My wife and I recently made our way back from south Louisiana where I participated in the 2026 Teche Plein Air Competition along with 26 other artists. Although I did not fare well in either the competition or sales, it was a blessing to be a part of this event and paint across the seven parishes in Acadiana during this weeklong adventure. The City of New Iberia hosted this event, and they did an awesome job putting everything together and hosting the artists who were invited. We had several incredible dinners that were provided by volunteers and patrons, and both food and hospitality were outstanding. Donna and I enjoyed getting to know some of the other artists and the people of south Louisiana.

Two things became very clear to us the first day – this area of Louisiana has an abundance of water and sugar cane fields… and ancient live oak trees. The landscape consisted of thousands of acres of sugar cane fields, canals and bayous. We explored the small towns and ports, finding many interesting subjects to paint. Delcambre was interesting because there were several shrimp boats docked there. I wanted to try working with Casein “en Plein Air”, a medium I had only worked with in the studio. It proved to be a bit challenging, but doable. A couple days later I worked with the casein again on a small piece and again found that working with the medium outside is very different from oils, but I’m wanting to explore it a bit more in the future.

Everywhere we traveled in that region we saw the massive live oak trees I mentioned eariler. I was fascinated by these trees, some of them being 400 to 500 years old. Many of the limbs of these giants are covered by resurrections ferns, which are an epiphytic “air plant”.  These ferns are not parasites, but get nutrients from the air and rain, not from the tree itself.  The ferns turn brown in dry spells and bright green in rainy seasons. I discovered that these huge live oak trees were both fun and challenging to paint.

We were hosted by a very kind and generous family who farm thousands of acres of sugar cane. The place we stayed was absolutely beautiful, quiet and peaceful. The property backed up to the Teche Bayou, which snakes its way through south Louisiana. Draw bridges were the norm, and there were many!  Looking out over their property, taking all this beauty in, the eye was first drawn to a massive, fern laden live oak tree. Every angle that I viewed this tree from screamed “paint me”. A few steps to the right or left it screamed again – “no, paint me”.  Studying all the possible angles of this tree, I was caught up in the “mystery” of this massive living thing. How long has it been on earth? What has it seen;  what stories could it tell if it could tell its story? One morning while looking out the back glass door finishing up a cup of coffee, a opossum came walking up the bank of the small canal that was just beyond this “giant”. The opossum strolled nonchalantly, never slowing or speeding up, just cruising, like a man would walk home after a day at work. He walked up one of the enormous roots at the base of the tree, continued up the slanted trunk, still further up to a division of trunk and limbs and vanished from sight. I guess somewhere in the fern laden titan Mr. Opossum had himself a home. I looked but didn’t find it.

I think it was the third morning, staring at the tree again through the glass back doors that I decided I had to attempt to paint this behemoth of a tree.

I always start painting with good intentions, telling my self I’ll do this or that as I paint… but it always proves to be more difficult, more involved than I had planned. It also reveals that I don’t know as much about painting as I need to know. But even with the challenges, I remained awed at God’s creation of this single tree. It reminded me of Joyce Kilmer’s famous poem “Trees”-

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

Joyce Kilmer 1886 –1918

I worked in oils for probably 3 hours on a 12 x 24 panel. The day started overcast, then shifted into a partly cloudy day, with the sun playing hide-and-seek behind the clouds. I have learned it’s never fun chasing light while painting. After approximately 3 hours, I called it quits on this painting. Seems It’s never done; just have to quit.

The more one looks at the created universe, the more can be seen of the God who made it all. This is one of the fascinating things for me about going out and painting “en plein air” (in the open air). The time spent standing before a subject, studying its detail, wondering at the play of light and shadow and design, I always drift back to the Creator.

The Bible also says that some of God’s attributes can be seen in creation…He has revealed things about Himself in the created world.

Genesis 2:9  says “And out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” 

This is a pretty incredible verse for all people, and especially for artists. It actually says God made trees to bring pleasure/beauty to the eyes of mankind. Wow!

Want to learn more and see more about this God who made us? Look at what Job says:

“But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you; And the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you. Or speak to the earth, and let it teach you; And let the fish of the sea declare to you. Who among all these does not know That the hand of the LORD has done this” Job 12:7-9

And looking outward into the created sky and beyond:

The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. 
Psalm 19:1,2

The evidence for a Creator God is overwhelming. Scripture also is clear that this awesome God loves us, and cares for us and desires that we know Him. Incredible!

Here is another bit of revelation that is seen through the created world:

“ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:18 thru 20

“Just as light makes the creation of art possible, Light in the spiritual world reveals our desperate need for the salvation offered us through Christ. And to continue with the subject of “Trees”, it’s interesting that a tree played a role in that salvation. Christ died on a cross made from a tree that He created. Think about that a bit… The Creator gave Himself, took our place on an old rugged, wooden cross, to take the wrath we deserve, because He loves us and wants to have a relationship with us. It is truly a “Great Salvation” as the scriptures say.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.  Romans 5:8, 9

The Jack Richeson Company, a manufacturer of paints, easels and other artists materials, recently had a competition for a medium I had never tried. Trying new media, sometimes shoves artists out of their “comfort zone”. But it is a great way to break creative blocks, as well as discover some new techniques and most importantly, learn. Learning should never stop for any of us and exploring a new media shoves us out there to experiment and learn.

The medium the Jack Richeson Company was promoting was Casein, and they are one of the few makers of this old-world paint. I had heard of it but really knew nothing about it. So, for a change of pace and to perhaps learn something new, I thought I would give it a shot.    Casein paint has been used since ancient Egyptian times. This water-based paint is durable, quick drying, with the pigment binder being casein – a protein derived from milk. Yes, milk! It is often referred to as “milk paint”. Who knew? Casein paint dries very fast to a matte finish. Although it can be re-wet and worked within a few hours after it dries, it becomes very permanent and water-resistant after a few days. Once dry it can be varnished like oil and framed without glass.

I started this Casein adventure with three primaries, plus yellow ochre, black and white. To say it’s a “fast drying” medium is a bit of an understatement. It dries really, really fast. So to aid in this new, fast drying world, I bought a cheap, Hobby Lobby wet palette which has a sealed lid. I added a thin palette sponge and some wettable palette paper to keep the paint wet during the painting process. It seemed to work very well. When closing the palette for the day, I added a drop of water or two to the colors on the palette and sealed the lid. This kept everything wet and moist until the next painting session.

I found that after a painting or two, I began to like the way the paint handled, and the fast drying was a nice change from wet-on-wet oil painting. The Casein paint can be thinned with water and used like a wash or glazing. If some blending was needed, I used a spray bottle to mist the painting and the dry paint loosened enough to blend a bit. This could be done many times. If two or three days passed during the painting process, this characteristic of Casein was slowly lost. My first excursion into the world of “milk paint” I painted 9 pieces, ranging in size from 8 x 10 to 12 x 16, on panels and paper.  I found the best surface was always a gessoed surface, either watercolor paper or an oil painting panel. If the surface was slick like some of the paint panels you can purchase, the Casein would lift off the surface easily, causing problems. Seems any surface with a good coat of gesso works well.

For a final layer of protection, I found that Krylon Color Maxx Flat Crystal Clear acrylic spray worked well and maintained the matte, Casein look. Since totally dry/cured Casein is permanent and water-resistant, the additional couple coats of the acrylic spray allow the paintings to be framed without glass.

All in all, I’m liking the Casein experience. Working with it helps broaden painting techniques as well as build on established ones. Much like a pilot may train on several kinds of aircraft, or a programmer may learn several programing languages, when an artist expands his/her experience with several mediums, they build and expand on a knowledge base that helps all aspects of creating fine art.

See more Casein paintings here! (click here)

Flowing with Milk and Honey

I am always amazed at God’s provision for us in this beautiful and awesome created world. When God’s people, Israel, were coming out of Egypt to a new land, it was described in the Bible as “a land flowing with milk and honey”. This phrase refers to God’s provision and abundance in this new land. He had a place that He had made ready for them; they just had to get there as He commanded them. It was He who created our bovine friends and other milk producing animals for our benefit, and in this scripture, it is used as a symbol of blessing. Milk, cheese, ice cream, to name a few, all for us to enjoy and benefit from.

Of course, when He created milk, He knew that casein, the protein found in milk, would be used by artist way down the road to create all kinds of paintings and art. Once I heard a guy make a statement that went something like this: “Before there is the question, God provides the answer.” He is always ahead of us. You see it in creation, and you see it in the cross. The Bible says that Christ was slain for our sins before the foundation of the world.

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8

Before we were created, before Adam fell, before we were born and needed salvation, He provided the answer through His perfect sacrifice of Christ on the cross. The answer came before the question.

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6

That two word phrase, “the ungodly” covers us all. So glad He has offered us a way to be right with Him and spend eternity with Him through the death and resurrection of Christ!  It will be even better than that land “flowing with milk and honey.”

October 23, 1965 a song hit number 80 in the charts, performed by the Byrds called Turn, Turn, Turn.

It parroted the text from Ecclesiastes chapter three. This text says

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven”. Ecclesiastes 3:1

True words. For me, fall is a time for cooler weather and fall colors. And sometimes, a bit if melancholy mixed in as creation begins to shut down and prepare for the dormancy that comes with a winter’s rest. It also reminds me of the few days we have on earth.

PAINT LIVINGSTON 2025

October of 2025 contained all these elements, plus it has been a very busy season. Donna and I always count it a blessing to be able to visit east Tennessee in the Fall, where our son and daughter-in-law live, as well as Donna’s family. We were able to combine a visit this year with a Plein Air event called “Paint Livingston”, which was held in Livingston, Tennessee, and was sponsored by the Overton County Arts Council. This newly formed organization did an excellent job putting this event together, providing housing for participating artists. Our “host” family was a local couple who’s hospitality was second to none. Their help and generosity made this event a joy to participate in. We arrived a couple days early to look abound the county, but the actual event was two full days of painting for the main competition and then a separate “Quick Paint” event and sale  the last day of the competition.

The boundaries of the event were Overton County and a bit of a couple neighboring counties. The area is beautiful, with lakes, waterfalls and an abundance of rural settings to choose from. Below are a few of the works I created during this event.

Below are 4 of the 5 plein air pieces painted during the Paint Livingston plein air event in Livingston, Tennessee.          

After the Paint Livingston Plein Air event, we traveled south a couple of hours to Cleveland, Tennessee where Donna’s family live. Our son and daughter-in-law live pretty close to there as well. While visiting family and friends for a few days, I found time to setup my easel near the creek Donna played in as a kid. Although it was overcast and sprinkled rain from time to time, I really enjoyed the quiet painting session.

Towards the end of that week we hit the road again and headed north-east to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, where we stayed a week. The much anticipated Fall colors of the Appalachian mountains were not quiet at their peak, but it was beautiful never-the-less. We did stumble across some of the most beautiful color I have ever seen on the Foothills Parkway that crosses the mountains as it snakes it’s way from outside Pigeon Forge to Chilhowee, Tennessee. It was one of the most beautiful drives I’ve taken in many years.

While in Pigeon Forge, we visited the Smoky Mountain National  Park several times, looking for wildlife. As we cruised the roads in and around Cades Cove in the National park, we saw turkey, deer and bears, with the bears being the most entertaining! 

On several outings in the National Park  I managed to create  4 paintings. I painted in the Park last year as well, and was again reminded of the obstacles present while painting this area. The challenges always present themselves in the beauty  that draws a painter to attempt to capture a scene. The small brooks and rivers are complex with their moving water, many small falls, moss covered rocks in abundance all overlayed with dappled lighting that challenges the values.

Add to these element is the nature of the lighting in the mountains. As the sun fights to penetrate the dense forest, the light changes very quickly altering the entire scene. Often called the “Land of the Noonday Sun”, it was a struggle to paint in places that would be well lit at the start of a painting, only to be submerged in deep shadow 90 minutes later. But even with the struggles, the quietness, beauty and solitude in God’s awesome creation made the hours spent there a thing to be cherished. Another reminder of our passing days. Days that number fewer and fewer week by week.  

For me, the entire fall season is a reminder of what has passed and the urgency of the limited time left. Fall brings on the very strange celebration of death, blood and gore, known as Halloween, which is mixed with fall colors, pumpkins and a particular flavor of latte :-). Although I do not celebrate Halloween, I’ll touch on a Halloween subject… the grave.

Mark, our host during our stay in Livingston, showed us around the landscapes of Overton County a bit while we were there,  and one of the unique things he showed us was something I had never seen before – Tent Graves. The origin of these type of graves is debated- they may have Scottish/Irish roots. What is known for sure is that these graves were more common in the 19th century, mostly in the south. They are unique in construction and appearance. To avoid cattle walking on the graves and caving a compromised coffin in or to keep animals from digging up the remains from what was probably a shallow grave, large slabs of sandstone were hewn and two long slabs were leaned against each other to form a “tent” like structure over the grave. The ends were sealed with two upright head and foot stones. Some of the dates we saw on these Overton County tent graves dated back to the late 1700’s. As Donna and I explored Overton County in search of painting locations for the  competition, we discovered a couple more old graveyards that contained several of these old tent graves. Once you see one of these in person, you begin to look for more in the same way you would collect knives or a particular kind of old antique dish. You can’t help but wonder about the times, the people and stories buried in these old graves.

I have found that graveyards have a way of re-planting one’s feet firmly on the soil of this fleeting life. I heard a man once say we should take a walk through a graveyard periodically to remember the brevity of life and how quickly it will pass.  I find this to be true as most of my life is in the rear view mirror.

The sobering reality of a graveyard is twofold. The first is that they remind us that we all will die. One hundred percent of the living will die. The second is this –  eternity waits and we will spend it somewhere. The Bible mentions two destinations: Eternity in a beautiful place called Heaven with the God who made us,  or eternity in a place of suffering, flames and misery called Hell. No middle ground.

The scripture also says we can know where we will spend eternity, and we can actually make arrangements for the peace and beauty of Heaven while we yet live. Art is all about the light. Without light, all would be dark and artwork meaningless. If the big picture of this ongoing story, Jesus entered the darkness of this world with the Light of His saving  grace….The Gospel. It’s simple. Jesus Christ stepped into this dark, fallen world and took the punishment for our sin on Himself on the  Cross. He died, was put in a grave and God the Father raised Him from the dead to show us that the debt for our sin was paid in full. How do we lay hold of this great salvation? The Bible says if we repent – which means to change our mind about our sin, and confess it and believe that Jesus died for our sins, was buried and then was raised from the dead, Salvation is ours… forever. When you do this the scripture says eternity in heaven is certain for all who believe. 

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18  May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19 

I hope your fall is filled with the peace that comes through Christ alone!

SM

I am blessed to be participating in the 2nd Annual Paint Livingston Plein Air Competition in east Tennessee. Tennessee is a great place to be in October! Painting starts October 1 and ends on October 4th with sale and a Quick Draw competition.

On Saturday, October 4, downtown Livingston, Tennessee will bustle with plein air painters, art enthusiasts and art-curious folks during the second annual Paint Livingston Plein Air Competition & Art Sale.

The center piece of this event is around 30 professional and amateur plein air painters who will set up their easels in and around Livingston on Thursday, Friday & Saturday, Oct 2-4, to paint and compete for $5,000 in cash prizes.

Particulars

The plein air competition and the Quick Paint competition are open to all artists, both professional and amateur.

Paintings in acrylic, oil, watercolor, pastel, and gouache are permitted.

The art exhibit, the award ceremony and all competition-related events are free and open to the public.

Receptions and dinners are invitation-only for OCAC members and patrons. Become a member or a patron today!​

For more information and to find out about patronage and sponsorship opportunities for this event, email us at info@overtoncountyarts.org.

It as been a busy summer. Paint-outs in Spring, several shows in Texas and Louisiana have kept me somewhat busy, along with some additional work that must be done.

One of the shows I was honored to be juried into is the 55th Annual River Road Show, which is a National Juried Art Competition. This show is sponsored by the Art Guild of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Art Guild of Louisiana was happy to have as the Juror and Awards Judge Artist Calvin Liang. Calvin is a Master member of Oil Painters of America, Master member of American Impressionist Society, Signature member of California Art Club, Signature member of Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, and a Signature member of American Society of Marine Artists.

I was blessed to be awarded a 3rd Place Award for my painting “Windows of Heaven”, a 20 x 24 oil on canvas. One thing I appreciate about Calvin Liang is the comments he made for each of the pieces he selected for an award. Usually the artists never hear the thoughts of the competition judge, so it was refreshing to hear Calvin’s thoughts on why he chose the pieces he did. Thank you to the Art Guild of Louisiana and Calvin Liang! (see Video below)

The location of the painting “Windows of Heaven” is in a little town southwest of Fort Worth, Texas called Walnut Springs. I always loved the old silos and run down buildings I saw on our many trips through Walnut Springs. This painting captures a bit of an American that is fading away.

Can you imagine a world where absolute peace is the norm? Not just peace from wars and international conflicts, but true peace in every relationship. It’s hard to grasp a world like that. But, that is one of the things Christ came for 2000 years ago.

I like the 500 year old carol called “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”. Set to a lively tune, this old song tells the complete story of when, why  and where Christ came that very first Christmas. The second verse says:

In Bethlehem, in Israel
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which His mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy

Comfort and Joy for all who place their trust in Jesus…. Then jumping to the 4^th verse when the angels visited the shepherds with the “Good News” of the birth, it states the reason for His coming – to free us from Satan’s power:

“Fear not then,” said the Angel, “Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Saviour
Of a pure virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him From Satan’s power and might.” O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

Jumping down to the last verse the song talks about what would be the fruit if the world believed:

Now to the Lord sing praises,   All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood – Each other now embrace; This holy tide of Christmas – All other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy,  O tidings of comfort and joy

True peace in this world and in our personal lives will only come through believing in Christ, the Savior who came into the world long ago. If you are tired and weary and anxiety floods your days and nights, remember the words of Jesus: “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

In closing, back up to the very first verse of this old Christmas carol… it tells us is a few simple words what the true meaning of Christmas is:

God rest ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan’s pow’r
When we were gone astray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy

I hope you have a very merry and truly blessed Christmas, and a great New Year!