Beautiful Music!

In my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful soundtracks. It was written by Danny Elfman. This music is very hard to come by. I had to post this!

Family Portrait!

I haven't had a lot of time for my artwork in the last month or so. The live nativity took a lot of my time. I am finishing up the painting that I posted awhile back. It is pretty close to being complete. I have a few more days of work to go into it.

After Christmas, when things slow down a bit, I'm hoping to get at my art again.

The Live Nativity is over for the year!

Here is a picture of some of the cast last night, at the end.

I will post more photos later.

Nativity Rehearsing!

Rehearsing the "stable" and shepherds scene.

Building props for the set.

We have one more rehearsal before the presentation this weekend.

For More info on the Nativity visit; http://www.livenativity2009.blogspot.com/

Donkey!

Each year for our Nativity we have borrowed a donkey from a lady who raises them up the road. This year Stephen bought one from her.

2009 Nativity Poster!

I just finished putting together this year's Live Nativity poster. This is it.
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One more canoe trip before the snow flies!

Last Sunday Stephen and I went canoeing in the Lemon Fair river.
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East Shoreham Railroad Covered Bridge.

Osprey nest.

Stephen
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Me

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It was a beautiful day.

Anime Studio Pro 6!

I just got Anime Studio Pro 6. I am anxious to do some animation when things get a little less busy. (Maybe this winter sometime.) I will post them when I get around to it. I have tested it briefly and am very excited about the possibilities that are available.

Ushers!

Stephen, Greg, and I were asked to be ushers in Greg Moore's wedding in Maine. He was married on the 31st.

Gallery Sign.

Greg and I made a new sign for our art gallery. I cut it out and Greg painted it. Now I will put a sealer on it and then install it in the front yard.

Farewell to another Bachelor!

Last Sunday we had a farewell party for our good friend Gregory Moore, who is getting married this weekend. It was a very enjoyable evening.

Gregory Moore

Volleyball

Roasting hot dogs.

The shrinking Bachelor's Club.

Singing "The Star Spangled Banner".

Camels Hump!

Yesterday a group of us guys hiked to the top of Camels Hump. It was a lot of fun. Here are a few photos of our excursion.

On the way up.

The trail was a little icy.

The summit, looking west.

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Looking North. The white peek is Mount Mansfield.

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Resting on the top.

Jonny enjoying the view.

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Looking south. (Myself on the left)

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Kurt and me watching Guthrie over the edge.

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Kurt, Guthrie, Me, and Jonny.

Guthrie, Me, Greg, and Jonny

Light Controller

We purchased a light controller for this year's Live Nativity. It should help out a lot. In previous years our light guy had to run around plugging and unplugging lights. This year should be much easier now that we can control everything from one location.

Family Portrait!

This is a custom painting I am working on for a gentlemen in Addison. The painting is of he and his wife with their six grandchildren.

Nativity Planning!

Last Sunday we had a meeting to discuss ideas for this year's presentation. It went well. Now everyone is busy getting costumes ready for their part in the performance and planning the technical end of things.

"Starring Brandon" Auction!

Last Saturday was the Auction for the "Stars" in Brandon.

Myself in front of the Brandon Town Hall Theatre. (Where the auction took place.)

These are the people who purchased my painting.

Mike Mayone and me. Mike is a very talented artist who has been very encouraging to me. To see some off Mike's work visit: http://www.mikemayone.com/

My painting "Star Barn", went for $3,100.00.Link; http://benjaminioccostudioprojects.blogspot.com/2009/05/finished-painting.html

Trip to the Creation Museum.

Greg did a painting of Noah's Ark (Link; http://gregoryioccostudios.blogspot.com/2009/09/noahs-ark-voyage-end.html ) a while back and decided to send a picture of it to the Creation Museum, offering it to them to use in any way they might choose. A little while later he was contacted by Doug Henderson, director of the art department at the Creation Museum, who was very impressed with Greg's work. He said that they might find a use for Greg's painting so Greg sent them a digital file of his piece. To make a long story short, he invited Greg and I to come out for a behind the scenes tour of the Museum. He told us to bring our portfolios with us. We had a wonderful trip and got a lot of encouragement with our art. It was very inspiring to see everything that goes into making the museum what it is and we got to meet a bunch of great brothers and sisters in Christ.

The picture below was taken by mom the night before we left on our trip.

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Pigs!

On Saturday we got pigs.

Now we have had pretty well every kind of farm animal. Cows, Horses, Sheep, Goats, Pigs, Chickens, Geese, Ducks, Turkeys, Rabbits, and Guineas.

Maine!

Last week we took a couple days off and went to Old Orchard Beach in Maine.

Sunrise.

Myself taking a video of the waves.

Family photo at Kennebunkport.

Stephen and I fishing at Kennebunkport.

It was a very pleasant trip.