EssexArt_ABC

It's not unusual to be walking around on a Caribbean island and happen upon a colorful rooster. That is how I came to paint this feathered friend. I was walking around Grand Cayman island and saw this critter doing the same, but in a much more colorful way. So colorful in fact I thought he deserved to be painted... so that's what I did.

I got a communication from a fellow Grotto member from Zelmar Grotto in Tennessee. In it he asked if I'd use my original watercolor version illustration of the Grotto Mokanna and make a design for Zelmar use. His wish was my command. :-)

While I was enjoying the nightly sunset celebration at Mallory Square one evening in 2024, I saw this busker and thought he would make a good painting subject. Consequently, created this watercolor and ink of him. Now, no matter where a person is located, they can enjoy a little bit of what was happening on Mallory Square that evening.

This is a simple design from a watercolor painting I did of the Grotto Mokanna. If one looks closely, a slight grin is detected on this Mokanna's face. The Grotto is known for a being a fun organization with a great philanthropy so I thought a softer look on the Mokanna's face, but still one of dignity, was warranted.

This is a simple design from a watercolor painting I did of the Grotto Mokanna. If one looks closely, a slight grin is detected on this Mokanna's face. The Grotto is known for a being a fun organization with a great philanthropy so I thought a softer look on the Mokanna's face, but still one of dignity, was warranted.

A funny comment by the wearer of this design of his attractiveness as he escorts his Lady. The inclusion of the Grotto Mokanna makes this design specifically for a member of a fraternal organization known for for good humor, fellowship and fun.

A funny comment by the wearer of this design of his attractiveness as he escorts his Lady. The inclusion of the Grotto Mokanna makes this design specifically for a member of a fraternal organization known for for good humor, fellowship and fun.

This is my watercolor version of an emblem used by a fraternal group called The Grotto. The Grotto is known for being a fun bunch of guys who wear black fezzes and are devoted to philanthropy.

Using my copyrighted Happy Tiki art and knowing St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner, I've created this happy St. Paddy's Day fun Tiki. Oh yeah... it's not for everyone or for all year... but it's not supposed to be. :-)

Inspired by a blackbird that perched on a chair opposite where my wife and I were dining at a table outside of a restaurant in Deerfield Beach, Florida. I thought showing the bird on a war hammer would be more interesting that a restaurant chair.

Inspired by an old... OLD, London pub I visited once upon a time. I took a picture of the sign then made some adjustments and called my finished work "Yellow Cheese". It seemed to be a good "Pop Artish" name.

McGraw, from my original watercolor on watercolor paper, 5”x 7”, 2022. This is a portrait of my Grandbeagle McGraw who always seems to have an expression of wide-eyed wonder.

Using my "It's Fez O'Clock Somewhere" original saying along with my original artwork of a Clyde the Camel portrait, I've created a graphic that is sure to prove a fun one for Shriners all over the world.

From my oil on wood, done en plein air, painting of the same title. There is a reason we long for the pleasant sound of a trickling stream or whisper of a gentle wind in the trees. They cleanse and refresh us.

I thought it was about time coffee drinkers had a cup that communicated what they were REALLY thinking. :-)

My Happy Tiki #2 is just like my smiling Happy Tiki #1, but with a MUCH bigger smile. Thumbs up to happy times.

A fun take on a popular saying... but with bookclub people in mind.

A fun take on a popular saying... but designed for a particular bookclub.

An older and unused name for a large fraternal organization

Words & images put together specifically for the pretty Lady what Loves her Shriner. I've made this available as February 14 draws near, but the T-Shirts and items this is on can be enjoyed year round.

A smiling Shriner Emblem with a fun message announcing, "It's Shrine O'Clock Somewhere".

The Jolly Roger of the Hendricks County (Indiana) Shrine Club of Murat Shriners accompanied by a quote by the legendary (in his own mind) Pirate Cap'n Jack Tar. There is a legend that Jack Tar and his pirate cohort Rusty Cutlass barely escaped capture once in the waters of south east Florida. It was that incident that caused Jack Tar to be made Cap'n for life... and hardy laughter and stories to be told for many years after the incident.

A fun combination of a Shriner Pirate Flag coupled with a Mark Twain pirate quote... on wood from Bonita Bill's, Ft. Myers, Florida.

The artwork I designed for the Hendricks County (Indiana) Shrine Club of Murat Shriners. HCSC has a pirate theme and plunders trophies as they participate in parades in their Phantom Fez pirate ship float.

The Shriner skull & crossed scimitars of the Hendricks County (Indiana) Shrine Club in a black oval.

Playing with a Shriner emblem in a digital filter, I found the resulting "bubble" look really attractive... and think others will too.

My happy Tiki #1 layered on a yellow disc, palm fronds and a pale yellow oval... informing of what time it is.

I created this image via playing with colors on an image and superimposing it on a table place mat (of all things)

Being fond of mid 20th Century Tiki culture it was just a matter of time before I created a Tiki artwork. I have different things I want to do with this digitally with backgrounds so although the main subject is finished, this is only the start of the things I want to do.

Years ago my daughter created a ceramic clay drawing of a bug-like creature on a small slab. This is a tribute to the creative abilities in elementary school children everywhere.

Being fond of mid 20th Century Tiki culture it was just a matter of time before I created a Tiki artwork... and did slight variations with it. Each variation make it an even more fun image to those tikiphiles for whom it was created..

For members of Antelope Club members throughout the USA, it is always Lope o'Clock Somewhere.

A fun "caution" sign for members of the Antelope Club... wherever they may be.

A compass rose and a brick street. Each photographed separately while I was traveling and digitally combined.

Suspicious Concern, from my original watercolor on watercolor paper, 2020. Not knowing where this painting would go when I started it, I decided to follow the muse to see where it led. Once completed it became evident to me it’s an expression of the suspicions and concerns of living in our current COVID-19 times. "Have I done everything I need to do to keep myself and my family safe? Have the people who venture into my six-foot space done everything? Is six feet enough? Were the people who were here before me vigilent? So many suspicions. So many concerns.

Given the times, a healthy scanning of your environment is a good idea. Could be one is looking for the right path. Could be one is looking to avoid certain individuals. Could be one is looking to avoid a virus. A little suspicion can be good thing.