Schilo's Delicatessen - Take A Big Bite

The latest edition in my series of diners and delis, these working men were enjoying their lunch at Schilo's Delicatessen in San Antonio. I was taken in by the atmosphere and surroundings of the old building but they were more interested in the food and fellowship, I think. I'm not finished with Schilo's yet (as far as paintings are concerned), but have several other eateries I plan on painting in the upcoming months. A restaurant reviewer stated that "Schilo's has the best root beer in the world!" What?! I missed out on that! Something to try on my next visit, I guess. I did have fun painting the neon beer signs in this picture though - part of what originally drew me to the photo. However, the first thing that made me realize I was going to paint it was the fact that I caught the man in blue taking a really big bite out of his hamburger, hence the title.

"Take A Big Bite" - Schilo's Deli, San Antonio

8"x16" oil on canvas

French Quarter - After Morning Shower

I couldn't have been more thrilled as I strolled the streets of the French Quarter in New Orleans one morning, and turned the corner to see this delightful "old world" image of a bicycle (with a real basket - not plastic!) in front of two shops. Thank goodness I had my camera with me. I snapped the shot and said to myself, "Oh, you are SO getting painted!" It had just rained, so I had the added benefit of the light shining from the damp street and sidewalk. I wish I had made note of the street it was on...maybe Royal Street?

For those of you who haven't visited NOLA recently and wonder about the condition of New Orleans and specifically the French Quarter after Hurricane Katrina, we found it to be beautiful with a sense of much fresh paint and spirit restored. I was able to capture many great images which I hope to turn into paintings.

Old World Charm in the French Quarter
11"x14" oil on canvas

Hurricane Preparedness

We have some friends who have given us an "open invitation" to come to their ranch whenever a major hurricane is headed our way from the gulf. We have taken them up on this offer a couple of times and I wanted to do something nice for them. I asked if they'd like a painting and she told me, "How about a painting of one of our longhorns?" So here is Mama, painted in the old style of horse portraits, next to her water bucket, with the scenery of the Texas hill country behind her.


There was debate in our family during the painting process about whether females have horns, and come to find out they do. I thought only steers had horns, but apparently it depends on the breed. (?) You can tell I'm no ranch hand. I didn't know much about longhorns at all before painting Mama, other than as a mascot for University of Texas.


Longhorns as a breed faced extinction as of 1927, until the US Forest Service saved and bred them exclusively, along with a few dedicated ranchers. Apparently they have quite a knack for surviving in harsh climates and are often bred with other cattle to enhance the health and viability of other breeds. Other longhorn facts from Wikipedia:

- Texas Longhorns with elite genetics can often fetch up to $40,000 or more at auction with the record of $160,000 in recent history for a cow.

- Most breeds of cattle fall into either beef or dairy. The Texas longhorn is a beef animal and is known for its lean beef, which is lower in fat, cholesterol and calories than most beef.


I felt a little under pressure to finish their longhorn before the hurricane season arrived - I didn't want to show up on their doorstep without the promised longhorn. So far, all's quiet on the Gulf and I hope it stays that way. (But I am looking forward to seeing Mama's portrait framed and hanging up at the ranch house).

Keeping One Eye On God

"Keeping One Eye on God"

6"x12" oil on canvas, gallery wrapped

For purchase information, contact me at fineartbymj@aol.com

Antiques U.S.A

Texas has some wonderful, old downtown areas, and I love to try and imagine what it might have been like 50 or 100 years ago to walk down these same streets. I admire the dedicated individuals who have worked so hard to keep the historical evidence of small town America at hand.

I sometimes paint with a group of friends in the upstairs room of a local gallery in our hometown which overlooks the downtown historical district. For years now, I have looked out at this charming little antique shop that sits at the corner and have wanted to paint it. I am always pausing to admire the American Flag painted on the front of the building.

Having finished another painting the same day, I finally decided to grab a blank canvas and give it a whirl. Typically, I paint from photographs so this was a switch for me. I did, however, take pictures with my camera just in case I second-guessed anything after I got home.

I wonder if the man shopping with the woman was happy to be antiquing or if he was hoping she'd had enough so they could head home? Or maybe he was the one who enjoys antiquing?

"Antiques U.S.A."
8"x10" oil on canvas

Not So Mellow Yellow

It wouldn't normally occur to me to do a painting of taxicabs, but a recent challenge on the "Different Strokes from Different Folks" blog presented a photo of a busy New York City street scene (Madison Ave). This is partially why I like to participate in this challenge, because I paint scenes I most likely would not tackle of my own volition. Unfortunately, I got busy with other paintings and didn't finish mine in time for the deadline, so I did not submit it on the DSDF blog. If you would like to see how other artists approached the same photo, click here.

As you can see, the content in the photo (below) made the task more than a little daunting, but I tackled it anyway, trying to remember to paint shapes instead of details when starting out and not get overwhelmed by trying to paint every single object.

I don't let myself look at what the other artists do until I'm all done myself - I don't want to be influenced. Now that I see their postings, it's interesting how so many of us cropped it in much the same way, myself included. Second guessing myself, I'm wondering if I should've used a taller canvas to capture the height of the buildings? Probably. (But I'm not doing it over!)

"Not So Mellow Yellow"

8"x10" oil on canvas board

Quick Sketch - New Orleans

I just returned from a "most wonderful" sister getaway to New Orleans. As we sat at a cafe near the French Market, I pulled out my new watercolor sketchbook to do a quick sketch of my view from the cafe.

I thought I might be crazy for even trying to attempt all this architecture at one, quick 20 minute setting (architecture is HARD!), but I reminded myself that it was good practice for me drawing from life and not to be so perfection-oriented. At one point my box blew away as wind and rain swept through the French Quarter, but I was determined. Anyone looking over my shoulder probably would've thought "Get another job" at that point. I snapped a quick photo for reference before we left, and when we got back to the hotel room, I did a quick watercolor wash and closed the book for the day.

Now that I'm home and I've downloaded the photo, I see a lot that I missed, but my objective was not to get everything in the picture, just the major shapes. It's interesting to compare what I noticed then as compared to now against the photo. Hmmm...I missed a lot! But I still like my rendition. I guess that's what they call taking artistic liberties.

Birthday Sunrise on the Bay

I've been working on this one for awhile. I have always loved clouds and I'm bound and determined to paint them and paint them...and paint them, until I figure them out. I suspect this will take a lifetime. That's ok.

My sister sent me a photo last year of the sunrise on her birthday and I had held onto that photo for awhile, finally deciding it was time to tackle these fabulous clouds. I used every color imaginable in this painting, but you don't notice it until you get close.

I thought that was appropriate for a painting entitled "Birthday Sunrise." It's like God threw a party in the sky in celebration.

Here's a detail of the clouds to give you a little better idea of how many layers went into these clouds. The layers were more due to dogged determination to finally get it right than anything else. I'm sure there are artists out there who can whip up beautiful clouds in the skies in no time, but I'm not one of them...yet.

I'm still searching for my next sky photo to tackle. (Photographer friends, that's a hint for you!)

"Birthday Sunrise"

36"x36" oil on canvas, gallery- wrapped

Schilo's Delicatessan, San Antonio, TX

On a trip to San Antonio last year, while strolling through the downtown, we stumbled upon Schilo's Deli which has been "serving up hearty German soul food at breakfast, lunch, and dinner since 1917." (Fodor's) I love finding a restaurant that has been around for ages and the building that houses Schilo's oozes of history. We had a great deli lunch and the service was quick. I had a feeling there were as many locals there as tourists (always a good sign).

What first attracted me to the original photo was the brilliant colors outside the window. Only after admiring the colors did I notice the man at the table. He was secondary to the original intention for the composition and that's the way I tried to paint him. I think he must have been a regular, he would turn and observe everyone who came in the door.

I have to say, it's nice to paint a person where I don't have to struggle for the likeness. Since I'm not trying to paint a specific person, I can just enjoying finding out who my paintbrush wants him to be. He reminds me an awful lot of my friend's dad, but it wasn't intentional.

I have another Schilo's painting on the easel which will be called "Take a Big Bite." You can imagine what that's about!

"Lunch Interrupted"
12"x12" oil on canvas

Psalm 36:9 - One True Light

My friend, Jerry, from Celtic Crossings sent me a photo of the Umpqua Lighthouse near Winchester, Oregon quite awhile ago. I had wanted to paint it, but as is often the case with any photo, I spend a lot of time checking back in on it and thinking about how I would do it or what meaning it has for me. I never know when the bells are going to go off and realize "It's time to paint!"

What finally sealed it for me was when I looked at the photo for the umpteenth time and decided what I really liked about it was the fact that the lighthouse wasn't lit and the light in the picture is generated from the sun. I thought of the guiding lights in my life and what inspiration they are to me and yet, nothing can replace the "One True Light" that guides our lives.

Further research led me to a history of this lighthouse which was made automatic in the 1960's and actually stays on 24 hours a day (so it is lit in my photo). Apparently there was talk about taking it off automatic to limit the hours it was lit and there was quite an uproar. People demanded that it stayed on continuosly. Now, I like that even better because even though the lighthouse is on, it's outshone by the light of the sun.

Psalm 36:9
For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.

"Psalm 36:9 - One True Light"
12"x12" oil on panel, sold