New Originals
(and some projects in the works)
Here is Mary and her sister from July 15, 1902. This is her story.
Sixteen year old Mary hid her three month old sister beneath her coat while boarding the Orphan Train to Kansas on July 15, 1902. The orphanage had made it clear that infants and teenagers could not be placed together. Families wanted one or the other, not both. Mary was meant to travel alone, allow her sister to be sent elsewhere, and accept the separation. She refused. She took the baby from the nursery, tucked her under her coat, boarded the train, and hoped no one would notice.
For the first two hours, the baby did not make a sound. She slept, somehow quiet despite hunger and discomfort. Mary held her coat closed, felt the warmth pressed against her chest, and understood that if she was discovered, both of them would be sent back to New York and lose their chance entirely. The other orphans noticed. Whispers spread. Most suspected Mary was hiding her sister. None reported her. Orphans looked out for one another.
At the first stop in a small Kansas town, families gathered to choose children. Mary stepped down from the train with her coat clearly concealing something, her heart pounding. A farming couple approached and said they wanted a strong girl to help with housework. Mary agreed instantly, too fast. The woman hesitated, eyeing Mary’s heavy coat in the July heat, and asked why she was wearing it. Mary said she was cold, that she was unwell, anything but the truth.
A photographer documenting the orphan placements captured the moment Mary stepped off the train. Her coat visibly hid something. Her face showed fear of being discovered. Other children watched her closely, protective. The photograph reflects desperation, the extremes siblings went to in order to stay together, and a system that separated families because it was easier that way.
Then the baby cried. The woman heard it and demanded Mary open her coat. Mary refused and began backing toward the train. As the couple called for officials, an older man stepped forward. He was a widower named Thomas, childless, and he had been watching quietly. He understood immediately. “I’ll take them both,” he said. “The girl and the baby.” Mary broke down, asking if he truly meant it. Thomas told her he had lost his own family to fever and understood what it meant to face that loss.
Mary and her sister lived with Thomas for eight years. He treated them as daughters, not labor. When Mary turned twenty four, he gave her the farm. He told her she was the daughter he had lost and that the land was her home. Mary raised her sister, ensured she finished school, and lived on that farm for sixty three years.
Feel inspired by Mary’s courage? Share her story and remind others of the power of family and love!
This is a pencil drawing on Arches 300gsm watercolor paper
10" X 14" $150
This my pencil work on Arches 300 gsm watercolor paper of this iconic painting that has been copied and interpretated by many. countless artists over the years.
10" X 14" $200
Daniel In the Lion's Den
The story of Daniel and the lion's den (Daniel 6) teaches that,
through unwavering faith, integrity, and consistent prayer, one can trust in God's protection even in the most dangerous circumstances. Daniel's commitment to God over human laws, despite facing a death sentence, highlights the importance of staying true to one's convictions regardless of fear or pressure.
Key Lessons from Daniel and the Lion's Den:
Unwavering Faith and Trust: Even when facing death, Daniel did not stop praying, setting an example of trusting God over human fear.
Consistency in Prayer: Daniel maintained his routine of praying three times a day, showing that faith should be a constant, not just in times of crisis
.
Integrity and Courage: Despite conspiracies, Daniel refused to compromise his values, demonstrating the importance of standing up for what is right.
God's Power and Protection: God's intervention to shut the lions' mouths shows that He is greater than any earthly danger or authority.
Faithfulness Inspires Others: Daniel's salvation led King Darius to recognize and honor God, showing how integrity can positively influence others.
Application for Life:
Overcoming Peer Pressure: Like Daniel, we can refuse to break our moral or spiritual principles to conform to the crowd.
Dealing with Difficult Times: When facing personal "lion's dens" (hard times), this story encourages relying on prayer and trusting in God.
Working with Integrity: Daniel was honest and hardworking in his secular job, encouraging us to work diligently as if for God.
Original Watercolors available for sale
I saw this picture of an Indian street market and I just had to do my take on it. It is one of my favorites. It evokes, at least through my eyes, a mystery and etheral feel.
10" X 14" $150
all originals are painted with Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors on Arches 300 gsm or Baohong 300 gsm cold press paper
The famous flag raising on Iwo Jima occurred on February 23, 1945. Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 28th Regiment of the 5th Division raised the American flag atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima. A second, larger flag was raised later that same day, which was captured in Joe Rosenthal's iconic photograph
This is my take on it. First drawn in with pen and Carbon Black ink. I then overlayed watercolor. I purposely kept the main body in black and white in order to dramatize the colorized American flag.
10' X 14" $75
I saw this picture in a group of Vietnam images. It exemplifies the spirit of "No man left behind". It is my impressionistic take on this emotional portrayal of bravery in action.
9" X 12" $50
Same subject but first penned in with Carbon Black and then overlayed with a dilute mix of Payne's Grey watercolor. A larger version.
10" X 14" $50
Well, what can I say? This friendly little guy came up in my head after seeing a picture of a real mouse hanging onto a ledge. This was painted on YUPO paper using Kuretake granulating watercolor. You can have this rascal if you want.
8" X 10" $25
and here is Mr. Mouse's partner in crime, a cautious but hungry baby racoon. Same process was used as with the mouse.
8" X 10" $25
This is a picture of Dak To. It is surrounded by high, steep, forested mountains (up to 1,800 meters) and was known for dense canopy and, often, fog, making air support difficult. I thought by adding the Huey helicopters it would highlight the difficulty in rescuing the few survivors. This is my second original of Ashua Valley. I donated my first original to the survivor.
The worst fighting in Vietnam occurred across multiple intense locations, but key hotspots included the Central Highlands (like the Battles of Đak Tô and Ia Drang), the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) area (notably the siege of Khe Sanh), and urban centers during the 1968 Tet Offensive, especially the bloody Battle of Huế. These engagements were characterized by brutal, sustained combat, massive casualties, and fierce resistance, making regions like Quang Tri Province extremely deadly.
10" X 14" $75
Scott with his "one of a kind"
Scott recently wrote me: "Jim , Thank you for the beautiful abstract painting... the soldiers reaching for angels in the sky, the medivacs, the hueys, the cobra gunships. I was in the 101st Airborne. I truly cherish this painting"
Battle of A Shau (1966): North Vietnamese forces overran the U.S. Special Forces camp in March 1966.
Hamburger Hill (1969): Intense fighting occurred on Hill 937 in the Ap Bia Mountain region of the valley.
Scott told me that he was face to face with the NVA just 15 feet apart.
jamesday
watercolors
jamesday
watercolors
SOLD giclee prints available
French Lady
French women have a 'Je ne sais quoi' that's hard to resist. I don't know if all of this is true...but I thought I would share this from the website yourtango.com
1. They smile, even when they're grumpy
2. They live by the mantra: "Be pretty, feel pretty"
3. Their attitude is always glamorous
4. They're wildly independent
5. They're desperately romantic
6. They're always sexy
7. They have zero expectations
8. They're passionate
9. They're not hard to get, they just know their worth
10" X 14" 75