My adventure into painting began when during the summer of 2012 I volunteered to design and paint mural at Camp Twin Lakes (a camp for kids with special needs) in Rutledge, GA. The project was well-received but - more importantly - sparked a passion deep inside of me. Six months later while cleaning out a storage room, I discovered some old drawings I did in college. I shwed the drawings to my daughter Kara and expressed regret that I had not studied art. "Someone should have told me!" I said feeling a little sorry for myself. Kara corrected me by saying, "You still can." I cannot express how much fun I have had on this adventure since that seminal moment. It is my desire to grow to be a master painter, proficient in a variety of media and subject matter.
Painting 31: "BLISS." This painting speaks to the beauty and bliss of balance of all things. When I look at this painting I am reminded of a place to which I want to go and never laeve.
14" X 12". Acrylic on Stretched Canvas. AVAILABLE.
PAINTING #30: "LOUIE." They are not married yet, but they already have a dog that they love. I had a blast doing this painting for my son ZacharyRumble and his fiance Kelley Yates. This is Louie as a puppy. What soulful eyes. Louie is a fun, sweet dog full of personality and will add a lot to Zachary and Kelley's home for years to come.
12" X 12". Acrylic on Stretched Canvas.
PAINTING #27: "VIEW FROM THE LAKE HOUSE." I love thew way this turned out. So honored to be commissioned to paint this precious place by Stacey Pascarella. Stacey's grandparents built the home with their own two hands. The family has so many wonderful memories there. The photo provided was taken on a cloudy day. Stacey said her mom was partial to blue. So I made the sky blue and added a cloud or two, accentuated the blues and threw in some reds and purples to spice up the composition.
26" X 20", Acrylic on Stretched Canvas.
26" X 20", Acrylic on Stretched Canvas.
Detail of "View from the Lake."
PAINTING #26: "LOOKING OVER LAKE SWIFTCURRENT AT MT. GRINNELL." Commissioned by my friends Mark and Melissa Probst, this painting captures a sweet family memory of skipping rocks from this picturesque bank. There is so much I enjoy about this painting, but my favorite area is the little bush surrounded by the rocks just at the water's edge. I love how it brings the viewer right into the painting and invites them to stay. This view can be experienced in person from the Many Glacier Campground within Glacier National Park in West Glacier, MT.
(36 X 30, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas. SOLD.)
PAINTING #25 - "G-PA AND JAMES." Commissioned by my friend Bonnie Brown as a Father's Day gift for her dad Gary Mosteller, the painting depicts the first time Gary's father held James, Bonnie's and Dennis Brown's first-born. It was truly an honor to be asked to paint this touching scene made even more poignant by G-Pa's passing this past year. My hope was to capture the the joy, the love and tenderness of this very evidently dear man who was much loved and now greatly missed.
(24 X 18, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas.)
(24 X 18, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas.)
PAINTING #24: "WHERE THE GRIFFINS LIVED." I have known Reg and Lori Griffin since they and Cathy and I were in the Singles Department at Glenwood Hills Baptist Church in the early eighties. A lot of life has happened since then! This past Christmas (2013), the Griffins crossed another threshold in their lives together as they moved out of their home in Canton, GA to Downtown Atlanta. This was the home where their girls Emily and Holli transitioned from elementary and high school and into adulthood. So, yeah, this home saw a lot of life happen, too. I am honored that Lori asked me to paint it to give to Reg as a Christmas gift. It is my prayer that their new home will be full of love and joy and peace and that it will see many wonderful happenings over the years to come.
(10 X 8, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas. SOLD.)
PAINTING #23: "REFLECTING ON A PERFECT DAY." My friends Steven and Miriam McGee got married at Berry College where they met. This scene captures the moments just after they exchanged vows and just before they would celebrate with family and friends at the reception. I love everything about this painting. I also love the sentiments of Steven's heart when he describes this event in their lives as a "perfect day."
(36 X 18, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas. SOLD.)
PAINTING #22: "JANE." Commissioned as a Christmas gift for Robert D McGee by Barbara and Lon Freeman. "Jane" is a painting of Rob's beloved truck bequeathed to him by his grandfather. Rob cherished this classic vehicle. Then one fateful day, a tornado blew through Arkansas causing much destruction. Sadly, a nearby tree was uprooted and fell on top of Jane. And so, she was lost and Rob was, quite naturally, brokenhearted. But now - on canvas, at least - she lives on. Through Barbara and Ron's gracious gift, Rob and Jane are reunited.
No really good photos of the truck could be found of the truck prior to the tornado. This work was created through a compilation of photos, descriptions from those who knew Jane and a little imagination on my part.
No really good photos of the truck could be found of the truck prior to the tornado. This work was created through a compilation of photos, descriptions from those who knew Jane and a little imagination on my part.
(18 X 14, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas. SOLD.)
PAINTING #21: "ANOTHER SUNRISE AT POPPY'S PLACE." By way of my paintings being given as gifts, I was privileged to be a part of five different family Christmas gatherings in 2013. This painting was commissioned by my friends Lenne' Nawyn and her siblings to give to her parents Tommy and Cathie Rogers (also my friends from days gone by). Poppy's Place is the name given to Lenne's grandparents' lake house. The painting is based on Cathie's favorite photo of the hallowed ground. The spot holds many beautiful memories for her family and now belongs to Tommy and Cathie, so the tradition continues and old memories will certainly give rise to many more wonderful times to come. I rejoice in being (remotely, at least) a small part of the Rogers family Christmas gathering. I was also privileged to see photos of Cathie's dumbfounded reaction to opening the painting and that made me even happier!
(18 X 14, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas. SOLD.)
PAINTING #20: "LOVE GROWS AT HAZYHOLLOW." This painting was commissioned by my sister-in-law Jackie Rumble for my brother Michael. These two trees are growing at the entrance of their home in Old Fort, TN. They are two different kinds of trees, but at one point they are fused together. Then, as they grow up, they intertwine. They serve as a beautiful metaphor for their lives together. I love these two very much and was honored to be asked to create this painting.
(18 X 36, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas. SOLD.)
PAINTING #19: "TOWERING CLOUDS CATCH THE SETTING SUN." Around 6:30 pm on my final night of camping at Anastasia State Park (St. Augustine, FL), the entire beach was in shadows. But a towering cumulus cloud put on a show, graciously catching the last rays of the day's sunlight for the rest of us to enjoy.
(18 X 14, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas. SOLD.)
PAINTING #18: "LIFE IS BRIGHTER WHEN I AM WALKING WITH YOU." I was camping out at Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine, FL when this trio inspired this painting. They walked so slowly. They stopped every now and then and looked directly at one another for a while as they talked. They seemed entirely engrossed in the conversation and in each other. Of course I wondered what they were talking about. At first, I assumed that they were at odds at some level or that there must have been some sort of conflict they were working through. Then they threw back their heads and fell into one another as they shared a laugh together. Then I wondered at the blessedness they surely must share being in such a relationship together. With all of the beauty that surrounded me, I realized that there is none so breathtaking as the beauty of human beings dwelling together and sharing together in unconditional love.
(18 X 14, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas. AVAILABLE.)
(18 X 14, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas. AVAILABLE.)
PAINTING #17: "A NEW PLACE." My wife Cathy is an amazing realtor. Most people have no idea what kind of work goes into trying to put a deal together. Beyond that, she really loves her clients and goes the extra mile for them and then some. She looks for ways to bless them. This time around she asked me if I would do a painting of her clients' new home. I did. They loved it. And Cathy continues to bless.
Message me if you would like to commission a painting of your home. Better yet, come on up the mountains of North Georgia, let Cathy find you your dream home and I will throw in the painting for free!
(10 X 8, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas. GIVEN AS GIFT.)
PAINTING #16: “CHIP AND HIS MOM.” I did not know that Chip was such a celebrity until after I had already finished this portrait of him and his mom Lea. At 13 years of age, Chip Madren was a gregarious, energetic athlete. Then one day he began experiencing blurred vision and unexplainable stumbling. Concerned, Lea took him to his doctor and three days later he was having brain surgery for a cancerous tumor deep in his brain and wrapped around his spine. Life rapidly took a shocking turn for the Madrens. Now, nearly four years later, Chip is cancer-free. The Madrens give the credit the mighty hand of a loving God at work in their lives. Through it all, Chip and his family has been surrounded by the encouragement and support of “Chip’s Nation.” You can learn more about this at chipnation.org. Chip has made several TV appearances. In one interview Chip tells of his own encounter with God during a ten-month period during which he was unable to speak. You can watch that interview by following the link provided. It was an immense honor to express this great young man’s likeness on canvas.
http://www.11alive.com/news/article/226664/40/Chips-Nation-revisited-Footsteps-in-the-sand
“Chip and His Mom” was painted from a photo that captures Lea’s devotion to Chip and his recovery (which can be seen in my timeline photos). Out of all the paintings I have done since beginning my “Painting Adventure,” this painting features an area of which I am most proud - the area including Lea's hand along with her jewelery.
(18X14, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas. SOLD.)
PAINTING #15: “JUST AROUND THE CORNER.” In my travels, I am always intrigued by the old barns that adorn the American countryside. They are a popular subject matter for paintings among a certain art clientele, so, I decided to put this little composition together over the long, rainy Fourth of July weekend. Since this is not a real place, there is no real story behind the work, but it speaks to me in two primary ways. The first is: “When a shadow falls across your road, keep pressing on toward the light that shines just around the corner.” But the primary way this painting speaks to me lies in this sentiment: “We have seen many wonderful yesterdays (symbolized by the barn) and I love being with you right here, right now. (The blooming flowers symbolize the inherent beauty that can be found in each present moment.) But, still, I can’t wait to see the wonders that await us just around the corner.” (The viewer’s eye is led toward the light that leads to that which we cannot see, but certainly makes us want to go there.)
(20 X 16, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas. AVAILABLE.)
PAINTING #14: "THE BIG CIRCLE." Commissioned by my friends Greg and Virginia Elder , "The Big Circle" depicts a much-loved tradition at Orphanage Emmanuel in the Honduras. All the children, the caretakers, leaders and volunteers gather at daybreak to worship and to pray to the "God Who Is With Us." The Elders sponsor three children at the Orphanage Emmanuel and plan an annual visit there to serve and love on the children and receive the same. For them, the children and countless others, these hallowed grounds are certainly a place where the presence of God is tangible and his all-embracing love an obvious reality. Here you see the painting and a side-by-side comparison of the original photo and the resulting painting.
To learn more about Orphanage Emmanuel, please visit their Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/orphanage.emmanuel.
(36X30, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas. SOLD.)
PAINTING #13: "SUNSET AT BONAIRE." Commissioned by my friend and boating/ diving enthusiast Linda Warren Kaminsky, "Sunset at Bonaire" pushed the limits of what I thought I could do on so many levels. The blending of disparate colors, the dance of light among the clouds and upon the water, the silhouette of the boat - all of these were new to me. And, at 36X30, it is my largest painting to date. I had SO MUCH fun painting this. I will most definitely revisit this subject matter. I still have so much to learn, but to hear Linda say that the painting made her "want to be there" brought great joy to me.
(36X30, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas. SOLD.)
PAINTING #12: "TWO GIRLS AND A GULL." Whenever we are at the beach, Cathy and I enjoy watching kids play in the waves. Our kids are grown, but we still enjoy watching the antics other people's children. These sisters were completely engrossed in playing in the sand. They had no idea that we were watching them. And they have even less of an idea that they are in one of my paintings (which, to me, is fascinating to consider). And the gull? The gull wasn't there at all. I added him simply to make the painting more intriguing and tell a bit more of a story. I think he is the perfect touch to round out what may be my favorite painting to date.
(10x8, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas. SOLD.)
PAINTING #11: "THE SUN PUSHES THROUGH." Cathy and I spent a week at Ormond Beach, FL recently. We have notorious luck when it comes to the weather cooperating with our trips top the ocean. On this trip, it was cold and rainy for two solid days. Then, on the morning of day three, I stepped out on our balcony to find the sun pushing its way through. There was an immense amount of stubborn cloud cover and it was still very dark, but I knew that the light would ultimately prevail. I was delighted to capture this pivotal moment on canvas. The weather was absolutely perfect for the remainder of our trip.
(10x8, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas.)
PAINTING #10: "LORRAINE AND OLE BUDGER." Lorraine (mother to a high school friend of mine Debbie Morgan Foresman) was the only girl in a family with 4 brothers, all considerably older than her. This painting was made from a a black and white photo taken in the 1930s when Lorraine was 5 years old living in the hard scrabble hills of Tennessee. Her mother had passed away in the year prior to the making of photograph. Before reaching the age of 7, her father also would pass away. As an orphan, she bounced around between those willing to take her in until her oldest brother finished a stint in the military a number of years later and was able to take custody of her. Ole Budger was "her" dog and through it all was her friend and constant companion. As I painted this picture - my first attempt at a portrait - I spent many hours looking into the eyes and hearts of these two friends bound together by love and circumstance. I must confess the I grew quite fond of them both.
(16x20, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas. SOLD.)
PAINTING #9: "MEENA AND PAPA'S CABIN." It was a great honor to create this work for my mom for her 80th birthday. She and my dad spent the last couple of decades of their life together in this little cabin in the mountains. The house was full of love and was a great retreat for children and grandchildren. With each stroke of my brush, I considered all the precious memories of extended visits. Together we enjoyed the beauty of the mountains. We played games and filled the place with laughter so loud the echoes still can be heard. We would enjoy meals and then sit and talk for hours at the kitchen table, reveling in just being together. What a joy it has been to preserve this wonderful place on canvas.
(16x12, Acrylic on Canvas Board. GIVEN AS GIFT.)
PAINTING #8: "BRITTANY." Brittany is sweet, loyal and outgoing. She is friendly to all creatures great and small. At the park, she makes the rounds saying "hello" to and batting her trademark eyelashes at anyone and everyone, only checking back in every now and then to make sure Mama is OK. What an honor it has been to paint this beautiful and loving dog.
(10x8, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas. SOLD.)
PAINTING #7: "BABY." Baby was a faithful dog, ever close to the foot of her mama Amy. He had little interest in other dogs, people or any other such creatures. He would tolerate those Amy cared about, however. His affections ran deep, but he only had eyes for Amy. For fourteen years, through many changes during the early season of Amy's adulthood, Baby was the constant friend and companion. It has been a great honor to paint him.
(10x8, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas. SOLD.)
PAINTING #6: "SALLIE'S FIREPLACE." Sallie Doss was born in Georgia in 1841. Records list her as widowed and indicate that she purchased this land in 1883 and lived here for 51 years until she died in 1914 at age 73. She has been gone from this earth for almost 100 years, yet her red stone chimney still stands about one mile from my front door. Whenever I hike the Sallie Doss Trail, I wonder about Sallie: Did she cut her own wood? What kind of meals did she cook over this fire? Did she entertain children and grandchildren at this spot? Throughout the winter in the mountains, surely she spent most of her time right here, warming herself by her fire.
And when I hike the trail, I wonder about ME: One hundred years after I am gone, will evidence still remain here on earth that a fire burned at the center of my life?
And when I hike the trail, I wonder about ME: One hundred years after I am gone, will evidence still remain here on earth that a fire burned at the center of my life?
(16x12, Acrylic on Canvas Board. AVAILABLE)
PAINTING #5: "SNOW ON HALF DOME." This painting is based on a photo I took last November while hiking in Yosemite National Park (most definitely one the most breathtakingly beautiful places on earth).
(20x16, Acrylic on Canvas Board. SOLD.)
PAINTING #4: "JUST A LITTLE LONGER.” This painting is based on a photo I took while walking last fall (2012). The original work (which was entitled "Autumn Walk" can be viewed at my web sitewww.chrisrumble.com) was done when I was first discovering my passion for painting. I learned SO much by taking on this subject matter. Honestly, I had my doubts about whether or not I would be able to convey water with all of its nuances. I was satisfied with my attempt, but have always felt the painting as a whole was a bit dark. So, on a whim recently I decided to experiment with adding words to my compositions. Not only do the words brighten up the scene, I think, but they express the sentiments I desire for the viewer to feel.
As always, your thoughts and impressions are welcome...
As always, your thoughts and impressions are welcome...
(12x16, Acrylic on Canvas Board. AVAILABLE.)
PANTING #3: "ENCOUNTER ON CHRISTMAS DAY." This painting is based on a photo I took two years ago when we had a "White Christmas." We went on a family hike. It was unbelievably beautiful. The quietest Christmas ever. Snow fell incessantly for days. On the hike, I had this encounter with these two friends who just stared at me as if they were wondering why in the world I was invading their space.
(16x12, Acrylic on Canvas Board. GIVEN AS GIFT.)
AINTING #2: "VENTURE AHEAD." I painted this for my mom for Christmas. When I was a little guy, on summer Saturdays my folks would take us on what we called a "venture." We would climb in the car and head out down country roads not knowing where we going or what we might discover. We may have have wound up enjoying a picnic of potted meat and pork rinds or picking wild blackberries growing on the side of the road. Once we found an old and obviously abandoned house, and we explored its rooms. Whatever the Venture held, it always wound up being fun. I think that this experience had much to do with the way I have chosen to live my life and for that I am very grateful.
(16x12, Acrylic on Canvas Board. GIVEN AS GIFT.)
BRUSHES ARE ALMOST AS FUN AS USING MY FINGERS. I am enjoying trying my hand at painting. Here's my first. I painted it for Cathy for Christmas. It's called "Mid-morning Mist."
(16x12, Acrylic on Canvas Board. GIVEN AS GIFT.)