2011 Painting for a Purpose

Nocturne Demo Scottsdale Mission, Scottsdale Arizona: December 28, 2011

 

A couple of years ago I taught a Nocturne Painting Workshop through the Scottsdale Artist's School. This was the first in a series of demonstration paintings I performed during the workshop. One of the students, Marjorie Weaver, volunteered to pose for me by sitting on the wall in front of the mission. 
By the end of this evening, my eyes had completely adjusted to the darkness. So much so that I drove off to my hotel without the headlights of my rental car turned  on. Needless to say I got pulled over by the Scottsdale Police who were suspicious I'd been drinking. I showed them my painting and denied I'd been drinking. however I admitted I was completely drunk on Moonlight!!
My, "Night Vision Story",  made them laugh, and they let me go.  
Old Scottsdale Mission Under Moonlight
9x12 oil/board  private collection

 

Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 2011

 

Tigers Over Kweilin 
by Thomas Van Stein  78"x92"  oil on Canvas 2009  On display at the Commerative Air Force Museum, Camarillo California
70 years ago today, young Americans answered the call after the U.S. 6th Fleet was devastated at Pearl Harbor Some who were paying attention to world events made tremendous sacrifices in their own lives to get involved; and though America wasn't at war as of yet, they volunteered as mercenaries to help stem the tide of evil growing on the planet.

These young Americans and their small  contingent of aircraft, were already in place; flying as American Expatriates for the Chinese Air Force.  The Americans earned the name, "Fei Hu" (Tigers of the Air), but more popularly known as, "The Flying Tigers".

When Pearl Harbor took place, these brave airmen took to the skies in Indochina to stop the advance of the Japanese into Burma, (Now called Myanmar)
This skeleton crew, exhausted and down to the last few men and planes held out for six months, they gave their all and did halt the advancement of the Japanese Brutal Imperial War Machine.

Every Vet who answered the call that day, were willing to put their personal lives on hold and signed up to protect our country in its time of need, is to be congratulated, and appreciated. I try to remember them with every brush stroke, on every canvas. Their dedication and Spirit of Freedom inspires me.


My Father was one of these who answered the call as a U.S. Merchant Marine.  This is his flag; a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capital on December 7, 1941.  It is flown almost every holiday, with great pride and remembrance. 

Long may these colors wave. Remember Pearl Harbor!!

 

Communing with Talia December 5, 2011

 


 
"A riveting story of unimaginable heartbreak and courage. It leaves you in awe of this mother's vast ability to love and to heal. It cannot help but change your view of what is possible."

~ Ellen Simon screenwriter One Fine Day and Moonlight and Valentino
“The story is compelling, fascinating and riveting—I couldn’t put it down! The chapter on ‘Raising Talia’ is one of the most intriguing accounts of parenting I’ve ever read.”
~ Jennifer Read Hawthorne, #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul and Chicken Soup for the Mother’s Soul.
"This spellbinding, true story shows how the human spirit can triumph in the face of adversity with some inspiring help from beyond the veil."
~ Randy Peyser, Author of The Power of Miracle Thinking
Blogger Van Stein: Commissioned Painting
"Talia's View": the Beginning July 7, 2011
/2011/07/talias-view-beginning-july-7-2011.html

 

Van Stein Small Images Exhibition: December 1, 2011

Van Stein Art Studio

Smaller Images
A collection of recent Original Van Stein oil paintings
at 
James Main Fine Art
27 East De la Guerra Street 
Santa Barbara, California 
(805) 962-8347 
December 1 through January 9, 2011 
Artist Reception:
December 1, 5-8 pm 
(First Thursday) 
Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday Noon to Five 

Van Stein interview about "Smaller Images" exhibition can be seen  on the "American Riviera" TV Show,  Santa Barbara Public Access.  Channel 17
 
  
www.thomasvanstein.net
 

Van Stein Small Images Exhibition: November 30, 2011

Early Moon Rise   6"x 8"  oil/board   2011
 
Smaller Images
A collection of recent Original Van Stein oil paintings
at 
James Main Fine Art
27 East De la Guerra Street 
Santa Barbara, California 
(805) 962-8347 
December 1 through January 9, 2011 
Artist Reception:
December 1, 5-8 pm 
(First Thursday) 
Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday Noon to Five 

Van Stein interview about "Smaller Images" exhibition can be seen  on the "American Riviera" TV Show,  Santa Barbara Public Access.  Channel 17
 
  
www.thomasvanstein.net

Van Stein Small Images Exhibition: November 29, 2011

St. Anthony's, Fall  14x12  oil/canvas  2011
 
 
Smaller Images
A collection of recent Original Van Stein oil paintings
at 
James Main Fine Art
27 East De la Guerra Street 
Santa Barbara, California 
(805) 962-8347 
December 1 through January 9, 2011 
Artist Reception:
December 1, 5-8 pm 
(First Thursday) 
Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday Noon to Five 

Van Stein interview about "Smaller Images" exhibition can be seen  on the "American Riviera" TV Show,  Santa Barbara Public Access.  Channel 17,
 
  
www.thomasvanstein.net

Van Stein Small Images Exhibition: November 28, 2011

Afternoon Light, Butterfly Beach 11"x9" oil/board 2011
Smaller Images
A collection of recent Original Van Stein oil paintings
at 
James Main Fine Art
27 East De la Guerra Street 
Santa Barbara, California 
(805) 962-8347 
December 1 through January 9, 2011 
Artist Reception:
December 1, 5-8 pm 
(First Thursday) 
Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday Noon to Five 

Van Stein interview about "Smaller Images" exhibition can be seen  on the "American Riviera" TV Show,  Santa Barbara Public Access.  Channel 17,
 
  
www.thomasvanstein.net

Van Stein Small Images Exhibition: November 27, 2011

Santa Monica Nocturne   12"x16"  oil/canvas  2011
Smaller Images
A collection of recent Original Van Stein oil paintings
at 
James Main Fine Art
27 East De la Guerra Street 
Santa Barbara, California 
(805) 962-8347 
December 1 through January 9, 2011 
Artist Reception:
December 1, 5-8 pm 
(First Thursday) 
Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday Noon to Five 

Van Stein interview about "Smaller Images" exhibition can be seen  on the "American Riviera" TV Show,  Santa Barbara Public Access.  Channel 17,
 
  
www.thomasvanstein.net
 

Van Stein Small Images Exhibition: November 26, 2011

Country Road, Carpinteria  12x9  oil/board 2011
Smaller Images
A collection of recent Original Van Stein oil paintings
at 
James Main Fine Art
27 East De la Guerra Street 
Santa Barbara, California 
(805) 962-8347 
December 1 through January 9, 2011 
Artist Reception:
December 1, 5-8 pm 
(First Thursday) 
Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday Noon to Five 

Van Stein interview about "Smaller Images" exhibition can be seen  on the "American Riviera" TV Show,  Santa Barbara Public Access.  Channel 17,
 
  
www.thomasvanstein.net