MTFCA Forum

This one was on the cover of the Vintage Ford Magazine some time ago. I thought I would add a thread and post a painting occasionally.
I will dig up some old ones and add new ones as they happen.
Rich

Rich - I have a favorite painting of yours (altho' I like them all) that I was looking for to show it to my "budding artist" grandson, but for some reason I can't find it in the old forum. It's the first one of yours that I recall seeing on the forum quite some time ago,....the one of all the "stuff" on the shelves above your bench in your workshop. Would you mind posting that one again? Thanks Rich,.....harold

Rich,

Please continue to post your artwork on this thread!

I always enjoy seeing your work.

Ed

I pretty much enjoy anything posted from Richard from painted art work to the restoration art work he shares and his ability to work metal is wonderful art.
Keep em coming Richard!

I presume it is this one Harold. I'm glad your Grandson is enjoying art.

Love your art, Thanks

Wow Rich - very cool. I love the realism style. Do do have a website of your work?

Jeff

Rich, I always enjoy your paintings especially those of all the T parts. Thanks for sharing.

Thank You Rich......I have kept a folder with all the paintings you have posted in the past. My favorite is the one you used on this thread to start. It has inspired us to revisit the west again this summer. One detail I liked was the camera used by the couple in the coupe. I have one similar and with the help of Mr. Osterman I was able to identify the years mine was made.

Looking forward to the continuation to this thread. Thank you for posting

I love them. Please keep them coming.

Nice photos! Shouldn't these go in the "OLD Photo" section?

Thanks for the comments. Jeff S. I don't have a website. Most of my better stuff has appeared on the old forum and probably will pop up here eventually. 20 of them are linked in this post:

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/599638/616227.html

As always I love your work, and always look forward to the next posting.

I like this shop painting too.

download/file.php?mode=view&id=706

Rich Eagle wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 09, 2019 9:09 am

Thanks for the comments. Jeff S. I don't have a website. Most of my better stuff has appeared on the old forum and probably will pop up here eventually. 20 of them are linked in this post:

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/599638/616227.html

Just wow. I kept coming back to this one you posted.... you said something about the oil can from an earlier painting. Did you use the same concept in this new one?
Super cool!

What I recall about the oil can is that I hadn't finished painting it (1990s), at the time I rediscovered the painting. I painted it in (2013) before posting it. This is one of a few paintings I did prior to 2001. I was doing more of a cartoon style at that time and painting much less than now.
Rich

Rich Eagle wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 10, 2019 1:59 pm

What I recall about the oil can is that I hadn't finished painting it (1990s), at the time I rediscovered the painting. I painted it in (2013) before posting it. This is one of a few paintings I did prior to 2001. I was doing more of a cartoon style at that time and painting much less than now.
Rich

Do you have a larger version of this one I can use as my background on my Mac??

Jeff

Hi Jeff. What size do you need? I have a 178KB jpg I can resize in Photoshop. Or if I can find where I put the original I can retake a photo of it at 1 or 2 MB. Let me know what you need either here or a PM. I'll need an email address to send to.
Thanks for asking.
Rich

A high res version would be Fantastic. Would it be ok if I printed it for my office?

Absolutely Jeff. I'm always pleased when someone can enjoy them.
Thanks for asking.
Rich

Rich, I have been saving all of you fabulous paintings. Hope that is ok??

No problem John. I am pleased you are doing that. The forum folks especially should enjoy them as they can.
Rich

I have to add to what the others are posting.

Your paintings are an enjoyable way to relax after a stressful day and the cartoon drawings make me smile like the Cheshire cat!

Denny, that cat just ate your parakeet !
Rich, thank you for showing your work here. Your generosity in sharing your paintings is a blessing to all of us who enjoy the forum.

This fellow tried to get the parakeet but I stopped him!

Rich, thank you for posting those links to your drawings.
I like them all but the cartoons like "Splish" and "Contact!" Are my favorites.

Here is one I painted in 2011. A fellow drove up with a trailer loaded with Model T parts. His Father had passed away and none of the family were interested in his Model T project. I told him there was nothing I could pay much for and gave him names of the local restorers and hot rodders. He came back a few days later with no luck. I payed him what I could and he unloaded it. It had all been one car so I added a wheel or two, radiator, windshield and it has been a yard ornament since then. Someday I will add more parts and make a complete car of it.

I am as pleased as punch that Jay from No. California is using his photo for his member information. I have the same one framed in my "studio". DU4 mags certainly can BITE as many of us know well. I tried to capture the moment when I did this cartoon 30 years ago. (Has it been that long?)

Nice paintings Rich. That shop painting is just great!

Richard, I LOVE MT T SHIRT!!!!! And I am a BIG fan of your work my friend!! Thanks for sharing!

Amazing work Rich The detail is so life like.
Always enjoy your pictures
Gordon

Thanks again. This one was a study of shape and texture of some fun stuff.

Richard, that one is one of my favorites!

You talent never sises to amaze me. Thanks,

Simply unbelievable!

5 years ago I painted this one. Another study of the colors and shapes of things we enjoy.

Lady in a Coupe was painted from a photo Jay posted a while back. It was posted here in Feb. 2017.
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/70 ... 1486423778

So Rich what do you do with all these painting your walls must be full. I'm going to guess you paint more than just car stuff. I love seeing your painting . Thanks Colin

Thanks Rich.

My wife is an artist too so we have filled our walls. I try to rotate them but many sit in the basement. Some should be sold but the better ones are hard to part with. Having places to show them is the nice thing.
I don't paint much but cars or car era themes.
Thanks
Rich

This one has frustrated me for 27 days. Something drew me to a photo but the lighting was straight on and the shadows were not normal. I did what I could but won't know if I like it for several weeks. I seem to learn more from the difficult ones. Soon I forget and start another one. Just like Model T's. This shows some progression. Day 4, 7 and 13. The last 2 weeks were fiddling and painting over good stuff.

This was painted in 2004. At 4' X 3' it is the largest painting I have done. The setting is the "Tetons" and the car is a White touring car. Yellowstone Park bought more than a couple dozen White touring cars for special tours in 1917 and later in addition to the few hundred tour buses. Lincoln tourings were used for the same purpose in the mid 20s.

WOW Rich, that one should be poster for Yellowstone! I can see the art-deco title on the top, "Visit Yellowstone"
I am amazed at how you made the glass appear in the light bulbs on the one shape & texture study.

Thanks David. The picture I worked from for this was a Jackson Hole Old West Days poster. I had not shown this after I realized it may be not ethical to. Even though the change by using color and modifying many details it is significantly different I still wrestle with if it is right. Since I am not making money for this I have rationalized it is fine to show. Someone used the original image for the poster. Did they have permission? Was it covered by public domain?
The things we worry about.
Enjoy.
Rich

Rich, Great work. How do you have time to do anything else. It would take me a year to just paint one of these, and even then it would look like my 2 year old grandson painted it .. Keep posting your work, My favorite is the one of the model T on a very narrow mountain road. Can you re-post it here.

Thanks Donnie. They do take some time.

I posted this one on the new "Gallery" this morning. I will continue this thread from time to time if extra information is available.
The black and white photo was posted by Jay in March of 2012.
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/25 ... 1330828298
I was struck by the far off look in her eyes and proceeded to put it on canvas. I called her Lily. I posted the painting that September.
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/25 ... 1348525069
Since then the photo has popped up several times on the internet referring to girls as "Flappers"
It turns out the girl was named Delphine Atger. She was born in 1906 and married Wayne Edward Gibbs in 1929. She lived in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. At 90 years old she passed away in 1997. Just a little back story behind the painting.
Rich

Richard-
I love that painting you are working on of my car. Thanks for putting the correct rear axle and tail lamp on the car! I wish I had the white over blue 1935 Washington license plate. I only have the registration card. The original owner bought the car new and drove it until the day he died in 1935.
: ^ )
Keith

Good to hear from you Keith. I was trying to find where that photo came from. Sometimes these are hard for me to track down. Washington should have been a clue.
Always glad to learn more.
Rich

Some of you may remember this painting or have seen it in the Museum. This was done in the spirit of Bruce McCalley when there was talk of a Library in his name.
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/25 ... 1332839043

Rich,

If you made prints of these I would buy them all to put in the shop! Norman Rockwell could have taken hints from you.

Rich, Thanks for posting the photo again of the car on the narrow road. The stories my grandparents told of all their Model T trips down route 66 (before it was route 66) and their trips into Yosemite, Petrified Forest, Sequoia and other places is what got me interested in Ts. Your painting reminds me of one of their trips into Yosemite in the teens. Grandpa said the road was so narrow that a car just barely fit. He said some of the narrowest parts of the road had a cable attached to the bluff. There were safety chains and hooks on the cable to attach to the front and rear of the car. Grandpa said that someone would walk in front of the car to change the chains out when they reached an anchor in the side of the bluff. Grandma said she walked along behind the car (carrying my mom who was 2 year old) to change out the rear chains when they reached an anchor. He said you kept doing this till you got to a safe enough place that the chains were no longer needed. If you met a car, the uphill traveling car had the right of way, and the down hill traveling car had to back up till there was a passing spot. When you first posted the painting, It immediately made me think of Grandpas story. Other than the cables and chains missing, it is exactly like I imagined it to look like ... Thanks again ...

Thanks for the story Donnie. I can imagine the animation in your Grandfather's eyes when he told about that. Some fascinatingly vivid tales about the early roadways are still circulating around. I'm glad we can capture some of them in words and paint.
Thanks for the compliment Bob. If I could find a way to make good quality prints at a reasonable cost I would. The computer screen is a good compromise.
Rich

Donnie,Thanks, that sure adds to the painting. Makes my toes scrunch up just reading about it. I remember when we would go out in the desert buggy ( shortened car chassis, - 3' seemed to be just right.) and Dad would have to get close to the edge of narrow roads on mountain trails. Like you said, It sure brings back memories. Thanks Rich

While this isn't a Model T it does somewhat capture the excitement that overcomes kids of all ages when they play mechanic on old cars. I believed it was a DeDion Bouton or a similar French Front car. A black and white photo appeared in a HCCA Gazette in 1987. I talked to the editor who gave me permission to use the photo to paint from. This was painted in 2005. I am posting it here and in the "Gallery" section so folks can find it either place.

Rich, that one has been one of my very favorites for nearly 14 years now ! Maybe because we were those kids ? As a theme, there's precedent. I'm probably wrong about the artist, (it may have been Homer) who made a painting of kids playing on the body of an old Concord coach, 1860s. Sad how in this worried and over-sanitized world we now live in, I don't reckon it's even possible for kids to go play on "junk" anywhere anymore.

I had a copy of that stagecoach painting on my wall for a while. The artist certainly captured the adventure those kids had. I remember old rims and stuff we could pull apart in the old dumps and fields we scoured. The warm sun and fragrant weeds made it all the better.
Thanks
Rich

Rich,

Thank You! Your paintings give us all such joy. I love the way you are able to catch the moments.

All the Best,

Hank

Well I try Henry. I always loved the stories the HCCA Gazette and Vintage Ford covers told years ago. Sometimes they happen. I like this format and keeping a running thread also. I think the "Gallery" will get popular too.
Thanks for your kind comment.
Rich

Sometimes a pen and ink is in order.

You may remember Herb posting this photo a while back. It is an excellent photo to do a painting from. I am posting it in the gallery as I go and will change it as progress is made. Here is a link to it.
gallery/image/844

Love your paintings Rich, thanks for sharing and by all means, continue on young fella...

In the mean time I thought I would show this. I call it "Uncle Lumby's Visit" for no particular reason. The paining was inspired by a Rural Mail Delivery Cabriolet Bob Woodburn in Bozeman MT owned. It had Goodyear 11. 25 x 24 pneumatic tractor tires mounted on it and was quite a rig. I reduced the tires to 16" which were very popular on Model As in later years. The background was from a forum photo. It's always fun where these things come from.
Rich

I painted Roger's 32 in appreciation for all the things he does for the hobby. A retired firefighter, he puts on car shows, tours, insists on safety and lobbies for legislation that doesn't keep us from driving our old cars. Without the street rods and other cars our car show and swap meet would not survive. He told me later he almost cried when I showed and gave him the painting. A year later he gave me a running flathead from a '36 Tudor they were planning to "ruin". I had been looking for some time. While it may not be Model T worthy it is an example of enjoying what others do. It is the only street rod I have ever put on canvas.

Love the variety of what you paint Rich. Amazing detail.

Rich, JUST BEAUTIFUL! Thank You for sharing.

Have you ever thought about making a Coffee Table Companion of your work? I know it would be proudly displayed at my house.

All the Best,

Hank in Tin-A-See

Sweet! Love your paintings. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for the comments. I have tried a couple of printing ventures. For me the Gallery here is the easiest place to show stuff. And this thread.
Rich

This was kind of a tribute to the colors we take for granted in some of these fine old parts. 2011 seems long ago and I sometimes forget this one.
Rich

Well,....we won't forget this one Rich,....or any of the others either! That painting looks so real that my hands actually feel like I should wash them after just looking at the picture! (:^) (:^) I'm thinking that there are a lot of very talented and successful artists that would do well to take a long time to study that one very carefully! Not sure which I admire more Rich,...your metalworking craftsmanship or your talent as an artist! Both are nothing short of amazing! I'm so glad that you also possess the computer skills necessary to utilize the "photo-posting" advantages of this new forum! (.....sure wish I did!) I realize that I just go "on-an'-on" in regard to your talents Rich, but you absolutely deserve it,......to me, your extreme talent is one of the best parts of the forum to me, and I know that others feel the same way,......harold

Well I enjoy the forum and try to give a little back.
I know several talented artists but they seldom paint cars. It's nice some of the car guys like the art. It is a great break from sanding, pounding, adjusting, stitching or spraying paint. Soon the weather will be nice enough to do those things.
Take Care and Thanks.
Rich

That street rod painting is beautiful and I don't like 'em that much. Street rods that is.

Rich,

Again, Thank You! Really enjoy how you catch the moments in time and subject matter.

All the Best,

Hank in Tin-A-see

Thanks as always. I have started a new thread for my paintings that don't have model T's in them in the OFF TOPIC section:
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=2161
The painting of a Model S Ford is finished and appears there now.
This was not available before or I could have put the Hot Rod and other Non-Model T subjects in it. If it becomes necessary I an fine with my non- T subjects being moved there. It is wonderful to have a place for OFF TOPIC subjects that still may be of interest to some T owners and keep the main section free of items not pertaining to the Model T Ford. I hope anyone who likes the paintings can find them there.
Rich

Rich, wonderful paintings!!! You're like the Norman Rockwell of old car paintings.

I had run out of gas on one of our "races" in the 70s. That gave me a chance to take some movies of the other cars navigating a dip in the road. This was painted from one of the 16mm frames. Greg was pushing Lynn's T up the Hill. Greg is no longer with us. The tree branch was used to lever the car out of ditches.

We found this Coupe on the International Tour in Montana several years ago. I didn't get around to signing it yet. Maybe it isn't finished yet. I have posted some non-T photos on the OFF TOPIC site:
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=2161

Love it Rich, Thanks

As Always, Thank You!

Hank

"Pa Kettle's Speedshop" seemed like a good title for this one. Somehow rusty cast iron, caked oil and wood floors have found their way into my heart.

Rich, Don't feel like the Lone Ranger, We all have this stuff in our hearts, great painting, when I first saw the caked on oil, I thought that high performance engine must have thrown a rod. Thanks.

That caked oil is a better preservative than any paint I know of. I'm not sure we should remove it. I have a couple cars I'm letting it grow on.
Rich

Rich,

I just don't understand how you can say "Just another Painting" You talents are amazing and while I'm navigating through some tough times right now I often come back to this thread and get lost in your paintings. It may sound weird to some but I find them relaxing. Please keep posting these fabulous works of art.

Thanks for starting this thread

Denny

Rich,

You bring joy to our hearts with no words spoken, worries diminish to a faint thought, and day dreaming begins of a young boy.

Thank You Again,

Hank

WOW! Those are such nice things to hear. An artist friend and I were talking yesterday. He sells a few pieces each year and is quite good. He really doesn't make that much for the time he sends. Several others have tried to discourage me from posting my paintings on a forum and places I do. This fellow was a little envious that I reach so many people this way. It is very rewarding that friends, relatives and car people are enjoying these. It certainly inspires me to keep painting and good for me to spend time in the Winter doing that.
It's a little hard to find T paintings to post on this side but I continue to post non-T things on the OT side tho many don't find that side.
I posted this on the forum some time back and it led to discussions of what color inner tubes were and who had early Coupes. That is always part of the fun.
Thanks
Rich

Well I am glad that you didn't listen to who ever they were, something that you could do is to add the C to your signature, that way maybe if someone wants to sell copies or publish them in a book, who knows? I know that I greatly appreciate you sharing. I save them all so I can enjoy them anytime. You are very good!! Thank you jw

This is called "Carburetor Hangup" and was the first painting I offered on the Forum.
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/25 ... 1326479045
It rests at the top of a stairwell now so I couldn't get the best photo of it but is better than the one in the 2012 post.

Sometimes small and simple is just as good. Our first MTFCA National Tour was in Jackson, WY. Joy took a photo I used for this. If you haven't driven a T there you have missed something.

Using an earlier lamp with a '16 plate could be called artistic license.
I have been fascinated by kerosene flame for years. In 1964 some friends and I hiked down to the service station to get enough kerosene to fill a fount and lit a tail lamp in honor of Henry Ford's Birthday.

Rich - Your words,...."fascinated by kerosene flame"....reminded me of something:

Being a 4th generation railroader, I naturally have an interest in the old kerosene-burning marker lamps and switch lamps. You often see them cleaned up and "electrified" and used as table lamps and such. If you see one of these lamps up close with no burner in them, or at least with no kerosene flame burning, you might notice that the lenses in them are always a combination of red & BLUE. Might seem odd, because historically, those lights when in use always displayed red and GREEN. I've seen many such railroad switch lamps and marker lamps that have been "electrified" and almost invariably, they light up and show red and BLUE color through the original colored lenses. There is a very simple reason for this that even a little second or third grade child would immediately pick up on. A kerosene flame is yellow, and historicaly, switch lamps, when in the use as intended in railroad freight yards always displayed red & GREEN, due to their yellow kerosene flame within. When such lamps are "electrified" and a conventional light bulb is installed, the color of the blue lense will of course appear blue. However, if you merely replace that standard light bulb with a YELLOW bulb, the electrified lamp will display a beautiful red & GREEN as they originally did in the railroad yard, because as any little kid knows,....yellow & blue makes green, right? FWIW,.....harold

That makes sense Harold. I had never thought about it.
Thanks
Rich

as any little kid knows,....yellow & blue makes green, right?

Right, when you're mixing paint. But look closely at an old color TV with the RCA type picture tube. The pixels are red, blue, and green—no yellow. TV makes yellow by mixing red and green.

I think I'm figuring out the upholstery but maybe not little boys in short pants.

After I developed the interest in mid-production Coupes but before I constructed my own I painted this for a Christmas card. It is a smaller painting that most of mine. 11" X 14". Boxy and backward doors make them cute.
Rich

Good stuff Rich. I like how you see things.

For the inside of a greeting card this one was fairly small. Acrylic on illustration board was 12 years ago.

Aleesa asked if I would do an illustration to go with Rich Bingham's wonderful story of remembering a TT. This is the "bare bones" sketch I sent her. The story appeared in the Jan/Feb 2019 issue of the Vintage Ford. It would be great to hear more stories like that.