Remedial Crab (on the days you can't explain)(SOLD)

"This is what you get for the money." Everybody has days they can't explain.

Acrylic on canvas 16"X24" (SOLD)

Wild Boy (SOLD)

"If we're fools in life, then a happy fool I'd rather be" Taj Mahal

Someone emailed me some photo's of Hannah in Manteo. Looks like fun.

Today I painted a crab somewhat blue. I don't use photo's anymore with these guys. I justwing it. It is a way of painting that is similar to the way I doodle or sketch. Acrylic on canvas 18"X18"

(SOLD)

Crab Whore (on sex sells art)(or art sells sex)(SOLD)

Sometimes I follow comments too. The other morning, I'm surfing blogs and some guy makes a clever comment on an artblog. I follow it to his blog. It goes to his profile. I notice he has been blogging since July 2008 and he has 12,000 hits. I think "Wow this guy must be really really good, or has a huge following!" I click on one of his blogs. He is selling time with "Art Models" with names like Angelina and Drisell. Gretchen in Sweden wants to know how old I am and whats my favorite color. Acrylic on Canvas 18"X18". (Sold to a collector in Atlanta)

Party Crabs! (on painting blue crabs)(SOLD)

Blue crabs dance the night away. Acrylic on canvas 20"X18"
this painting is sold.

Bar Scene (on painting the beachroad)

If a painting is complicated I often do an acrylic underpainting. It is difficult keeping that same loose feel in the final product. Above is proof that mucking in can be just that. I have learned important lessons with this painting. People give life to the work. Thanks Tyler. People are difficult to paint. A bar scene at sunset along the beachroad. Oil on canvas 20"X16".

(Check for availability)

Crab Interrupted (SOLD)

There was this movie about a gang of thugs. They were causing trouble and generally giving everybody grief. After a while the bad guys get everybody cornered in the livery stable. Some guy on the roof shouts out "........... its goin' down to the wire!"

Then all you hear is wind blowing. I could have tried to save them, but......

they knew not my name, and I knew not their faces, I found they were all rank strangers to me.

Acrylic on canvas 20"X20"

(SOLD)

Burt Lancaster (SOLD)

There was this movie with Burt Lancaster. And he was kissing some girl on the beach, and just then a wave came in and washed over them. A golden moment in movie history. This is my interpretaion of that moment. Acrylic on Canvas 20"X20"

 this painting is sold

Crab Drama (SOLD)

I have been thinking about this duel or dance for a while. So in an effort to move on with my life, here are 2 crabs locked in time. The claws are still a bet too wet to finish, and there is that bit just over the chateau. Oil on canvas 18"X18" (SOLD)

BlueDog's Yearlings

I liked painting this. I kept it simple. 2 yearlings down for a drink in the morning. Another scene out there in BlueDog's hunting grounds. Oil on canvas 18"X18"
This  painting is no longer available.

Judy's Flag

It takes a couple of paintings to get South Dakota out of me or me out of it. I saw this northwest of Webster, S.D. I came back in the afternoon to get a photo in the sun. Oil on canvas 20"X16" (Check for availability)

Lambs on Bitter Lake (SOLD)

I visited my cousin, Trent Nilson, when I was in South Dakota. (you know, Justin's kid, Trent.) "Oh yeah, the "T"MAN, what's he doin' now?" He quit shaving when his mother died, and he keeps a lot of his stuff just north of Bitter Lake. Dead cottonwoods are witness to rising water levels in Bitter Lake. If you click on the title "Lambs on Bitter Lake" above, behold, a schematic of regional lake levels. Bitter Lake has risen more than 20'. SDDOT has been busy raising the grade on lots of roads in the area.

Oil on Canvas 20"X20" (SOLD)

Dream Time (approximately, except you)

I grew up on a farm in Day county, South Dakota, the glacial lakes region. One of the things that exists on the farm that few farms have is a real live cemetery. I am not certain of the dates as to when the cemetery originated, but it was when wagon trains trekked through the region from the east. A family lost 2 daughters to cholera and they buried the girls on this hill. When I was a child, my father showed me the "less than obvious" stones that marked the children's graves. The hill is one of the highest points in Day County and offers a panoramic view to the west. At sundown you can see 45 miles to Aberdeen. The more I thought about it, the more I realized these unfortunate children needed a proper headstone. So.................. One winter during my youth I created this piece. The wings are the front quarter panels of a 1950 Ford. I cut the cactus using 2 railroad signal switch crossing posts. The center piece has a bell footing with bolt holes, and the arms are cut and welded from the other. The bird is mounted on a wheel spindle and rests inside the top and it pivots with the wind. Its rear is always windward. The head is fabricated from the hood of a car. I cut a pattern from cardboard and transferred it to the hood, cut it and shaped it into the head. It has a pivot point similar to those bobbing dogs in your rear view mirror. The breast is formed from a piece of expanded metal. Rebar talons wrap around the exhaust system from the same car. A structural crossarm holds the thing together. The foundation that supports it is a concrete footing. Unfortunately I never learned the names of the girls buried there. I scratched two crosses and the word "CHOLERA" into the wet concrete. Sparrows have since made a nest in the body and a badger has excavated a home under the concrete footing. The graves are just to the east of the sculpture.

When I go back to S.D. people come up and say "what did you do that for?" I am sure that no one outside my family knows the reason why, except you.

Techno-Crab (Donation) Roanoke Island....

I quit painting when the canvas was full of wet paint. Then I quit painting for a while, and then I added more paint. and so now it looks like this. Techno Crab. Oil on canvas 20"X20"

I have donated this painting to "The Lost Colony" on Roanoke Island. I don't know how long it will take them to find it. (Donated) Roanoake Island.............

Techno-Crab (Approximately)

Mixed Media. No. You can't.

Flyless Afternoon (On Painting Summer)

At the end of a long flyless afternoon with orange crush and sunset on the Outer Banks. Oil on canvas 18"X18". You can buy this painting directly from the artist for $250.00

Temporary Like a Bird

Along the beachroad. Oil on canvas 20"X20".

Trois Crabe (On "just your style") (SOLD)

Just what is style anyway, a collection of bad habits, or is that just my style?.................... Ahhh. Sometimes crabs just explode onto the canvas. I painted for a while and then I didn't paint any more. Acrylic on canvas 18"X22"  and then like that this painting is sold.

A Movable Feast (on painting literally)(SOLD)

These crabs are so much fun. It seems like I am not really trying. It is difficult to judge your own work, and sometimes paintings just......."HAPPEN!" I may just drink a bottle of whiskey and pick a fight some small man I'm pretty sure I can beat. Hang out. Have some minnow.
Acrylic on canvas 18"X22" (SOLD)

The crabe bleu studies (Lets go to my place and molt)

I do lots of sketches of crabs. I know quite a few of the body parts. I put these 2 together and smeared some chalk on tracing paper. Looking for a cool way to take this to a canvas where the proportions may change in my particular xy scale conversion. Mixed media. (Priceless)

Red Round (On "I'm all wet too")

I mucked in on this some yesterday. I stopped when the canvas was full of wet paint. This morning I added more wet paint....and then I took a shower. I might go out and get a bagel and a Yoohoo. Oil on canvas 16"X14"

(Check for avilability)

3 and 1 (SOLD)

It used to look like that, and now it looks like this. If this looks familiar its because I painted this once and ruined it. I picked up the oils again and then this happened. "Its all new to me". Oil on canvas 12"X16"

this painting is sold

Walking on Sunset (on painting the beachroad) (SOLD)

I certainly enjoyed painting this. I did a tone sketch with washes in acrylic last night. This morning the canvas was dry and I mucked in with oils. I am quite satisfied with my efforts. Another scene along the beachroad at sunset. I have painted this house before. "No Parking" and "Beachroad 2:00AM". Oil on canvas 20"X36"

This painting is sold.

Thank you. This painting was one of my first with oils. I did do a acrylic underpainting.

 

Monday Trashday (the beachroad saga)

Hello to my old good A&E buddy, Doug Dieter, out there in Sacramento, Cal. Found me with a google search. This scene must look familiar to you.
It is very easy to overwork paintings, and if you love to paint, then you must fight that urge also. "But,............... I just got goin' good!"
I don't know if this is finished but it certainly was fun to paint. "Yes, but there is that bit just over the chateau, that certainly could stand another splash." The light at sundown on the beach road is wonderful.
I often beg for critiques. Carole Thompson, owner of Lighthouse Gardens "offered" a word on my work. "......Again the lean........". Thanks, Carole. Acrylic on Canvas 20"X36"

Pink,Yellow, Blue (on painting the beach road)

Another scene at sundown along North Carolina Highway 12 (the beach road)
Oil on canvas 22"X18" (Check for availability).

Wrap Around (On "please question the engineer")(SOLD)

I did this painting a while ago. Another scene along North Carolina Highway 12 (the beachroad) a little oceanfront house. This house has been moved back from the first line of vegetation and raised above the flood plain. You can tell by the way the foundation pilings don't align with anything above. The painting was a little too loose for my personal taste and without telling you why the foundation looked odd it seemed a little odd to me. Lesson learned "PAINT WHAT YOU SEE" and please " question the engineer". The last time I broke out the oils I reworked this, and I am now happy with it. Oil on Canvas 22"X18". (SOLD)

Purple Crab and Cork (Sold)

The oil paints have allowed me to get a little more bold with the acrylics.

I have never used purple and orange like this.

Acrylic on canvas 24"X36"

this painting is sold.

Shades of grey (on painting the beachroad)(SOLD)

A drive down the beachroad at sundown last night and this house showed up again. Another scene along North Carolina Highway 12 (the beachroad). Oil on canvas 16"X20".

(SOLD)

Hanz and Franz "Pump You Up!" (on painting wallflowers)(SOLD)

More crabs. It was just color with these guys. I am trying to get back to oil paints. The colors are so.....buttery rich, and powerful like Marlboro Reds. One coat coverage. No screwin' around. Stick around have some aqua. This was fun to paint and a great way to start back into the oils. Oil on Canvas12"X32

This painting is sold.

"Later we went swimming" (SOLD)

This painting is sold.

crab colossus and cork (on painting wallflowers)(SOLD)

This painting is hung at Lighthouse Garden in Corolla, NC. Right there by the Currituck Lighthouse. Monday or so. You know.......island time......... Acrylic on canvas 18"X48" (SOLD)

"Willing to follow"

If you count this guy over and over you will fall asleep. 1 , 1 , 1, 1, ,1, 1 ,1, , ,,,,, 16"X16" Acrylic on canvas .
this painting is no longer available.

"Crabe bleu" (real men don't do washes)(SOLD)

A painting of one of the ususual suspects. This felt a little too cool. I highlighted areas of the yellow green with a yellow white wash. I washed in a few more bluegreen shadows. Real men don't use washes. I have paintings hung in a gallery in Historic Corolla Village. So the next time you're in Corolla, NC. Stop at
Lighthouse Garden.
http://www.lighthouse-garden.com/index.html
I have added a permanent link to the site below. When you're there buying my paintings, tell Carole I said hello.
Acrylic on canvas 16"X16". (SOLD)

I'm ready for my closeup now (painting the geometry of it)

I break all the rules on crab color with these red crabs. I like red and the blue green feels cool and that's what I know about painting. (red and turquoise) I do know something about design. Fine design has recognizable geometry. Red crab or blue the geometry of the thing has to be sound. If it is all else can be forgiven. I painted on this with my camcorder running, and then I painted on it some more. I had a sandwich a little later and then I painted on it some more. After a while I painted it some more and then I signed my name to it when I liked it. Acrylic on Canvas 16"X16". You can buy this painting directly from the artist for $195.

"One Big Ass Crab" and Shirlee? (SOLD)

(cat not included)

My cat is not afraid of really big big crabs. I left the work in progress to show the scale of this painting. This cat is not for sale, but if you are interested in buying the painting, lets talk. I donate a portion of the sales of all my paintings to The Dare County SPCA. 18"X48" Acrylic on canvas (SOLD)

"Purple Cow" (on art when life gets in the way)(SOLD)

Today life managed to get in the way again. Inspite of all that here is a purple cow for your viewing pleasure. mixed media.(SOLD to a Collector in Texas)

Little m's (deliberately painting )(SOLD)

Oom Flippus looked up from his reading and said,........ "I've about had it with these queer sheep!"

Another scene along North Carolina Highway 12 ( the beachroad) The shutter's on this house have birds painted on them. When I drive by it, I sometimes say aloud, "look, little m's"! I am trying to be more deliberate with this painting. But meanwhile, I'm just sittin' here waiting thinking about little m's. Acrylic on canvas 20"X20" (SOLD)

Wool in the Landscape

Sometimes there is no reason not to paint sheep. Other times I try to forget. Meanwhile, if you have not checked out my youtube video then you have been in a cave or at least you should get out less. Here is a connection. In discussing the concept for this video, I liked the idea of adding things and then taking them away. The guys editing took the concept one step farther, in that they took out stuff that I had painted in and then added it again later. I love the way this is sort of visually confusing. Anyway, I'm getting a few views.

Dear Editing Staff, (Rick Nilson's speed painting a chicken)
Very clever and a brand new idea. I will carry this concept forward.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hs3CjL19yrY

Oh....incase you were wondering, yes, you can buy this painting directly from the artist for $225.00

Three (on paintings in ebay)

And just then I put my brush down. Sometimes paintings are difficult and sometimes they can be easy. If you painted houses for a living you would be drunk most of the time. No. That's not what I meant. If you were at the top of your game all the time, then you would be pretty mediocre. 20"X20" Acrylic on canvas. This painting is no longer available.

Two (on painting odd in the landscape)

When discussing affairs like landscape design 2 is an odd number. Mostly 3 or 5 or 7 can be better than 4 or 2 or 6 when considering a particular plant or element in the landscape. Just plop down 2 of something and.............. where's #3? Or it's.................. "one is never enough for you, is it? You had to have that second one!"
One is better than two, but then you have to decide if your fancy is worthy of being a specimen or is it just mass out there by itself. I have already counted them, but they could be two specimens like ewe and lamb or just 2 sheep. That is odd. Acrylic on canvas 20"X20". You can buy this painting directly from the artist for $225.00

Seasoned Crab (on painting with dissapointment)(SOLD)

Painting crabs can be challenging affairs. I painted one a few day's ago. I didn't like it much and I was a little dissapointed with my blues. I mucked in for a second time. I cooked him. He turned red and then I seasoned him with my special seafood rub (cad red and cad yellow and titanium white in equal parts) spattered on with a stiff brush, and then I got the mail and later I took a shower. I will probably have that chicken salad for lunch. Acrylic on canvas 20"X20" .
(SOLD)

Steamers (on painting proud) SOLD

I have finished yet another painting. I am so proud.

Acrylic on canvas 20"X20"

This painting is sold 

Rubens Approximately (on drawing blurred parts)

Pencil and chalk on 8X11

Buxton don't want no stinkin nudes!

(Priceless).

Two blue crab (on painting loose)(SOLD)

Anonymous said...
This picture does not due justice to the original. We catch blue crabs all summer and this is a great piece reflecting our lifestyle. Thank you!

Rick said "No, Thank you!"

(SOLD)
I have tried about 5 different paintings with this particular canvas. a fish. a fish. a crab. a crab. a crab. 2 crabs. I promised myself that I would keep this as loose as I could. The technician was squirming around in the chair and ginsoaked boy just laughed. So that being said, I just painted and then I didn't paint anymore, and then I waited until it dried. Then I took this picture of it. Then I uploaded into my artblog. Acrylic on canvas 24"x24". I donate a portion of the sale of every painting to The Dare County SPCA

Crab Approximately(SOLD)

(SOLD)

This is how I start my paintings. I did a pencil sketch on 8X11 last night. This morning I smeared a wash over the entire canvas. yellow ochre and red oxide in this case. I let it dry, this time. Sometimes I don't. I mixed my black to define the shapes of my crab in proportion to a square. I have found that I can play some with "correct proportions". In this case I want to make my crab look "beefier" (crab on steroids) I mixed white with the leftover background combo and with the black and established my masses. Then I started adding color. .....and then I posted this...... and then I made a sandwich......... I might make a few phone calls......... What is your number anyway? Acrylic on canvas 20"X20" Thanks for looking.

"Pirate Country" (SOLD)

Add captionAcrylic on canvas 20"X20"
This painting is sold