16 x 20", oil on linen, 2013. Available from Artist $2600
This is a painting of Dave Malin, a model who appears often in my work as various characters. Dave makes all his own costumes. Here he poses as an American Colonial man from 1776; he actually posed on Washington’s Birthday.
He has a ruddy complexion and piercing blue eyes. From my perspective, he is more interesting to paint than a golden haired beauty. Dave poses with a tavern pipe. This type of pipe was a communal pipe used in pubs in the 18th century. After each use, the pipe stem was cut away then replaced on the mantel for the next user.
I chose a color scheme appropriate to the time period and drew inspiration from Rembrandt’s work in the direct gaze, dark background and loose handling of paint, especially in the clothing. I started this painting with the model at "The Woodlands’ Art League" in The Woodlands, Texas. I finished "Tavern Pipe" in my studio. "Tavern Pipe" was chosen to be critiqued on stage at the "2013, Portrait Society of America’s, Art of the Portrait Conference" in Atlanta, Georgia.
Master painter Raymond Kinstler gave it an exceptionally complimentary critique, at one point saying, "This is a hell of a good painting." This painting was also chosen for exhibition in the "Oil Painters of America, Western Regional Competition, 2013" at the Southwind Gallery in Topeka, Kansas. Available