Walking Mammoth: America's Earliest Known Art

Experts in the field assumed it was fake but after passing through a barrage of tests University of Florida forensic scientists believe that the etched image of a walking mammoth carved into fossilized bone is America’s oldest known piece of artwork.

Walking Mammoth, Fossilized bone, 11,000 BCE

photo: National Geographic

Fossil hunter James Kennedy had the 15-inch fossil in a box under his sink for a few years before, when cleaning it up, he noticed an image carved into the bone. Some 13,000 years ago when gigantic beasts roamed what is now Florida a nomadic ice age hunter carved this image of a walking mammoth. What is remarkable is that no other such artifacts have been found. With this discovery no doubt some very old bones will garner a closer look.

 Movie Still, 10,000 BC, 2008

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Starting a New Painting

Sandpaper and Gesso: A Fresh Start

Sometimes gesso and sandpaper are the best solution for a stalled painting. I just prepared the ground to begin this painting with a fresh start. To help get me into a centered and holy painting attitude I Googled "Tibetan Sacred Painting" and on Oregon Art Beat I found this short inspiring video about Thangka Painter, Sanje Elliot.

Thangka Painter, Sanje Elliot

A Very Brief History of Tempra Painting

 Judgement Before Osiris, Tempera on Papyus, 1285 B.C.

Ever since I noticed the sweet $152.00 egg tempera set in the nice wood case in the Daniel Smith catalog I think I need it. I like to think that in a past life I was a medieval manuscript illuminator. 

 Primavera, Sandro Botticelle, Tempera on panel, 1482

Why start painting with a new medium at this point?

Russian Icon, Tempera on panel

Because I love the light clean quality of the medium of the medieval manuscript painters, early Renaissance painters, Russian icon painters, Egyptians and Pre-Raphaelites… and Andrew Wyeth.

 Crown of Flowers, Andrew Wyeth, Tempera on paper, 1973