Classic Carova Cottages

I love these old trailer/cottage homes found in the backroads of Carova Beach. Like most classic cottages nearing the end of their usefulness, they are getting harder to find. The nice owners of this place have graciously asked me to do a painting of the place before they tear it down for new construction. Not show is the family (dogs) graveyard where there are about 6 dogs buried over the course of 25 years or so.

My Oceanfront Mural in Carova Beach.

The mural is just about done. It's low to the floor in a lot of the area so there is a lot of ups and downs. Thankfully I have good knees. The surf was not too good today so I had better concentration...;0) I have one more day on this project which will be probably Tuesday so I'll have complete photos for you If I can figure out to load more then one on this blog. For more pics please go to my Blogspot listed below...........Rick

The work space..one of them.

As you can see, I use lots of paint. I also use an adjustable drafting table and one very large easel. Music is always a must! Sometimes I play my music way too loud and I don't always hear people come in the showroom which is downstairs. I'll be painting away and someone will come upstairs, walk in and watch without me knowing they are there.

Art Classes

Painting and Drawing workshops begin first week in March on Tuesdays Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 8 PM. Learn to use colorful acrylics to paint waves, dolphins and warm beach scenes in the simplest ways. I will be demonstrating while you paint. Skill level: All... Paint and brushes included. Call 757-425-3590 for details.

Historic Eastern Shore

Last Sunday I went to check on a used boat for the coming season in Carova and happened to ride by this very historic home on the edge of The Chesapeake Bay. My friend who was showing me the boat said many early Presidents stayed here for duck hunting. This one photo does not do it justice as it spreads out quite a bit. Just looking at this 1800's home one can imagine the activity surrounding the oyster shucking buildings in the back near the water entrance. Also not in the pic are the slave quarters and the expanse of open fields still heavily populated with geese. I was given permission to go back and do some extensive studying and painting of this beautiful area.

I'm Sick (in a good way.)

Art with Rick Romano One of the best complements I received last year was a 10 year old kid who looked at one of my big wave paintings, looked back at me and promptly said,"You're Sick!". I was perplexed at first then realized that's his way of saying, he really liked the painting!

Show Time

Still getting hammered by winter storms, spring and summer seem so far away for everyone (except the Hawaiians). Before I know it I'll be under my art show tent once again for the summer shows so now is the time for the production of new works. This is the display for my shows this year.

Pearl's Bay Villa

Pearl's is the place! Along with Brumley Rd. Pearl's is the most popular boat launching spot on Knott's Island for getting to Carova Beach. It's about a 7 minute ride across Knott's Island Sound to the canals of Carova. During Northeaster Storms, it can get less then a foot deep across the Sound and sometimes you have to get out and walk your boat the rest of the way.

Tropical Diversion

One of my cool photos of plumeria I captured last October while checking the surf on Maui. Aside from Va Beach, seems like I'm either in Carova Beach or Maui, Hawaii. I just wish they were a little closer together.

Pier Pressure

This image is currently one of my best selling prints to date. I have sold this 24''x32'' print to adults and kids alike. One day during my last year of high school, my friend and I were going surfing before our last football game later that night. The surf was huge that afternoon when we spotted two guys jumping off The Wooden Pier in Va Beach, to get into the surf. We both looked at each other and said, "we gotta do that!" But what would our coaches do to us? we were co-captains, seniors and it was our last high school game. We sneaked through the fence on the pier, jumped off and caught just one wave and each had the best last game of our lives. Hence the inspiration for this painting

Embellishing

Because I frame all of my own artwork, I'm able to take the time to personally "embellish" all of my matted prints and posters which adds to the value and gives the collector a kind of original work of art without the cost of an original painting. Here, I'm embellishing a double matted Ltd. Edition print.

The Outside Shower.

Don't ask me why but since I've been coming to Carova Beach back in the 70's, I've always loved the Outside Shower. I'm always checking out everybody's outdoor shower whenever I visit someone's house for the first time. I inspect the kind of plumbing, the woodwork and once I found someone had put in a outdoor toilet next to the shower! I thought I'd died and gone to heaven! In this published art print, I just had to glorify my version of the tropical island outdoor shower in paradise. I call this print "Way Outer Reef"