Big weekend for the artists' in the family....

Please join Bernie, Olivia and the rest of the artists of the Onslow Outdoor Painters Society (OOPS) this Sunday, June 1, for the opening reception of their gallery show. The OOPS "Plein Air" exhibit starts this Sunday and will be on display at the Council for the Arts the entire month of June.

Click on image to enlarge...

~

+++PLUS+++

~

Dylan's rock band, Ambivalent, is playing a gig this Saturday at the Soapbox in downtown, Wilmington, NC.

"Find the cost of freedom... buried in the ground..."

"Find the cost of freedom... buried in the ground..."
~ Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young
~
Memorial Day... A day to honor and remember our fallen veterans. Let us be ever mindful of those who have paid the full measure so we can enjoy the freedoms we have.
~

Check out the story behind this painting here...
~

Have a GREAT Memorial Day weekend...

Bernie

20 years ago today...

20 years ago today I stood on a rock next to Muddy Creek Falls in Maryland and pledged love and loyalty to a young beautiful woman and God. I realize now that I didn't even know what love was compared to how I feel about the same beautiful woman today!

We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
~ T.S. Eliot

This T.S. Eliot quote was read at our wedding with hopes it would ring true... after 20 years I can assure you it does.

Thanks for marrying me Tami...
I look forward to the next twenty... not to mention... our celebration trip to Ireland next month!
B

Third Day supports the arts with "Art Inspired by Third Day" venue on their webpage...

Third Day has recently updated their webpage and added a section headed "Revelations" for "Third Day Inspired Artwork". Some cool stuff over there... take a look... click here.

"Salt and Light"... 6x8" Oil on Panel,

painted alla prima from life, 4-2008.

Click here to check availability of this painting.

Everyday objects painted from life is the essence of the "Painting a Day" art movement. I love painting everyday objects in such a way they tell a story. Many are inspired by scripture. This still life I set up and painted in my studio is such an example. My inspiration comes from Jesus' words in Matthew... "You are the salt of the earth" and "You are the light of the world." I think it cool the fact that one can associate salt with taste and thus the mouth and light with sight. Plainly put... our words (what comes out of our mouth) and actions (what others see us do) reveal who we really are.

To fuel my inspiration I set the CD player to repeat Third Day's "City on a Hill" while I painted away!

"You are the light of the world

A city on a hill cannot be hidden

Shine your light before all men

That they might see your works and then

Praise your Father up in Heaven"

Thanks for dropping by... would love to hear your comments...

Bernie

A sad day for me...

Just got word that my Uncle Dewey crossed the river today...

Rest in peace my friend... I thoroughly enjoyed the talks we had...

Olivia's First Commission as an Artist... WOW... a PRO at Six!

Olivia (my six year old daughter and painting buddy) recently was asked by Andrew, an art collector and friend, to paint a special painting for him of Blackwater Falls. He sent her this photo he took of the falls as her subject. Andrew told her that he had been following her earlier works and wanted her to paint this special painting to hang in his restaurant in Oakland, Maryland.



Blackwater Falls is the highest falls in West Virginia and is a beautiful site to behold.

Dad set up her easel and palette and the young artist began her work...

To be honest... I was quite shocked at how well she was doing. I explained to her how to block in certain areas and she caught on quickly.

~
The impasto work of the cascading water was the part I liked the best. I showed her how to paint one tree and before I knew it she was putting Bob Ross to shame.
~

~

The artist with her work of art!
~

Click on painting to enlarge.


"Blackwater Falls"... 9x12" Oil on gallery wrapped canvas by Olivia Rosage, age six, 2008.

~
Andrew sent her a letter and a generous check to put in her "Fat Cat" bank account! Needless to say... she was very excited!

~

click to enlarge...

Andrew's gesture and words were so encouraging... she is STILL beaming!

~

Thanks Andrew!

~

Friends, Family, and Internet Surfers....

Olivia informed me that she'd love to read your comments... please leave her a few words... Thanks!

My Tribute to Christian Rock Band..."Third Day"

My Third Day tribute...

My wife, Tami, and I have been Third Day fans since we first heard "My Hope is You" on a WOW album in the 90's... in my humble opinion they are one of the best rock bands around! If you love the Lord and rock music, you will LOVE this band (if you don't already). Check out their website... Third Day.

Saturday, March 1, 2008, the stage was set for a perfect day and night... time off from work... a weekend to spend with our two older daughters and son-in-law... and.... Third Day concert tickets for the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach.





Here we are waiting in line for the (standing room only) concert. I think we were near the North Carolina state line when this photo was taken by a lady in front of us. Left to right: Mom and Dad (me), Whitney, Lyndsey and Matt. Tami and I saw Third Day in concert in 2003 in Raleigh. Lyndsey and Matt saw them on the "Come Together" tour in Fayetteville. This was Whitney's first time!

The opening acts... Revive and NeedtoBreathe were SUPERB!

Third Day took the stage... I noticed right away the absence of Brad Avery. I was hoping he was alright and that nothing had happened to him. I must admit that the first couple of songs the band seemed a bit awkward... they sounded great but something seemed a bit off. At that point Mac explained that Brad had left the band and this was only their second show in his absence. Mac mentioned that everyone in the band would give 120% and as he spoke it seemed and served as a prayer... From that point on it was as if a burden was lifted from them and they performed a show that was flawless and AWESOME! It was obvious that each of them gave more than the 120% they promised. I especially tip my hat to Mark... he stepped up and filled any guitar gaps... in fact... his guitar work was more than enough to make for a perfect show!

Photo by Mark Lee of the set list they played for the show...





Third Day's blog entry about the concert.... here...

Thanks Mark, Mac, Tai, David, and Scotty for giving so much of yourselves! Great show!

I was led to paint this small painting as a result...

Click on image to enlarge...


"The Key" (Isaiah 33:6)... 7x5" Oil on Panel, painted alla prima (all at once) from life, 3-7-2008 by Bernie Rosage Jr.
PRIVATE COLLECTION



In Faith,
Bernie

PS... Loved the new songs and can't wait till the new album comes out in July.