This is a time of deep sadness for me and for my good friend Kelly.  Her husband committed suicide 4 days ago, and left behind a wife and 3 young children.  It was such a huge shock at first.  In our North American culture, we pretend that all is light and fun and happiness, and then when there is a death, especially such a violent, sudden, and unexpected one, it is quite devastating. I’m almost finished with my oil painting of the Soulard neighborhood.  I think I will call it “Two Houses in Soulard”.  This is a 20″ x 16″ painting.  I wanted to be true to the details of the trim on and around the doors and windows.  These homes remind me of a long ago, far away time when beauty and romance were still considered important, and things weren’t strictly built along utilitarian and economical lines.  It makes me dream of sweeter, gentler, more innocent times.

The first image was from about a week ago.  The painting is now about 98% done, and it is below.  All I have left to paint in are the roses.