE PIX

                                                                 6X6 oil on panel

So it's still early and about two hours away before we eat, I have an idea, let's go grab a flick.  Let's go catch a classic at "The Pix" and see "LOVE STORY".    

ON HIGH

                                                                   ON HIGH
                                                           6x6 oil on wood panel

With the evening approaching the clouds began to gather and build like a crescendo.  I had to stop and stare at a great play and its finally before everything turns to black. 

STANDING PROUD

                                                           STANDING PROUD
                                                         6x6" oil on wood panel

Driving back from Cambria on Exit 29, a crazy and winding road, I rounded a corner and there, looming up over a hill was this barn.  Finding a place to stop, I jumped out of my van, camera in hand.  One shot was all that was needed of this beauty "standing proud".

"GROUND FOG "

                                                          GROUND FOG
                                                     6x6 oil on wood panel

The sky was a crystal  clear  blue with wisps of vale like clouds that moved to  air currents up high.  Because it was still so early the ground fog lingered preventing me from getting on the road anytime soon.  It only took one photo and I knew I had another painting in the making.  

"HELLO AGAIN"

                                                         HELLO AGAIN
                                                   6x6" oil on wood panel

It was a new day.  I awoke to the sounds of birds, crickets, the buzz of bees and the throaty call of frogs.  The sun was peeking over the ridge warming the air and land.  I looked around at all that surrounded me and thought of the years that have passed, and wonder of what lies ahead. But for now, it is a new day for me to embrace and give a heart felt shout and say "Hello Again." 

"MIRROR"

                                                             "MIRROR"
                                                  6X6inch oil on wood panel

It was mid-afternoon and I was on a walk with my son and his daughter, (my grandchild]. It was a time to be quiet and listen to the sounds of this most magical place.  There was so much to see that I felt I couldn't get enough to fill my eyes and mind.  There where things for me to paint with every turn of my head.  So much beauty I thought, "I will run out of time."  Better get busy and paint.... Here's the start of many more to come.

Also on www.twitch.tv/madmanschwartz

HOMEWARD

             
                                                             "HOMEWARD" 
                                                            6X6" oil on panel

Heading south trying to catch the sun as it slowly sinks behind the clouds and eventually giving way to night my mind drifts to all that has taken place.   Like the setting sun and the beginning of the new day that will fallow, I too look forward to new beginnings as well, I do indeed

BRACKISH WATERS

                                                        BRACKISH WATERS
                                                          6x6" oil on panel

The sun was setting as I raced to find parking in order to find parking and walk down to the water.  This place is back-bay in Newport Beach with up scale homes that surround this most beautiful place.  I had to sneak in just to get the shot.  There is a price to see beauty, a price to see brackish water.  

PARTY LINE

                                                              "PARTY LINE"
                                                           6X6" oil on panel

At one time way before tweeting, texting, deleting, Instagram, streaming, blogging and, and, and.... There were "telephones", some with long tangled wires, some had, if you got fancy the curly wire at the end of your receiver that one had to wipe down from sticky hands.  

Well! at that time, while talking on your "telephone" you would realize you where not alone... It was the age of saying to a total stranger, "Sorry", "Can you hang up now!" or "I was talking first".   Ah Yes!... The "Party Line".    

HELLO EVENING

                                                      HELLO EVENING
                                                       6X6 oil on panel

With evening approaching and a day field with lunch with friends, post-office, looking in on a few galleries, banking.... I know what your thinking... This guy is busy... But the truth is... I was just heading back into Laguna and took this shot and said to self.. #PaintThis

"LIGHT SHOW"

                                                         "LIGHT SHOW"
                                                              10X10 oil

With evening quickly approaching, I was able see city lights come on, slowly at first then more and more made there entrance.  Adding to this show, both the clouds and tips of the hills caught the last rays of sunlight that danced and shimmered across their surface thus ending another great and outstanding performance.   I have tickets for tomorrows show, I hear it will be just as good as this one.  

This will be seen at the  Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach this summer

"RUMBLINGS"

                                                           "Rumblings"
                                                             40x20 oil

Standing off to the side of the road I could hear this rumbling sound that sounded like thunder and with each passing minute it was getting closer.  Looking around, I could not tell in which direction the sound was coming from.  Then, with a deep throaty groan I saw it and like a mighty dragon hugging the very ground it moved on, it showed all, who had the undisputed right of way.  

This will be at this summers Laguna Festival of the Arts

"THE JOURNEY"

             

                                                           "THE JOURNEY"

                                                         24X24 oil on canvas

There comes that time when one has to see what is down that road.  It is hard to say no to that calling.  Leaving can be a challenge but, with blue skies ahead and endless possibilities, the moment has come to say goodbye to the old and say hello to a new journey.  In painting this, I too went on a journey.  I wanted to express the vastness of life, the scale of the boy to the barn and the lands before him. It took a long time for me to feel what I wanted to convey, and like the boy, I ventured out and feel I have achieved  that goal.   

This painting is available and will be at this summers Laguna Beach Festival of Arts in Southern California. 

"MORNING STROLL"

                                                    "MORNING STROLL"
                                                     10x10" oil on canvas

Waking up early in Minnesota I decided to bundle up and hit the cold air.  It was a quiet  Sunday, the snow from the other night was doing a slow melt, long shadows, clear blue skies and glistening white snow was what I was looking for.

Holding my camera in my beginning to freeze hands I began to click away.  I must say, It all made for a perfect morning stroll.  

This painting is available with a quick E-mail      

"HARVEST"

                
                                                  "HARVEST" a 6x6" oil on wood

Loving the open plans and fields alike I know I had to paint this.  I took countless photos of the American plains when traveling to shows back east.  Still love looking at what I takes to harvest the lands and all the hard work that goes into it.   I wanted to do this and I will be working on some larger canvass of said subject.  Stay tuned for that post.

"MORNING HAZE"

                                                                "MORNING HAZE"
                                                                 24x24 oil on canvas

With morning haze giving a soft focus to the sky and sea where they meet became a metaphor of my journey.   The pursuit in searching for other ways of talking about subjects such as skies, waves, land or even objects is an interesting journey to say the least.  I must satisfy myself above all and I must appeal to an audience that is for the most part not familiar with what art is.  This is where the lines blur for I recognize my audience is small and yet when that one stops and gets what I am trying to say my journey is clear and the horizon comes into focus.  

"NEIGHBORS"

                                                                     "NEIGHBORS"

6X6" oil on wood

                    Not looking over the fence, I wonder who is living there.  Every now and then I would hear voices, music coming from the house, smell the barbeque and hear the clap, clap of the occasional backdoor screen shutting, then silence.   At times the house was dark for weeks.  Then, lights, and familiar voices come filtering through the fence and... they are home again.  It was just one of those times.  I was in my yard quietly reading a book listening to the chatter from next door when I was startled to hear from over the fence; 

Hi Neighbor!