So Ready For Winter To Be Over

Pineapple Expression - 10" x 8", oil on board

Two plus months of below average temperatures have made me stir-crazy.

I looked at this pineapple in my still-life space for a couple of days, hoping that the color would improve as it ripened.  It did in the lower part of the fruit, but the upper leaves started to wilt and dry.  After looking for a better one at the grocery, I decided mine was the best so it was time to paint.  I spent two afternoons on this and while I was thinking of a name for it, I heard the news about Seth Rogen dutifully testifying before a mostly absent Congress about Alzheimer's research.  That's when this title hit me.  The frowning side of the tiki glass (smile on other side) reflects my disdain for the cold weather as well as how Seth must have felt with the no-show senators.

A Trip in the Way-back Machine

John, 12" x 10.5", pen & ink on illustration board

In moving things around to make room for painting, I found this pen & ink sketch from my art school days, circa 1981.  I thought it was timely, since yesterday was the 50 year anniversary of the Beatles making their Ed Sullivan Show appearance.  This was drawn shortly after John was killed that previous December of '80.  I have a pastel version of it too, much larger, behind glass in a frame that I need to photograph and digitize.