Art - JEFFERY W. DUNN

"The moment we no longer have a free press, anything can happen. What makes it possible for a totalitarian or any other dictatorship to rule is that people are not informed." ~ Hannah Arendt

oil on canvas
30 x 30

This Peruvian couple looked like they were out for a day of shopping. Our first day in Cusco was spent exploring local sites and local food (along with acclimating to the altitude). The Plaza de Armas was much more crowded than I've shown, bustling with tourists and locals enjoying the crisp but sunny day.

oil on canvas 20 x 24

"A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature." Emerson

oil on canvas 12 x 16

My favorite coffee mug holds a bit over 24oz. It took me a while to find one that felt right and held enough. I thought at first I would paint the mug full of coffee but I like the pattern on the inside and decided to leave it empty. Perhaps there's a pool of coffee lurking just below the rim. Lean forward and find out.

Oil on canvas
24 x 24

I'm enjoying this style of painting that includes black line outlining. In my struggle to paint consistently I've failed to develop any particular style that I like and one that I enjoy. I think this is it. It allows me to stay loose with the edges, adding color on where I want and then add the black lines.

This is the Khan el Khalili bazaar in Cairo (2016). I took the photo as we strolled through the maze of people and shops. Mindy (left) and our guide, Hanna (right) lead the way.

oil on canvas 24x30

This is a side canal in Venice (2019). We turned the corner and walked over a small bridge that opened onto these waiting gondolas. In the distance you can just see the edge of the famous Rialto Bridge.

oil on canvas 20 x 24

I painted this for my daughter Hannah. She loves water lilies. This is from a photo taken of one of the ponds at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

oil on canvas 24 x 36

I suppose every painter should do at least one self-portrait. I painted this as part of an art class I took at CCAD (Columbus College of Art and Design)

oil on canvas 12 x 16

This is a pencil drawing of my nephew. Unfortunately something is off with the likeness and it just doesn't look right. I'll be working this summer (2021) to regain my confidence and try to fix it. So far I haven't come up with a solution. I need to study it more closely because I haven't quite pinpointed the problem. All I know now is that all of the elements of the face look good separately, but when they are together-- it's just wrong.

pencil on paper 20 x 24

2021 Redo
This is more like it! I didn't realize how wrong the other drawing was now that I see them side by side. I'm still not completely satisfied with it, but It is a huge improvement.

I painted these gnarly trees for my son Kenan, who has become quite the bonsai artist. I began with the idea of a more realistic approach but as I worked it became more and more fanciful.

Oil on canvas
10 x10