Today’s Painting “Old Skool Coke Bottle” (30 Paintings in 30 Days: Day Nine)

So I’m down here near Atlanta for a birthday party. Atlanta: home of the most famous beverage on the planet. The iconic bottle. The official soft drink of World War II: Coca-Cola. Gotta do one of these paintings every day (even on the road), so why not celebrate the local hero? Here’s my take on the classic Coke bottle.

This one is 5″ by 7″: ink & watercolor on sturdy illustration board and perfect for a standard size frame, or easy to matte for a larger one.

I’m doing a painting each day this month. 30 paintings in 30 days. Being November, the Month of the Feast, the theme is Things We Love to Eat and Drink.

A painting a day, and yes, they’re for sale. And they’re affordable: $99, which includes free first-class shipping. You can buy them on my Etsy store by clicking here. Check this blog every day (or the Etsy store) to see the new painting du jour. Each one is 5″ by 7″ on sturdy illustration board; perfect for a standard size frame, or easy to matte for a larger one.

I’ll need some content, folks, so if you have any suggestions for good subjects, leave a comment or write to me at john@tebeau.com. What would you like to see memorialized as art? What’s your favorite comfort food? Your most-loved childhood treat? The hometown food you miss most? If you moved away tomorrow, what local specialty would you long for? And, looking ahead, what other themes would you suggest?

Thanks to those of you who have contributed (among other things) US 31 Bar-B-Q, Italian Beef sandwiches (from Chicago… with hot peppers, I assume!), squash, Crystal hot sauce, a Lafayette Coney Island dog from Detroit and macaroni & cheese. What else ya got?

Thanks, too, to Michael Stern of RoadFood.com for his mention here.

Tomorrow’s painting: the classic American dessert.

Yesterday’s painting: “Comfort Lunch: Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup”.

Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup

Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup: Day Eight of 30 Paintings in 30 Days

Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup

So, in doing this project of 30 paintings in 30 days, I’ve been asking people about their favorite chow. Favorite regional specialties, childhood food, comfort food, etc. COMFORT FOOD. This topic elicits some serious feedback, and one that’s cropped up a couple of times (and I have to agree on this one) is ye olde grilled cheese sandwich with hot tomato soup. One of the best comfort lunches ever, I’d say, so here’s my take on it. Click here to purchase.

I’m doing a painting each day this month. 30 paintings in 30 days. Being November, the Month of the Feast, the theme is Things We Love to Eat and Drink.

A painting a day, and yes, they’re for sale. And they’re affordable: $99, which includes free first-class shipping. You can buy them on my Etsy store by clicking here. Check this blog every day (or the Etsy store) to see the new painting du jour. Each one is 5″ by 7″ on sturdy illustration board; perfect for a standard size frame, or easy to matte for a larger one.

I’ll need some content, folks, so if you have any suggestions for good subjects, leave a comment or write to me at john@tebeau.com. What would you like to see memorialized as art? What’s your favorite comfort food? Your most-loved childhood treat? The hometown food you miss most? If you moved away tomorrow, what local specialty would you long for? And, looking ahead, what other themes would you suggest?

Thanks to those of you who have contributed (among other things) US 31 Bar-B-Q, Italian Beef sandwiches (from Chicago… with hot peppers, I assume!), squash, Crystal hot sauce, a Lafayette Coney Island dog from Detroit and macaroni & cheese. What else ya got?

Thanks, too, to Michael Stern of RoadFood.com for his mention here.

Tomorrow’s painting: what they feed babies in Georgia.

Yesterday’s painting: “Taylor Ham,” the pride of Jersey.

30 Paintings in 30 Days, Day Seven: Taylor Ham

The Mighty Taylor Ham

A special request came in for this one: Taylor Ham. Or call it pork roll. Either way, it’s a treat from New Jersey and according to Wikipedia

“Although the product is widely consumed and enjoyed, it resists accurate description. Some people compare the taste and/or texture to Spam, Treet, bologna, mild salami, smoked summer sausage, or US-style Canadian bacon. In 1910 it was described as “a food article made of pork, packed in a cylindrical cotton sack or bag in such form that it could be quickly prepared for cooking by slicing without removal from the bag.”

At any rate, it’s one of those regional foods that the rest of the country probably doesn’t know about, and I love those. In addition, I love the packaging. Red and white. What’s not to love? And note the cross in the “O” in Taylor. Swiss-inspired? What’s that all about? Ultimately, it doesn’t matter. This is Taylor Ham, baby. TAYLOR HAM.

I’m doing a painting each day this month. 30 paintings in 30 days. Being November, the Month of the Feast, the theme is Things We Love to Eat and Drink.

A painting a day, and yes, they’re for sale. And they’re affordable: $99, which includes free first-class shipping. You can buy them on my Etsy store by clicking here. Check this blog every day (or the Etsy store) to see the new painting du jour. Each one is 5″ by 7″ on sturdy illustration board; perfect for a standard size frame, or easy to matte for a larger one.

I’ll need some content, folks, so if you have any suggestions for good subjects, leave a comment or write to me at john@tebeau.com. What would you like to see memorialized as art? What’s your favorite comfort food? Your most-loved childhood treat? The hometown food you miss most? If you moved away tomorrow, what local specialty would you long for? And, looking ahead, what other themes would you suggest?

Thanks to those of you who have contributed (among other things) RC Cola & a Moon Pie, apple pie a la mode,  Nathan’s hot dogs, Fowler’s Taffy of Florida,  Cafe du Monde coffee and Michigan’s Towne Club pop. What else ya got?

Thanks, too, to Michael Stern of RoadFood.com for his mention here.

Tomorrow’s painting: comfort lunch supreme.

Yesterday’s painting: “Guinness: a Pint of the Black Stuff.”

"Guinness (A Pint of the Black Stuff)"

30 Paintings in 30 Days, Day Six: “Guinness (A Pint of the Black Stuff)”

"Guinness (A Pint of the Black Stuff)"

Guinness. They say it’s good for you. They used to, anyway, in their advertising of yore. It was also alleged to “give you strength,” and, for some reason, zoo animals couldn’t seem to keep their paws off it. Seriously. Google “vintage guinness ads.”

I’m doing a painting each day this month. 30 paintings in 30 days. Being November, the Month of the Feast, the theme is Things We Love to Eat and Drink.

A painting a day, and yes, they’re for sale. And they’re affordable: $99, which includes free first-class shipping. You can buy them on my Etsy store by clicking here. Check this blog every day (or the Etsy store) to see the new painting du jour. Each one is 5″ by 7″ on sturdy illustration board; perfect for a standard size frame, or easy to matte for a larger one.

I’ll need some content, folks, so if you have any suggestions for good subjects, leave a comment or write to me at john@tebeau.com. What would you like to see memorialized as art? What’s your favorite comfort food? Your most-loved childhood treat? The hometown food you miss most? If you moved away tomorrow, what local specialty would you long for? And, looking ahead, what other themes would you suggest?

Thanks to those of you who have contributed (among other things) RC Cola & a Moon Pie, apple pie a la mode,  Nathan’s hot dogs, Fowler’s Taffy of Florida,  Cafe du Monde coffee and Michigan’s Towne Club pop. What else ya got?

Thanks, too, to Michael Stern of RoadFood.com for his mention here.

Tomorrow’s painting: Jersey’s pride.

Yesterday’s painting: “Tabasco (Large & Small).”

"Tabasco (Large & Small)"

30 Paintings in 30 Days, Day Five: “Tabasco (Large & Small)”

"Tabasco (Large & Small)"

“Tabasco (Large and Small)” is an original painting by New York artist John Tebeau, one of 30 Paintings in 30 Days. (click here to purchase) November’s theme is Things We Love to Eat and Drink. December’s theme will be announced later. Have suggestions for subjects or themes? Let me know with a comment.

I love Louisiana. I love hot sauce. I love Tabasco. It’s the iconic American pepper sauce, still made on Avery Island, LA, where back in 1862 the Avery family discovered a massive salt mine, which saved the confederacy’s bacon. Literally. Since 1868 the salt has been put to good use making Tabasco sauce, and subsequently, many a Bloody Mary.

(NOTE: there’s a subtle fire motif in the background of this painting: red flames on the orange background. The difference is too subtle for my scanner to fully catch, but it’s really quite striking. And SPICY LOOKING.)

I’m doing a painting each day this month. 30 paintings in 30 days. Being November, the Month of the Feast, the theme is Things We Love to Eat and Drink.

A painting a day, and yes, they’re for sale. And they’re affordable: $99, which includes free first-class shipping. You can buy them on my Etsy store by clicking here. Check this blog every day (or the Etsy store) to see the new painting du jour. Each one is 5″ by 7″ on sturdy illustration board; perfect for a standard size frame, or easy to matte for a larger one.

I’ll need some content, folks, so if you have any suggestions for good subjects, leave a comment or write to me at john@tebeau.com. What would you like to see memorialized as art? What’s your favorite comfort food? Your most-loved childhood treat? The hometown food you miss most? If you moved away tomorrow, what local specialty would you long for? And, looking ahead, what other themes would you suggest?

Thanks to those of you who have contributed (among other things) Vernor’s Ginger Ale, Papaya King hot dogs, avocados, It’s It San Francisco ice cream sandwiches and the legendary Taylor Ham of New Jersey. What else ya got?

Thanks, too, to Michael Stern of RoadFood.com for his mention here.

Tomorrow’s painting: It’s good for you. Really.

Yesterday’s painting: “Every Part But the Squeal.”

"Every Part But the Squeal"

“Every Part But the Squeal”: Day 4 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days

"Every Part But the Squeal"

“Every Part But the Squeal” is inspired by an old roadside sign from Tennessee in the 1930s, along with that famous line from the Upton Sinclair book, The Jungle. The pig: source of pork, ham AND bacon. And, upon being informed that they all came from the same animal, Homer J. Simpson in bemused disbelief replied, “Heh heh heh. Ooh, yeah, right, Lisa. A wonderful, magical animal.”

I’m doing a painting each day this month. 30 paintings in 30 days. Being November, the Month of the Feast, the theme is Things We Love to Eat and Drink.

A painting a day, and yes, they’re for sale. And they’re affordable: $99, which includes free first-class shipping. You can order on my Etsy store by clicking here. Check this blog every day (or the Etsy store) to see the new painting du jour. Each one will be 5″ by 7″ on sturdy illustration board.

I’ll need some content, folks, so if you have any suggestions for good subjects, leave a comment or write to me at john@tebeau.com. What goodies would you like to see memorialized as art? What’s your favorite comfort food? Your most-loved childhood treat? The hometown food you miss most? If you moved away tomorrow, what local specialty would you long for? And, looking ahead, what other themes would you suggest?

Thanks to those of you who have contributed (among other things) a Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger, a grilled cheese sandwich & tomato soup, apple pie and ice cream, meatloaf, asparagus and red velvet cake. Keep ‘em coming!

Thanks, too, to Michael Stern of RoadFood.com for his mention here.

Tomorrow’s painting: The Spice of Life…. Y’all.

Yesterday’s painting: “Del’s Freakin’ Rocks.”

Del's Freakin Rocks

30 Paintings in 30 Days. Day Three: “Del’s Freakin’ Rocks”

Del's Freakin Rocks

One of the greatest things in the world, according to many a Rhode Islander: Del’s frozen lemonade. Cool. Refreshing. Iconic.

The elegant green and yellow Del’s cup caught my eye on a hot summer’s day a couple years ago at the Newport Jazz Festival. Who uses those two colors so effectively? The Green Bay Packers, the Oakland A’s, the University of Oregon and Del’s. That’s about it.

This classic beverage is found all over Rhode Island, and no summer is official without it. This is a state by-law, I think.

I’m doing a painting each day this month. 30 paintings in 30 days. Being November, the Month of the Feast, the theme is Things We Love to Eat and Drink.

A painting a day, and yes, they’re for sale. And they’re affordable: $99, which includes free first-class shipping. You can order on my Etsy store by clicking here. Check this blog every day (or the Etsy store) to see the new painting du jour. Each one will be 5″ by 7″ on sturdy illustration board, and made with watercolors, gouache paint and/or ink.

I’ll need some content, folks, so if you have any suggestions for good subjects, leave a comment or write to me at john@tebeau.com. What goodies would you like to see memorialized as art? What’s your favorite comfort food? Your most-loved childhood treat? If you moved away tomorrow, what local specialty would you miss the most? And, looking ahead, what other themes would you suggest?

Tomorrow’s painting: The Brooklyn Hipster’s Favorite Animal.

Yesterday’s painting: “Pipin’ Hot Java.”

"Pipin' Hot Java"

30 Paintings in 30 Days, Day Two: America’s Favorite Drug

"Pipin' Hot Java"

And the winner is…. COFFEE. I’ve been studying this carefully, and I have to go with coffee. Why? Well, it’s more ubiquitous that booze, the runner-up. You can always get coffee in a bar, but except for maybe, say, 75% of the diners and coffee shops in New York, you’d be hard-pressed to find beer in a typical java joint.

Also, caffeine is more benevolent than alcohol. Beyond killing a good night’s sleep, very little bad arises from coffee use. In fact, since the Sons of Liberty dumped the tea in the harbour back in 1773, it’s widely been our upper of choice. It keeps us working like good little bees. It’s the All-American drug, folks, and I’m “using” right now.

I’m doing a painting each day this month. 30 paintings in 30 days. Being November, the Month of the Feast, the theme is Things We Love to Eat and Drink.

A painting a day, and yes, they’re for sale. And they’re affordable: $99, which includes free first-class shipping. You can order on my Etsy store by clicking here. Check this blog every day (or the Etsy store) to see the new painting du jour. Each one will be 5″ by 7″ on sturdy illustration board, and made with watercolors, gouache paint and ink.

I’ll need some content, folks, so if you have any suggestions for good subjects, leave a comment or write to me at john@tebeau.com. What goodies would you like to see memorialized as art? What’s your favorite comfort food? Your most-loved childhood treat? If you moved away tomorrow, what local specialty would you miss the most? And, looking ahead, what other themes would you suggest?

Tomorrow’s painting: The Ocean State’s favorite cooler.

Yesterday’s painting: “Pop Corn.”

"Pop Corn"

30 Paintings in 30 Days: Day 1

"Write every day and finish what you start."

Ernest Hemingway, asked about writing, had a solid piece of advice: “Write every day and finish what you start.” I’ve thought about that, and the workman-like attitude behind it. Get in there and do your job, each day, every day. Many of the best artists are disciplined craftsmen, and I’m going to take Hemingway’s advice for a spin. I’m doing a painting each day this month. 30 paintings in 30 days. Being November, the Month of the Feast, the theme is Things We Love to Eat and Drink. See the first one, “Pop Corn” below.

A painting a day, and yes, they’re for sale. And they’re affordable: $99, which includes free first-class shipping. You can order on my Etsy store by clicking here. Check this blog every day (or the Etsy store) to see the new painting du jour. Each one will be 5″ by 7″ on sturdy illustration board, and made with watercolors, gouache paint and ink.

I’ll need some content, folks, so if you have any suggestions for good subjects, leave a comment or write to me at john@tebeau.com. What goodies would you like to see memorialized as art? What’s your favorite comfort food? Your most-loved childhood treat? If you moved away tomorrow, what local specialty would you miss the most? And, looking ahead, what other themes would you suggest?

Pop Corn

Today’s painting is a lovely piece of pop American iconography: “Pop Corn”. To purchase, click here.

Brooklyn Painter Wins ArtPrize

Ran Ortner used to race motorcycles professionally. Now he climbs up and down ladders and paints huge canvases. And he just won $250,000 in the world’s largest art prize.

Ran’s six-by-19 foot oil on canvas “Open Water Number 24″ was the big winner out of Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize. The gigantic, 3-D outdoor spectacles must have split the vote, and this striking 2-D painting of water took first place. Nice going, Ran.

Ran Ortner and "Open Water Number 24"

Yes, yes. But in another, less-accurate way, the 1200-plus artists who put there hearts out there in GR were all winners. Personally, I had an excellent time and will do it again. I got to see family and friends from all over Michigan, and even Chicago. I enjoyed spending time in Grand Rapids and Muskegon, my hometown. And I “drove a car”, which to New Yorkers is rather novel. Big thanks to those of you who stopped by to say hi at the receptions, and congrats to Grand Rapids for putting on a dynamite show. See you next year!

Click here for a nice recap by Micki Maynard of the New York Times, quoting my former Michigan Radio co-worker , Dustin Dwyer.

Ran Ortner and “Open Water Number 24″

With Greg, Mike and Dafna Kaufman

With H.T. Riekels at the Grand Plaza

With Brian Short, Jennifer Guerra, Metta Dwyer and Dustin Dwyer

With Jeff and Rachel Hoomaian

With Jeff Tucker at Amway Grand

With Rick and Sue Brown

with Rob Hess

Kaufman and Campione

With Barb Cain-Kellman

With Cheryl Anderson, and John & Pat Mish

With Barb Cain-Kellman

With Cheryl Anderson, and John & Pat Mish