My uncle, Duke, was a force in the family — a force for love and living each day to its fullest.  He passed away March 18, 2016.  You couldn’t say “no” to Duke, but you also knew that, even if you felt like it, you didn’t really WANT to say no, because he was probably asking you to join him in something active, creative, something that was good for building character.  

These  two paintings are the only ones — out of 19 in my recent show — that sold.  Interesting fact: They were painted from photos taken at his memorial service and the day afterward spent with family.  I don’t need to make that mean anything, but I will take it as a nod from him up above, sending my a signal to keep going with this crazy pursuit that is Professional Artist.  If he could hear me tell this story, he would neither confirm nor deny; rather he would smile, nod as if to say “Ok, interesting.”  Then he would utter the understated words of support he was known for, while waving his hand and moving on to one of his many projects: “Very good, carry on.”