I was asked to do another version of my very first post of Stevie Ray Vaughan, but incorporate more tree’s and an icy river within the conches of his signature hat.

The song Shake For Me resonated in the back of my mind, the icy part, I am in Chicago, so that is so not an issue at this very moment, as we are under a winter weather advisory. Shaking is the only option as you go out into this winter mix of ice, snow and cold.

The original piece that I did with a woodless graphite pencil is still without any conch design. So I happily obliged. I did a tropical beach scene in the last mutli-medium sketch of Stevie, which some liked and some had comments that it did not look right.

Well, I suppose the additional order of for another Stevie proved them incorrect. I painted the original tree’s and mountains on an 8 x 10 canvas, enhancing the icy waters of the river with water caps with white tips. The tree’s in the background were begun with a ebony black and I added the greenery with a rough round bristle brush. Adding depth to the trees along the river bank.

I put the dark reds with the orange setting sun just as a glimpse in the rivers bed towards the end of the river. The entire 8 x 10 was done in Acrylics by Anita, a real reasonable paint to purchase for any art project!

Upon completion of the painting, I scanned and used photoshop to merge the two pieces, I had to use the lasso tool in photo shop to inlay the painting into the conches! I will elaborate later on the signature “no doubt” that sits at the bottom of the sketch.

Enjoy ~

I can only say..FREEZING here in the suburbs of Chicago.. this piece was out of the archives.  It now resides somewhere in Canada, where it can be quite possibly colder than Chicago.  Not a pretty thought.

This is a window that came out of an old barn in Elgin, Illinois. (Thanks Aaron) I wanted to portray “freedom” and as I was told by the gentleman who purchased it, thats just what it said.  It reminded him of his weekend  ride down in Florida.   This is one window that I did not leave in tattered state, it was cleaned up and painted with outdoor oil paint, semi-gloss white.  The mullions were in terrific shape! I used a recycled piece of cardboard for the canvas, and painted the ocean, streets and palms.  The canvas was painted with acrylics by Anita, and I painted the front of the glass in enamels, giving it a more of a 3D effect.  I used silica sand to mimic the waves crashing on shore. 

When I look at my pieces that are tropical themed, they immediately take me somewhere warm, which by the way is not the suburbs of Chicago, where there is now in my opinion way to much snow on the ground!

This is a stratocaster style hand cut solid mahogany body guitar clock.  My husband created this on a band saw and hand sanded and rounded the edges. 

I used acrylic paint on this, and the deep blues were alot of fun to work with.  I used about seven different shades of blue - with a larger paint brush to give the waves a  bit more clarity.  Finished in with a high gloss laquer.

Embedded in the beach is real sand from the shores of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.   I used Fender guitar picks for the 3,6,9 and 12, thought that added a bit more guitar”ism” to the piece.

The clock actually has a small glow in the dark effect, as I used silica sand that is used on streets for the reflective effect for the surf hitting the beach.  I stupidly took this project fresh after the paint to an outdoor craft fair, and I will tell you - that’s a no - no.  Some of the laquer bubbled in the midday sun and I needed to re-do it.  Word to the wise, keep these things covered!!

If anyone knows me, they know that I do not like winter. If it snowed two days a year, that is one too many. Christmas day with snow is fine in my book but after that, it’s bring out the beach towel and give me sand between my toes, a good book and the beach.

Oh-and do not forget the Corona Light - that’s a staple!

As life dicates, that is not yet able to happen. So, I find pleasure in painting and drawing the tropical sunsets and beaches.

Thanks to Island Lake Tanning & Travel - they book ‘em and brown ‘em and I give them a little taste of paradise during the snow filled dreary days.

Go figure, she owns a Tanning Salon - that would be Jennifer Koeppen and her husband Bob Koeppen owns a snow plowing company.

I have been able to display alot of my art work, from pencil drawings to paintings. Here is a piece of a piece that hangs in the salon. Alot of the material I use is found in the junk or in recycled piles that people have tossed to the curb. (thanks buck) This is actually a piece of old used cardboard that I took from Primeline, Inc. when I worked for Sully!

Please read on to find out more about Island Lake Tanning & Travel and give Jenny a call next time you want to take a trip - God know’s I wish I did! More on that story tomorrow!
Island Lake Tanning & Travel - “We book ‘em & brown ‘em!- 847-526-0680 211. E. State Road, Island Lake, IL. 60042 (next to Culvers on Rt. 176)

Conveniently located: 8.5 minutes from Lakemoor, 5 minutes from Wauconda, and 10 minutes from Mchenry

Monday-Friday: 8 am - 9 pm - Saturday: 8 am - 5 pm - Sunday: 8 am - 12:00
Any laydown bed $5 and $1 for standup

3 levels of laydown and the latest in tanning bed bulb technology. Come experience the strongest and quickest stand up tanning with a maximum exposure time of 7 minutes.
Your full service tanning salon has an in-house travel agent. When you book your next vacation, you earn free tanning to get ready for your trip.

Let Jenny book your vacation plans or just a trip home to see loved ones. She works hard to find the best deals and promotions for her customers!

New Customers print this out - and mention the Blog and you get a free laydown tan or stand up.

847-526-0680

Offer expires December 31st, 2008.
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Soul to Soul