The Goat Man Cometh….almost. A New Painting..almost.

Bigger is better. Oh,  Really?

Remember this guy?

I really liked this subject- thought there was too much to get into an 8 X 10 so I upped my own ante and leaped exponentially into an 18 X 24.

” Win A Goat ”  oil on stretcher canvas 18 X 24- almost finished.

It’s the dangblasted shirt that’s got me vexed, to use a classically Crucian expression. I have to forget that the shirt is white because the brightness of the glare  of full sun is tripping up the value.  This is the first time I’ve worked this size in oil. Large areas without enough detail become flat and have no eye appeal.

Too much detail and the shirt won’t be finished before the goat dies.

Scraped some off, letting it dry out a bit and will finish it if it kills me or the goat and I will go together.

Tropical storm Bonnie blew through here, yes, that’s right, and how much rain did we get? How surprised was I when I went to dump the bird’s water bowl?

Nothing surprises Chili Pepper- he’s the original coolster.

And just because you may have missed her royal peachiness…. Cloud on her divan.

” Holding The Reins ” – A New Painting

There’s a very strong cultural connection here on St. Croix between young men and horses. Some of it reflects poorly in the treatment of the animals at the hands of boys who see it as a way to express domination.

But the other side of that is the deep respect and care that’s shown mutually between the species.

” Holding The Reins “ 11 X 14 oil on stretch canvas

( I’ve shot this photo numerous times but it still looks hazy- hmm…)

It surprised me to see very few if any young women here interested in horses. The horse culture in the states is very much female-centric but here it’s quite the opposite. Saddles are a liability in terms of theft so riding is bare bones, bareback.

Seems reins, bridle and butt is all that’s required.

Here’s a local newspaper headline that seemed to miss the point.

I mean, wouldn’t you HOPE that’s what he’d do?

For Cloud lovers- she didn’t miss a point although I missed a sock.