***Both shows opened with a bang and I wanted to give you the update! My Christmas Story painting sold but there are limited edition prints now available at Gallery 1988. You can still purchase my LOTR original here and/or purchase exclusive prints from Gallery Nucleus. Thanks!***

Next week I have the pleasure of showing in two huge shows. First up is Crazy4Cult 7: Back in NYC opening Friday, December 13th. When I got the list of cult movies I immediately chose A Christmas Story. Classic, sheer joy and comfort come to mind when I watch this movie and I couldn't think of anything else better than to pay tribute to it. I took some of the memorable scenes - the decoder ring, the pink bunny suit and the coup de grâce, the red rider bb gun incident and put them together in this piece. "Sometimes, at the height of our revelries, when our joy is at its zenith, when all is most right with the world, the most unthinkable disasters descend upon us."

"Unthinkable Disasters Descend" acrylic on maple, 8" x 10"

The very next day, Out of the Shire: A Tribute Exhibition to Middle-Earth opens at Gallery Nucleus. I must admit that although I'm a fan of LOTR, I had a tough time coaxing an idea out. Then it just hit me like a flash - ring...horses... - carousel! What can I tell you, but that's how it happened. Months of thinking and thinking and then three words later I've got my idea.

"Lord of the Brass Ring" acrylic on maple, 11" x 13.25"

As with all my work, I hope that they both bring a smile to your face and some of the fun that I have painting them leaks out. Eww, I'm sure I could put that better. Ummm...the fun I have painting ooozes over the edge? No, certainly not. Well, you get the point.