Some more honorable mentions from my self imposed art challenge.

I prepared a canvas to do a copy of Thomas Gainsborough's Officer of the 4th Regiment of Foot. Who knows when I'll get to it but it's ready to go when the time is right. Also, finished a commission piece of British Marines at "Bunker Hill". I like how it turned out, the facial expressions from the Hornet heads really make figures and the scene work.

Day 9 of the self-imposed art, model and crafting challenge.

While cleaning and organizing my workspace, I took a peak inside this case of oil paints, perhaps to find motivation and inspiration. It worked. I had this small 8×10 canvas prepared several years ago, just waiting for a day like this. Roughly 3-4 hours later this is the end result. The subject is from a figure I sculpted many years ago. I basically, cropped an image I had of him and transferred to canvas.  I'm happy with it. I originally wanted a gestural painting with heavy, broad strokes, but alas, I'm a tinkerer. I play too much. Besides, I think this canvas is too small to play like that, at least it is for me. I'll settle for a alla prima. I may start on another subject while I have the paints out.

I dabble sometimes...

This is a painting I did a few years ago. I like to get away from the workbench every once in awhile and explore other "arts". I can draw a pretty good stick figure, but direct to canvas? Eh, not so much. So, I went to the old method of making a grid and transferring. I've done this a few times and it helps keep proportions as accurate as possible. The subject is a French Cuirasier, between 1790's-1805, and it's a oil on board copy of a sketch done by the great French Artist, Edouard Detaille.

The pride of my collection.

As many know, Gary Dombrowski is not only a talented sculptor but a gifted 2-D artist. A couple months ago, I received a pleasant suprise in the mail. It was Gary's study of a Hessian jaeger he based on my original sculpture. No words could express my joy on receiving such a generous gift. This felt better than being given any award, at any show.
Like figures, seeing an original 2-D painting in the flesh is MUCH better than viewing through pictures. Gary put countless hours into this 5X7 painting. And aside from his generous heart it made me wonder if "true" artist feel no real ownership in their work. But it's really about enjoying what you do and feeling that intoxicating rush of creation. Either way, I couldn't ask for a better friend in the hobby. Thanks pard.
It now hangs above my painting table, next to a favorite of mine, Winslow Homer's "The Briarwood pipe".