Weather here in Charlotte’s a little weird. Mostly overcast with moments of bright, muggy sun. Good for painting. Check out yesterday’s toils…

Time to get back to it.

So the painting continues this week with a new addition to the workload. A painting of serial killer Ted Bundy. Hey, you pay me, I’ll paint it. Look at this creepy photo taken in a court room when Bundy was representing himself.

I came into the gallery both days this weekend because I was not content to lie on the living room floor with the dogs like I usually am on weekends. The easel’s been a nice door for me to get the hell out of my own head for a while. Why stop working if it’s cathartic? Yesterday I got started on old Teddy.

I don’t really know much about Ted since he didn’t make lamps out of women or keep people’s heads in foot lockers when he was a teenager. I had my true crime serial killer books phase as a teenager and these days even reading about stuff like that bums me out. I can’t even watch the news without wanting to go put a bunch of puppies in a basket and take photos to make iron-on shirts from.

Here’s the latest on the ‘32 Ford which I am still in love with working on. When I have to start doing the chromed out engine I’m going to go from love to hate real quick. For now though the candy body paint is a joy to work on.

I hit up the ol’ Food Lion car show this past Sunday and strolled around looking at cars that take more maintenance and care than a baby born without skin. Beautiful creations for sure.

1970 Challenger. Ooooooh.

And look at this 1969 Super Bee’s butt. Ahhhhhhhh. Bzzzzzz.

I went with my mother and her husband and as we strolled around the speedway looking at cars they’d occasionally say “I used to have one of these.” or “Your Aunt’s first car.” or “Your grandparents used to have one of these.” or “A guy I did engine work for in the 70’s told me I could go get one of these from him but I just never picked it up.”

Finally I had to say “Why the hell did no one hang on to these cool cars so that I could have one of them in the future?”

I’m working on a painting of a ‘32 Ford again. This time red. Here’s yesterday’s work.

And here’s Kayla from two days ago.

There’s a gallery crawl tonight in NODA so stop by. I may be here schmoozing.

Friday was my bday. From start to finish it was a great day. The rest of the weekend paled in comparison. From morning till night I was around people I love. I saw Motörhead at the Fillmore, under the chandeliers that I single handedly built, playing an amazing set out of the speakers I helped hang, on the stage that I helped build. Perfect.

Saturday I walked around with Beefy and was in bed early. Sunday was similar.

Now I’m back at the gallery and I’m updating and boxing and shipping and painting like a madman. Gotta love it. Here. Look.

Lupe. I’ve been working on this one without really using my usual photo reference. I want it to be more of a personal piece. I’m not exactly a river of creativity so I work until I start to feel unsure of where to go and then she goes back on the shelf for a while. She’s back and in the home stretch.

Big Mike is for an old close friend of mine who wanted to get a painting for his brother’s 40th birthday. “Basically it’s not supposed to be a touching, heartfelt gift. I want it to look like it should be hanging next a painting of Scarface on a kiosk at the mall.” So we cooked up this gem of a fake movie poster and used his brother’s highschool wrestling photo for the star role.

Kayla. It’s been a challenging one and I’m really happy with it so far. I actually toggle back and forth between “Sweet! and *@$^&(!!!” during full days of Kayla. I can’t wait to be fully satisfied with it. If that’s possible.

Ok time to build boxes and ship paintings. Enjoy the day.

Drove up to Boston last week. Long story. Something like an odd movie. Couple weeks ago had dinner with a UNCC professor and his wife and stepdaughter. Turns out the girl is going to Emerson College in Boston and her mother planned on driving her up. I offered to help with driving and moving heavy things. Figured a nice trip home for a few days is always good.

Last Sunday, the night before we left, a family friend died. I made the funeral in NH thankfully but the fact that I could be there didn’t make it any easier on anyone. Still, I’m glad I could be there by chance. Pretty cool how things work out some times.

Check these out:

Have a good labor day, everyone.