Art in Sussex County, our local group that runs the art show for Sussex County residents has set "TOYS" as the theme for invited members. At first I found this daunting as I was stuck in a play and games perspective until I ultimately arrived at the objects, toys themselves. Thanks to my wife I found her trove of toys gathered for our grandchildren's play and set about to feature them in my paintings. The first is a gathering I call "Friends" featuring Sponge Bob but also echoing a perennial favorite, the Teddy Bear. What a great range of emotions, from Patrick's manic glee, Puss in Boots smugness, Squidward's melancholy to Teddy's affectionate embrace.
Sponge Bob and Friends
A second entry has more of a Victorian era feel to it. I propped our young straw hatted lady friend in the rocking chair and placed the infant doll in the young girl's arm. I also thought that the doll house over her right shoulder echoed the "toys" theme pretty well.
Rocking chair girls.
A few other paintings for the Little Gallery. The first is a plein air I did at Millbrook Village a recreated colonial village, Recreated here means, I think, the buildings are authentic but have been moved to this site to create what a village looked at in that time.
Spandenburg cabin
Another intriguing building is this cabin deep inside Stokes State Forest. It is located near a lake and swimming area/. I caught in in Autumn.
Cabin in Stokes State Forest
I have also been painting some farm animals since the fair is mainly agricultural.
Guernsey cow.
Mules
Bull (Akayushi)
