Sally, where'd you get your seafood from? (SOLD)

 I am posting this to show you how I start most of my paintings, and because I was too lazy to finish it and I want to draw this out till next year.

"Sally, where'd you get your liquor from?" Rev. Gary Davis

Oil on canvas 14"X10"

A little Shirley Now and Zen (SOLD)

Here again is my cat doing zen like things in my backyard. I need a new venue or a new pet or a jonre. Maybe a niche. I have always wanted to have my own one of those. Yes, I need a nice little niche. Not too big, not too small, just one to call my very own. One that fits this perfect hell I'm in.

Oil on canvas 8"X20
(SOLD to a repeat collector)

EightySix BlueCrab

I keep painting these guys and now I know its time to move on and say

"Going to leave these blues behind"

 .Oil on canvas sort of  23"X 9"
this painting is no longer available.

My town with a little drop of posion

This is a painting of the beachroad. I have had it around for a  quite a while and I ocassionally  add bits of color. This is what it looks like now.  We paint our sand fences pink, or at least I do.  I took the reference photo for this late one warm summer afternoon in the coldest dead of winter.

Oil on canvas 22"X18"

Buy this painting on PayPal
Price: $335 USD plus $16 USD s/h
Or, send me an email

Careless Love (a study in canine)

Dogs seem to personify "Careless Love". They give it so freely to anyone who will accept it.  I painted a friends dog. I gotta get my own model.
I gave this painting to the dog's owner.

Oil on canvas 6"X8"

Nascrab

A blue crab moving fast

Oil on canvas 20"X16"

this painting is no longer available.

Hereford on Killing Floor

Hereford were the cattle that originally were used to repopulate the great plains after we killed all the buffalo. There are a lots of  exotic breeds now much better than herefords, but still a pale comparison to the buffalo. The hereford or red whiteface cattle with horns have been largely bred out of existence. 

Oil on canvas 12"X16"
this painting is no longer available.

Pacifics in Chains(SOLD)

This is Pacifics, a commercial fishing boat docked in Wanchese Harbor, on the Outer Banks of  North Carolina.
Oil on canvas 20"X16"
This painting is sold.

Crabzilla(SOLD)

This crab is sort of styling, if I may.

This is a abstract painting of a Coastal North Carolina blue crab by American Artist Rick Nilson.

Accept no substitute and copy no other.

I have a neighbor that runs a commercial crabbing buisness in his back yard. He has custom license plates that say,

"Crabzilla".

 I hardly know him anymore either.

Ahhh. Good Times.

I'm just tryin' to make some cents.

Oil on canvas 6"X8"
this painting is sold.

Cat on Killing Floor (SOLD)

When all santa gives you is the blues.
Who's gonna come if I'm good my way?

 little red rooster crows all day.

Who comes around on special nights?

wearing boots way too tight.

Must be santa.

Oil on canvas 9"X12"
This painting is sold

Faded Lovee(SOLD)

Most people can't make this stuff up. This is "Lovee" the pastel calico that replaced Laverne.  If my neighbor and I were still on speaking terms he would testify. About a year ago my neighbor came to our house. He saw "Lovee" for the first time, however, he knew we already had a calico cat. In astonishment he asked, "..has that cat faded?"

Oil on canvas 14"X11"
This painting is sold.

Come on MeowMix, please deliver (a study in Feline) (SOLD)

these are my rules for a successful piece of art.

1. If it comes easy, I tell myself, "please let it be".

2.If I have a happy accident, I tell everyone I meant to do that. Including myself, and I believe it.

3. I am confident that I can paint more like Rick Nilson than anyone else on the planet.

4. I don't care if you like me or my work. I used to, but I don't know you anymore.
5. I will be crushed if you don't like my paintings.

Oil on canvas 8"X20"

(SOLD to a collector in Memphis)

Little Angel Mine (SOLD)

This painting has a glare in the photo that I don't know how to get rid of .

When I finish a painting that I am exceptionally proud of or that I really enjoyed painting, I find little ways to reward myself.

 I don't get weird about it though.

This is a blue crab painting by Rick Nilson.

Oil on canvas 8"X20"
This painting is sold.

Ewe on Parchman Farm (SOLD)

Parchman farm was a 16,000 acre prison in Mississippi. This painting started out as a rural landscape of South Dakota. It had a barn, an old house and a concrete silo, with a big open pasture in the foreground. I thought the pasture needed something. So I added the sheep. Then I realized that the sheep really didn't need the house, the barn or the concrete silo. Sometimes the things I have the hardest time parting with are the things I need the least.
This painting is sold to a repeat collector

The New Hula Blues(SOLD)

a blue crab painting by Rick Nilson

oil on canvas 7"X5"
(SOLD)

Key to the Highway (SOLD)

I have painted this house before. This is an ocean front home in Nag's Head, North Carolina.  When I moved to the outer banks I lost the key to the highway. Now I won't be leaving here running, and you know, walking is most too slow.

Oil on canvas 11"X14"
this painting is sold.

Cat Scratch Fever(SOLD)

Since my dog died I have been paying more attention to my cats. This one in particular. Shirley. I am fastinated by the intense euphoric feeling she apparently  gets digging her claws along the  wood grain. I think I have captured that moment here.
Oil on canvas 8"X16" (SOLD)

Cheeze Boat

This is a commercial fishing boat docked in Wanchese Harbour. Local's call them Cheeseboats.

Oil on canvas 14"X10"

(This painting is a gift for my favorite people)

Don't pay any attention to those fools (SOLD)

These little birds are always so much fun to paint. They make me smile and then I'm sad.

Oil on canvas 8"X16"
(SOLD)

Dancing with Roosters

Rooster at the Copa with a fresh coat of Rick Nilson

These birds are just having too much fun. "Off with their heads!" cried the Queen.

Oil on canvas 22"X16" (this painting is a gift)

Sure Miss Elvis

A still life involving a windup mickey mouse toy lamenting the untimely loss of his muse, Elvis Presley.
Void where prohibited by law.

Oil on canvas 9"X12"

Three Birds (SOLD)

Three Birds 150 bucks

Bob in South Dakota says I am the only artist that can paint his chickens. He's a wildman, he might get someone else to write you a letter. he'll do it too.  Don't ask about painting chickens out here on the outerbanks without the expressed written concent of Rick Nilson, Bob, The National Football League, and the American Egg Layers Assoc. Manteo Chapter

Void where prohibited by law.

This painting may be copied without notice.

Accept no substitute.

Oil on canvas 12"X16"

this painting is sold

Serendipity Now (SOLD)

This is from another photo furnished by my painting mate Mick. Serendipity again. I owe you Mick. For some reason this painting feels somber in a way that is hard to shake. I think the open electrical panel on the front of the house is the saddest element.  The elctrical panel and the house are both vacant. When a house is condemned they "pull the (meter) ". Similar to "pull the plug".

The perfect gift for Festuvus celebrations.

Serendipity Now.

Let our sales team stuff your stocking.

Oil  on canvas 16"X20"(SOLD)

No Dog and Pony Cow

"Were in the big time now, Jack", " we're not just a couple of macho men from the flea market"

A Rick Nilson Holstien Cow

Accept no substitute and Copy no other

oil on canvas panel approx. 10"X8"

Buy this painting on PayPal
Price: $75 USD plus $6 USD s/h
Or, send me an email

Crab on the Job Too Long (SOLD)

He wants to just go home and forgetaboutit.

This is a Rick Nilson Original Blue Crab Painting.

Accept no substitute and copy no other.

Beware of impersonators, pretending to be crabs.

Oil on canvas 8"X16"
this painting is sold.

Later that same evening in Rodanthe(SOLD)(Serendipity)

My mate Mick spends his nights mostly in Rodanthe these days. I asked him to take a picture of Serendipity, the house in "Rodanthe Nights". It has been an icon on Hatteras Island for as long as I can remember. The first oceanfront home after about 25 miles of National Park Service Property. From the very top of the Oregon Inlet Bridge you can see Rodanthe in the distance. Its really RodantheWavesSalvo.  "Richard Gere frolicking in the surf". Ahhh. Good Times.

Oil  on canvas 14"X10"

I am going to officially call this my 500th  painting.
(SOLD) to a repeat collector

Paroled Crab(SOLD)

He's going to mess with you.
This is an original oil painting of a beautiful swimmer crab by Rick Nilson.

Accept no substitute and Copy no other.

Oil on canvas 14"X11"
This painting is sold.

Charter Fleet Pirates Cove (SOLD)

When you can't think of any two words that gets your heart pounding like
 "FISH ON"
Then, son, you have reached a different part of your life. These boats are part of the charter fishing fleet in Pirates Cove Marina in Manteo, North Carolina.

Oil on canvas 12"X24"
(SOLD) to a repeat collector in Belhaven, NC

Missed The A Train (what happens at the terminal, stays at the terminal)

I had several inspirations for this piece. I always have done little doodles of people doing extraordinary things. I liked the idea of the dancers. One of the painters at Dailypainters.com does wonderful dancers. Connie Chadwell. I have also watched a lot of the paintings come in at DSFDF. Once I was satisfied with the dancers, I began looking for a scene for dancers.  The colorful concrete floor of the terminal seemed like an easily recognizable icon. When I saw what Karin Jurick called her painting "Terminal Pace" and thought about all those poor people rushing around trying to catch their rides, the idea of  "Terminal Dancing" seemed like a nice change of pace.   I think I have missed the submission date for DSFDF, so indeed, I have ("Missed the A Train").

Accept no subsititue and copy no other.

A Rick Nilson Original.
Oil on stretched canvas 12"X9"

Legally Crab (Don't start me talkin") (SOLD)

This is an original oil painting of a blue crab by Rick Nilson. Accept no substitute and copy no other.

"Don't start me talkin', I'll tell everything I know."
Oil on Linen 16"X16"
She said she had information, if her named wasn't used.
(SOLD) to a collector in Vancouver Island, Canada
If you would like to buy a crab painting, I do commissions.

Atlantis and the sea

This is Hayman Street Beach Access in Kill Devil Hills looking south to Avalon Pier. The pictures in this post were taken in August of 2009 and the one above was taken after our last storm. Do you see any difference?
This was taken a few days after our last storm. You will see the yellow house called Atlantis, only the concrete portion is yellow. I have painted Atlantis before, see (Yell Oh) It has lost a lot of siding on the wood part of the structure. The stairs, decks and a lot of sand from the outer banks are a little closer to the Swanquarter, NC. This is my painting from a reference photo while driving south along  Virginia Dare Trail. Frank Sinatra was doing a Limp Biskit cover on the radio. There was a Starbucks Mocha Latte in the cup holder.
Oil on canvas 12"X24"

J. Crew Drama (The landscape of her shoe)

I feel comfortable using shoe and landscape in the same sentence.

Oil on canvas 10"X14"

Buy this painting on PayPal
Price: $120 USD plus $9 USD s/h
Or, send me an email

Sweet Avalon (Avalon Fishing Pier) Kill Devil Hills, NC (SOLD)

Avalon Fishing Pier
Oil on Linen Panel 12"X16"
(SOLD to a repeat collector in Holly Springs)

Fur Ball Pole Dancing aka: Pôle de boule de fourrure danse(SOLD)

 I am partially color blind in the blues and greens. I have found it to be beneficial to lay my colors out in the same location on my pallete every time. More men than women are colorblind. I don't know among painters. I am not totally color blind. Just certain shades of blue and green.  This is the replacement cat's dead sister replacement, Lovee. Please see "The Replacement"  Cindy thinks she spells it "Lovey". I try to ignore it.  The Smart Continental thinks everything smells better in French.

Oil on stretched canvas 10"X14" (please forgive me for my sins).

(SOLD)

The crab I love so close at hand (SOLD)

Sometimes these blue crabs make my day, or it could have been that greasy pizza, but I think it was the wine.  It seems that kickin back at the beach "creating" can be like that. Blue or No.

Oil on canvas 12"X24" (SOLD) to a repeat collector in Kill Devil Hills, NC

Lone Cedar (SOLD)

This was one of the  first 25 paintings. I have drawn enough landscapes for a lifetime. The subject holds no interest for me at present. It is one of the few painting I have done that has my full signature, "Rick Nilson".

A collector came by the mancave and liked this.  This is a scene not far from my house.

Acrylic on stretched canvas approx. 12"X10" (SOLD to a repeat collector in NC)

Cat on a Stick (SOLD)

This painting will have to dry for 2 weeks prior to shipping.
This is my cat being coaxed around a piling with a fishing lure over her head.
On Pole Dancing

Oil on canvas 14"X11" (SOLD to a collector in Willow Springs, NC)

Rodeo Shrimp

Pen and marker sketch

not for sale

"Trois paire de chaussures" The Smart Continental

"Trois paire de chaussures" is the way a smart continental might refer to, "Three pair of shoes"
Acrylic on canvas 20"X20"

Just like VanGogh. Accept no substitute.

Cocaine Blues (SOLD)

" A lot of people don't know what's the matter with them sometimes , because nobody can't get along with them, you know...."

Rev. Gary Davis

Oil on stretched canvas 8"X6" (SOLD to a collector in Elizabeth City, NC)

Bad Lamb/Reform farm Bound(SOLD)

He was immune to her reform farm threats.

Oil on canvas 12"X9"

as always our guarantee

"No salesman will visit your home"

The sun finally came out on sunday afternoon.

(SOLD to a repeat collector)

Watch this storm Live and a beachroad video and more added on Saturday

South Nags Head.

"...BESIDES THAT," god said in her knowing way, "I THINK I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT THIS SPIT OF SAND LOOKS LIKE A BIT CLOSER TO CURRITUCK COUNTY."

and the children of Israel said, "....oh."

When God said ("..go yee therefore, oh children of Israel, and live amongst and occupy my lands, and build your house up on the solid rock and not in the sand on those little sticks. .") ,she did not realize her children were counting minutes until the threat of cramps had passed or the money there was to be made in coastal development.

This is not my photo. I ripped it from a facebook friends page. I do not know who took this photo, it was from a northeaster along the Outer Banks last winter. Sometimes kickin back at the beach can be work.

I have a link here to the live camera on Avalon Fishing Pier.

HERE

If you click

HERE
there is a facebook link to pictures of south nags head yesterday.

HERE

is yet another facebook of some of those houses on little sticks.

HERE and then HERE

I do it for you.

The Last Blue Crab in Pepto-Bismol (SOLD)

This little blue crab will spend a long time, I hope, hanging out in St.Johns, USVI. Thanks to Kate. I painted this yesterday as a demo in a painting class that I hosted in the mancave.

Oil on canvas 16"X12"
(SOLD)

Marshes Light(SOLD)

A collector came by the mancave and bought this. I will take a better photo when the sun comes out. The paint is still wet so I will have this around for 2 more weeks. I had a student attempt this with me. I have another painter that tried to get off Hatteras Island today around noon and was turned back. The road to Hatteras is flooded by the storm all around us. Hatteras Island and Ocracoke are now cut off from the northern parts of the outer banks and escape. Mick, Stay dry down there, Mate.

I just use some mud to define the tones. I started with a white canvas. I added a very thin wash of cad red to the canvas. I am not painting, I am just using pigment tones to define my shapes. I used the mud left over from yesterday's painting class. I rely on sun for taking photos of my paintings and the last 3 days have been very cloudy, and overcast, all this storm is upon us.

Oil on canvas 24"X12" (SOLD)

Gary considered a career as a private detective

I started this on Monday morning. Who does that? Who has a job like this? Who wakes up monday morning thinking, ".....yep, I gotta get started painting a drag queen...."

I tried to give this portrait a more stately look and less chorus line drag queen. I did not have a reference photo or a mirror.

If you come to the Outer Banks in the summer go see "The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama" on Roanoke Island. Yes, it is lost, but there are signs and arrows everywhere. The story of Sir Walter Raleigh, The Queen of England and the first English child born in America and a bunch of missing people."

If you click here. it will take you to a link. Good outdoor family fun on Roanoke Sound. Bring mosquito repellent.

Not for Sale

Oil washes on 12"X16"