Bernie's Ramblings: Events in History and Art Inspiration... 25 years ago today.

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.

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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.

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"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.

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Tragedy forged community bond

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Beirut Memorial draws visitors for many reasons

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'No time to think': Survivors remember Beirut bombing

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They Came In Peace

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Let us always remember...

Bernie

Help New Bern ArtWorks Gallery paint the town pink in October...

Help New Bern ArtWorks Gallery paint the town pink this month...

New Bern ArtWorks is having a Silent Auction during the month if October to raise money for breast cancer education.

Drop by for a visit in person or online and bid for a noble cause....

New Bern ArtWorks Gallery

Artwork for banner by artist and friend, John Hanley

Thatched Roof Cottage #2... County Clare, Ireland by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"Thatched Roof Cottage #2... County Clare, Ireland"... 6x8" Oil on panel, alla prima, "Enchanting Ireland" series, 9-2008.
SOLD... Thanks Stephen!
Jacksonville, NC

Click on image to see a larger view...



Another quaint thatched roof cottage from County Clare, Ireland.

These small paintings are inspired from my recent trip to Ireland... in most cases they are studies for larger works for a solo exhibit titled "Enchanting Ireland" that will debut August 2009 at the Baysden Gallery. Visit my "Enchanting Ireland" blog to see the series unfold and read about our many adventures on the Emerald Isle.

Tobacco Road by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"Tobacco Road"... w11.50" x h9.50" x d2.50", Oil on panel, alla prima, 9-2008.

SOLD... Thanks Stephen!

 

Gourd Birdhouses... Plein Air by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"Gourd Birdhouses"... 8x10", Oil on Belgian Linen on panel, alla prima, en plein aire, 5-2008.
This original oil painting by American Artist, Bernie Rosage Jr. is available for purchase... Email Bernie about purchasing details HERE... please include the paintings title in the subject line.

Click on image to see a larger view...



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 outing was within walking distance of my house.

This painting, on Belgian Linen on panel, is framed and ready to hang.

All my paintings are signed originals using artist grade oils and archival surfaces.

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"Confederate Canteen" by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"Confederate Canteen"... 6x6" Oil on Linen on panel, alla prima from life, "Painting a Day" series, 4-2008. Received Honorable Mention in the OAS Images 2008 juried art show.

This original oil painting by American Artist, Bernie Rosage Jr. is available for purchase... Email Bernie about purchasing details HERE... please include the paintings title in the subject line.
Click on image to see a larger view...



This painting titled "Confederate Canteen" comes out just in time for Confederate Memorial Day which is recognized on May 10th in North Carolina and several other southern states. North Carolina recognizes May 10th as the date because that is the day Stonewall Jackson died... almost all NC troops in Lee's Army of Northern Virginia fought in Stonewall's corps. This replica Confederate drum style canteen was set up in my studio and painted from life. My special tribute to the southern soldier...

This painting, on Belgian Linen on panel, is framed and ready to hang.

All my paintings are signed originals using artist grade oils and archival surfaces.

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Dancing Reflections by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"Dancing Reflections"... 10x8" Oil on stretched canvas, 2007.

This original oil painting by American Artist, Bernie Rosage Jr. is available for purchase... Email Bernie about purchasing details HERE.. .please include the paintings title in the subject line.
Click on image to see a larger view...



This painting, on stretched canvas, is framed and ready to hang.

All my paintings are signed originals using artist grade oils and archival surfaces.

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A View from the Faulkner Estate... Plein Air by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"A View from the Faulkner Estate #2",... 6x12", Oil on panel, alla prima, en plein aire, 2-2008.

This original oil painting by American Artist, Bernie Rosage Jr. is available for purchase... Email Bernie about purchasing details HERE... please include the paintings title in the subject line.
Click on image to see a larger view...



This painting, on gessoed panel, is framed and ready to hang.

All my paintings are signed originals using artist grade oils and archival surfaces.

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One of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite artists...

"An Artist Should Work Every Day With What is At Hand..." Nicholai Fechin

Anders Zorn cover by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"Emma" after Anders Zorn... 6x8" Oil on panel, alla prima, using the Zorn palette (Yellow Ochre, Cad Red Lt, Ivory Black w/ Ultramarine Blue, and Titanium White), 8-2008.

This original oil painting by American Artist, Bernie Rosage Jr. is available for purchase... Email Bernie about purchasing details HERE... please include the paintings title in the subject line.
Click on image to see a larger view...



I have mentioned in the past that I like to study painting masters... old and new. I love to experiment with different techniques and palettes to gain a better understanding of my medium... oil painting. One of my favorite old masters is Anders Zorn... He was famous for using a limited palette... many times using only three colors plus white. I was experimenting with a modern version of his limited palette... (Yellow Ochre, Cad Red Lt, Ivory Black w/ Ultramarine Blue, and Titanium White),... and this cover of a painting he did of his wife, Emma Zorn, 1887, is the result. I enjoyed doing this small study.

This painting, on a gessoed panel with painted sides, is easily framed or displayed with a decorative easel.

All my paintings are signed originals using artist grade oils and archival surfaces. "Certificate of Authenticity" included.

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"A Stroll Down James Reed Lane... New Bern, NC" by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"A Stroll Down James Reed Lane... New Bern, NC"... 8x6x2.75"... Oil on panel, en plein aire, 9-2008.

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This original oil painting by American Artist, Bernie Rosage Jr. is available for purchase... Email Bernie about purchasing details HERE... please include the paintings title in the subject line..
Click on image to see a larger view...

This lovely little lane and fountain is another scene that caught my eye at the 6th Annual Worldwide Paint Out. As Mitchell and I converged on the historical town of New Bern to paint en plein aire I found myself visually feasting at every turn. It would be very difficult... nay... I say impossible... to exhaust the paintings that could be made in this quaint southern town. You will see many more works of New Bern from me.

"Waiting for the Recital" by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"Waiting for the Recital"... 8x10" Oil on Linen on Panel, alla prima from life, "Painting a Day" series, 5-2008.

This original oil painting by American Artist, Bernie Rosage Jr. is available for purchase... Email Bernie about purchasing details HERE... please include the paintings title in the subject line.
Click on image to see a larger view...

This pair of ballet point shoes was painted from life in my studio. I loved the challenge presented by the lights and darks, form, and shadows. There is something classical and peaceful about an old pair of ballet shoes... "Waiting for the Recital" seems to be a perfect title for this painting.

Everyday objects painted from life is the essence of the "Painting a Day" art movement that is gaining momentum in the art collecting market.

This painting, on Belgian Linen on panel, is framed and ready to hang.

All my paintings are signed originals using artist grade oils and archival surfaces.

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