New Mexico Chili Peppers 60'' by 72'' copyright 2010 by Dave Putnam

Martha and I go to New Mexico once or twice a year. Over the past 16 years I have never had the courage to eat the really hot chili peppers, but on our last visit I dug down deep and found a well of courage. Tapping this unexpected source of bravery, I ate a lunch rich in hot peppers. The memory of that lunch was permanently seared into my consciousness and as soon as I got back to California I got out a gigantic canvas and expressed myself. This painting is good for people whose doctors have ordered a bland diet but they yearn for something spicy. Looking at it while you eat will make the food seem spicier than it really is. Your stomach will enjoy the mild food but your brain will think its getting something hot. As I've said so many times, good abstract expressionist art can deliver practical everyday benefits beyond mere aesthetics.

Islands Produce Dogs and Lava

To the left is Hawaiian Volcano copyright 2010 by Dave Putnam. The combination of lava and sea water makes for an explosive subject matter. This is a reminder that the ring of fire around the Pacific has been picking up steam lately.
Below is Savanna copyright 2010 by Martha Putnam. This is an island dog who evolved in the Caribbean. But all wild island dogs end up looking alike as nature takes away the artificial look stamped on dogs by man and returns them to their roots.

Martha & Dave Party On

To the left we have Celebration copyright 2010 by Dave Putnam. Here I am trying to show hardcore partying, the greatest celebration ever. Below we have Brindle at 13 copyright 2010 by Martha Putnam. This shows our American Bulldog on her 13th birthday. It is easy to see the joy the dog feels at attaining this ripe old age. The hopeful look in her eyes indicates she is calculating the odds she will live another 3 or 4 years. Or maybe she is eyeing her birthday cake, which is made of fresh meat. Brindle's birthday was the greatest party she ever attended.

Dave and Martha Tackle Urban Youth

To the left we have Bulldog Puppy copyright 2010 by Martha Putnam. The aggressive and ill mannered puppy has the aura of a young gangbanger with his ears resembling a doo-rag and the set of his jaw looking as though he is spoiling for a fight. You can practically hear his youthful growl.
Below we have Graffiti copyright 2010 by Dave Putnam. This is my view of street life in urban America. Youth culture rules the inner city. There is a lot of crime and chaos but it is also teeming with vital life force as is a boisterous if ill mannered bulldog puppy.

A Gathering Storm Worries Dave and Martha

To the left we have Ice Crystal copyright 2010 by Dave Putnam. On a frigid mountain pass bare earth and rock are being covered by the first dustings of a snowstorm that will soon grow into a raging blizzard.
Below we have Rosie copyright 2010 by Martha Putnam. The collie eyes the gathering storm, worried not only about the effect it will have on her flock but also the protection afforded to wolves that will come prowling under the cover of heavy weather. However, her cocky grin tells us she isn't overly concerned and is likely to send the canine marauders packing.

Moose Definitely copyright 1996 by Dave Putnam

I got some blowback from my claim that the sculpture called Scarelion actually scares real mountain lions. Seems folks think I am exaggerating the effect my sculptures have on wild animals. Here is proof I am not. This sculpture is a lifesize steel and concrete moose designed to attract female deer for wildlife viewing. As you can see the does come flocking to the sculpture in droves. I also make sculptures of giant ants that are designed to scare away spiders. This stuff works.

Scarelion larger than lifesize copyright 2009 by Dave Putnam

Made of wood and stainless steel wire, this sculpture is supposed to function like a scarecrow; except rather than scaring crows it is supposed to scare mountain lions. And in fact mountain lions are terrified of it. They literally soil themselves when they turn the corner in our driveway and come across this formidable and super scary piece of art. The mountain lions think they are seeing an African lion and they know this a matchup they cannot win, so they turn tail and run (cowards). Once again we see that art can be both practical as well as decorative.