Harmonic Trio

Oil on board 10X8

This year's Christmas Card.

These 3 Hummel figures have been in the family as long as I can remember.

The figures are wonderful painting subjects because of the simple emotions they express.

While the figures are widely recognized, little has been said about their marvellously talented creator, Sister M. I. Hummel.

Here are a few facts I found about her:

Born in Bavaria in 1909, Berta went to the Academy of Applied Arts in Munich.

After graduation in 1931 she entered the Convent of Sieseen -- an order that emphasized the arts and soon was producing religous art cards for several German publishers.

When Franz Goebel saw her published artwork, he realized these drawings could translate into the new figurines he wanted to produce.
Berta took the name Maria Innocentia Hummel in 1934.
The Figurines:
The agreement with Goebel was that Sister Hummel would have the final approval of every piece and it would be incised with her signature.

To this day, each M.I. Hummel piece must have the approval of the Convent of Siessen.

The first figurines were introduced in 1935 and were immediately successful.

Puppy Love has the distinction of being the first piece, Hum 1.
Hummel figurines were only allowed to be made for export during the war, but Goebel still continued with a few new models. The effects of the war reached the Convent as the fuel shortages caused Sister Hummel to work in a cold, unheated space and because of her fragile health she died in 1946.
After the war American soldiers discovered Hummels and sent the figurines home. They also started gaining popularity with the German people who wanted to start decorating their homes again.

Building Dreams

Oil on board 10X6

I was trying to capture the bond between these two on an overcast day.

Day at the races

Oil on board
21X27

I've seen this guy in ads several times. My wife had a young girl crush on the sailor who was to marry her aunt, and Uncle Henry was one good looking dude up until his passing last year.

This fella looks like Uncle Henry, so she's pointed him out to me several times. I sketched him once and when I saw this foldout in the Sunday NY Times, I had to give it a try. I started with just the head but the dynamics of the arms were so tempting I tried the whole thing.

This was an ad for a shirt. I downplayed the shirt and focused more on him.
As I painted it, I was thinking of the Men's Wearhouse commercial where the bearded owner says "You'll look great, I guarantee it."

Does he?

Young lady with sad eyes

8X10

Oil on board

When I was young we said that certain women had a "peaches and cream" complexion.

My mother had it till she died, and this young lady's lovely skin reminded me of it.