Enjoying the Outdoors
Paintings by D.E. Rodgers
As a painter of the wild creatures of this world, I am blessed every
time I pick up a brush. My subjects may range from small birds, ducks,
geese, to large deer, wild cats and even bears. As an avid outdoors man,since I was in grade school, I have enjoyed fishing, hunting and just walking in the wild woods near my home.
Over the years, I have come to value the lives of wild things and never would I take a life unless protecting a family member or myself.
The wild creatures of this world are becoming extinct in many areas and it is up to us that we protect the many species. Some birds and many mammals are already extinct and we should all make a decision that we do ourbest in preventing further loss of precious lives.
Choosing Acrylic Paint Over Oil Paint
As an artist and student who never feels that I have done justice to the subjects I have chosen to paint. I always try to send a message in each work that I complete. In my art, I have chosen acrylic paint as my medium and favor it over oils. It takes months and sometimes years to properly dry oil paintings. Consequently I chose to make Acrylic Painting my paint of choice.
Attending Art School, and Going Beyond to Special Education
I attended art school in Florida for a brief time and majored in art in college, where I completed a degree in Art Education. Consequently, I taught art in junior high school for one year and changed my field of study to working in Special education. As an educator, I saw so many kids back then in much need of help with basic subjects. These subjects were in reading and math skill,and I took on the task and completed my masters degree in that area. As a teacher, I used art and crafts in all my classes, as I worked with special needs students. My need to help children became my motivation. As a result, this teacher found a need to have success for all students.
My Wife and I share Our Art
My wife Sandy and I have participated in many art shows and helped to
MC a few as well. We have both received much joy over the years and continue to this day. She was also an art major and taught fourteen years in all levels of school. Sandy also assisted the professors, as a graduate level student at two different Universities, there were times,when she was left to manage Raku firing and kiln loading with undergraduate level students while her professor attended special events of the University to welcome in the new head of the University.
Sandy loves pottery making and this is her area of expertise. She was recognized nationally in her pottery making skills and even helped teach other college students when her instructor needed her to do so not just in art, but Sandy also taught classes supervised by her professors due to her teaching abilities. She and I have much in common and this is the reason we were married, in the first place.We share our art together.
Sandy changed to special education just like I had done and taught another fifteen years in all levels of education. The work we have accomplished over the years makes us grateful and feeling so blessed by our Creator, that we were given this chance in our lives to help others in need and see the fruits of our labors, together. Our children have benefited as well and all of us are united in our efforts to succeed in providing a listening ear and helpful hand to all we see and hear. Art has been a grand means for success in many ways.
How I got Into Cartooning
Cartooning has been fun and given me another outlet to express my funny side. If you were to meet me, you might think at first sight, I did not have a sense of humor. I beg to disagree! Just read some of my cartoon quips under each drawing. It will change your mind, my friend. “Gak and Geek” my cartoon characters, are two little blue visitors from space. They are always exploring and finding many reasons to comment on their new discoveries. Take a look sometime and you might just get a kick out of what you see.
Participating in Art Shows
Our participation in outdoor art shows has always been Sandy and my greatest joy. Often when we were there to see other artist and share our works, we got a wonderful feeling of camaraderie. Being able to feel the fine atmosphere at these outdoor events was among our most revered memories as we often look back on past times and the enjoyment we both had shared back then. We were awarded a few ribbons and got accolades for our exhibits, but that was only one great experience. The real gratitude of what others thought of our work and expressed their appreciation, always meant the most.
The atmosphere of people walking and being excited by art exhibits, sharing delicious homemade foods like donuts, sandwiches, and candy apples, all added to the special appeal in the shows that we had attended. The work involved, like setting up exhibits, hauling loads to and back home, were just a part of the fondest days we spent taking part in the shows and having the times of our lives.
