Daily Keemo 12.24

Sad King Wearing Blue Crown. 6" x 9"
(Click Picture)

If you were to peel away all the black you would see alot of color and shapes and lines. Im thinking that could apply to alot more than just this painting. (I could probably put those psych classes to work but its better leave that stuff to a professional.) Here there are just paintings and you can make what you wish of the Sad King Wearing Blue Crown... Enjoy!

Bridge Over Troubled KEEMO

9 out of 10 Painters Agree. Wood Veneer is Better Than Canvas. 7" x 9"
Acrylic and Ink (Click Picture)

I got a hold of a bunch of these big wood veneer samples. These arent the little ones you find in the aisle at one of those big hardward stores.
This one is 7"x9". I think it is Bamboo. (Im no wood expert) These are actually intended to be wall coverings. How cool is that? You just put it on like wallpaper.
Anyway, 9 out of 10 painters agree, wood veneer is better than canvas. (Unofficial results of an unofficial survey) ... Enjoy!

Come Hell Or High KEEMO

When went for a walk last night. It gets dark here around 5:00 now. By 6:00 PM it is as dark as midnight. Its cold and the ice and snow on the sidewalk sound loud as you take each step. Walking in the cold is different than in the warmth. You walk with purpose, you dont linger or stroll. Your steps are deliberate. Well, heres to walks in the dark and the cold and being all wrapped up in winter coats and gloves and boots...Enjoy!

She Wore A Scarf. (Fred Astaire Dances In The Background) 6" x 9"
(Click Picture)

2001: A Space KEEMO

Spacegirl 9"x12" (Click Picture)

Keep Your Nose To The KEEMOstone

I got a hold of a bunch of these big wood veneer samples. These aren't the little ones you find in the aisle at Lowes. These badboys are 8"x10.5". Of course, everytime I get my hands on something, my first reaction is to paint on it. So, thats what I did. (I should probably seek out a therapist and get to the bottom of it but its just too much fun) Anyway, here is to painting on things that were not meant to be painted on and ending up with something that looks like a painting... Enjoy!


Painting On Things Not Meant To Be Painted On And Ending Up With Something That Looks Like A Painting. 8"x10.5"(Click Picture)

It Takes Two To KEEMO

On Thanksgiving morning I had to run to the store to pick up a couple things I had forgotten for dinner. Everyone seemed to be in an upbeat happy mood. Lots of people smiling and nodding to each other. The lady a couple places in front of me in line, stopped and turned and wished everyone in line a Happy Thanksgiving. How nice was that? As Im standing there thinking, "that was really nice of her," I hear from behind me, "Please move. I want to put this on there" and I feel a nudge on my elbow. I turn around and there is a lady shoving some stuff on to the checkout lane. "Go right ahead," I say with a smile. She looks at squarely and says, "Just move." She wasnt in a good mood and she was sure going to let everyone else know it. So, I guess know Im letting you all know it, too. Either way, its always fun to turn someones negativity into something positive so here we go, a portrait of the snooty lady behind me in line...Enjoy!


Snooty Lady Behind Me In Line(Click Picture)

Another Nail In The KEEMO

I can't believe this series is up to #300 already. I thought I would use #300 to make a semi-self portrait. Its only a self portrait in the sense that I hope to keep this series going foward (and all my painting for that matter) always painting with eyes, ears and heart. I know it sounds a little lofty but I figure if I remain aware of these things while painting, I will remain aware of them when I am not. If you look at this painting you will see these things. Sidenote: Thanks to all of you who have helped support this series of paintings and all my artwork. I appreciate everyone of you. Thanks! ...Enjoy!

Featured Painting: Can It Be #300 Already? (Eyes, Ears and Heart) (Click Picture)

Don't Cry Over Spilt KEEMO

So, there is this guy. We will call him "Steve"... Oh wait, that really is his name. (Hi Steve!) Anyway, a few days ago he slips in this little PS at the bottom of an email that reads simply; "Best band in the world: The National." Hmm... now I listen to a ton of music but somehow this band escaped me. I have never heard of them. So, I hunt them down, download a few CDs and now Im hooked. Im pretty sure The National laces there music with Heroine or something. Im listening as I type this. I swear. So, here is to Steve, The National and to whatever they lace their music with...Enjoy!


Painting During Day Dream listening to The National. (or Steve pushed a drug called The National)(Click Picture)

Thats The Way The KEEMO Crumbles

I ran over to the store tonight. I hate to say it but the trip was specifically to get some adult beverages. The adult beverage of choice ended up being some red wine, Shiraz. To be truthful, they had a 3 bottles for 10 bucks deal going. I had it when they were charging $9.00 a bottle and it was good so dang 3 for 10 was a steal. I digress. Im walking out of the door and there is a guy yelling at absolutely no one. Im not sure what he even talking about. I walked to my car with the 3 bottles in the bag, unlocked the car, got it, shut the door and it was quiet. I started the car and was thankful for the peace and quiet that was awaiting at home and for the 3 for $10.00 Shiraz to go along with it...Enjoy!

Featured Painting: Another Yelling Man. This Time Outside The Grocery Store. (Click Picture)

Many Hands Make Like KEEMO

Some nights are perfect. It is quiet. There is Shiraz and Tom Waits. Not just any Tom Waits but Nighthawks at the Diner. These are nights when the door is closed and paint goes on easy. When it is 11:14 PM and you know there is still another 3 hours somewhere in you. Well, here is a portrait from tonight. 1 part quiet. 1 part Shiraz. 2 parts Tom Waits...Enjoy!

Featured Painting:
It Is Quiet. There Is Shiraz and Tom Waits - 9"x12" (Click Picture)

The Pen Is Mightier Than The KEEMO

Another portrait of my favorite designer that wishes to continue to remain nameless. (Those designers are so mysterious!) Those of you that know me, know who this is. One of these days, the mystery will be revealed but until then... I guess she is just the Designer in Pink ...Enjoy!


Featured Painting: Designer In Pink. (Click Picture)

More Than One To Skin A KEEMO

In just about any
case, three are better than two. In this case, arms. An extra arm would be handy for sure. Juggling would be a breeze. Talking on the phone while driving a stickshift would be a piece of cake. Finding a coat, now that may be bit tricky. Well, thats that! ...Enjoy! In just about any case, three are better than two. In this case, arms. An extra arm would be handy for sure. Juggling would be a breeze. Talking on the phone while driving a stickshift would be a piece of cake. Finding a coat, now that may be bit tricky. Well, thats that! ...Enjoy!

Featured Painting: Three Are Better Than Two (Click Picture)

Light At The End Of The KEEMO

Im not a huge TV watcher. I DVR everything. No commercials for me my friend! Anyway, I do have this habit of getting sucked into series shows. Well, one of them that I got sucked into was Carnivale on HBO. Yeah... it was cancelled after two years.I dont know about you but I thought it was great. The imagery alone was worth the price of admission. Anyway, those of you who were fans will get the reference in this painting. Those of you who missed it, well dont be sad, it doesn't matter a bit. This painting is for all of us! ...Enjoy!

Featured Painting: As A Fan Of The Show Carnivale (Click Picture)

Day Late And A KEEMO Short

I was walking through the little neighborhood near my house. There are a bunch of small mom and pop businesses and restaurants. Its a nice little part of town. Well, its getting cold in Michigan now. I think it is like 40 here today. Anyway, sitting at the bustop was this lady with an armful of groceries and flowers shivering away in the cold waiting for the bus. It had to have been in the low 30s. So, here is to her and her flowers and braving the cold and riding the bus. I hope whoever gets those flowers appreciated how they got there. ...Enjoy!


Featured Painting: Woman Sitting With Flowers
(Click Picture)

Vampire Le KEEMO

I had to make a run to the bookstore tonight. It is the night before Halloween. Im sitting at a stop light and I look over at the car next to me and there is a vampire just talking away on his cellphone. I didnt know that Vampire used cellphones but hey I guess you gotta keep up with technology no matter who you are....Enjoy!

Featured Painting: Guy In Vampire Costume In Car Next To Me(Click Picture)

My Big Fat Greek KEEMO

This painting is the FIRST of THREE paintings that were completed on 5"x7" postcards that are promoting the upcoming performance of CAN-CAN by the Grand Rapids Ballet Company. The other two paintings in the series are very similar but the faces in the oval are different....as always...Enjoy!

Featured Painting:Portrait On Grand Rapids Ballet Postcard Promoting Can-Can #1 (of 3).
(Click Picture)

All Your Base Are Belong To KEEMO

I had to swing in to the store yesterday to grab some snacks for a family party I was going to. I went with the old standard chips and salsa (Jacks Salsa..yum!) Oh, I had a hankering for those candy corns...so picked those up with some peanuts. Man, mix them together and it is tasty. So, I get up in line with my 4 items and there was a guy in front of me who had his head in a big bandage. I was thinking at first that it must be for some Halloween party but then as he turned he had the most serious look of pain I have seen in a long time. Then I noticed his right arm was in bandages as well. I wish there was something else that happened with this story but there isnt. I checked out my snacks and made the long drive to the party thinking how lucky I was to be in good health. So, here is to all of us keeping our heads out of big bandages...Enjoy!

Featured Painting:Man With Head Injury At The Store.
(Click Picture)

A Picture Paints A Thousand KEEMOs

I received an email a couple weeks ago asking if I planned on painting any more Kings. (A few months ago, I had posted a few) Well, I love painting the Kings and am always happy to oblige, so here we go. A King...Enjoy!


Featured Painting:Portrait of a King (Revisited).
(Click Picture)

Conwoman From San Diego

I used to live in San Diego. I was 19, worked at a movie theater. Just a midwestern kid having a wonderful time in California. I shared an apartment with 3 friends. There was this little old lady who used to sit in a wheel chair near the entrance to our apartment. She was always asking for handouts. Of course we all gave her what we could. We felt bad and dang, she reminded us all of our own Moms who were thousands of miles away. Well, long story short, there was a big hill that was near our apartment. One day we are driving up that hill and what do we see but that lady pushing her wheel chair up the hill. Walking just fine. "I thought she couldnt walk!" yelled one of us. "Me too!" we all chimed in. Well, needless to say, I learned a couple valuable lesson that day. You can fill in what those are but here is to the old lady who swindled us for our moola and who I am sure is still pushing her chair up that hill!...Enjoy!


Featured Painting: Lady From San Diego Who Swindled Money From Us.
(Click Picture)

And Keemo Makes Three

The biggest paintings get done when there is more time. (There is a simple math problem in there somewhere. {[Maybe: bp=10t-s+w] bp=big painting. t=time. s=stress. w=wine.} Math was not my strong point. I think that is how I ended up painting) Anway, if there is more time, than there must be less stress, which equates to enjoying a little more of the things that are going on around us. Namely, the people. So, here is a painting that is for all us and that we may slow down a bit and enjoy time with the people next to you...Maybe when I have some extra time I should brush up on my algebra too...Enjoy!

Featured Painting: And Then There Are Good Days. (Click Picture)

My Big Fat Greek Keemo

Everyone who met Grandpa Joe liked him. You couldnt help it. He had a great sense of humor. Great Laugh. When I was 8 he let take a sip off his Pabst Blue Ribbon while mom wasnt looking. He would stay with us in the summer and tend to the garden. I would fetch him a tomato and he would eat it like an apple. I went to the hospital right after he was admitted. He had needles and tubes in him. They didnt think he would make it through the night. I walked in the room and with his hand that was resting the bed, he made the thumbs up sign. "Take A Seat," he said. I smiled, he tried to laugh. I think he made it about a week after that. I bought my first suit when he died. I never had a real legitimate reason to wear one before that. Here is to Grandpa Joe. ...Enjoy!

Featured Painting: Grandpa Joe. (Click Picture)

Keemo Con Carne

I always get suckered by the candy bar kids. You know, the ones selling those big over priced candy bars to raise money for school. Well, here is the one that got me today for 2 caramels and a crunch bar. Man they are good!...Enjoy!


Featured Painting: Im Always A Sucker For The Kid Selling Candybars
(Click Picture)

Never Mind The Bullocks! It's Keemo!

All summer long I listen to my neighbors air conditioner humming along outside my studio window. I mean, all the time. Well, I sit down at my desk, window open, go to turn on some music to cover the hum and then I realize, there is nothing. Its silent! You gotta be kidding me. So, I refrained from turning on the music and enjoyed the silence. Sat back for a bit and then painted this one. In absoluted silence...Enjoy!

Featured Painting: No More Hum of My Neighbors Air Conditioner (Click Picture)

99 Bottles of Keemo

"That Doesn't Look Like Anne Rice" She said.
"I think it does," I said.
"Its not very Dark and Gothic," She said.
"It kind of is," I said.
"Why the Gold?" She said.
"That is the color of the Interview With A Vampire book I read when I was about 15. It was Gold," I said.
"I see. I guess it looks like Anne Rice," She said.
"I think it does," I said.

...Enjoy!

Featured Painting: It's Anne Rice. I Swear. (Click Picture)

Give Me Keemo or Give Me Death

Hi Everyone,

The house was quiet last night. Summer is about over but its still warm enough to have the window open. It was late, I was a little groggy from the Mimosas we had a couple hours before. (Mimosas arent made to only be drank in the AM. Try them on a warm evening.) Anyway, I going through the music collection to decide what to put on and ran across some Chalie Parker. Nothing else would have been more perfect for last night. I put on Summit Meeting At Birdland and the out came this painting. So, here is to Charle Parker, Mimosas and Summer Evenings!... Enjoy!

Featured Painting: Mimosas, Bird and a Summer Evening (Click Picture)

KEEMOween

Hi Everyone,

I received an email from someone who asked if I would post another Ghost (or Kid Dressed Up As Ghost). With Halloween coming they thought it would be appropriate. You know, Im thinking this will be a good costume this year. Old School. Just throw the sheet over the head, cut some eye holes and BLAMMO. Instant costume. Thats it. Im going to do it. I'll post a pic on the website. Anyone else that does it, send a pic and I'll post those too...Enjoy!

Featured Painting: Ghost (Click Picture)

Keemo Series Reaches #250 (w Bonus)

Hi Everyone,

This is #250 in the series! To me, this is an important milestone. I wanted to do something a little special for all of you Keemo collectors and fans, who have made it possible for this series to reach #250. All of your emails, letters, photos, comments and ideas make every stroke of the brush worth it. So, as a little bonus for #250, I am going to include the board that I used to paint all 250 paintings from the series, on. It measures 9"x12". I think it makes a pretty cool painting itself. (I was originally going to frame it and hang it in my house). Click the pic below to learn more. Thanks again!

Featured Painting: #250 w/ Free Bonus

Double Keemo With Cheese

Featured Painting: Woman Who Almost Rear Ended Me Today Because She Was Talking On Her Cell Phone

I hate this situation. Your sitting a light and you look in your rearview mirror and you see a car coming behind you and it doesnt appear to be slowing. And then they screech to a halt behind you. (About 10 years ago I was rear ended this way.) Well, today was one of those close call times. (Thank goodness) So, here is to her and to her stopping in time... Enjoy!

The Hills Are Alive With The Sound Of Keemo

Featured Painting: Ran Into An Old Classmate From High School
I guess in the bigger scheme of things I am not very old. However, Im at the age where I no longer really look like I did in high school. You know, Im a little, well... softer. Long story short... I swing into the bookstore after work today to grab something and who do I run into but a guy I used to know from high school. And well, he looked a little softer too. I remember him drinking (and puking) alot. He asked, "you still painting?" "A little, " I said. Well, heres to those days. And here is to these days...Enjoy!

In Keemo We Trust

Hi Everyone,

Well, Friday morning... waiting for the morning bean to do its thing. Hope everyone is doing well.. Here is a new for today.

Featured Painting: Ninja
Every so often I just have to paint a Ninja. If you don't paint things like this sometimes, than odds are that things are getting just a bit too serious around your neck of the woods. So, heres to not letting things get too serious around here because hey, we just need to...Enjoy!

Meet Me At The Corner of Keemo and Keemo

Hi Everyone,

Hope everyone is doing well.. Here is a new for today.

Featured Painting: Portrait of Best Friend. 9"x12"

Im not using the term lightly. Best Friend. I mean it. Best Friend. No one knows me like this person. We celebrated 13 years a couple days ago. So, here is to her, heres to 13 years, heres to best friends. ...Enjoy!