Douglas Rickard

Maui spells Valentines

2012-01-24T18:12:00.002Z

Maui spells Valentines in this art http://bit.ly/yyKA1l

Maui

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Just what WILL 2012 bring for you?

2012-01-19T10:27:00.000Z

Just what WILL 2012 bring for you? http://bit.ly/fsc7eO

Sneak Peek ~ little Lady Limited Edition of 12

2012-01-05T11:58:00.000Z

Sneak Peek ~ débuting on the twelfth day of January 2012 this little Lady in a Limited Edition of... twelve! http://bit.ly/AyHuBE Next in my “Where Pictures Shine” series.

Video Report - My first Art Exhibit in London

2011-12-31T12:28:00.001Z

From this, my most significant 2011 art stepping stone, I’m moving forward onto the exciting road ahead in 2012! Like me, are you believing for greater and better, too? Follow me on Facebook... http://on.fb.me/qNb3dY

Sneak Peek - Santa Monica roller coaster art

2011-12-28T20:15:00.000Z

Sneak Peek - Santa Monica roller coaster will travel straight up into the sunset in my new LA art!

Sneak Peek - Santa Monica roller coaster art

A story to make you smile for Christmas...

2011-12-23T14:04:00.003Z

What happened just before Christmas to a Boxer dog who needed a home and Douglas Rickard shares about donating his dog art - http://www.blueridgeboxerrescue.com/ http://www.douglasrickard.com/

The Everlasting Light

2011-12-23T13:39:00.000Z

Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting Light... http://bit.ly/vP8bgK

At da skatin' rink... ;)

2011-12-17T15:09:00.000Z

Under the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in VIBRANT colors http://bit.ly/oOWNlf Follow me on Facebook... http://on.fb.me/qNb3dY

Christmas Dachshund

2011-12-12T12:35:00.001Z

Up on the rooftop, who wouldn’t go! This little Dachsie won’t say no... http://bit.ly/vJnfYk

Christmas Dachshund

Douglas' Christmas Card

2011-12-05T14:49:00.000Z

My Christmas Card for You ~ plus USA and UK Christmas Posting Dates http://bit.ly/v3R6y2

Christmas Card

Video Report - Grumpy 2011 Walt Disney Classics Collection Event

2011-11-21T11:27:00.000Z

A look at the sculptures and art including my own, at the Castle China hosted "Get Grumpy" Event in October - www.castlechina.com Follow me on Facebook... http://on.fb.me/qNb3dY

Mentoring session talk by artist, Douglas Rickard

2011-11-11T20:51:00.001Z

Read why I don’t draw for the ‘art world’; whether I think going through Art College is important and what I believe is a secret to achieving art career dreams, here in my Facebook photo report on when I talked, last August, in a Mentoring session for London’s Arts Centre Group! http://on.fb.me/tK3wKl

Douglas Rickard

Ever have an aunt who really knew how to wear make-up?

2011-11-03T11:28:00.000Z

I seem to have brought out the ‘auntie’ side of this soigné Inca villainess; my new still-life of the WDCC sculpture Yzma : “Calculating Conspirator”, débuting today. Yzma’s mascara has been heavily dusted on… but in charcoal in this Numbered Limited of 12 in three versions. (‘Super Size’ version shown in photo.) “When I am an old woman I shall wear purple, With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me…” go the words of Jenny Joseph’s 1961 poem. Although the sculpture does indeed depict this wrinkled schemer in purple attire and an oversize feathered headpiece, I picked out the shining turquoise in Auntie Yzma’s earrings for the signature single color in this latest addition to my “Where Pictures Shine” set of drawings.
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Yzma

My art on show alongside world class collectible brandnames

2011-10-31T21:18:00.001Z

Do you know what is amazing? And I'm still feeling so privileged. My art was on show alongside world class collectible brandnames like Jim Shore and Lenox at the Walt Disney Classics Collection 2011 Grumpy Fall Premiere Event hosted by Castle China in Warwick. And all of my framed still-lifes of the WDCC sculptures in this photo, got sold on the day!

Douglas Rickard at the Walt Disney Classics Collection
2011 Grumpy Fall Premiere Event

Douglas Rickard at the Walt Disney Classics Collection 2011 Grumpy Fall Premiere Event

2011-10-28T22:25:00.002+01:00

Here I am with my artwork (left) at the Walt Disney Classics Collection 2011 Grumpy Fall Premiere Event, hosted by Castle China in Warwick. Staying over at the Lord Leycester, with all that Disney downstairs, felt like being on an American vacation!

Douglas Rickard at the Walt Disney Classics Collection
2011 Grumpy Fall Premiere Event

Walt Disney Classics Collection 2011 Grumpy Fall Premiere Event sculpture

2011-10-25T11:10:00.000+01:00

The big surprise for me at the weekend, was that this “Cantankerous Curmudgeon” was no dwarf at 6 3/4"! Product photos on the internet give you an idea, but are not as exciting as seeing sculptures or art up close and in person. The Castle China hosted event in Warwick, England also showcased other new WDCC sculptures like the Brer Rabbit & Brer Fox set (top, left), Dumbo (top, right) and the “Fantasia” Lilly of the Valley Fairy (bottom, right). Call Castle China on 01926-400513 or email info@castlechina.com for last orders!

Walt Disney Classics Collection 2011 Grumpy Fall Premiere Event sculpture

Walt Disney Classics Collection 2011 “Get Grumpy” Fall Premiere Event

2011-10-20T23:13:00.003+01:00

My New WDCC Still-Life Art | Walt Disney Classics Collection 2011 Fall Premiere Event Sculpture Grumpy: “Cantankerous Curmudgeon” | Exclusive D23 Expo, Disneyland® and Walt Disney Museum Merchandise

This Saturday October 22nd, 11am - 5pm at the Lord Leycester Hotel, Jury St., Warwick CV34 4EJ England. Do come along if you can!

Walt Disney Classics Collection
2011 Fall Premiere Event

Awesome auctions on eBay

2011-10-17T13:31:00.002+01:00

Awesome auctions ending within the next 24 hours - I'm back where I began my art career... on eBay - check out my seasonal Douglas Rickard eBay store... Imagination-infused cityscapes, inspirational verses and quotations to simple line drawings of the pet dog next door and still-lifes of WDCC sculpts all with “depth and emotion”

The gentility of Martin Luther King Jr.

2011-10-06T23:39:00.001+01:00

The new “flat, rigid, socialist realist” Dr. King Memorial “does not do justice to the supremely nuanced, creative, humane soul of its subject” wrote Charles Krauthammer in The Washington Post. So, I hope I’ve drawn forth the gentility of Martin Luther King Jr. in my new portrait out today - http://bit.ly/nlhoU6 - Follow me on Facebook... http://on.fb.me/qNb3dY

Martin Luther King Jr.

Drawing detail of the day – In a Pug’s Eye

2011-09-26T11:29:00.007+01:00

Drawing detail of the day – In a Pug’s Eye http://bit.ly/ph4zFL

In a Pug’s Eye

Wonderland week Day #5: Ever been down a chimney?

2011-09-24T22:44:00.000+01:00

Separate drawings I made of WDCC Alice in Wonderland character sculpts have been rolled into this composite in a way that evokes the thrill of spinning through the Alice in Wonderland theme park attraction, whilst also telling a story. Visit my Facebook Wonderland gallery: http://on.fb.me/pZSOtg

Alice in Wonderland characters

Wonderland week Day #4: This Cheshire Cat is not all there himself…

2011-09-22T16:34:00.000+01:00

Wouldn’t you be simply mad not to display this new Cheshire Cat art out today, over your hearth or even above a writing desk? If that is, you ever do get home… Look at my Facebook Alice in Wonderland photo gallery: http://on.fb.me/pZSOtg

Cheshire Cat

Wonderland week Day #3: New Cheshire Cat Sneak Peek

2011-09-21T20:09:00.000+01:00

Through a pre-release offer of this new “Cheshire Cat” art, one of my Valued Buyers has already purchased number one out of 80 of the Hand Embellished NLE version. It wasn’t sealing wax, but oil pastel that was layered onto the giclée. Are you planning on a low number too? Look at my Facebook Alice in Wonderland photo gallery: http://on.fb.me/pZSOtg

Hand Embellished Cheshire Cat with oil pastel

Wonderland week Day #2: This merciless neck of the woods

2011-09-20T12:09:00.000+01:00

In this “Maze Cyclorama” set, I not only wanted to give a nod to the movie’s title sequence and the original illustrations, but also capture the underground atmosphere of this merciless neck of the Wonderland woods. Look at my Facebook Alice in Wonderland photo gallery: http://on.fb.me/pZSOtg

Alice in Wonderland

Wonderland week Day #1: Who R U?

2011-09-19T11:10:00.003+01:00

One side will not grow taller and the other side will not grow shorter, it’s a 2.5” x 3.5” ACEO Art Card. Look at my Facebook Wonderland photo gallery: http://on.fb.me/pZSOtg

Which way will this Wonderland character go?

2011-09-15T19:13:00.000+01:00

Oh by the way, if you’d really, like to know, some of this Wonderland character’s stripes will be going this way and some that way… when my new WDCC still-life drawing is released next Thursday! Follow me on Facebook... http://on.fb.me/qNb3dY

Wonderland Character

German Shepherd and wolf fantasy new photos

2011-09-14T18:35:00.000+01:00

New photos of German Shepherd and wolf fantasy latest release http://bit.ly/pFBKo3

German Shepherd and wolf fantasy

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Lending a Boxer paw

2011-09-09T18:31:00.001+01:00

This Boxer and wolf art of mine will be part of a silent auction tomorrow at Great Dane Friends of Ruff Love’s 3rd Annual Woofstock Festival in partnership with Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue. So if you’re near Charlotte, NC, this Saturday September 10th, why not go along and support this canine cause! http://www.blueridgeboxerrescue.com

Boxer

Alice’s Wonderland journey to the Queen of Hearts

2011-09-08T18:51:00.000+01:00

A cyclorama is a series of pictures representing a continuous scene. Who couldn’t resist following the ‘this way’ sign in the final backdrop of inviting hedges, in which one solitary genus, humanus Alice mirrors her negative animus, the Queen at the start of the Wonderland maze - http://on.fb.me/pZSOtg

Alice in Wonderland

Ramson Mumba “I wonder what you have done in your life, in order to be loved…

2011-09-05T22:51:00.000+01:00

6:50: “If you stay in the pages of the Scripture, all confusion and all debate will cease. But if you begin to get humanistic philosophies in order to clarify what you don’t understand from the Word, that perhaps, might be the beginning of error...
8:50: “This is what I’m trying to get to this generation, listen, you are not a victim. I don’t care where you started out from; there is an anointing to put you over in life…
9:50: “This is a highly organized spiritual planet. Nothing ‘just happens’. There is no such a thing as an ‘accident’…
21:40: “Let religion leave you alone and let God love you…
30:45: “If you stay in the place where you don’t receive the love of God… you’ll become vulnerable to every man and his dog, his friends and his cousin that’s got an agenda…
30:24: “I wonder what you have done in your life, in order to be loved…
38:00 “A human being will do anything just to have another validate their humanity…
40:11: “And so because of that rejection, you fall into the arms of any man, any woman; you fall prey to anybody that shows a little interest in you. I want to tell you today, God can heal your heart; He sent Jesus to heal your broken heart…
46:00 “Every time you step out of love you’ve stepped into the forces of darkness…
48:13 “Because when you have the love of God as the anchor for your soul, there’s an unmitigated boldness that comes on you…
52:10: “God loves you the same way that He loves Jesus…
55:03: “The love that God has for you is no better than [for] the guy who’s fornicating right now or like [for] the guy who’s pushing drugs and getting high right now…

German Shepherd and a wolf

2011-09-01T12:17:00.000+01:00

What do you get when a German Shepherd and a wolf cross the road? One bewildered jack rabbit! Buy this art here: http://bit.ly/p62MZy Follow me on Facebook... http://on.fb.me/qNb3dY

German Shepherd and a wolf

Personalized German Shepherd and wolf art

2011-08-24T23:11:00.000+01:00

This road sign can be personalized with your pet’s name once this drawing of a German Shepherd and wolf pack is released later this week! Follow me on Facebook... http://on.fb.me/qNb3dY

Personalized German Shepherd and wolf art

Yellowstone mountain range

2011-08-20T23:11:00.003+01:00

Ever not been able to ‘read’ a picture quite right? A friend wasn’t sure whether this was a pink cloud in a blue sky. It isn’t. So, I added tree details and ridges to the lilac tinted Yellowstone mountain range against the dawn sky. Just so that it’s readable to everyone when this art is released next week! Follow me on Facebook... http://on.fb.me/qNb3dY

Yellowstone mountain range

Douglas Rickard talks for London's Arts Centre Group

2011-08-18T17:54:00.000+01:00

Here I am with two of those who came along to the gallery, to hear me talk for London's Arts Centre Group (for Christians in creative industries) about my work and faith. (Three hours and two pots of tea later.) http://on.fb.me/pcjEOT

Douglas Rickard talks for London's Arts Centre Group

Douglas Rickard's cityscapes art exhibition

2011-08-16T17:15:00.001+01:00

Some of my art includes imaginative cityscapes of London, Las Vegas, New York City and Italy. And I’m exhibiting until the end of August! http://on.fb.me/pcjEOT

Douglas Rickard's cityscapes art exhibition

Come in for something to eat and see my artwork

2011-08-15T16:23:00.001+01:00

Come in for something to eat at CHORAK 122A High Rd, East Finchley, London N2 9ED and see my artwork. I recommend the cupcakes... http://on.fb.me/pcjEOT

Chorak, East Finchley

My second art exhibition of the summer

2011-08-13T21:46:00.001+01:00

My second art exhibition of the summer is on display through to the end of August 2011, here in East Finchley, North London! http://on.fb.me/pcjEOT

Douglas Rickard's second art exhibition of the summer

Bellagio, Las Vegas

2011-08-10T21:21:00.001+01:00

Smudged charcoal gives impression of Bellagio Fountains illuminated mist.

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Ice skating in August, anyone? ;)

2011-08-03T12:05:00.000+01:00

Ice skating under the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in vibrant colors by Douglas Rickard. Size and prices here: http://bit.ly/oOWNlf

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Yellowstone art in progress

2011-08-02T08:37:00.002+01:00

I added a flying eagle in the distance to the Yellowstone drawing I'm working on... oh, and a bee!

Yellowstone

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Marie

2011-07-28T10:44:00.004+01:00

The pink bow of Marie is nestled like a precious gem http://bit.ly/nWOCuk

Marie

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Aristocat in progress

2011-07-11T14:02:00.002+01:00

I’ve been working from preparatory drawings I did for a favorite feline family http://bit.ly/oA6XDH to produce a new portrait of a certain kitty in my “Where Pictures Shine” style

Aristocat in progress

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Winston Churchill

2011-06-23T21:41:00.001+01:00

"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference" - catch Churchill's attitude from my new portrait art out today, here: http://bit.ly/lNrrBt

Winston Churchill

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Donald Duck art

2011-06-20T23:47:00.000+01:00

Nine left of 9.5" x 13" version NLE of 12 fine art print of still-life by Douglas Rickard of the WDCC sculpture "Donald's Drumbeat". Buy this NLE art unframed here: http://bit.ly/iJdIg0 (subject to availability)

Los Angeles club

2011-06-20T23:36:00.001+01:00

Blazing aesthetic script bumping outside Los Angeles club http://bit.ly/jNrKWG

Ramson Mumba "[Men], you better be aware of how much your kindness affects a woman..."

2011-06-20T23:31:00.000+01:00

Ramson Mumba "[Men], you better be aware of how much your kindness affects a woman..."

German Shepherd art

2011-06-15T11:21:00.001+01:00

Shining amber amid black and tan http://bit.ly/kNppuF

German Shepherd art

Ramson Mumba in Nottingham today

2011-06-11T10:27:00.001+01:00

Ramson Mumba in Nottingham today http://t.co/1BBEXu3

Bullheadedly determined to make it into the 'Love Pet Dogs Art' gallery

2011-06-09T22:26:00.000+01:00

Bullheadedly determined to make it into the 'Love Pet Dogs Art' gallery... http://bit.ly/mg3Lpc

Bulldog

Silhouette of the Evil Queen

2011-06-07T18:02:00.005+01:00

The purple is shaped like a precious gem inside the coils which silhouette the Evil Queen - Numbered Limited Edition in three versions: http://bit.ly/m6GC0i

Evil Queen

Snow White Queen

2011-06-02T19:43:00.002+01:00

Dark charcoal lines seem to have been ‘burnt in’, a fitting acknowledgement to the Queen’s caustic alchemy. Buy this NLE art unframed today here: http://bit.ly/jtd76Y

Evil Queen

Ramson Mumba: I'm going to go to EVERYWHERE you are

2011-06-02T19:19:00.000+01:00

Snow White Queen bespoke version

2011-06-02T19:09:00.000+01:00

Want a special color on the crown or heart box? Discuss details with Douglas before buying a NLE bespoke version out later today here: http://bit.ly/iu3VQ1

Evil Queen and the Heart Box

2011-06-02T19:07:00.000+01:00

“Where Pictures Shine - Evil Queen and the Heart Box”. This is the 13" x 19" version giclée, fine art print shown in an IKEA® frame with a mat for 11 1/2" x 15 1/4" pictures. Buy this NLE art unframed out later today here: http://bit.ly/jtd76Y

Evil Queen

After the wedding, another royal

2011-06-02T18:55:00.000+01:00

After the wedding, another royal - new “Where Pictures Shine” WDCC still-life out later this week - Like Douglas’ Facebook Page and Keep Updated

Royal Wedding

2011-05-16T12:08:00.000+01:00

As we and William first saw Kate in her dress, I began drawing flower shapes inspired by the lace appliqué. I was not only caught up in that other-worldly ceremony that Friday morning with the rest of England and beyond; but focused my attention on releasing this NLE piece of wedding souvenir art that authentically depicted the elegance of the day.

Here Boy! A new Boxer drawing!

2011-04-21T16:36:00.000+01:00

Boxer

Released today is this Boxer in charcoal, still looking bold in whichever of the three versions you choose from 3.5” Art Card to 19” Super Size fine art print!

Dumbo

2011-04-07T13:29:00.001+01:00

Those sparkling blues eyes of dear Dumbo are heightened in the two releases today. “Where Pictures Shine – Dumbo” (shown) is a Numbered Limited Edition of 24. I avoided using color in the rest of this still-life of the WDCC sculpture “Simply Adorable” so that those eyes really would look like sapphires on a bed of gleaming white.

Dumbo

Where Pictures Shine

2011-04-01T20:12:00.000+01:00

This baby Dumbo is my new still-life of the WDCC sculpture “Bundle of Joy” and has been drawn with only essential, heavy lines. The limited use of color too, really does seem to make the picture “shine” And that’s why this Numbered Limited Edition of only 24 is part of the first pair, of a brand new series called “Where Pictures Shine” débuting next Thursday!

Baby Dumbo

J'aime mon chien

2011-03-18T22:19:00.001Z

Bringing up the tail end of Personalized Dog Art Week is a new breed for my online gallery... even if you're not an owner, who wouldn't "love" this French Bulldog!

You ARE ON my mailing list right?

2011-03-17T00:11:00.001Z

For "great online marketing practices" named one of Constant Contact's 2010 All Stars! Receive a subscription to my Valued Buyers Quarterly and monthly e-Notelets which give exclusive access to discounted art and more.

I Love My Boxer

2011-03-16T12:15:00.000Z

I Love My Boxer

"I Love My Boxer" is the next dog art this week offering free hand-drawn lettering personalization!

Dog drawings get personal

2011-03-14T21:53:00.001Z

I Love My Bulldog

All this week, dog drawings get personal - starting today with “I love my Bulldog”!

What Andrew Jackson said

2011-03-10T10:56:00.000Z

http://bit.ly/eMUujQ Upon what, did the 7th President of the USA, say America actually rests?

In on the next wave - Little Mermaid Characters

2011-02-04T15:55:00.002Z

Last night, “The Little Mermaid Characters 1” débuted, as a well-deserved addition to my “Story Lines” art series. Have you been following the progress of the Ariel’s Undersea Adventure dark ride, set to open in parks? That is going to have animated figures of Eric and Ariel about to kiss, just like the 2001 Gold Circle Walt Disney Classics Collection sculpture, which of course I drew in this composite of still-lifes!

Little Mermaid Characters

Thought I’d drawn cutest Chihuahua ever, UNTIL…

2011-01-27T23:56:00.000Z

These little spirited darlings are kind of tough to draw. I almost gave up on this as it was beginning to look like a cartoon character… but I pulled the drawing back and completed this new mixed-media dog release ‘Charcoal and Oil Chihuahuas’, keeping in mind that they actually are this unbelievably cute in real life!

Chihuahuas

Personalize this Proverbs 31 Virtuous Woman Art Free

2011-01-21T00:56:00.004Z

The Hebrew letters sparkling around the ruby translate as “woman of ability”. And you have the ability to place the name of a modern-day Proverbs 31 Woman in your life and personalize any of three versions of this new Bible-based Christian art released today at no extra cost!

Proverbs 31 Virtuous Woman

‘Weather’ we like it or not in England

2011-01-13T16:49:00.001Z

I’ve been attempting to enjoy the lavender, indigo, Persian and Prussian blues of our gloomy British January. There’s no way around it, this time of year, English weather is often overcast or alternatively… wet. And so hopefully this a truthful cityscape, I’m releasing today of Bath! Enjoy the colors around you – you can just about see them here in England if you try…

Bath, England

Donald gets some wings... and a halo

2011-01-06T15:53:00.001Z

The first release of 2011 is Donald Duck in a Numbered Limited Edition of 12 in three versions and an Open Edition ACEO. This still-life of the WDCC sculpture, ‘What an Angel’ could remind us that we can all choose to behave nicely this year if we want to!

Angel Donald Duck

What I’m doing better for you in 2011

2011-01-05T23:12:00.000Z

With 42 art releases I was more prolific last year than ever before. But due to a much-needed, building up of content in newer galleries like ‘Historic Heroes’, I realize that too many weeks went by without additions to some of your other favorites. ‘Still-Lifes of Walt Disney Classics Collection Sculptures’ and ‘Christian Art’ (the latter still having the biggest yearly sales increase) were two of them; and so I have begun and will continue to put that right this year!
I’ve now adjusted my ways of communicating to suit you better as well. Shorter blog posts all throughout the year, covering most releases; frequent almost daily tweets or measured updates on my new Facebook ‘like’ page – whichever one suits you, I’m certain you’ll also want to be getting my Valued Buyers Club monthly e-newsletter straight to your inbox; where I discount newest releases for those of you I value… just like you!

Original Tinker Bell and my pixie-sized art!

2010-12-28T12:45:00.000Z

The actor and model, Disney animator Marc Davis used for reference when drawing Tinker Bell, Margaret Kerry was gifted my still-life drawing of the WDCC sculpture back in the Summer. One of my Buyers, Donna from Portland, OR, relayed this news from ‘Never Land’:

“Here is a photo of Margaret Kerry with your darling mini-print of Tink - she just was delighted at Tink's expression! She seemed really pleased, Doug… I found the perfect frame w/matte by sheer good luck, think it looks really cute.”

Tinker Bell art gift

[Blog Posts resume January 5th]

My way of saying Happy Christmas to you

2010-12-24T23:07:00.000Z

My modernist art style “Dickens and Christmas” release débuting today on Christmas Eve, says in red why Charles Dickens thought this time of year is so special for children. And to repeat the ‘hidden’ Tiny Tim line in this art, I’ll end with saying thank you Blog Readers, Happy Christmas and God bless us every one!

Dickens and Christmas

[Blog Posts resume December 28th]

Why was the real Santa Claus imprisoned?

2010-12-17T23:32:00.000Z

A Christian in the Middle East called Nicholas was the man behind the story of Santa Claus and Stephen Swisher writes about his life in this month’s ‘Believer’s Voice of Victory’ magazine:

“Under emperors Diocletian and Maximian, Christians were hunted and persecuted for 10 long years. Those who would not abandon their faith were often tortured or executed. As a church leader, Nicholas was jailed often.”

His challenges were not different to those of Christians even today. My local M.P. contacted the Foreign Secretary on my behalf this month, after I’d penned my concern for Aasia Bibi; a Pakistani Christian woman sentenced to hang under “blasphemy” charges.
Nicholas however, did get released from prison and here’s what happened:

“…he was elected Bishop of Myra. He oversaw a period of rebuilding: feeding the poor, locating shelters for the homeless and finding families for those orphaned during the persecution… Due to Nicholas’ status with local citizens, Roman officials often sought his advice in matters of state.”

[Blog Posts resume December 23rd]

Boston Terrier amongst the Christmas lights

2010-12-16T18:06:00.000Z

The American Gentleman of canines joins the club of my dog art this Christmas. This Boston Terrier drawn especially and digitally added in this oil pastel composite ‘Christmas Boston Terrier waiting for Santa’, is doing what most of us are, in a way, this time of year!

Christmas Boston Terrier

Home for Christmas

2010-12-14T13:43:00.000Z

Remember Big Man Walker, the fostered Boxer dog in my post two weeks ago? Well, on the day I happened to release my new “Christmas Boxer waiting for Santa” art I got an update from Joelle at Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue last week:

“Everyone at BRBR says a Big Thank you for your Blog. Since that picture was taken Big Man Walker has found his forever home. I have attached pictures of him loving life.”

And who says all those schmaltzy, Christmas family movies are unrealistic!

Boxer dog finds home in time for Christmas

[Blog Posts resume December 16th]

Redirect letters for Santa... to Turkey

2010-12-13T19:05:00.001Z

Did you know that the real Santa Claus came from Turkey and his world was far from being any kind of fantasyland! Stephen Swisher’s article, sourced from ancient Christian writings tells the story of Nicholas of Myra in this month’s ‘Believer’s Voice of Victory’ magazine. And Dr. Swisher lays out how the Christmas gift-giving tradition began:

“...the act that truly distinguished him began with the failure of a family friend’s business. The man and his three daughters had lost everything. In desperation, the man negotiated with local brothel owners to sell his oldest daughter into slavery to provide for the younger two... The night before the girl was to be sold, Nicholas went to their home, waited for the lights to go out and tossed a bag of gold through an open window, vanishing before he could be seen... The money lasted the family a year.”

Revisionist history invades Narnia

2010-12-10T19:36:00.000Z

Liam Neeson, “Aslan” voice talent in the movies now says, for him the character also symbolises numerous spiritual leaders as well as being a Christ-like figure. But I remember Aslan dying not against his will, but by choosing to pay the price of death, to save Edmund. You couldn’t get a more unconcealed allegory. And the icing sugar on top of the Turkish delight is, he resurrects later! Who else has done this but the Lion of the tribe of Judah, Jesus?
Actor Liam Neeson may choose to join the camps of religious dilettantes but another book, called Revelation prophesies how deceptive the coming One World Religion will be. C S Lewis identified Aslan’s true Archetype:

‘He is an invention giving an imaginary answer to the question, “What might Christ become like if there really were a world like Narnia, and He chose to be incarnate and die and rise again in that world as He actually has done in ours?”’

'Twas the Pug before Christmas

2010-12-09T23:53:00.000Z

Someone's fallen asleep waiting up for Santa. Here's the début of my new Christmas Pug art. And there're not many nights left before the big day now! Time to gift wrap some doggy biscuits maybe... or art prints!

Boxer Fundraiser Success

2010-11-30T13:25:00.002Z

Despite yesterday’s Cruella post, I don’t think Dalmatian puppy fur coats are a good idea. A Fundraiser for dogs, however, is a great idea. And here’s a photo of the winners of a Boxer fine art print of mine I donated, Dr. and Mrs. Brian J. Schmidt from Concord, N.C. They’re with their two dogs Oscar and Lacey (on the right) and Big Man Walker (on the left), whom they are fostering for Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue. The event, Woofstock 2010, raised over $2,300 which helped lower the outstanding veterinary bills of Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue.

Boxer Fundraiser

[Blog Posts resume December 9th]

Oh, must be Cruella!

2010-11-29T15:44:00.001Z

Isn’t that a new drawing? No time for games, Cruella De Vil week has begun with one of your dearly devoted WDCC villains sculptures drawn as my still-life débuting today!
You may be wanting this art in one of four available giclée versions for your dream castle (or horrid little house, even), after all, is there a man or woman in this wretched world who doesn't? I've got to run. Cheerio, darling!

Cruella De Vil

When I go to bed, I think about…

2010-11-26T22:43:00.001Z

I have this thing I do, whereby I pretend I’m in this board meeting as I lay my head on the pillow at night. I pretend I’m having a meeting with imaginary workers from my online art galleries and based upon which art pieces are popular, we go through which sets need to be added to. And then I often announce to their excitement, new pieces of artwork which are about to get the go-ahead.
Maybe one day, I’ll get to do this in a real boardroom, but imagining the future (even if it’s in my case, a drawing) is more than often a preview of our life.
That’s why the quotation in my “Albert Einstein on Imagination” caricature portrait is particularly potent to me. And this art really was added to my ‘Historic Heroes’ online gallery in September!

Albert Einstein Quotation

Shopping for the Holidays in New York City

2010-11-26T00:02:00.002Z

I wanted to capture the luxurious warmth through snow flurries emanating from a gift-packed department store. And where better to choose than Macy's in Manhattan.
This Christmas cityscape, 'Manhattan in Bloom - Macy's Holiday Shopping' is open for business today!

Macy's Holiday Shopping

What is my Marketing Strategy?

2010-11-17T23:22:00.000Z

What’s in me? My artistic gift. I don’t draw to impress ‘the art world’, I draw for people. I create artistic works and use my talent for people. I don’t believe that artists are superstars, but instead servants; artisans who are there to bring us something.
Kenneth Copeland said this on the “Believer’s Voice Of Victory” broadcast week of November 1st 2010, ‘Making Right Decisions to Succeed’:

“…if God’s called you to be in business then you don’t go to the world and find out their marketing strategy, because their strategy is ‘how to get what belongs to somebody else and get it to me’. No, you’re marketing strategy is, how can I bless people? ...It’s ‘getting what I have to you’, the outflow, all the time, the outflow. Go study it and find out about it, John D. Rockefeller was a tither all of his life.”

[Blog Posts resume November 25th]

Pirates art docks ‘Around the Haunted Mansion’

2010-11-17T00:08:00.001Z

I’ve been humming ‘Yo ho ho ho’ the past couple of weeks as I drew this new Pirates release (below). Me ‘earties, Mike and Ashley (that’s two of my Valued Buyers from Marlborough, MA) had left a message on my Facebook page:

“…we were wondering if you ever thought of doing some pieces of the Pirates of the Caribbean. You are so talented with the skeleton from Haunted Mansion, we can only imagine how cool the skeleton Pirate would be.”

At first I didn’t see how ‘Pirates’ would fit with my ‘Around the Haunted Mansion’ set but my Art Buyers were so right! And after all, it's not much of a journey across New Orleans Square at the park.
As I don’t own the Helmsman Pirate Walt Disney Classics Collection piece, Ashley emailed me some photos of their sculpture to draw from and then it was just too late to alter course! It really started to work I felt, especially adding apparitions of some other scoundrels. However, I decided it did need at least one live parrot...

Around the Haunted Mansion - Pirates

Ultimate Charles Dickens Quote

2010-11-15T10:59:00.001Z

I researched 19th Century Illustration layouts for this literary “forget me not” which débuted in September. My hand-drawn “Nicholas Nickleby” quotation is planted within a chain of Forget-me-not flowers in my rather serious portrait.
I don’t think the age of chivalry is past, so gifting the ACEO Art Card version to a special someone could ensure they have a heart that never hardens towards you. Why not get a few, seeing as life is made up of ever so many partings?
But here’s what Charles Dickens wrote about the ultimate joy of meeting again:

“…I am very anxious that you should know something about the History of Jesus Christ. For everybody ought to know about Him… And he is now in Heaven, where we hope to go, and to meet each other after we are dead, and there be happy always together, you never can think what a good place Heaven is, without knowing who he was and what he did…”

Charles Dickens Quote

Quotation Source: Charles Dickens. 1849, in a literary work for his children. Marie Dickens, “The Life of Our Lord” (London, E.C.4, Great Britain: Associated Newspapers Ltd., 1934). “Life of Our Lord” (Nashville, TN: Oliver-Nelson Books, division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers, 1991), pp. 1-2. William J. Federer, “America’s God and Country Encyclopedia of Quotations” (FAME Publishing, Inc., 820 S. MacArthur Blvd., Suite 105-220, Coppell, TX 75019-4214, 1994) Charles Dickens, p. 207.

Learning from history’s Presidents

2010-10-29T22:00:00.000+01:00

I remember around 13 years old, how scared I was about a Nuclear War; quite rightly, it got pretty close in the 80’s. They wanted Ronald Reagan to freeze the arms buildup, but he didn’t trust the Russians. He said:

“…as good Marxist-Leninists, the Soviet leaders have openly and publicly declared that the only morality they recognize is that which will further their cause, which is world revolution.”

He was right, the Cold War ended when the Russians threw their beliefs out; they didn’t need world revolution anymore. But Ronald Reagan wasn’t afraid to name and shame the ideology. He didn’t called Soviet Russia ‘extremist’ socialists, or ‘radicalized’ communists, he warned against ignoring:

“ …the facts of history and the aggressive impulses of an evil empire…”

Today I suspect Ronald Reagan’s opponents would make up the word ‘Marxist-ophobia’ and accuse him of ‘hate speech’ against communists. Well, I’m glad to honor him with another place in my ‘Historic Heroes’ gallery with my new portrait and quotation, “Ronald Reagan Quotes – What History Teaches”!
[Blog Posts resume November 15th]

Ronald Reagan

One for the Gipper

2010-10-28T23:01:00.000+01:00

This Ronald Reagan charcoal drawing portrait and quote (below) is one of two brand new releases! The rest of this post, are the 40th President’s words from a 1983 address. Can you imagine how the mainstream-media and secular elites would deride this, today?

…Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged. When our Founding Fathers passed the First Amendment, they sought to protect churches from government interference. They never intended to construct a wall of hostility between government and the concept of religious belief itself. The evidence of this permeates our history and our government. The Declaration of Independence mentions the Supreme Being no less than four times. ‘In God We Trust’ is engraved on our coinage. The Supreme Court opens its proceedings with a religious invocation. And the members of Congress open their sessions with a prayer. I just happen to believe the schoolchildren of the United States are entitled to the same privileges as Supreme Court Justices and Congressmen… …The First Amendment never intended to require government to discriminate against religious speech…

Ronald Reagan

Oahu and Maui art, restrung like a lei

2010-10-27T23:38:00.000+01:00

I’ve replaced two colorful Hawaiian landscapes with blacked out versions. My original releases were bright and colorful, yet I felt, as a set they did not ‘tell a story’.
But now, my all-new Oahu (below) recognizably flows with her sister, Maui. I realized that the hard, rocky land goes dark in contrast to Hawaii’s amazing sunsets. And so there are now charcoal silhouettes of mountains in Maui and palm trees in Oahu.
The second element stringing the two drawings together almost in a lei-like fashion are the sunsets themselves; they’re actually oil pastel details of orchids.
And last week, my Valued Buyers Club Members got a time-limited opportunity to drape my new “Oahu” at a discounted price, around whatever island they call home!

Oahu

Whatever happened to that Obama?

2010-10-26T12:02:00.001+01:00

A lady asked me if I was going to complete my Obama art (below), recently. I know I’d asked you, my blog Readers to vote on it, but I just couldn’t bring myself to finish it. How can a politician like him say he’s Christian, and then make reversing laws which protect the unborn child, a priority? (1 John 4:1, Matthew 7:16-17)
America and England are nations which have a heritage of Christians who have walked out their faith, their Judeo-Christian values, and brought change by having done so; William Wilberforce being one example. He headed the campaign to end slavery in the British Empire. I want to be part of standing up for what is good like William Wilberforce did, and will be attending a vigil outside Parliament tomorrow at noon. We’re going to be repenting for the abortions of over seven million children, just in Britain, since the 1967 Abortion Act was passed 43 years ago.

Obama

“Pinocchio” Characters Pageant

2010-10-25T11:16:00.000+01:00

The crown for most beautiful character, not only in “Pinocchio” but actually out of every Walt Disney Classics Collection sculpture I’ve ever owned or even seen has to go to Kent Melton’s ‘Making Dreams Come True’ Blue Fairy piece.
And I drew this as a still-life, as part of my new ‘Pinocchio Story Lines’ art released last week. All these figurines feel like they’ve been picked up right out of the 1940’s and so I hope in my new art, I’ve captured that era’s subtlety, (and in the case of the Blue Fairy) understated glamor.

"Pinocchio" Characters art

English landscapes - rainy… or is it sunny?

2010-10-08T23:11:00.000+01:00

I’d been given a box of soft pastels, more chalky and quite different to the oil pastels I use, and wasn’t getting along with them. So, I decided to have another attempt last month, mixing them with one of my charcoal drawings.
What I ended up with reminded me of one of those ‘paint with water’ magic coloring books, where some of the colored ink would appear on a black and white page. And for this subject, it’s perfect – a British town. My style of heightened brightness, brought out by the charcoal on a white background and a watery wash affect captures the sunny one minute, rain the next ambience we’re used to here in England. So, “British Sunshine and Showers – York” is a new addition to my Landscape art gallery.
[Blog Posts resume October 25th]

British cityscape of York

Squanto on the starboard bow!

2010-10-07T23:38:00.000+01:00

My Native American Historic Hero, Squanto appears for the first time on the horizon today. He has an amazing story which involves being captured as a slave, then liberated and turning up to help the Pilgrims in their time of need, like showing them how to farm and where to hunt. And whilst speaking English! Governor William Bradford called him “a special instrument sent of God”.
In this art, I’ve represented what I think must have been the power of an isolated Squanto’s prayers to God after returning to America. I know prayer shifts things and I think the Mayflower’s voyage was aided by Squanto even before the Pilgrims were welcomed by him in the New World.

Squanto

Douglas Rickard Art Buyers CLUB!

2010-10-06T23:09:00.000+01:00

In this video I explain why I'm giving free subsriptions to my Valued Buyers Club monthly e-newsletter and talk about the exlusive access you can get to heavily discounted art!

Tinker Bell made me zoom all around the room

2010-10-05T12:11:00.000+01:00

I remember being so sad not getting into a sold out screening of “Walt Disney’s Peter Pan”, my favorite, back in the 70’s. That’s why one of my art Buyers really put a smile in my heart this year.
Donna from Portland OR, wrote and told me how she’d bought some ACEOs including a couple of Tinker Bell. Donna said “LOVE Tink’s expression” about my still-life drawing (below) of the WDCC sculpture; and let me know that at her NFFC Disneyana Fan Club chapter picnic, she would be giving one of them to Margaret Kerry, the lady who is the original actor and model, Disney animator Marc Davis used for reference when drawing Tinker Bell herself!
As a little boy all I wanted to do when I grew up was work in that cinema in Plymouth, England! But having one of my Tinker Bell drawings given to someone so much a part of that movie, was never even one of the dreams I’d planned!

Tinker Bell

Was he REALLY…? Facts about John Adams

2010-10-04T10:47:00.002+01:00

One thing I despise is revisionist history; where a bunch of elitists with an agenda rewrite the past. Look up the current Wikipedia article on John Adams, and you’ll ‘learn’ that the 2nd President of the United States was “a Unitarian”, whose beliefs “excluded the divinity of Christ”. And from where have these Wiki scholars taken such citations? From sources such as… of course, the Unitarian Universalist Historical Society Biography and books penned in… the 1800’s? No, books written in the Swinging Sixties!
In my online Historic Heroes art galley, I’ve released a new portrait of John Adams and there’s a special article ‘Uncover 7 Facts about John Adams’ in which I’ve quoted the man himself and posed seven questions about him, to which you yourself can find the answers. There are even word links to Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary; and by the way, that’s NOT one of those dictionaries in which they’ve recently ‘revised’ the true definitions!

John Adams portrait

PREVIEW: 13th season of blog posts

2010-09-03T22:33:00.001+01:00

I’m still releasing a lot of new art on Thursdays between now and my 13th season of blog posts which starts on Monday October 4th 2010.

Here’s what’s on the way:
Native American, Squanto will be honored in Historic Heroes just in time for Thanksgiving plus a new Proverbs 31 Woman piece with a difference.

English landscapes of Bath and York; Macy’s; more Los Angeles cityscapes with an unusual ‘spirit of place’ twist to them, and another L.A. nightclub drawing are all coming out, plus some ‘redos’ of a few I believe I can do better.

The Poodle and Boston Terrier will join the Bulldog as the latest dog art arrivals.
The ‘Pinocchio Cast of Characters’ is still being completed and will be joined by some more WDCC still-lifes of “The Little Mermaid” sculptures.

I always enjoy receiving your photos and suggestions, keep connected with me on tumblr., twitter and facebook and I’ll be writing more blog posts, next month!

Pinocchio still-life in progress

Finally! Bulldog Art makes it in!

2010-09-02T11:16:00.000+01:00

Here’s my brand new drawing of a Bulldog, a much requested dog breed I might add. I hope I’ve portrayed a side of the Bulldog’s nature that isn’t always shown in a lot of other Bulldog art. This one makes it as part of my Charcoal Dog Drawing series… and you can expect more later this year.

Bulldog art

Boxer art adds to the love

2010-09-01T11:17:00.001+01:00

Some of my Boxer art will be at a silent auction next Saturday September 11th at the 2nd Annual WoofStock Festival in Charlotte, North Carolina. It’s from 11am to 4pm at Amos’ Southend and is hosted by ‘Great Dane Friends’ and ‘Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue’ whose work includes rescuing Boxers and placing them in foster homes. Here’s to hoping the event is a tail wagging success!

Boxer art

Raffle prize evokes special memories

2010-08-31T11:31:00.000+01:00

Sylvie ((below) won this fine art print of my Florence cityscape at a friend’s charity fundraiser in London this summer. It was part of the raffle prize draw at the end of day of sunny, Saturday afternoon. As I talked with Sylvie after the prize draw, she told me that she’d not only visited Florence but how a friend of hers owned a shop right under the Duomo Cathedral in the picture! Art prints like this, especially of locations you’ve visited, really are like a five sense engagement to another time and place.

A job made in Heaven

2010-08-31T10:58:00.002+01:00

I speak to Christians sometimes who passionately share their career plans, which get me excited too, but then they throw in that they might be a pastor too one day! I just hope they aren’t trying to spiritualize what God has already planned for them. On God tv this month, Lance Wallnau taught this:

“If God gave the Church some apostles and prophets, evangelists and pastors and teachers, then most of you aren’t… The real… anointing, revelation, interaction that you covet… isn’t when you ‘leave your job and go into full-time ministry’… it’s when you get a full-time revelation of the relevance of your anointing and assignment to invade the earth in a territory, Heaven is longing for you to take… Identify what those other mountains [of influence] are, because there’s an awful lot of proximity to Heaven, intimacy, revelation, anointing and relevance to the end-time move that us dispensers of oil aren’t authorized to go into; you are. We’re for the equipping of you for the work of the ministry...”