A Ride Through the Forest: Past Work, 1981-1983
In 1980, I graduated from college with a major in painting and moved to Charlotte, NC where I spent the next three years trying to launch a career in fine art; but I ended up, three years later, living in the Midwest and illustrating articles for a Christian publisher. Those three years in Charlotte were difficult but formative. Besides painting, I worked as a bartender and a construction worker building houses. As far as painting style, I call this my "Cutout Period" because I ended up cutting out (as with sissors) a lot of the images - sometimes to create a 3D effect, but other times just to change a background. I hope you enjoy these pictures, some of which have never been shown before.
ABOUT HALF THESE PICTURES ARE FOR SALE. If you're interested, go to the bottom of this article for information on how to purchase.
For the most part, I didn't draw or paint from photographs in college because I wanted to develop the discipline not to be dependent on them. I believe this is the first painting I ever did that was based solely on a photo. Before that, I just worked from life or drawings I had done. I'm glad I waited because I think I retained a liveliness that you usually don't find in paintings done from photos, unless the artist is very good.
My Latest Paintings
Here are two oil paintings I did recently. I love knights, castles, swords and all things medieval, so you get a real taste of my world in these.
I call this painting "The Red Knight." My models were 1/6 scale figures.
As with most of my paintings, my favorite part is the sky and clouds, which I based on a photo.
This is a knight from the time of Richard the Lionheart. He wears the king's coat of arms on his chest.
This oil painting is for sale from the artist. For price and details, email me at waitsel@waitsel.com