Thirsty Thursday Beer Painting #42, October 15, 2015

What is a jawn? Well, according to the Urban Dictionary a jawn can be anything — a person, place, or thing. However, it must be used in context. Often the jawn in question is a female person. That being said, Neshaminy Creek Brewing put out a beer called J.A.W.N, which is an acronym for juicy ale with nugget. A beer is a jawn, because it is a thing. I put all these jawns in the background, because I felt they epitomized Philadelphia. This beer is nice and clean, with a good hop bite. It has a great label, which also depicts some epic Philly jawns. It took me a while to notice that the guy smoking a cigar on the back of the can is Benjamin Franklin.

So break out that J.A.W.N and celebrate!

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

Thirsty Thursday Beer Painting #42 by Scott Clendaniel. October 15, 2015. J.A.W.N. by Neshaminy Creek Brewing. 8″x10″, oil on panel.

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Thirsty Thursday Beer Painting #40, October 1, 2015

Happy Thirsty Thursday! I am on the road tracking down tasty beers in the Pacific Northwest for the next two weeks. Although I am in the PNW, I am posting a painting of a recent acquisition from Pennsylvania – Cuvee Du Soleil by McKenzie Brew House. This is a lovely multigrain Grisette, lightly spiced with orange peel, ginger, grains of paradise and a dose of exotic Jaggery sugar. Barrel aged in a Chadds Ford cask, this beer is light and refreshing with complex flavors that intrigue the palate. McKenzie Brew House has three establishments in Pennsylvania. If the food there is as good as this example of brew, I will be sure to visit on my next trip to PA. Rich Morgan, my BEER N.E.R.D friend from West Chester has been communicating with the brewer who sent me the reference material for the backdrop in this painting. I eagerly await the barrel-aged quad that will be coming out next! Great work McKenzie Brew House!

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

Thirsty Thursday Beer Painting #40 by Scott Clendaniel. October 1, 2015. Cuvee Du Soleil Grisette by McKenzie Brew House. 8″x10″, oil on panel.

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.

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 #30, July 23, 2015

For this painting I decided to just put the paint down with a palette knife. Sometimes my palate is overwhelmed by thirst and the beer disappears. Did you catch that play on words? I haven’t worked with only a knife for a while now, but it feels good to watch the thick impasto go down. Like being thirsty, palette knife paintings take a lot more paint than traditional brushwork. Since I have upgraded my paint to the highest grade I can find, which seems to be 400% more expensive than the student grade paint, yet only 25% better, I have steered away from such thick work. But I just felt like splurging, and wanted to make this painting. I had fun working with so much medium. Unfortunately, I have been paying for it in more than just more expensive paint. The thicker the paint, the longer it takes to dry. I painted this piece in McCarthy, 310 miles from my studio in Anchorage, and I have been cleaning purple paint off a lot of things as a result. The painting spread some purple paint all over a stainless steel growler, as well as the keg hose. I was glad it didn’t get all over the inside of my truck. It rode home on the dashboard after I realized it was falling over in the back seat, thanks to the McCarthy road being so bumpy! I hope you enjoy this piece as much as I enjoyed making it! Cheers!

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

Thirsty Thursday Beer Painting #30 by Scott Clendaniel. July 23, 2015. Palette Knife Oil Painting of Beer Pint. 12″x24″, oil on panel.

Close up of paint texture #1

Close up of paint texture #2

Close up of paint texture #3

Thirsty Thursday Beer Painting #28, July 9, 2015

Henri Emile Benoît Matisse (1869-1954) was quite the prolific artist. He painted all types of things, but was mostly noted for his use of bright colors and his stylistic representation of different forms. He was a leader of the Fauve movement, of which the literal translation is, wild beasts, and which became famous for usage of color and loose painting techniques. This painting I emulated is in Matisse’s mature style, and was originally painted in 1937. The woman is Matisse’s assistant Lydia Delectorskaya dressed in Moroccan garb, sitting next to a vase of flowers and some citrus fruits. I swapped the three fruits for a beer pint (thinking of a citrusy IPA). I have always respected the work of Matisse and I chose to paint this one because a beer-loving friend in PA passed on the idea to me from one of his buddies. Reproducing Matisse’s work made me respect the artist more. It has so much more eye-popping quality in paint than a reproduction on a screen or on a printed page. When I was painting this copy, my eyes were strained from the reverberations caused by the contrasting bright color. As one steps back from the painting, the reverberations calm and the cohesive work stands out amongst other paintings. Thanks Henri for giving me something so wonderful to study and to incorporate into my Thirsty Thursday paintings series.

The original oil painting sold.  You can purchase limited-edition prints, or order a custom painting at my Etsy shop.

Thirsty Thursday Beer Painting #28 by Scott Clendaniel. July 9, 2015. Woman in a Purple Coat with a Pint of Beer. 11″x14″, oil on panel.

Thirsty Thursday Beer Painting #27, July 2, 2015

Wow, Fourth of July is right around the corner!  I can hardly believe that it is already this far through the 2015 year!  My friend from Philly sent me this bottle of Sour Monkey Brett Tripel by Victory Brewing, which I really wanted to try, but couldn’t get here in Anchorage, even though Victory distributes to us.  Thanks Rich!  It is the standard Golden Monkey Belgian-Style Tripel, but with a sour twist of Brettanomyces added.  I found it to be a nice, refreshing sour beer, especially in the summer time.  I love popping a champagne cork out of a bottle of the good stuff.  At 9.5% (same percentage as the Golden Monkey), it is a good idea to share a bottle of this.  Maria and I enjoyed every last drop.  Sours are becoming more popular, and it is a good thing to develop your palate to enjoy this type of brew, as well as solid bitter pilsners, hop-aromatic IPAs and sweet Belgians.  Beer is like a rainbow of flavor — there are so many different kinds of tongue-tantalizing varieties.  I just returned from the annual Salmon harvest on the Kasilof River and finished smoking ten big Sockeye Reds late last night.  Makes me think of smoked beers.  Here’s an idea for Ron and Bill, Smoked Monkey!  I bet it would be great!

Cheers to the wild Sour Monkey — a great beer with a great label!

You can purchase this painting, or a limited-edition print at my Etsy shop.

Thirsty Thursday Beer Painting #27 by Scott Clendaniel. July 2, 2015. Sour Monkey Brett Tripel by Victory Brewing Co. 8″x10″, oil on panel.

 

Thirsty Thursday Beer Painting #23, June 4, 2015

What does the Farm Boss drink? Well, gasoline mixed with 2-cycle oil, but I’m referring to an actual farm boss, not a Stihl chainsaw. I’m betting it is not an oak-aged barleywine, although I’d drink that after hydrating with a PBR. In the backwoods “edge of Alaska” community known as McCarthy, in the heart of the Wrangell Mountains there is one beer that everyone agrees upon, and that is the Blue Ribbon winner of 1893.

I have painted several PBR paintings over the last ten years and most of them sell immediately. This is the manliest one I’ve done. A couple months ago Pabst contacted me and bought the last one I had, and also asked me to repaint two others for the marketing office! They must be flush with Russian rubles! I was excited, but thought it could be a scam, so I waited for the check to come in the mail before sending out the paintings. The check arrived, and the Pabst rep was happy with the way the paintings turned out, so I have to say I now like this company for more than just palatable lager.

I just cut down about a hundred trees on my ten acres, saving the best trees and freeing the overgrown forest from the chokehold that was prime for forest fire. I was a thirsty man at the end of the day. When I went into town to see what was going down at the Golden Saloon, I ordered the red white and Blue Ribbon. You know, the first two beers are for hydration, and I think beer does a better job replacing the necessary bodily fluids than Gatorade. After the first two your body will not be as happy about the bold gold, and I can’t recommend finishing up the six-pack, let alone crushing through a case! Nothing is a better thirst-quencher in the evening sun than a lager. I call this painting, Stihl Life of Pabst Blue Ribbon.

The original oil painting sold.  You can purchase limited-edition prints, or order a custom painting at my Etsy shop.

Thirsty Thursday Beer Painting #23 by Scott Clendaniel. June 4, 2015. Stihl Life of Pabst Blue Ribbon. 12″x24″, oil on panel.

Thirsty Thursday Beer Painting #22, May 28, 2015

I awoke this morning in McCarthy to find that not only did I have no Internet service, but I had no phone service at all. I experienced a small wave of panic when I realized that I may not be able to post this week’s Thirsty Thursday painting. Last year when I was posting a new painting every day, I lived in constant fear that one day I wouldn’t be able to get online. Luckily, everything is back up and running now. Phew! Let Thirsty Thursday commence! I have been in McCarthy for over two weeks and need to get back to my Anchorage studio. The cabin building project is a good way to completely forget about regular work as it is such a large undertaking. I kind of miss being forced to paint daily during the Year of Beer project. Although I didn’t get as much house building done then. Roofing commences in July when I return to McCarthy from Anchorage, hopefully towing a trailer with all my roofing materials.

Let’s get back on track. This week’s Thirsty Thursday painting was inspired by Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), a superhero of modern painters, who lived a full lifetime until the age of 91. I chose to emulate his painting of the Three Musicians, because it represents Picasso’s mature style, painted in 1921, when he was 40 years of age. This is when he was dramatically changing his style yet again, as he went through many phases during his career. Picasso was gifted, a virtuoso of the art world. He was able to render very detailed drawings when he was barely able to stand on two feet. He was an instant success during his Blue Period, and was constantly reinventing his own style. He assimilated African art into the European Fine Art world, co-inventing Cubism with Georges Braque. The man is considered to be one of the top three modern artists of the western world. In his Three Musicians piece he utilized a technique that is a highly developed version of cubism decidedly Picassoesque, as he had been playing with cubism for over a decade by the time this piece was painted. I wanted to tell a little bit of a story with this one. I imagined how the musicians must have ended their evening with some much-needed libations; hence they are enjoying three pints. So I have entitled this piece the “Three Musicians After Hours.” It was a hoot to make, although as easy as Picasso makes these paintings look, I found it very challenging to adapt his style to fit my own beer concepts.

The original oil painting sold.  You can purchase limited-edition prints, or order a custom painting at my Etsy shop.

Thirsty Thursday Beer Painting #22 by Scott Clendaniel. May 28, 2015. The Three Musicians After Hours. 11″x14″, oil on panel.