Early 1980's Utrecht artist oil paints discovered in great condition

I recently won a set of Michael Harding oil paints (more on that later when they arrive... yup, I'm excited...). It's great timing since I've been preparing to stock up on oil paints. I had all of the oil colors I now need 30 years ago while studying with Acworth, NH painter Jerry Pfohl. He sadly passed away in 2010 at age 81. His renovated barn studio is incredible. Anyway... The tubes were packed for the move to Florida in '82. I switched to acrylic after a long break from painting and lately I've decided to return to oils. Surely those old oil tubes must have been lost or tossed or given away. The only thing I was sure of is they never entered the studio. What are the odds I'd find them 30 years later as I'm preparing to purchase new tubes? Well... right next to some jars of dry pigments (same vintage), in an old chest I walk past many times a week in the house, was this stack of paint tubes.

I wondered if the old oil paints were still suitable for serious work. The few I opened looked good except for the Titanium White had oozed out the cap. Thankfully Utrecht still mills their own paints in Brooklyn. A few questions sent off to the Utrecht experts gave me the answer I hoped for. Stay tuned for the Q&A about the tubes as it includes some interesting insight.

Now to work on getting the rest of the caps loose!!! -pw

Utrecht art supplies (link) founded in 1949
Michael Harding artist oil paints (link) handmade artists oil colours

Ocala Symphony Orchestra "Flight of Fiddles" revisited

The 10th Anniversary Horse Fever project wasn't my first time painting on a nontraditional curved surface. In 2003 and 2004 I explored violins. The close up nature scene is something I had in my mind for a long time, inspired by the plants and critters around the studio and down a woodland path. It captured a moment in time, letting you explore a small patch of earth that might easily go unnoticed in our busy lives. This violin was part of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra's wonderful "Flight of Fiddles" exhibit featuring exciting painted violins created by many of the talented regional artists.

The Appleton Museum themed violin was used in an auction to help raise funds for the museum which was struggling at the time. The community came together in support. I don't believe the fiddle was exhibited after the auction so here's a peek. If you are familiar with the very long fountain in front of the museum you might see something special in the clouds.


Today I read about plans for a fabulous performing arts center as a renovation for the historic Ocala City Auditorium in Tuscawilla Park. This venue will be a great cultural asset for our community and make this park an important travel destination. -pw

Ocala Symphony Orchestra (link)
Appleton Museum of Art (link) celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2012
Ocala Star Banner's ocala.com (link to story) read more about the planned art center