Memorial Day 2011

Stolen Italian Art Found in Kentucky (of all places)

This 14th century altarpiece was stolen from a villa in Italy in 1971 and sold to the Speed Art Museum in Louisville, KY in 1973. It is going to be returned to its rightful owner, the Italian authorities. I may have worked on this piece in a previous life in 14th century Italy when I went by the name of Frederico da Vidi. Sure looks a lot like the altarpiece I just built in the 21st century America.

Up Coming Art Show: Opening June 26, 2011

I thought several of my friends and bloggers might be interested in knowing about this art show to commemorate my father's life and his artwork. There will be drawings, pen & India ink pieces from the 1930s, watercolor paintings from the late 1950s and 1960s. The show is free and open to the public. The Skirball Museum is on Clifton Avenue just north of the University of Cincinnati.

The Altarpiece: 5/24/2011

This is about as finished as it is going to get. The juried art show that I was going to submit this piece to came out with their square feet and weight limitations, and my piece is too heavy and too big. So, it was fun making this piece, but for now there is no show to enter. I guess I will find a wall somewhere to hang it. I will be making smaller altarpieces in the future. As I get older 30 pounds starts to feel more like 50 pounds.

THE ALTARPIECE: M&C: LPFOTW 43.5" x 31"(closed) 43.5" x 59" (open) wood and acrylic paint w/brass hinges, 2011. From the workshop of Frederico da Vidi.

The Altarpiece Doors: The Inside & reversed

I have been working on painting the inside of the 2 doors for the altarpiece. I think they need a little more work, but then I hope to be done with painting them. The are in the reverse positions in this photo as they will start with the sunflowers on the left and end with the winter view of the sunflowers and cone flowers on the right. Pretty soon it will be time to put the hinges back on the doors and then prepare the back of the case to be hanged on the wall.

Saturday Is For Art: The Altarpiece Doors

The Altarpiece project is not finished, and I need to get back to finishing this piece. I gave the doors another coat of gold paint this morning. This week I need to work on the inside of the doors. We shall see if it is accepted in the Clifton Cultural Arts Center's juried Golden Ticket Art Show later this year. Will the judges consider the outside of the doors, the inside of the doors and large painting on the inside? Political satire doesn't win many friends where there is little or no humor. So, we shall see what happens later this year. I wonder if I should enter this piece under my Italian name as I was known in 15th century Italy? The Altarpiece: Mother & Child with Level Playing Field Out The Window from the workshop of Frederico da Vidi.

The doors: acrylic paint on birch covered plywood, 2011.

Old Legs And a Young Heart

The last piece of work I did today was my bike workout, and I missed the rain by just a few minutes. When I started the sun was shining, but early in my ride the clouds covered the sky and the air temperature dropped. Eventually the sky grew dark, but by then my workout was nearly complete. My legs burned, but after a while the burning went away. I try to keep spinning through the whole workout as they never go more than 45 minutes. I think my legs will get stronger with time as I hope to pedal at a good rate the 26 miles on June 12, 2011 for RIDE CINCINNATI. Sunday, if the weather cooperates, I am planning an easy ride down to the Ohio River parks and back.