Posts by paintingforlife
The Future of Children's Literature: The Story Behind the Art
This new piece, co-illustrated by both Benjamin Hummel and Cherish Flieder, tackles the question, what role does children’s literature have as we move full steam into the 21st century? We certainly live in a changing world. Book sales nationwide continue to drop–magazine and newspapers are going out of business left and right. We are in…
Read MoreSurfer's Crossing: The Story Behind the Art
The painting began as inspiration of the wet island of Kauai. However, after scumbling in a few cliffs and some virga in the background, the painting was lacking something. It needed… a story. It wasn’t enough that these were beautiful cliffs with some tropical trees; what’s going on in the foreground? Eventually Benjamin came to…
Read MoreWipe Out: The Story Behind the Art
“Can I make this jump? Can I make this jump?” That was always the question as we would travel to hilly Eastern Colorado after a fresh snow for a fun-filled day of sledding and fellowship with friends and family. The right section of the hill carried a milder grade, while the far left was practically…
Read MorePikes Peak with Wild Lavender (or Purple Mountain Majesties)
I am reminded of a few lines from one of our most beloved patriotic songs. “O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain…”The song was first written as a poem titled, “”Pikes Peak,”” written in 1895 by Katharine Lee Bates, inspired by a trip she…
Read MoreBucolic Memories
Recalling a simpler time, when kids could walk through their neighborhoods on an idyllic summer day.
Read MoreRight Field: The Story Behind the Art
The phenomenon of little league sports can be pretty humorous at times. Attending many such outings with my younger brothers, there were always two or three (usually my siblings among them), who would find interest in anything other than the game in which they participated. It was easy to spot the casual player compared to…
Read MoreA Dragon Named Trouble
This piece was co-illustrated by Cherish Flieder and Benjamin Hummel according to their acclaimed Been Cherished style. The story is simple. There is a dragon named Trouble who would love to come inside the kingdom. So he makes his appeal to the children guarding the gate. The boy thinks he remembers this dragon being here…
Read MoreAfter The Cattle Drive: The story behind the art
It’s the end of the 1800s and cattle ranching is a good profession into which a young man can invest his life. This isn’t to say that it’s easy living. For months on end, the elements of outdoor nature pound brutally against him as he tries to make sure not a single head of cattle…
Read MorePersonalized Greeting Cards
It is always enjoyable to create custom artwork for customer’s greeting card needs, both at the holidays, and all year round. We’d like to highlight two successful card designs we just finished for this year’s Christmas celebration. University Hospital Liver Transplant Division This was a custom calendar card we designed. I knew it was going…
Read MoremyCreativity Holiday Art Open House
Art makes memorable gifts for the holiday season: originals, handmade items, limited edition prints, art cards and more! Come by to see the studio and look through our selection of affordable and unique gifts. Many works under $25. Make your own ornament or card! Enjoy refreshments and conversation with local artists. Come and go as…
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