Eli Loves Watermelon

Eli is a great kid.  He's one of my sister's grandchildren, which makes him my great-nephew.  He loves to swim in the summer time and here he is enjoying a slice of watermelon after a dip in the pool.  

Summertime,
And the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin'
And the cotton is high

Oh, Your daddy's rich
And your mamma's good lookin'
So hush little baby
Don't you cry
Oil on canvas. 11x14 inches. 2015

Amish Boy

We lived a few hours drive from an Amish community in southeast Iowa - Kalona.  Once in a while we would drive through that part of the country past immaculate farms where the families lived without electricity or any modern machinery... including cars. It was not unusual to see horse-drawn buggies going down the road. I remember stopping at a farmhouse and buying a beautiful hand-made quilt from one of the Amish women. I admired their pure and simple way of life. They are a gentle, peaceful religious people who do not get involved in the ways of the world.  

Tis the gift to be simple
'Tis the gift to be free
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be
And when we find ourselves in the place just right
It will be in the valley of love and delight

When true simplicity is gained
To bow and to bend, we will not be ashamed
To turn, turn, will be our delight
'Til by turning, turning, we come round right.

Watercolor on archival paper. 11x14 inches. 2006.