Our Recent Trip to New York

LYNANNE AND I RECENTLY WENT TO New York City for about a week to kind of get away before our busy season starts. Things begin to pick up when the students come back in the fall and the beginning of August really kicks off the rest of my year. We watched the fireworks over the Brooklyn Bridge, went to a jazz show, saw a sewer rat in the subway, went to a play on Broadway, took a boat ride past the Statue of Liberty, walked on the Little Island, and watched the sun set from the top of Rockefeller Building.

Coalescence Coffee Company

I just finished painting the sign for Coalescence Coffee Company. They're based in Norfolk but have just opened a shop in Richmond. I have to go back and fix the 'L' and the 'E'. There's a dip in the wall and from the ground it appears to bend down. 

 

My Newest Story

I TRY TO SAVE MY WRITING posts for my writing blog: johnpriceauthor.wordpress.com but I thought I'd post about my latest story here. I've written 16 short stories and have begun self-publishing them, releasing one every few months. The stories are all set in Richmond, VA and while each story stands alone (you can read them either in order or not or read just one) someone from each story makes an appearance later on. The idea is to show how all of our lives are connected. How often have we had a mutual friend with someone and not know it?

"Oh you know Chris? Oh my god, I've been friends with Chris for years!" 

"Really? We all should get together and have lunch one day!!"

We've all been there. These stories are no different. In the first story, Happy Little Sheds, a lady walks up to Mark Bolton's art stand named Carolyn. She's the main character in the next story, Hello, Carolyn. Her grandkids have a story of their own, The New Gardeners.

I could go on and on, but I'd love for you to read them for yourself. The latest story can be purchased here for .99 Message Not Delivered and is the 8th and final story in the collection. There will be 2 volumes, and the first 8 stories will make up the first volume. 

Message Not Delivered is a supernatural thriller and may not be suitable for readers under 18. I may do a small post here on my art blog in the upcoming weeks of all the stories. 

Don't Blink

 Don't Blink

16x20

Oil on Canvas

$1000

The original paining will be on display at the Richmond Raceway in the Old Dominion Building for NASCAR's Raceway August 12-17, 2025

NASC’ART, the Art of Speed and Racing Exhibition, 2025 at Richmond Rac | Crossroads Art Center

6 Day War drawing

 AFTER THE 6 DAY WAR IN 1967, David Rubinger captured an iconic photo of three Israeli soldiers in front of the Western Wall. At the Jewish Food Festival in 2024, I drew an original reproduction of this photo to be auctioned off to benefit Israel. I appreciate the amazing support from Judy Maizels and Keneseth Beth Israel for the opportunity. 

Live Wedding Paintings this past weekend...

 I HAVE SUCH A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY to capture a couple's first moments as husband and wife but painting the moment and having them recreate it in front of their painting is a rare thing in and of itself. This past weekend I was in Woodbridge for a wedding, and then out in the Shenandoah for another to paint the sunset. Unfortunately, I didn't get a final photo of the painting before I left but will definitely post an update shortly. 

Caroline and Stu

 IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I painted a nude and this is definitely a first for me, not only a nude, but a nude with someone covered in tattoos. I know tattoos get a bad rap, but I absolutely love them...the more, the better. Originally, it was just supposed to be Caroline with some of her houseplants. But she has a cat named Stu, and Stu would not move out of the way, stared at me, and then back at her. Then Caroline said, "Leave Stu in," and I'm glad she did. Stu kind of makes the painting come together. 

I originally started this painting in 2023 (you should be able to see it still) but as it is with a lot of paintings of people, I take longer than I should. I did that once with a Mira Fujita painting that I was reproducing for a friend and a reproduction of The Rookie, by Norman Rockwell. 

This one, however, is not a reproduction, but of a commission. I've been doing more portrait paintings than ever (even though my heart is with landscape paintings) and I love bringing the image of a person to life.

Under The Sea Mural for St. Mary's Hospital

 Lining everything up

The completed mural with yours truly.

Closeups of some of the sea life. 

Tree of Life Mural for St. Mary's Hospital Part 2 of 2

HERE IS THE FINAL PIECE OF art with both layers together. To the right is a tree that, no matter how I photographed it appeared white, but it's a dull brownish gray. For some reason the light kind of makes it stick out in the photographs like a sore thumb. 
 

St. Mary's Hospital Tree of Life Mural Part 1 of 2

 HERE ARE A FEW W.I.P. PHOTOS of the Tree of Life Mural I recently completed for St. Mary's Hospital for their Pediatric Sleep Study Center. The mural is approximately 10'x14' and was broken into 2 sections and painted on canvas rolls. I had to employ the youngest Price child for help. The final piece was meshed together to create one large mural.