Declaration of Independence (1819), by John Trumbull

 

United States Declaration of Independence

Ratified July 4, 1776

CLF 2022 Auction: “Blue Stroud” – Original Oil Painting by Lon Brauer

 

Painted portraiture, particularly of historical subjects, lends itself to the flavor of Early Americana.  For this year’s CFL Fundraising Auction, contemporary artist Lon Brauer has created a beautiful original oil painting in the tradition of Gilbert Stuart, with a touch of Karl Bodmer, which will be a fine addition to any collection of American Art. This work is in a classical style of studio paintings common to the 18^th and 19th centuries before the advent of photography. 

This original oil painting measures 20x16 and is presented in a beautiful black frame with gold piping. The subject is of a young white man who has been adopted and living with the Cherokee of 1760. On his person he carries a piece of blue Stroud, a type of broadcloth wool from the south of England.  Stroud was an item of trade with European fur companies and revered for its beauty and simplicity.

Lon Brauer is a figurative artist living and working in Granite City, Illinois. He has been a full time fine-art painter for the past 20 years with gallery showings throughout the country.  His work covers a wide range of subject matter but his new love is with the historical genre of the American past. 

For more information on the work of Lon Brauer, contact him directly:  lonbrauer55@gmail.com or at his web site:  Lonbrauer.com  

Text and Photography  by Lon Brauer

To see all the artists’ postings for the 2022 CLF Fundraising Auction go to:

http://www.contemporarylongriflefoundation.org/2022-fundraising-auction/

Artist of Excellence Award: David Wright at the Booth Museum of Western Art

Congratulations to our good friend and incredibly talented artist David Wright who was honored at the Booth Museum of Western Art in Georgia by being presented with its Artist of Excellence award! Job well done David and a well deserved honor!

David will be with in Gettysburg, PA April 8 & 9 for the annual History Meets the Arts show!

Copy from History Meets the Arts.

"Ivory Billed Woodpecker" by Ken Scott

 

Photography by Jan Riser.

Portrait of a Lady in Profile by John Blount

 

Property from the Estate of Margaret P. Gregory

John S. Blunt

1798 - 1835

oil on panel

circa 1825

Height 22 1/2 in. by Width 19 1/4 in.

Estimate: $6,000-$8,000

Current bid:

4,500

USD

(2 bids, reserve not met)

Lot closes: 2 days, 18 hours January 21, 10:03 AM (EST)

Provenance:

Marguerite Riordan, Stonington, Connecticut

Copy and images from here.

Happy Halloween! Painting by Ken Scott

 

Ivory Billed Woodpecker by Ken Scott

2020 CLA Live Auction: "HEART OF THE HEARTH" ORIGINAL PAINTING by Maria Freed

Examples of traditional fine art appear at the annual CLF fundraising auction only occasionally. For this year’s event, artist Maria Freed has contributed a lovely original painting for the benefit of the Contemporary Longrifle Association.

            Freed’s original painting, Heart of the Hearth, pays homage to the traditional center of family life. “Unfocus for a moment,” explains the artist, “and you can notice the heart shape formed by the pattern of light within the painting. The heart of the home has long been known as the kitchen, with women being the traditional tenders of the hearth. The true heart of the hearth is the very woman who shines her own light and tends the fires of home and family. Without the heart, there is no warmth.” 

Based on a reference photo by Ken Giorlando, the painting is executed in watercolors, a transparent medium that offers little room for mistakes. But after applying about a dozen layers of paint, Freed succeeded in producing a delightful work of art that successfully captures the warmth of home. The creative process, she observes, was “So hard to commit to, but once I got rolling, nothing could stop me.”

Painted with professional grade watercolors on 100% cotton rag paper, this work of art is protected by UV-blocking plexiglass glazing and surrounded by an acid-free archival mat. Measuring 11” x 15”, this exceptional painting comes framed and ready to hang, ensuring the Heart of the Hearth will become a treasured family heirloom for generations to come.  

For more information on the work of Maria Freed, contact the artist directly at:

mariafreed72@yahoo.com

Copy by Joshua Shepherd

Photography by H. David Wright

To see all the Artists' contributions to the 2020 CLF Live Fund Raising Auction, visit our website at http://www.contemporarylongriflefoundation.org/2020-live-auction/

"Turkeys" by Ken Scott

Happy Turkey Day from Robert, Art and Jan.

"Liberty Eagle" by Ken Scott

Print by Ken Scott

2018 CLA Live Auction: Fraktur Birds by Sandy Greco

The CLF is proud to present for auction this framed 7 1/2 inch by 21 1/2 inch Fraktur style artwork from CLA artist D Sandy Greco.
 
The term Fraktur describes a form of calligraphy or a font type, but has been extended the colorful floral and figurative drawings and paintings that started as illumination for birth and baptismal certificates and evolved to stand alone illustrations.  The Pennsylvania German community developed Fraktur as an art form with some of the earliest work being done by the Ephrata Cloister, a spiritual and creative retreat in Lancaster County in the early 18th century.  
Sandy Greco is a European trained artist.  She was attracted to Fraktur Art because the patterns and colors reminded her of her father’s work in Sicily as a fine furniture restorer.  And the interwoven Pennsylvania Dutch forms are somewhat like the intricate mannerist art patterns she had learned while studying in Palermo.  Her husband, Tom Greco, was a great supporter in getting her to undertake this traditional art form.

Rather than “copies” of existing work, Sandy’s creations are based on her own ideas after studying a range of original Pennsylvania Dutch art.  This pair of birds is complemented by a traditional Fraktur butterfly shape. Sandy works in gouache and ink on medium weight watercolor paper with an antiqued finish for this work.  The colors used represent the original colors aged by the passage of time, a skill she learned from her father.  The detail work in the small features of the painting are typical of the best Fraktur work.  

Sandy is grateful to the many artists of the CLA who have supported her, especially Lally House who has been a mentor. Fraktur work by Sandy Greco is regularly seen on the CLA for sale site and does not stay up long.  Sandy is a loyal supporter of the Live Auction.

This is a charming framed artwork for your home

Sandy Greco’s contact information is:

Flintlock 52@yahoo.com
773 744 5401

Text by H Ahlers with photos by H Ahlers

"Trophies of War" by David Wright

36" x 24" by David Wright

The painting was commissioned by Jim and Carolyn Dresslar in 1997 and shows items from their collection. Since Jim's passing, Carolyn now lives in Florida and though she hates to part with the painting, she doesn't have space for the painting and would like to sell it.  Interested buyers please contact David Wright at dw@davidwrightart.com or 615 452-7704.

From the Pages of Flintlock Magazine: "Trophies of War" by David Wright

"Trophies of War"

Commissioned by Jim and Carolyn Dresslar

Flintlock Magazine 2002 Volume 5 Number 1.

ABCD by Ken Scott

Bird by Valerie Skinner

Photographed at the 2015 CLA Show by Jan Riser.

"Bless this House" by Ken Scott

Happy Thanksgiving from our house to yours.

Art, Jan and Robert

2017 CLF Auction Item: "I See It Too" by Andrew Knez

This great Andrew Knez painting was scheduled to be auctioned last year.  That did not happen.  Your auction Chairman was a bit remiss in the logistics also Andrew unfortunately was involved in a serious automobile accident on his way too the auction.  We deferred the auction of the painting off to this year.  We are happy to say Andrew has recovered nicely and should be at the auction this year. We have straightened out the logistics and the painting should also be there. Joshua Shepherd’s fine write-up from last year follows.

Attendees of the CLA’s live auctions are regularly treated to a stunning array of arms and accoutrements from some of the longrifle culture’s best artisans, but the bidders at the 2016 event will be afforded a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: the chance to own an original painting by noted frontier artist Andrew Knez Jr.

The oil-on-canvas masterwork, titled I See It Too, depicts a mounted frontiersman gripping a longrifle balanced across the pommel of his saddle; more than that, it’s a truly exceptional depiction of the frontier character.  Both horse and rider have clearly seen something on the trail that demands their attention - perhaps game, smoke, or Indians – but the artist has lent the painting a bit of edgy mystique.  The rifleman and his mount are obviously “intent on something”, says the artist, “but it’s not life or death yet.  I like to leave a little bit to the imagination of the viewer.”

           

The remarkable canvas constitutes one of the showcase offerings for this year’s auction and is sure to attract a good bit of appropriate attention from collectors.  “We all need to support the CLA in whatever way is practical,” says Knez.  His donation of I See It Too is, observes the artist, “is the most sensible way to raise funds” for a worthy cause: the continued vitality of the Contemporary Longrifle Association.    

Andrew is a member of the American Plains Artists, Artists of the American West and a signature member of the National Oil and Acrylic Painters' Society.

Andrew’s work may be viewed  at http://www.andrewknezjr.com

You may contact Andrew at 724-969-3200.

Copy by Joshua Shepherd with photos by Gordon Barlow.

"An Opening in the Forest" by H. David Wright

I've always liked doing paintings of the hunter and his dog in deep woods. This one is titled "An Opening in the Forest".  Those are times that are shared only by two hunters.This painting goes to the Lord Nelson's Gallery show at History Meets the Arts next month in Gettysburg.

Copy and painting supplied by David Wright.

Booth Western Art Museum

George Catlin

Grant Wood

The Civil War Gallery contains work by Don Troiani and David Wright.

David Wright (1942- )

Forrest Comes Home

Oil on canvas

Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest had a simple military theory, "Get there first with the most me."  In support of this theory, Forrest and his cavalry visited his boyhood home in Chapel Hill, Tennessee throughout the war.  He made these trips home to visit with friends, attend BBQs ad recruit new troops.  The painting represents what might be a typical welcome home during the war.

Bradley Schmehl, (b. 1962 - )

Jackson and His Disciples, 2001

Oil on Canvas

Pictured here is General "Stonewall" jackson with the Rockbridge Artillery at North Bridge near Port Republic, Virginia on June 8, 1862, during the Battle of Cross Keys.  Jackson referred to the four artillery pieces as his "disciples" - Matthew, mark, Luke and John.

George Hallmark, (b. 1949 - )

San Xavier del Bac, 2009

Oil on Canvas

Texas native George Hallmark studied art at Texas Christian University and Brigham Young University.   The San Xavier church, built by Spanish missionaries and local Indian labor in the 1700s, still stands near Tuscon, Arizona.  Although in this painting, he added a "patina" to the building facade to emphasize its age, it is known as the "White dove of the Desert" because of its reflective whitewashed surface.

C.L. (Carrie) Ballantyne, (b. 1956 - )

Barak, Young Buckaroo, 200

Colored pencil

The term "buckaroo" is derived from the Spanish vaquero, meaning cowboy.  Buckaroos are identified by a distinctive style of dress and gear.  Carrie Ballantyne grew up in California loving horses and ranch life.  She now lives with her family in the ranch country near Sheridan, Wyoming.

Rountree Heading West Gallery

Eric Sloan

More information on the Booth Museum can be found here.