Thirsty Thursday Beer Painting #39, September 24, 2015

This week’s Thirsty Thursday beer painting is entitled American Goblet, and is a parody of Grant Wood’s iconic painting American Gothic. Switching the pitchfork for a beer goblet changes everything about this piece. Wood painted this composition to represent American culture. The American Gothic house is a real house in Dibble, Iowa, and the artist painted the couple that he imagined would live in such a house. The pitchfork is a symbol of labor in the field, but the beer glass symbolizes relaxation after a hard day’s work. Now the woman looks irritated at her man, instead of just looking worn out from hard work. I hope this painting makes you laugh, because it’s intended to be a lighthearted look at the way Americans have evolved since the 19^th century. Wood painted this in 1930, three years prior to the end of Prohibition. Maybe that is why the woman (modeled after Wood’s sister), is mad at her husband (modeled after Wood’s dentist), because he is actually breaking the law.

The original oil painting, and limited-edition prints are for sale at my Etsy shop.

Thirsty Thursday Beer Painting #39 by Scott Clendaniel. September 24, 2015. American Goblet. 11″x14″, oil on panel.

PFD Sale on Custom Oil Paintings!

Everyone is having a PFD sale this time of year, and I’m looking forward to seeing what Alaska Airlines will offer for fares to Hawaii.  So I decided to have my own PFD sale!  I’m offering a 10% discount on custom oil paintings.  The offer expires on October 21st.  So look through your photos from your summer adventures, and send me the one that you’d like me to turn into an oil painting.  Think of where you’ll hang it, and that will help you decide on the size.  My prices start at $150, which includes a frame with hanging hardware installed.  You can contact me via e-mail at info@realartisbetter.com.  I’ll post some of my favorite paintings from this promotion on Facebook and Instagram.  Keep your PFD dollars in Alaska by spending on local goods and services!

Thirsty Thursday Beer Painting #38, September 17, 2015

Short’s Brewing Company’s Huma Lupa Licious India Pale Ale is a noteworthy beer, one you cannot buy outside of Michigan.  Named for the hop plant Humulus Lupulus, this beer is for the hop head.  Fruity and piney, Short’s doesn’t hold back on the hops.  This beer comes in at 7.7% ABV, and 140 IBUs!  Most people would call it a double IPA.  Michigan has some great beer, and this one is a fine find when you are in MI!

Short’s is only 13 years old, starting out in a small vacated hardware store in Bellaire, Michigan. With a seven-barrel brew system, and five fermenters, Joe Short only produced 178 barrels in his first year.  However, this is not the case today.  The upgraded facility in Elk Rapids now produces 800 cases a day of the fine product.  What a great success story!  I hope you get to drink a little of this tasty brew if you get a chance!  As Short says, “Life is Short’s, drink it while you’re here!”

This original oil painting, and limited-edition prints are for sale at my Etsy shop.

Thirsty Thursday Beer Painting #38 by Scott Clendaniel. September 17, 2015. Huma Lupa Licious by Short’s Brewing. 8″x10″, oil on panel.

Thirsty Thursday Beer Painting #37, September 10, 2015

Paul Jackson Pollock (1912-1956) is most famous for his legendary drip paintings. Born in Wyoming, Pollock created his masterpieces in his studio in upstate New York. Jackson Pollock worked differently than traditional Western artists, stretching the boundaries of what people considered to be art. He used non-traditional mediums – paint that was more fluid-based, and engineered for building application. He would dance around an un-stretched canvas on the floor of his studio, applying paint with sticks, stiff brushes, and even used a turkey baster from time to time.

“I continue to get further away from the usual painter’s tools such as easel, palette, brushes, etc.” – Jackson Pollock.

Notorious for his alcoholism, and known to drink a quart of whiskey a day, the artist died in November of 1956 in a drunken driving accident. A true shame, as he was only 44 years old. At least he really got to live for the short time he was productive on this planet. For this reason, I admit that a beer painting in his style could be considered inappropriate, but I couldn’t resist making a painting using Pollock’s technique.

I had fun channeling this artist, and really made a mess. Normally I work in oil paint, but had to buy acrylic and latex paint for this painting. I set the painting support on a larger piece of plywood outside in a large open area on my lot in McCarthy, and just started throwing paint with a big brush. No, I did not consume a quart of whiskey while working on this piece. I waited until evening before drinking a beer, although I feel it would not have hindered my ability to paint in this way. I just had to climb on ladders while working on my cabin during the afternoon. I should have done this painting in the evening so I could drink beer while applying the drips of paint. Well, hindsight is 20-20.

“It is only when I lose contact with the painting that the result is a mess. Otherwise there is pure harmony, an easy give and take, and the painting comes out well.” – Jackson Pollock.

The original painting, and limited-edition prints are for sale at my Etsy shop.

Thirsty Thursday Beer Painting #37 by Scott Clendaniel. September 10, 2015. Inspired by Jackson Pollock. 18″x26″, mixed media on panel.

Thirsty Thursday Beer Painting #36, September 3, 2015

I recently traveled to the Midwest, and was lucky enough to make a visit to the Union at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. I had a beer for lunch and a taste of the local ice cream. Whodathunkit, but ice cream and beer for lunch is a good idea! I also had a Union burger, which was okay, until I loaded it up with the huge amount of condiments and toppings available. It was very hot for this Alaskan’s blood, so the cold one and the extra cold one (ice cream) were a big hit. Windy on the lake, but my beer was guarded with my life. The iconic colorful metal chairs livened up the atmosphere.

My beer of choice was Hopaliscious, which is an American Pale Ale with a serious hop bite. A great beer, from a great place, in the middle of our great country. I knew that Wisconsin has great cheese, but since I live in Alaska, and getting beer from Wisconsin that isn’t brewed in a macro facility in Milwaukie is a bit tough, I was pleasantly surprised to discover delicious craft beer there. Luckily, I have a friend who was getting married there, and I decided it was time to make a trip to the lovely Midwestern State. The first beer I drank in Wisconsin was Hopaliscious from Ale Asylum, and I was immediately impressed. So much, I knew I was going to make a beer painting of it. Drinking this beer on the shore of a lake is a perfect match, just like the couple I watched getting married! Great job, Ale Asylum!

The original painting, and limited-edition prints are for sale at my Etsy shop.

Thirsty Thursday Beer Painting #36 by Scott Clendaniel. September 3, 2015. Hopalicious by Ale Asylum. 8″x10″, oil on panel.