At the Shoot

The above painting, "At the Shoot", was completed earlier this year. It's a 12 X 15 inch oil painting on gessoed plywood. The shooter is depicted holding his trusty full-stock percussion rifle. He could be watching another competitor while just waiting his turn, or possibly is done shooting and has the high score.

The rifle illustrated in this painting is one I owned until recently. I was fortunate to aquire it in "attic" condition. I cleaned it up a little bit, but retained the patina. The barrel was signed "J.B Hixson. This got me curious, and I soon was researching as much as I could about this gunsmith.

Man at Arms Magazine March/April 2009

As it turned out, I had enough information and wrote my first article. It was published in the Kentucky Rifle Association's newsletter. The article was titled "J.B Hixson - Hixson family of Gunsmiths and the National Road".

Very shortly afterword, an associate mentioned the article to a publisher. After review, the article was published as a six page feature article in the March/April 2009 issue of Man at Arms Magazine. I had completed "At the Shoot" and was able to supply the digital image to the publisher in time for publication. I feel fortunate to get my first article published with my painting!

American Graffiti

The painting pictured above, "American Graffiti", was recently completed. It's an 18.5 X 30 inch oil painting depicting a Lenape warrior in the late 18th century on the frontier of Pennsylvania.

He is sitting on the trunk of an old beech tree with his smoothbore flintlock rifle. The initials RJM and the year 1761 are carved into the tree. These initials could be from a trapper, trader or a settler claiming this piece of land. On the large rock just in front of the warrior are some ancient native American petroglyphs. The title "American Graffiti" illustrates two types of markings, one left from the original Americans, and the other from the new Americans that have come to change the ancient ways.

MUZZLELOADER Magazine March/April 2009

It is fitting that this Lenape warrior has distinguished himself by applying war paint of his own design. He will try to stop the inevitable change to his homeland, people and way of life. By his choice of weapon, he has already accepted some change.

I'm offering "American Graffiti" as a limited edition print. If you are interested in a print or more information, please click here.

"American Graffiti" was published on the cover of the March/April 2009 issue of MUZZLELOADER magazine. I feel privilaged to have my painting "American Graffiti" grace the cover of this magazine. MUZZLELOADER is the one of the best traditional muzzleloading magazines available. Each issue includes articles on hunting, shooting, gunsmithing, do-it-yourself projects, living history, American history, book and product reviews.

On New Headwaters

My first limited-edition print, On New Headwaters (above), is a painting I’ve always wanted to complete. I’m always reading about the history of the United States and respect the grit and courage of the trappers and mountain men who overcame tremendous hardships exploring this great land during the early 19th century. I’m very excited about being able to portray some true Americans in my first limited-edition print. The main focus is the trapper in the foreground, who is cradling in his arms a Henry longrifle, a firearm with a rich history and one reportedly favored by the men of John Jacob Astor’s American Fur Company.

Living near the Museum of the Pennsylvania Longrifle, I am privileged to enjoy membership in the Jacobsburg Historical Society, which was founded in 1972 to preserve and interpret the Henry family gun and iron-making heritage. The longrifle depicted is based on an associate’s original J.J. Henry longrifle. I have donated the original painting to the Jacobsburg Historical Society and am glad to know that On New Headwaters will hang in the Museum of the Pennsylvania Longrifle.

I have donated the original painting to the Jacobsburg Historical Society and all proceeds from the sale of the limited edition prints will also go to the JHS.

Prints are being sold by Jacobsburg Historical Society.

Contact: jacobsburg@rcn.com
Website: Jacobsburg Historical Society