Wedding Painting Commission

 Just wrapped up this wedding painting for a first-year anniversary present. 

Commission from Ronda

 I HAVE LOST TRACK OF HOW many paintings, drawings, commissions, murals, designs...you name it that Rhonda Howlett has commissioned me through the years. She's collected so many originals for herself and has also commissioned originals for friends and families. And though she started out as a collector, she's become a dear friend who I look forward to talking to, grabbing lunch with, and just hanging out with for a bit. 

Last Christmas she commissioned this painting from a photo that was taken by a friend of hers. Of course, you can tell the top is the photo, and the bottom is the painting. I can count on one hand how many people in my life have truly supported my art; and when I say "truly supported" I mean from a standpoint that they not only promote it, they like it, they comment on it, they come to my shows, they buy it...Rhonda has been that person, and I am forever grateful for her. She is simply amazinng. 

Mural at Richmond International Airport

The completed mural at Richmond International Airport. It's on the American Airlines side. 

 

In Progress mural at Richmond International Airport

 Day3

In Progress mural at Richmond International Airport

 Day 2

In Progress mural at Richmond International Airport

 Day 1

Thanks...

 I am always delighted to paint a wedding live...it's one of my favorite things to do. But when I have an opportunity to paint a moment from someone's special day, there's something just as magical. Thanks to all the couples who trusted me this year to turn one of the most wonderful moments in their life into a piece of art.

Painted Ornaments

 A few weeks ago, Mark Brich reached out to me about getting an ornament painted of their wedding. I've talked to Lynanne on several occasions about painting ornaments but really haven't moved forward with it. Well...this was the nudge I needed and his wife, Laura, absolutely LOVED it. I'm not sure yet if I want to offer this more, as the tiny details especially with the faces can be a challenge. Overall, I'm pleased with it.  

Go Fish Project

A FEW MONTHS AGO, ROCKET POP MEDIA was contacted by the Edgeworth building in Richmond, Virginia to refurbish one of the fish from the Go Fish Project that was started back in the 1980s. 1708 Gallery originally put these around the city to bring environmental awareness to the James River. At one time, you couldn't swim or fish because of the high concentration of deadly bacteria.

This is from start to finish, cleaning the fish off, repainting it, and attempting to restore it. Sorry for the redundant music.

House Commission

 COMMISSIONED HOUSE DRAWING FROM HOGG & ASSOCIATES

Go Fish Project

 SCATTERED AROUND RICHMOND, HERE AND there, are these whimsical fish sculptures (I think about 200 or so) that were originated by the 1708 Gallery that brought awareness to the restoration of the Rockfish back into the James River. They were originally sculpted by Alex Nunnally and companies would sponsor them. This one was acquired by The Edgeworth Building, and I was commissioned to come up with a design for the fish. Last weekend I power-sprayed it in our backyard and will begin repairing and repainting it in the upcoming days.  

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.

The Tetons

 The Tetons

Wyoming

12x24

Firehole River, Wyoming

 Thought I'd share some paintings I've done over the last year. This one is from Firehole River in Wyoming. It's a small painting, 11x14. Oil.

House painting commission

 Another house painting commission. These make great housewarming gifts for someone who has just recently purchased a house, or one to hang in your own home. 

House Painting Commission

 Feel free to reach out f you'd like a painting of your own house, or of someone you know. 

Josh's Alley - Palette Knife Commission

 

Live Painting - The Norman's @Avonlea Farms

 

Remembering Buddy Hamm

Through the years, I've had several friends and family pass away and it's rare I say anything on social media. I generally don't because I don't put my pain out there. I tend to deal with things in a private manner, because I hate all of the fake "thoughts and prayers" comments. While I do public art, I'm kind of a private person; rarely do I post pics of my kids or relationship. I prefer privacy, always have and always will. For example, I was separated for almost a year from my wife before most people even knew. 

But this time is different. 

There are people who go to church, and there are people who ARE the church. Some people talk a good game with their testimony, while others, a small minority, live the testimony. I do not go to church, or even believe god exists, but if he does, he was exhibited in Buddy Hamm's life. I met Buddy by accident. His church was looking for an artist to paint a mural in their theater room, and someone who knew someone, who knew someone else, who knew me lol, asked if I'd be up for the task. 

From that one job, came more murals and art pieces for their church, my last one was in 2018. Buddy trusted me enough to come by and paint in the evening, and to lock up the doors when I got finished. Every time I saw Buddy, whether he was stressed or behind schedule, he laughed, joked, and found a way to keep things together. When he put on a show for the kids, he. Put. On. A. Show! Entire backdrops and displays, almost Hollywood style, were built for the kids to get them involved in the gospel. 

He once told me, "the world spares no expense in entertaining our children and influencing them, why should we send them to a summer camp that's half-hearted?" And what a show he would put on, every single summer. He'd take my art murals, cut holes in them and connect props to them to make them three dimensional, interactive, and come to life. He refused to accept mediocre art, even if it was going to be on display for one week out of the year. If it was for the kids, he expected it to be topnotch, and yes, excessive at times. Below is just a small snippet of some of the work I did with him. 

Buddy was as sincere as they come. He was warm, friendly, and aways kept a smile. He will definitely be missed, and I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to have met him, and worked in his presence. 

Live wedding painting

 These are becoming more and more popular. What makes me different? So glad you asked. As an artist who paints live, I will fucking entertain the shit out of your guests, regardless of their age.