"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.
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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.

125/15

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.
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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.

100 5/15

"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.
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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.

125/15

"Pa's Old Brownie" by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"Pa's Old Brownie"... 6x6" Oil on panel, alla prima from life, "Painting a Day" series, 7-2008.
SOLD... Thanks Amber H.
Culver City, CA

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American nostalgia can not be better exemplified than by this painting I did from life of the famous Brownie, the name of a long-running and extremely popular series of simple and inexpensive cameras made by Kodak. The Brownie popularized low-cost photography and introduced the concept of the snapshot. The first Brownie, introduced in February, 1900, was a very basic cardboard box camera with a simple lens. With its simple controls and initial price of $1, it was intended to be a camera that anyone could afford and use. The camera was named after the popular cartoons created by Palmer Cox. The model I painted here is the FLASH SIX-20... introduced in 1946 which sold for $6. It was discontinued in 1955... six years before I was born.

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

40 4877

Lone Granny Smith Apple #2

"Lone Granny Smith Apple #2"... 6x6" Oil on panel, alla prima from life, "Painting a Day" series, 7-2008.
SOLD... Thanks again Jonathan!
Knoxville, TN

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This small painting was the result of a live demo in my Sunday School class. I had the students read "light" verses from the Bible as I painted. We talked about how light adds form to objects... in art and real life... let your light shine...

20 2999

"Salt and Light" by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"Salt and Light"... 8x6" Oil on Panel, alla prima from life, "Painting a Day" series, 4-2008.
PRIVATE COLLECTION

This painting was recently highlighted on Christian rock band, Third Day's website...

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Scripture is often the inspiration for my paintings. This still life I set up and painted from life 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.

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

Nigel James, Cardiff, Wales

Ice Water with Lemon Please

"Ice Water with Lemon Please" by Bernie Rosage Jr... 8x6" Oil on Panel, alla prima from life, 4-2008.
SOLD... Thanks again Bob!
Richlands, NC

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This still life was set up in my studio and painted from life. I found it challenging to work quickly enough before the ice melted. Rendering glass was my main goal in this one... hope you enjoy...

20 1995

"An Unlikely Pear" by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"An Unlikely Pear"... 6x8" Oil on Panel, alla prima from life, 3-2008.
SOLD... Thanks again Randy!
Lake Ridge, VA

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Two more willing and patient models... a perfect studio sitting! For some reason I love painting items on my wife's grocery list. These daily paintings from life are among my favorites to paint... I never tire of them.

20 1995

Impressionistic Apple by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"Impressionistic Apple"... 6x6" Oil on Panel, alla prima from life,
2-2008.
SOLD... Thanks again Betty!

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SR75 2/25/08

Bookworm

"Bookworm"... 6x8" Oil on Panel, alla prima from life, 2-2008.
SOLD... Thanks Jo!

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I set up this small still life and painted it as an art lesson for a friend who has recently taken up oil painting. We talked about the importance of painting from life... how it hons the skills of an artist by teaching him how to "see". The "art of seeing" as my art teacher called it. We could all benefit from the "art of seeing"... a method where we learn to see the things around us by taking them in, savoring them, and thinking about what we see... sure beats the alternative... "just looking".

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

40 4100 4/9/144

Shutterbug

"Shutterbug"... 6x8" Oil on Canvas Board, alla prima from life, 1-2008.
SOLD... Thanks Catherine!

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I thoroughly enjoyed setting up this still life and painting this old camera in my studio. Before I found my true love in oil painting I was an avid photographer. Somewhere in my attic is a box full of old cameras like this one... I may just have to find it and paint some more of these old friends. Say cheese...

20 2095 2/8/128

Hammer Down

"Hammer Down"... 7x5" Oil on Canvas Board, alla prima from life, 1-2008.
SOLD... Thanks Nona!

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Everyday objects painted from life is the essence of the "Painting a Day" art movement that is gaining momentum in the art collecting market. Even objects never considered as subjects for paintings like this hammer are transformed into works of art. The true artist can communicate his intentions and allow the viewer to see even the most mundane things in a different light. Did you ever think you would purchase a painting of a hammer?... How cool is that? I love painting these "one a days"...

40 4000 5/10/139

Mixed Company

"Mixed Company"... 6x8" Oil on Panel, alla prima from life, 1-2008.
SOLD... Thanks again Lloyd!

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I've been on a fruit kick lately... I gleaned the frig and came up with these unlikely subjects for another still life painted from life. After setting up this composition I couldn't help but think they seemed to be lined up for the fruit cocktail cannery... of course they were totally unaware of their fate and posed so patiently for me.

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

30 3983 5/10/156

Lean on Me

"Lean on Me"... 6x8" Oil on panel, alla prima from life, 11-2007.
SOLD...#150... Thanks Shirley!

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My love of painting pears and apples was combined as I set these two friends up in my studio. I say "friends" because that was the first thing that came to mind when the set up seemed to naturally tilt, better yet... lean... with a closeness shared by friends. The title, "Lean on Me", came as easily from the composition... I couldn't seem to get Bill Wither's song, "Lean on Me" out of my head. Like this unlikely couple... we all need someone to lean on... let the person you lean on know how much you appreciate them this Holiday Season. May the light of Christmas light your path and warm your heart... Merry Christmas!

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

20 2150 12/10/155

A Branch of Cotton

"A Branch of Cotton"... 5x7" Oil on panel, alla prima from life, 11-2007.
SOLD... Thanks Again Bob!

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Growing up in the coastal plains region of North Carolina snow is something I see once a year if I'm lucky. Cotton fields with their white expanse are as close as I get. I set up this small branch of cotton in my studio and painted it from life. Why cotton?... It's conflicting textures of roughness and smoothness and the mere fact that most people don't know what cotton looks or grows like were the motivating factors behind this one. I hope you enjoy it... cotton still makes me think of snow.

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

20 2316 5/5/92

Christmas Reminiscing

"Christmas Reminiscing"... 5x7" Oil on panel, alla prima from life, 11-2007.
SOLD... Thanks Betty!

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This small still life was set up in my studio and painted from life in anticipation of the Christmas Season. I love Christmas and often reminisce about those gone by... especially those special memories of loved ones no longer with us. The small bell in this painting belonged to my wife's grandmother when she was a small girl... it was actually attached to her horse drawn sleigh. May this small painting, "Christmas Reminiscing", bring you warm memories of loved ones and this special time of year... Merry Christmas!

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

20 2050 2/8/72

Hardtack and Coffee

"Hardtack and Coffee"... 6x8" Oil on panel, alla prima from life, 11-2007.

SOLD... Thanks Randy B.!

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Hardtack, salt pork, and coffee were the staple rations for the American soldier... both Union and Confederate... during the Civil War. In fact, hard crackers have been issued as rations in every American conflict. During the American Civil War a soldier was rationed ten of these hard crackers per day... or at least was supposed to be. The official name for the cracker was "hardtack" but it had numerous nicknames like, "nail-benders", "worm-castles", and "teeth-dullers". Often they were issued molded and infested with worms and weevils. The most common way soldiers prepared them to eat was to boil them in a tin cup of coffee... this served two purposes... #1)... it softened them up... and #2)... it killed whatever was living in them. The worms would float to the top of the coffee and could easily be skimmed away. I set up this small still life on an old wooden table and painted it from life while at a Civil War Reenactment last weekend. The reenactment was held at Fort Branch near Hamilton, North Carolina. Reenacting is a hobby of mine and I portray an 1860's period civilian usually taking my French easel, brushes, and oils to plein air paint. I had a great time last weekend camping and painting with friends and family... sorry I don't have a photo in my period attire to share... I forgot the camera... maybe next time.

Here is a verse from a song that was sung by the civil war soldier whose title remains unknown, but with a message that is very clear:

There's a hungry, thirsty soldier Who wears his life away,

With torn clothes, whose better days are o'er

He is sighing now for whiskey And, with throat as dry as hay,

Sings, "Hard crackers, hard crackers, Come again no more."

As the war progressed and hunger became an issue the last verse of the song went like this:

"It is the dying wail of the starving,

Hard crackers, hard crackers, come again once more;

You were old and very wormy, but we pass your failings o'er,

O hard crackers, come again once more."

80 8099 6/3/105

Simply to Thy Cross I Cling

"Simply to Thy Cross I Cling"... 5x7" Oil on panel, alla prima, 11-2007.
SOLD... Thanks again Andrew!

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For some strange reason I find cemeteries peaceful... anyone feel the same? My wife, kids, and I love to take walks through them and read the various epitaphs on the headstones. The older the cemetery the better... the kind where headstones in many cases are works of art themselves with ornate sculptures and the like. One of our favorite spots is Oakdale Cemetery in the southern coastal town of Wilmington, North Carolina. At Oakdale one can enjoy a stroll through a garden, a history museum, and an art gallery at the same time. I painted "Simply to Thy Cross I Cling" from a photograph I took of one of the artistic gravemarkers we saw while on one of our family strolls through Oakdale Cemetery. I put my faith in the simple words of that epitaph...

20 1799 1/3/60

Lemon-a-peel

"Lemon-a-peel"... 6x8" Oil on panel, alla prima from life, 11-2007.
SOLD... Thanks again Donna S.!

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I set up this small still life in my studio and thoroughly enjoyed working with the vibrant yellows. One of the yellows I used was Lemon Yellow... how appropriate! If your mouth drys a bit or you pucker up by viewing this one... I know it was a success! Hope you enjoy this small daily painting titled... "Lemon-a-peel".

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

30 3701 7/8/116

Autumn Rapids

"Autumn Rapids"... 6x8" oil on panel, alla prima, 10-2007.
SOLD... Thanks Mike and Sharon N.!

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Autumn in the Blue Ridge Mountains is a beautiful sight... couple the awesome colors with the scenic New River and you have a scene that burns memories deep into the mind. I envy North Carolina mountaineers every October... what a view!

20 2600 3/2/102