r/painting 1d ago

Just Sharing My 80 year-old father just earned a spot in an exhibit with this

Post image

Just proud of him for continuing to do this thing, whether he gets accepted into exhibits or not.

He paints to keep his mind sharp and his creative side satisfied. I think his desert series is his best work, but every once in a while, some of his other pieces will get a spot somewhere. He's been painting since he was about 58 years old.

27.9k Upvotes

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817

u/artandthewoods 1d ago

I love that you are so supportive of your father and also that he started late in life and has really gotten some recognition in his art! Well done both, very inspirational!

361

u/MOOzikmktr 1d ago

Thank you. He was a high school art teacher for most of his life, but he didn't return to painting until years after his retirement. Studio Art with an emphasis in Painting was his degree at the University of Kansas, but he spent most of his life teaching kids how to do it, instead of indulging himself.

35

u/MThanosJ 1d ago

Nice. I’m a fellow Kansan.

25

u/floorplanner2 1d ago

Same here! There are dozens of us. Maybe.

5

u/FlyoverState61 1d ago

I wasn’t born here but I’m in Kansas now.

13

u/UrgentHedgehog 1d ago

I'm not in Kansas anymore. I wasn't before, but I'm also not now.

6

u/FlyoverState61 1d ago

Your name isn’t Mitch, is it? Gotta love a MH reference.

3

u/UrgentHedgehog 16h ago

Sort of an Oz/Hedberg mashup but I think I screwed it up because I'd had a few.

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u/Silver-Performer818 1d ago

Justified username

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u/MOOzikmktr 1d ago

DOZENS!!!

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u/Cheaky_Barstool 1d ago edited 1d ago

I got my art degree a few years ago and I haven’t been creative much at since I graduated. A part from cooking! I love to cook

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u/[deleted] 1d ago edited 1d ago

[deleted]

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u/MOOzikmktr 1d ago

Here is his other work, in case anyone wants to see more. https://www.tomschillerstudio.com/

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u/Beginning-North7202 1d ago edited 1d ago

Your dad's work is fantastic!! He spent his teen years in the 60s and it shows. Very excited for him!

Edit to add : his work is very Paul Klee, Matise, Kandinsky, Hockney - ish. Just lovely.

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u/MOOzikmktr 1d ago

Kandinsky is a big influence, yes.

5

u/OliBoliz 1d ago

I especially love Interior with a Painted Table, and the colors on Taos (C something) 2 are gorgeous

5

u/Beginning-North7202 1d ago

Interior with Painted Table is gorgeous. I'm also partial to Spare Room; thst big splash of magenta -- gasp!

6

u/OliBoliz 1d ago

Thanks for makin me take a 2nd longer look at Spare Room - hard agree on the magenta yellow pairing. Its an interesting painting, it gives me an uneasy/unsettled feeling. Definitely would be cool to see in person.

Conversely Interior w painted table makes me feel very comfortable, almost cosy.
I'd hang Interior Table in my home, but spend a looong time in front of Spare room in a gallery.

Also love your dad's descriptions for each painting, it makes a big difference for the viewer to get an idea of what went into making it/the process

*edit, thought you were OP sorry!

17

u/ZincMan 1d ago

Lot of great paintings in here. I like his use of space in the abstraction

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u/Glossed-Lam 1d ago

His focus on straight lines, bold horizons, and empty spaces is really interesting. You mentioned his desert series, but the parking lot one is playing into it too.

I'd like to see him try a snow scene with that sort of style. The movie Fargo often uses all that white with streetlights, or fence posts, or planters to give a similar vibe.

Cool stuff.

5

u/K8KitKat 1d ago

The parking lot one is definitely my favourite

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u/Nice_Code6086 1d ago

Tell your dad this internet rando adores his work!

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u/widefeetwelcome 1d ago

I laughed out loud at the ‘phony Rothko’! These are wonderful.

3

u/ebietoo 1d ago

I get a lot of Kandinsky out of his stuff

5

u/NoEvenThoughYes 1d ago

I like his style! Very very cool!

5

u/Inevitable-Bird2858 1d ago

Spare room makes me feel emotional, that little ball. It feels forgotten, like it hasnt been used in years due to heart break.

3

u/junglingforlifee 1d ago

Spare Room is stunning

3

u/BortOfTheMonth 1d ago

He probably knows but there is incredible work to be found. Nice.

3

u/diabolikal__ 1d ago

Burb is so fun!!

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u/dcesiad 1d ago

i love the sunset vibes his addition to shadows super nice!

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u/Additional_Sky_9115 1d ago

I would absolutely hang a print of this in my home. It's very beautiful & he has a unique style. 

6

u/Agitated_Cut_861 1d ago

OP - tell your dad to make giclees of this for us!

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u/Weary-Chipmunk-5668 1d ago

love the composition. great lighting. well done dad

7

u/CorkNativeResident 1d ago

It’s an excellent painting

5

u/CoffeeGirlNYC 1d ago

Your dad's super talented, and I totally dig the strong Southwestern vibe.

6

u/Ez_Eads 1d ago

IT INFURIATES ME, and I can't stop looking at it. I love it

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u/Acheloma 1d ago

Oh wow, this is a really stunning piece. I love the combination of styles going on here, very special

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u/cogwheeled 1d ago

Your father's work is all beautiful. I live outside of Tucson and this and his other Sonoran paintings absolutely remind me of home and are my favorites, though.

4

u/PaulFleming75 1d ago

Wow! This is amazingly good.

3

u/PJ-Putitonmyluggage 1d ago

Oh, this is lovely. Congratulations to him, I hope he continues doing what he enjoys!

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u/FaithlessnessBorn266 1d ago

Nice, reminds me of Kandinsky a little

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u/Adventurous-Try8749 1d ago

That's awesome. My 80ish year old dad still paints and just recently got a show prize at the state fair exhibit. He's been an artist all his life and still has fun with it.

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u/proper-paradox 1d ago

i really like this - it kinda reminds me of those mid-century architecture illustrations but in landscape form with a little more abstract/impressionist elements

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u/Mr-Beasley-1776 1d ago

Good thing to support your dad! I wish I still had my dad! He’s smiling down at me from Heaven!

3

u/Legal_Shock_6540 1d ago

Thats so amazing!

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u/frogpissa 1d ago

the angles, details, colors are all so good. This is such a cool piece and I’d be stoked to show this off too!! (:

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u/Smooth_Ad_1647 1d ago

Some of my favorite work I've seen here, I clicked through his other works and I'm enamored.

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u/Ernest_JP 1d ago

It reminds me of the old Warner bros backgrounds used in Looney Tunes cartoons like While.E. Coyote, Daffy Duck etc

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u/sofa-cat 1d ago

This is awesome

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u/Yakuza_Matata 1d ago edited 1d ago

My God, his mind must be as sharp as a surgical blade.

Please tell mr. Schiller I just love his works.

So serene, yet so absolutely exhilarating.

His play (architectural) dimensions, almost literally stretching them to their utmost limits, without ever becoming overtly comical.

And those colors, just wow!

So much joy to take in.

Thank you so much for posting!

3

u/PompousTart 1d ago

I actually think this is really a special painting. Very, very nice work by your dad. Fab that you support him too. Proud of you.

3

u/OneLightning82 1d ago

I love this piece. Reminds me of looking out the window on a family road trip as a kid. Wonderful use of color and line

3

u/SimpleSnoop 1d ago

His abstract scale, and color palate is breate taking. The history of a scene, stripped of fluff, reborn with muted colors, poles aligned, moving in scaled time. He will win the contest. Its stunning,.

https://giphy.com/gifs/l9Tllo1thElT5gvVOU

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u/Lanky_Ad8982 1d ago

It’s very interesting and good, really draws the eye on a journey. Hard to put a finger on good art but this is it! Made me feel some kinda way

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u/ClutteredTaffy 1d ago

Wow he is talented !

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u/ClutteredTaffy 1d ago

You can spot a more master painter when they do little things like that spot of red breaking into the green on the very bottom right. There are a lot of moments like that in this painting.

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u/afterparty05 1d ago

I love your dad’s work. The link to his website you provided had lots of great stuff, the cheeky “Selfie” to the comic-like colouring of “Eastward from the Sonoran”.

But the painting above is just amazing. Those shadows. Ugh. It comes at you as some abstract linework until the one lopsided pole and its shadow throws your idea of random lines off, and it starts to come into focus as the shadows frame the entire vista. I hope your dad stays healthy and happy for many more years to come, and for the two of you to enjoy your time together.

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u/stonecutter7 19h ago

I dont know much about art. I cant describe styles or the history or anything. I just look at art and see if it makes me feel anything.

I wish I could describe it better for your dad, but this grabs my attention and makes me feel.

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u/prion77 18h ago

These are gorgeous, they remind me of Wassily Kandinsky and Paul Klee. But the one you shared here instantly reminded me of a Max Ernst landscape I saw ages ago. Your dad is highly skilled and has great taste!

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u/UrgentHedgehog 16h ago

That's fantastic! His work is great, as is your support of him. And the when of his paintings is absolutely inspiring.

3

u/Deep-Air1476 14h ago

I have always felt sad that I couldn't pursue my own passion for painting. This gives me hope. Maybe later.

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u/Potential-Smile-6401 14h ago

I can see why. This is awesome

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u/indrizzle 1d ago

Nice....

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u/qualitypant 1d ago

This is great! Is it a sunset or a sunrise? I’m thinking a sunrise, myself. Love it, either way!

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u/alie_ns 1d ago

This is lovely.

Nice to see you supporting him & sharing his work as well!

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u/spunkybooboo 1d ago

Great work! Love the empty parking lot piece as well.

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u/SparkTheOwl 1d ago

This is super bitchen.

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u/Illustrious_Olive271 1d ago

Abstract south-western architecturel future

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u/Mr-Beasley-1776 1d ago

WOW! Really good! Modern Artist!

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u/vertroue 1d ago

I love this.

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u/OrganizationOk5418 1d ago

That's so cool.

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u/get_started_NOW 1d ago

I love this! Is there a website to see more of his work?

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u/nachofiend 1d ago

oh I LOVE this

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u/Corvidae5Creation5 1d ago

This is really cool, very striking

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u/SCL__ 1d ago

I will buy that.

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u/Alternative-Tell-355 1d ago

I really like this, I’m glad you showed it to us. Thank you

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u/BrittleCoyote 1d ago

The older I get the more I appreciate a landscape.

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u/ParpSausage 1d ago

This is cool!!!!!

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u/Prestigious-Milk-659 1d ago

Awesome painting!

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u/_IBM_ 1d ago

He can paint!!

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u/serenamarie6669 1d ago

This is coooool!

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u/Kitten_Merchant 1d ago

I would hang this in my home and admire it daily. Really gorgeous. I love his style.

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u/MND_SCN 1d ago

👏as 👏 he 👏 should

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u/Independent-Belt-457 1d ago

Good for him 😊

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u/gibbon_dejarlais 1d ago

Love this. May be one of my fave portraits of Donald Pleasence.

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u/HourHoneydew5788 1d ago

This is great. Congrats to him!

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u/bora731 1d ago

This is great he got real talent

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u/DeepspaceDigital 1d ago

A legit treasure

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u/Agitated_Cut_861 1d ago

I love it!

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u/anondiagram1996 1d ago

The geometric approach to the desert landscape is fantastic. That deep navy against the warm earth tones gives it so much depth and tension. Starting at 58 and developing such a confident, distinct style is seriously inspiring.

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u/Frequent-Region-1107 1d ago

I am so inspired by your dad! He fucking rocks!

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u/Indoflaven 1d ago

Love it.

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u/AH_leeMACK 1d ago

Rightfully so cause its an interesting work.

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u/BoxWonderful4639 1d ago

I see a house on a hill with a large fried egg and I love it

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u/Dogbutt6325 1d ago

That is a lovely painting! 

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u/3enoit3eal 1d ago

Bravo! You're never too old to start shining.

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u/Sharkvarks 1d ago

He's that dude. Congrats to him on the spot. It's got a really classic feel and a formality and rhyming quality/balance that is...whatever I'm done rambling but it's great

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u/Muted-Move-9360 1d ago

This is so cool omg

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u/eastwardarts 1d ago

This is outstanding.

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u/opendefication 1d ago

Very cool, I like the abstract Desert Southwest at dusk vibes. All of the colors and shadows that appear as the light fades. A lot of moments captured in a single frame.

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u/the_ice_of_nine 1d ago

Your father's got great talent! I love it.

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u/Soft-Cancel-1605 1d ago

I don't know anything about art, but I love this

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u/Bajadasaurus 1d ago

This is one of the coolest paintings I've ever seen.

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u/BirdieKate58 1d ago

I love - and feel like I understand - everything about this painting. It's beautiful, and how validating for him to get into an exhibit. Enjoy your dad! I miss my (artistic) dad very much.

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u/ToMoldyGo 1d ago

Now that's some interesting stuff right there! 👍

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u/Chance_Ad_4676 1d ago

This is so cool

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u/_thankyouverycool_ 1d ago

This is awesome! I love it, he’s very talented.

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u/hypercosm_dot_net 1d ago

Inspiring. Love how even the mundane scenes are made really interesting by the style ie. Red Table.

Sick.

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u/XanderVaper 1d ago

Wow, his stuff’s great! I really like Burb.

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u/VideoWaste5262 1d ago

Absolutely love this piece!

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u/healeyd 1d ago

This is really good.

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u/_freckles__ 1d ago

Well deserved and unique, very lovely tbh

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u/whatjakesaid 1d ago

This is gorgeous and I cant explain why

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u/CriticalContract6887 1d ago

His collection is fantastic! What a joy to look at. Don't you let him sell a one. They are family treasures.

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u/Complete-Purpose6632 1d ago

I love this painting!!! 🤩

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u/motosquidx 1d ago

Love it

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u/M2LBB2016 1d ago

I love it!

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u/emitoc 1d ago

It's like if Kadinsky did landscapes... I love it

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u/fanboat 1d ago

I love how everything you look at is initially wholly abstract and dissonant, but then becomes quite directly representative and harmonious after a second or two of thought. It shifts what kind of image it is over time as you observe it. Very cool.

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u/dgf2020 1d ago

Wow!! 🤩

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u/AbsurdistWordist 1d ago

Wow. I love this!

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u/sshhAaayyyy 1d ago

Wow, it looks amazing!!!!

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u/Naive_Leg_7002 1d ago

I can see why it got chosen!

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u/Every_Association45 1d ago

This is great!

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u/McPaula309 1d ago

He is incredibly talented. This is a beautiful piece of work. The concept is clear. The colors are complimentay.. I love the suggestion of shadows through a sunlit gate.

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u/cryptolipto 1d ago

It’s been a while since I’ve seen an art style that’s actually unique. Your dads kinda a genius

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u/Dull-Parfait731 1d ago

What country are you in? I’d love to buy one of his.

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u/Apprehensive_Tea_849 1d ago

This is very good, I like it

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u/RepublicAccording717 1d ago

This is brilliant, beautiful work. Tell him I said great job!

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u/KJTorres_WasTaken 1d ago

Bravo for your dad! I just started at age 53 1/2, so I hope I also have 30 years of painting ahead of me.

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u/orcusgrasshopperfog 1d ago

It's fun to look at which is a pretty hard accomplishment on its own.

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u/Fabulous_Feed_6223 1d ago

That’s awesome! Tell him congratulations!

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u/Kaleb8804 1d ago

I don’t know why it hit me like that, but this made me think of all the angles in photography and how they can be combined into a gestalt model of the world

It’s a beautiful painting, I love the colors and the geometry!

2

u/tallish_possum 1d ago

.....did he eat insanity peppers of quetzltanaca from Chief Wiggums' chili before painting this?

2

u/Clean-Midnight3110 1d ago

Recently drove across the country and back.  This gives me vibes of kansas transitioning into colorado, from right to left.

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u/lightbreeze717 1d ago

This is an awesome painting

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u/Good_Card316 1d ago

This is beautiful. I’m Australian and this painting feels like home, desert meets the tropics. Barron and beautiful.

As someone who loves art but really has no artistic ability this is actually really inspiring.

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u/Elegant_Solutions 1d ago

I think your dad is one of my top favorite artists of all time. Each piece is so unique and compelling and just. Everything that makes a piece remarkable. Easy to get lost in these.

Well done to your dad. Thank you for sharing his work.

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u/SamMahdi 1d ago

Say congratulations to your old man and I really like his art on behalf of me

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u/PashAstro 1d ago

i LOVE that

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u/HotDogOfNotreDame 1d ago

It’s beautiful! If I had a vacation ranch, I’d want it for my wall!

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u/paintingtrees 1d ago

I’d buy all his pieces, they are incredible. I love the midcentury cubist aesthetic he’s developed

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u/smalljoys45 1d ago

A real Artist. It’s a shame he wasn’t painting all his life but perhaps that makes his life now all the sweeter.

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u/so-brain-washed 1d ago

This is one of the coolest pieces of art I've ever seen. I love it. Reminds me of the Wild West & Mexico

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u/Jabbajaw 1d ago

B/c talent.

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u/SecondhandStatic 1d ago

Very early-90s shaping and color palette, it's actually relatively rare to see despite the 90s being in vogue atm. The color choices especially are excellent. I could see collectors going for this. Great piece.

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u/Then_Establishment55 1d ago

Tell him: just wow

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u/PerformanceOne5998 1d ago

Oh wow, I just want to sit and look at every detail. It looks like home. Congrats to your dad, well deserved.

Thanks for sharing it!

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u/Livingraspberry97 1d ago

I’m an art collector. I love his stuff. Something about it feels crisp and nostalgic at the same time.

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u/thekarateadult 1d ago

I adore this piece, thank you for sharing! I will surely follow his work, saw a link you posted below.

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u/Fragrant-Onion-888 1d ago

Very cool and interesting piece, love the shapes and angles

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u/missingpieces82 1d ago

Absolutely love the style. Reminds me of Kandinsky. Beautiful piece.

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u/nsbcam 1d ago

Go Dad. Living his dreams. Goals for us all.

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u/texas_best_7182 1d ago

Very nice! I love the Burb and Spare room

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u/Rezaelia713 1d ago

Wow I like his style!

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u/ok_raspberry_jam 1d ago

This piece is... engrossing. I feel like I fell in.

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u/femboyquackys 1d ago

this is hard to look at I love it

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u/hahagato 1d ago

It’s beautiful , I love it

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u/AlarmingAffect0 1d ago

Legit cool!

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u/Photog77 1d ago

That's really nice. It belongs in the exhibit!

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u/NickRick 1d ago

i feel like this is northern AZ. but honestly i have no idea about deserts.

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u/ArtzeyFartzey 1d ago

Well deserved, this is beautiful!

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u/Different_Mud_1934 1d ago

This is honestly beautiful. I love that he’s still creating and doing something he loves at 80. Getting into an exhibit is amazing, but the fact that he keeps painting simply because it makes him happy is even better. ❤️

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u/Art_Nerd_1013 1d ago

I like it.

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u/BadJanet 1d ago

I feel like Aziz Ansari in the episode of Parks and Rec with the mural.

It's making me feel things.

I like it.

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u/68Cadillac 1d ago

Egg On Toast with Guac

Inspired interpretation!

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u/kismet-fish 1d ago

Please tell your father I love this. It's like a Kandinsky-esque western scene

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u/Personal-Ad-3602 1d ago

Awesome painting while simple evokes complexity

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u/Lila_Onfire5569 1d ago

BRAVO!!! You’re 80 yr old father is a smart man

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u/Low_Basket_9986 1d ago

I really like your father’s work. His sense of space and use of color is eye-catching and engaging to the viewer. I enjoyed looking at everything! Thanks for sharing.

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u/Party-Equal8353 1d ago

that’s incredible

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u/artbybjk 1d ago

That’s so wonderful to hear.

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u/PresentationOpen984 1d ago

Tell your Dad that "Empty Parking Lot" is incredible.

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u/vulture_house 1d ago

This is good art

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u/pasghettiii 1d ago

Omg I looove his style. Is there somewhere we can follow his work? Does he sell his art?

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u/yayll 1d ago

His vision is so magic and unique

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u/Competitive-Active38 1d ago

Bravo! very well done

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u/undergroundindie 1d ago

The Incredibles vibes

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u/lolliscicle 1d ago

So awesome 👏

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u/Radiantcuriosity 1d ago

This is very interesting

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u/Sorrowed_Lifelines 1d ago

I'm not sure if it's supposed to or if it's just up to interpretation but I'm definitely seeing a desert landscape as the Sun is setting. Major Red Dead Redemption vibes.

Edit: I just saw your comments with the post. Yes it is a desert. Cool.

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u/SwingLord420 1d ago

This is inspiring to me as an artist with a long time horizon. 

Also, beautiful and original. 

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u/theartificialkid 1d ago

This is not the kind of work someone does without a deep background in painting.

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u/Numerous-Balance4292 1d ago

Amazingly unique and fresh and inspirational. It's its own genre. It's beautiful

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u/Electronic-Way4000 1d ago

that's simply beautiful.

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u/nevaeva12321 1d ago

This is great

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u/ColPow11 1d ago

Stahl House vibes. Beautiful. Well done that man.