Chad, Jewelz and Nanners

Andy Warhol

2008-03-10T12:18:00.006-06:00

Never been a huge fan of Warhol.

I knew he was strange and thought he was far to0 popular for having such little artistic talent. I revisited my feelings towards his work (and his life) recently and have decided that while I still don't particularly "admire" his work, I think he was a genius. He probably didn't realize he was brilliant - he just did what he did. What he did was take the most popular icons in modern culture - community knowledge - and recreate them in his own prints and artwork. He managed to take the basic things that EVERYONE was conscious of and call it art. Thus everyone had a connection to what he created. Anyway - this isn't a post about Andy Warhol.

It's a post to show off my new portrait. A portrait of a great printer... artist.... sort of. I mean it's really a portrait, but was he great???

Here he is on my easel - beside two greats. Why did I paint him? I just don't know. I was compelled.

Painting up for sale

2008-02-11T19:44:00.000-07:00

Well, I have decided to start selling paintings as I am running out of space to hang things and could easily find something to do with the extra ca$h. (IRS) I just advertised this on a skateboarding forum that I visit - felt it was fairly appropriate. It was an experiment using large brush strokes of color creating a colorful texture up close and revealing the subject more clearly from a slight distance.
If interested, make me an offer! I don't know many people that want a SKULL hanging above their mantle next to the family portraits! It is very large - 30x40 inches.
Anyway, I think I'll be setting up an eBay gallery soon to sell more paintings!!! I have so many ideas, but have never given myself enough time to make them real. We'll see...

I've been painting again...

2008-01-27T23:01:00.000-07:00

It has been a couple years since I really painted. Well, for the last few weeks I have really been taking advantage of the time indoors. Thanks to the advice of a friend, I set up shop downstairs in the unfinished basement and have the best studio ever! I have started and finished four paintings since new years and have done some work on some older unfinished paintings as well.

Above is my makeshift studio - it has been working great - I have tons of room to move and hang the paintings to dry. It is pretty cold downstairs though. I have to basically keep the space heater right at my feet on particularly chilly nights.

These are my latest two. Two of the greatest and most influential artists of the last century - Dali and Picasso...

I will try to update the blog more regularly... I am considering doing an entry of all my (decent) paintings to date. I did a small inventory today and I believe I have close to 30...

Snow, Snow, Snow

2008-01-21T15:00:00.000-07:00

The following are pictures of Brianna's first REAL adventures in snow. Sure, she's been around for a couple winters, but she has never REALLY played in it... until now.

I always take pictures of Nannie's faces... she loves to make them all.

She really seems to like the snow - it certainly helps to have her all bundled up!

Frosty didn't make it

2008-01-21T14:39:00.001-07:00

Well, I am officially a blog-slacker. So much happened in October, November December of last year that I neglected to post - so we will have to do a ketchup post... later.

As for today, we'll show off the snow. It has consistently been snowing for about four weeks. At least once every 4 days or so. Here we finally made Brianna a snowman...

Cute right? Nice round Buddha belly, matching scarf and hat... (he even has some admirable pectoral muscles ) very well done, I'd say - Unfortunately he only stood for a week - well he is still technically standing... but without his charming head.

Brianna was upset only for a moment. She discovered the Frostycapitation (say it quickly aloud :) ) Saturday morning... We'll fix him up this weekend!

Aunt Cheri's Visit

2007-12-23T10:40:00.000-07:00

I just found this unpublished entry tonight - These are some pics of Julie's Aunt Cheri's visit just before Christmas. We miss you Cheri!!! and look forward to your next visit.

Among the activities Cheri thought up to do with Brianna, making Sugar cookies had to be the best! Cuz we got to eat them!!!

We had a wonderful visit with Aunt Cheri and can't wait for the next one!!!

The Family Photo shoot

2007-10-23T10:06:00.000-06:00

On the 14th of October, Shayne arranged to have a whole-family photo shoot with the Littrell side of the family. Unfortunately Grandpa could not make it, but we had a good time and the weather was gorgeous. After 2 hours (or more) of walking around Beuss Pond, the guys taking the pics shot over 120 photos. There are way too many to post that turned out amazingly...

Here are some favorites...

The whole group!

Getting the Dogs to smile and/or look at the camera was a chore, this one turned out pretty good...

I had to crop and post this one - Grandma was thoroughly enjoying herself! Jim was all smiles too. Great Shot.

Last but not least, Daddy with the first two kids!

It was a really fun time and we did get some great pictures of everybody. Grandma enjoyed herself so much she proposed the idea of a family picnic at the Pond once every couple months.
More chances to take pics!

More B-Day pics

2007-10-23T09:54:00.001-06:00

Here is the perfect pic of the birthday girl blowing out the candles. I think she managed without any help!

Mommy and Nanners after opening way too many presents.

Here is Brianna giving the "non-violent" piniata a tug. It had a couple dozen ribbons attached and only one actually released the goodies.

After several kids tried, It was finally Kelty who pulled the winning ribbon... with a little help.

There are many more BDay pictures I should post, but I have some other catching up to do, so I'm going to move on to the next one....

Brianna's 3rd B-Day

2007-10-19T08:32:00.001-06:00

On Spetember 30th, Brianna turned 3 - it was a couple weeks ago, but what better way to start off the new family blog? The old "Brianna's first year" mini-site is still out there in cyberspace if interested - the link is at the bottom of this entry.

Her birthday party at our house was so fun - so many kids! It could have been much larger but we were really trying to keep this one small! Thanks to everyone who came and to all who gave gifts, we really love being here with the family. Particularly me (Chad) - it's been a long time since I've seen the whole family together in one place at the same time!

And super-big thanks to Jan and Bill for coming down from Montana for Nannie's big day!

If you click the link below to our old page, only the links to Brianna's page and the Family Photos work as we moved back down from Washington a couple weeks after I started the new site. I made it, of course before I knew blog pages were so easy... and FREE.

I'll add more B-Day pictures soon!

http://family.chalacha.com/family/family.html