Minneapolis Rain

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 12x16

The reflections of bright red tail lights on the wet pavement against the subdued background of the rain-washed city are the main elements that drew me to this scene. My daughter, Gina Tuchel, provided the reference photos from her recent visit to Minneapolis. The geometric abstract patterns of light and dark always intrigue me and who could resist the bright red glow of the brake lights? ...not me.

One Stormy Night

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 16x12

I have always loved a good thunderstorm!

This painting was inspired by the album cover of “One Stormy Night” which shows the blurry image of a man and woman seen through a rain drenched window glass. The first Mystic Moods Orchestra album "One Stormy Night" was released in 1965. This record sets storm and rain noises against easy-listening orchestral sounds. I purchased the album and often played it during real thunderstorms as I sat on our enclosed porch with my family and watched and listened to the rain beating on the roof and pouring down outside our windows.

This painting features my beautiful grand daughter, Callie Tuchel. She is an emerging artist herself and she posed for me. Naturally this painting is not for sale and is part of the family collection but open addition prints are available

The Enchanted Voyage

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 20x16

“Mr. Pecket built a sailboat in his backyard. It would never stay afloat for it was built of fantasy, irony and humaneness. One night Mr. Pecket did experience his "Enchanted Voyage", and only then did he discover what life is truly about.

A MAN AND HIS IMPOSSIBLE DREAM...

The man, who lived in a very practical little house in the Bronx with his very practical little wife, was very unhappy -- except when he puttered around in his backyard, lost in his dreams. His wife had very little sympathy with his preoccupation...

Then one day his dream began to come true and he found himself sailing far away from home in search of...who could guess?

Maybe freedom, maybe adventure, maybe even true love...” (From the back cover)

I read this small book, by Robert Nathan ©1936, as a young man in my twenties and re-read the story on my Kindle recently. It struck a chord with me back then and still does today. It’s about hope and yearning and the freedom to live your dreams. It is essentially a “Road Trip” saga of a man sailing away from his dull and unhappy existence on his sailboat, the Sarah Pecket. The homemade boat with wheels attached and Mr. Pecket on board, is launched down the city street by a sudden storm. Later two other people, a lonely waitress and an unemployed dentist, come along for the adventure. It’s a quirky adult fairytale.