Tall, thin abstract painting of Paul Bunyon and Babe the Blue Ox

Paul & Babe

Tall, thin abstract painting symbolizing John Henry, with a red ladder to heaven, gray stone, and clouds and steam.

John Henry

Tall Tales

The Tale Tales series came about during a period I was reading and studying American Folklore, remembering over the stories I read as a child. I wanted to try to make images for some of them, and since this was in a very abstract period of mine, I decided to try out some rather abstracted but also recognizably representational designs. I had seen a few paintings done with the resin coating and wanted to play around with it, and went full mixed media, using the resin to bind the whole piece together. I used all manner of materials, from wood slats to cloth to burlap to balloons, rope, and glow-in-the-dark stars. I really wanted compositions that looked interesting visually, but also, if you know the name of the piece and a little about the story, would make sense in its representation.

I also wanted to do my part, as an artist, to represent, record, and pass along these stories, which are a part of our cultural heritage and the story of our nation.

Acrylic and mixed media on canvas. 24x56 in.

Tall, thin abstract painting symbolizing the Legend of Sleepy Hollow story, with a pumpkin cut by a red blade and a cloth church shape around the edges.

Sleepy Hollow

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Tall, thin abstract painting of a red apple tree, with a large golden apple shape and a burlap sack, symbolizing the story of Johnny Appleseed.

Johnny Appleseed

A tall thin abstract painting featuring a rope lasso rising up to encircle the Little Dipper constellation on a deep blue background, symbolizing the story of Pecos Bill giving water to his horse.

Pecos Bill