HAPPY Belated 4th-o-July!!

I apologize for the delay in getting this issue out, it's been a crazy summer so far, but here we go!

First of all, I'm excited to share with you that I've recently been inducted into the International Guild of Realism, whose mission it is to advance realism in fine art.

IGOR has just over 300 members from 35 countries and was founded by a group of leading professional realism artists from around the globe in 2002 with four goals:

•  Recognizing the best realists working today
•  Creating exhibition opportunities
•  Providing technical and promotional support
•  Offering a bridge between art collectors and the highest quality realist art, created by our members

"It’s all based upon the proven belief that the more art lovers of the world have access to high-quality realism, the greater the value these paintings will have. Value not just in monetary terms, but in appreciation, understanding and international attention."

I'm thrilled to be a part of this talented group of artists! Meanwhile, on to some new art! :-D

(right) "blue dipped shoe" - 32"x12" acrylic on canvas

I've long wanted to do a series of women's shoes and finally got to the first couple this spring. A friend and collector in the Dallas area opened up her extensive vault-o-shoes for me to reference and these are the first two paintings. I chose to blend the elegence of high heels with industrial elements and distortions of scale for these works. When I first photographed these glossy blue heels, they struck me as having just come out of the paint booth, still dripping wet, so that's where I went with the painting.

(below) "Prada under construction" - 16"x24" acrylic on canvas

These 'take no prisoners', collector's edition, Prada shoes struck me as just as much engineering, machine and structure as sleek and stylish. Having always been enamored with architecture and blueprints, I decided to 'build' the shoe into them.

The owner of these particular shoes is also now the proud owner of the paintings, but I have reproductions available for $395 (32"x12" and 16"X24" respectively)! Order during the month of July, 2013 to get free shipping!

And the shameless promotion of Roderick Jr's album continues: Thank you so much to those who have taken advantage of this deal already and checked out "Wake Up Joel's" album "Mother Aches". MUCH appreciated!

Purchase this album through iTunes and receive a matted print FREE!!!

Just search for Wake Up Joel's album titled "Mother Aches", download it and email me your receipt (you can delete or black out any sensitive information) and let me know what image you would like a print of. I will send you either an 11"x14" or 12"x12" matted print of the image of your choosing ($40 value). AND if you submit a review of it on iTunes, I will even cover the shipping myself ($10)
(if that's not a father's love, I don't know what is). You can preview the songs before you buy. They are an indie/alternative band with hints of Mumford & Sons, Arcade Fire, The Strokes and the like. Roderick Jr. did all of the writing and composing (and plenty more) on the album. .

click on this album cover (right) to go to the itunes website

$99

This is a 24"x16" unstretched canvas that retails for $250 and can be mounted and/or framed at nearly any frame shop.! Buy it now for only $99 plus $10 shipping to anywhere in the U.S.!

Well there you have it! I've got some more new paintings I'll be including in the next newsletter! Until then I'm back to work preparing for my final two Summer shows in Park City, Utah and a sculpture show in Loveland, Colorado where I'll only have my typewriters and mixed media work on display!