Enchanting Ireland: Art Exhibit Opening Reception

Enchanting Ireland: Art Exhibit Opening Reception

Shared via AddThis

Works in Plein Air show at New Bern ArtWorks Gallery...

I am honored and humbled to be a part of this gallery show... if you are in New Bern this year drop by for a gander...

New Bern ArtWorks Gallery presents "Plein Air Paintings of New Bern" and invites you to join the artists for an opening reception Friday, November 14, 5-8 PM. The gallery is located at 323B Middle Street in New Bern. The exhibit will be on display from mid November through December.



Cover art:
"City Hall Clock Tower" by Bernie Rosage Jr.
"Steeple" by Mitchell Morton
"Close By" by Vicki Vitale
.

Bernie

25 years ago today... History inspires artwork...

Events in history are often inspiration for my paintings... but when history hits on a personal level sometimes I find myself captivated to paint a scene for reasons beyond mere aesthetics or nostalgia.

Such a historical event happened to our small community 25 years ago today. It was the first day that the war on terrorism began with the largest non-nuclear explosion since World War II... the Beirut bombing.

.

In the early morning of October 23, 1983, the First Battalion, 8th Marines Headquarters building was destroyed by a non-Lebanese, terrorist-driven truck, laden with compressed gas-enhanced explosives. This truck, like many others, had become a familiar sight at the airport and so did not raise any alarm on this morning. The resulting explosion and the collapse of the building killed 241 Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers.

Many of the victims of this atrocity were residents of Jacksonville, North Carolina. They were known as fathers, neighbors, fellow church members, and little league baseball and soccer coaches. The community was stunned over the loss of these fine men and donations began to flow to their memory. This became the "birth" of the Beirut Memorial where their names are engraved along side "They Came In Peace"...

This tragic event reminds us of how fragile life is, how costly freedom is, and how much our community appreciates the military! On a personal level I have included a couple paintings inspired by this day in history...

"They Came In Peace"... 24"x24" Oil on Textured Stretched Canvas, 2005.

.
.

"A Tribute to Gold Star Moms" ... 10x8" Oil on Linen, en plein aire, April 2008.

Read the story behind this painting HERE...

(click on image to enlarge)


Here is the painting my daughter Olivia (six years old at the time) did the same day...

"Honoring Marines"... 10x8" Acyclic on canvas

Here are some recent articles in our local newspaper... The Daily News... highlighting the event, memorial, and anniversary.

.
Tragedy forged community bond

.

Beirut Memorial draws visitors for many reasons

.

'No time to think': Survivors remember Beirut bombing

.

They Came In Peace

.

Let us always remember...

Bernie

Are you out of your gourd?

Ask any southerner... "What are gourds best used for?"... nine out of ten will tell you... "birdhouses". Anywhere in the rural south... a family garden is usually lined with a row or two of gourd birdhouses. This scene is so reminiscent of my childhood... in fact this plein air outing was within walking distance of my house.

Hope you enjoy it...

Bernie

"Gourd Birdhouses"... 8x10" Oil on Belgian Linen on panel, en plein aire, 2008. Click on image to enlarge...

Close-up...

Are you a Coke or Pepsi person?

Are you a Coke or Pepsi person?

Can you taste a difference?

I can... and Pepsi-Cola is my choice of soft drink.

"Bradham's Pharmacy... Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola, New Bern, NC"... 6x8" Oil on Panel, en plein aire, 9-2008.

Click on image to see a larger view...
.

.

This painting, "Bradham's Pharmacy... Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola," is set in downtown New Bern, North Carolina and was painted en plein aire as part of the 6th Annual Worldwide Paint Out sponsored by the International Plein Air Painters. It marks the spot that was once a pharmacy where Caleb Bradham invented "Brad's Drink" in 1898 which he later patented as Pepsi-Cola. The historical site is owned by the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company which serves as Pepsi memorabilia store where visitors can purchase a variety of Pepsi products and even belly up to a vintage soda fountain. I had a blast painting this one and met several nice people while working on it...

Leave a comment to let my know your soft drink of choice....






Photograph of sign on the building...



This original oil painting may be available for purchase... Check out Bernie's blog HERE...

NC artists converge on New Bern to take part in IPAP Worldwide Paint Out... Bernie included!

"City Hall Clock Tower #1, New Bern, NC... A View from Craven Street"... 8x6" Oil on Panel, en plein aire, 9-2008.
.

Click on image to see a larger view...

Close-up...


Several plein air artists from Eastern North Carolina (myself included) converged on the historic and beautiful town of New Bern, North Carolina to take part in the IPAP (International Plein Air Painters) 6th Annual Worldwide Paint Out. Plein air painters from all over the world agreed to meet in various locations all over the globe to plein air paint on September 5, 6, and 7. This special gathering is to help promote the unique art of painting "en plein aire"... a French term that translates... "in open air". This is my first of several paintings that weekend.

"City Hall Clock Tower #2, New Bern, NC... A View from Pollock Street"... 8x6" Oil on Panel, en plein aire, 9-2008.

Click on image to see a larger view...


Close-up...

.
I headed out of the house, riding the heels of tropical storm Hanna, eager to plein air paint with of a couple of my artist friends who I was to meet in New Bern, North Carolina. We were taking part in the IPAP (International Plein Air Painters) 6th Annual Worldwide Paint Out. My pards set up in the shade of the trees at historic Christ's Church while I set up across the street (Pollock Street) to paint another view of the clock tower of the New Bern City Hall. We painted till dark...

"City Hall Clock Tower #3, New Bern, NC... A View from South Front Street"... 8x6" Oil on Panel, en plein aire, 9-2008.

Click on image to see a larger view...

As you can see... The clock tower of New Bern's City Hall struck my fancy this past weekend. I captured it from several street views. I'll share other paintings from the event soon...

Bernie

.

.
These original oil paintings by American Artist, Bernie Rosage Jr. may be available for purchase... email Bernie with the title in the subject line for detail... click HERE... Check out my blog HERE...

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

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.

Living History / Plein Air Demo at Fort Fisher

Bernie Rosage Jr steps back in time at Fort Fisher.
~
Saturday, January 12, 2008, I had the privilege of attending the 143rd Anniversary Commemoration of the Second Battle at Fort Fisher. The Living History program included artillery and infantry demonstrations, period music, fort tours, and a living history/plein air demo by yours truly. I have migrated from soldier to civilian in my hobby of Civil War reenacting... actually I have taken on the role of a period artist. My impression is based on a combination of two artists... Alfred Waud (probably the most noted of period sketch artists) and Winslow Homer who painted scenes from the war and became one of America's most famous painters. One of his most famous works was "Sharpshooter on Picket Duty" pictured below.
~

Alfred Waud


Winslow Homer


"Sharpshooter on Picket Duty" by Winslow Homer
~
After a down pour the sun came out and I set up my French easel and began to paint. I positioned myself to paint Shepherd's Battery with the palisade making for an interesting composition. Shepherd's Battery was where the main brunt of the attack occurred 143 years ago. Here I am posed (seated) with my pards at Shepherd's Battery in 2004.

Fort Fisher during the war was known as the Gibraltar of the South. It was important to the southern cause because it protected the mouth of the Cape Fear River where blockade runners would travel to deliver supplies to Wilmington. From Wilmington they were distributed throughout the Confederacy. When the fort fell January 15, 1865... it only took 3 months for the Confederacy to collapse.

I spoke with several people about the history of plein air painting and how the invention of the metal paint tube in the mid 1800's made it possible for painters to go outside and paint "en plein aire" for the first time... a French term which means "in open air".

~
"Shepherd's Battery"... 9x12" Oil on gallery stretched canvas, painted en plein aire at Fort Fisher, Carolina Beach, North Carolina. 1-12-2008 (Click on painting to enlarge)

I met many interesting people while painting like Carl (who restores old paintings), a nice lady from Belgium, Mrs Marshburn from the Fort Anderson site... to name a few. If you were there please sign the comment section of this post... I'd love to hear from you.
~
Another GREAT day spent reenacting and plein air painting....
Bernie

"NC Landscapes: From the Mountains to the Coast" exhibit at the Baydsen Gallery

The art exhibit, "North Carolina Landscapes: From the Mountains to the Coast", is currently on display in the Baydsen Gallery at the Council for the Arts. The exhibit opened Monday, January 7th, and will run through the 31st.

The exhibit is made up of works by local artists who were invited to share their works of our beautiful state. I was very fortunate to have four oil paintings accepted... all mountain works... I may live of the coast but the Blue Ridge mountains sing a special song to my heart.

"Blue Ridge Splendor"... 20x30" Oil on Stretched Canvas, 11-2007, $500.

The quilt is a symbol of comfort and family... Barns are symbols of our heritage and community... together they make a great art project and visual treat for the folks in Ashe County, NC. This old barn scene is set in Ashe County where the local arts council there had various artists and art school classes design and paint these quilt patterns and had them affixed to barns throughout the county as a visual treat.

~

Three of my recent plein air works were also accepted...

~

"The Lin Cove Viaduct... a view from Rough Ridge"

9x12" Oil on Panel, en plein aire, 11-20-2007, $200.

"Blue Ridge Lane in the Winter"...

5x7" Oil on Panel, en plein aire, 11-20-2007, $40.

"Blue Ridge View"... Fleetwood, NC

6x8" Oil on Panel, en plein aire, 11-21-2007, $40.

Be sure to support the arts and drop by the Baysden Gallery before the 31st and see the show...

~
Gallery Hours: Monday - Friday from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm and by appointment.

~

The gallery is located at 826 New Bridge Street, Jacksonville, NC.

~

910/455-9840

My Plein Air Adventure in the Blue Ridge Mountains!

I recently returned from a seven day "dream come true" painting trip from the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. I loaded up the old Honda with painting gear and clothing designed for cold weather plein air painting. I recently purchased and received the DVD series "Plein Air Painting the American Landscape" and had been watching them nightly as a motivating prelude of my upcoming adventure. I started my trek alone early Sunday, November 18th... Tami, Olivia, and our two cats (Simba and Angel) were to join me Thanksgiving Day. On the way... I stopped at the NC Museum Of Art in Raleigh to view the current exhibit... Landscapes from the Age of Impressionism. Seeing those original works by Monet, Renoir, Boudin, Sargent, etc... was the crowning touch - a pep rally motivating me even more for the trip. I arrived in the afternoon... picked up some groceries (essentials like coffee and hot dogs) and settled in. We have a family lodge in Fleetwood... a small community between Boone and West Jefferson, NC, so settling in really means making myself feel at home. My game plan was to plein air paint through the day and set up "daily painting" still lifes to paint at night. I was able to stick to that plan for most of the week finishing 7 plein air works and 3 still life paintings.
~
A view from our mountain lodge deck....



Plein air painting for me is challenging yet relaxing. I love the challenge of the changing light and weather conditions with the relaxation gained from communing with nature. I am not exaggerating when I say it is spiritual for me... a way of spending quiet time with God and His awesome creation! The sights, sounds, smells, and interaction with nature and the occasional hiker makes for a great experience which fills all my senses and allows me a story tied to each painting.
~
Here are the plein air works from my trip and some of those stories...
~
~
Blue Ridge Plein Air #1...
After a trip into Boone to shop at my favorite candy store... Cheap Joe's Art Stuff... I headed along Railroad Grade Road trying to narrow down one of a hundred beautiful spots to paint from. I found a view of a barn (I have painted several times) from Todd Island... a small island park in the middle of the South Fork Branch of the New River. This old barn has so much character... I never tire of painting it... BTW... thanks Artie! ;)



The weather was mild and clear for most of the week... except this day... I painted this one in a cold drizzle. After almost two hours... the cold drizzle turned into a downpour and I RAN to the car with painting (95% complete) in hand.
~
"Railroad Grade Road", Todd. NC.
8x10" Oil on Panel, en plein aire, 11-19-2007.

~
~
Blue Ridge Plein Air #2...
One of my favorite spots on earth is Rough Ridge Lookout located at mile marker 302 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Rough Ridge is actually the backside of Grandfather Mountain and the views there are magnificent! See what I mean...



The weather was very comfortable for late November but the wind was gusting at 40 mph at times... I had paintbrush in one hand and steadied my easel with the other.



I painted this view of the Lin Cove Viaduct from about half way up the ridge painting from a wooden lookout. I met several nice people while painting this one...
~
"The Lin Cove Viaduct... a view from Rough Ridge"
9x12" Oil on Panel, en plein aire, 11-20-2007.


This painting is for a invitational gallery show in January 2008. The show... titled, "North Carolina Landscapes... from the Mountains to the Sea"... will be at the Baysden Gallery in Jacksonville, NC where several local artists will be featured.
~
~
Blue Ridge Plein Air #3...
Returning home from Rough Ridge I was attracted to the light in this simple scene and how the bare winter trees seemed to glow on the shadow side of the hill. This small piece was captured near the banks of the New River as the afternoon sun was in its golden splendor. I overemphasized the small road that was there... something about country lanes and roads... I find them so inviting and peaceful. Anyone who has collected my work recognizes them as a common theme.



"Blue Ridge Lane in the Winter"...
5x7" Oil on Panel, en plein aire, 11-20-2007.

~
~
Blue Ridge Plein Air #4...
I woke up early as usual on Wednesday the 21st. The mist was everywhere... wanting to capture it I headed down Fleetwood Mountain and along Railroad Grade Road and the New River to find the perfect spot.



I set up along the banks looking into the rising sun as it back-lit the mist and silhouetted the trees in the scene. Here I am looking toward Todd Island that I mentioned in Plein Air #1.
~
"A Misty View of Todd Island"... Todd, NC
6x8" Oil on Panel, en plein aire, 11-21-2007.

~
~
Blue Ridge Plein Air #5...
This peaceful scene is set just below our mountain lodge. Two days earlier I set out to paint this scene in the late afternoon... As I got to the foot of the hill I heard two gunshots (rather close I might add) so I decided to wait. I could just see the headlines now... "Plein air painter mistaken for deer!" Maybe midday when there's a lull in hunting time would be a better choice... it was... two days later offered a better opportunity and as you can see... I'm among the living as I type this blog entry... :)



"Blue Ridge View"... Fleetwood, NC
6x8" Oil on Panel, en plein aire, 11-21-2007.

~
~
Blue Ridge Plein Air #6...
I woke early Thanksgiving morning and decided to get at least one more plein air painting in before Tami, Olivia, and cats arrived later that morning. This scene is set on Fleetwood Mountain near our lodge on The Ridge. We walk this road everyday for exercise and I wanted to capture it before it is scattered with mountain homes. I got to met several people as they were enjoying their daily walks as well.



"The Ridge"... Fleetwood, NC
6x8" Oil on Panel, en plein aire, 11-22, 2007 (Thanksgiving Day).


Thanksgiving Day brought Tami, Olivia, the cats, and the COLD weather! It was 60 degrees when I painted the Ridge plein air... later that evening it was snowing!
~
~
Blue Ridge Plein Air #7...
Saturday morning I ventured out in the cold to paint the mountain lake near our lodge... you can see the temperature in the photo below...



I set up and began painting... a lovely scene of the mist on the lake but I soon realized it wasn't working and it became what we plein air painters call a "scrapper". After scrapping it I began painting another scene of the lake with a lone kayak on shore. Before I finished... someone took the kayak out for a spin that's why you don't see in the image below.



My fingers could barely move but I loved the crisp cold air and found it exhilarating. Hope to paint in the snow sometime this winter... but as for now this is as close as I'll get...



I'll share the finished painting soon... left it in the mountains to dry.
~
My Blue Ridge Plein Air Adventure was awesome! Nature in all its grandeur! Not only were the natural vistas beautiful but I got to witness several wild animals... about 20 wild turkeys, 4 deer, a Pileated Woodpecker, several wood ducks, to name a few.
~
Every single moment made me appreciate God's creation even more than ever. Let's take care of this gift he has given us...
Bernie