Wild Charlie Valinski
Wild Charlie Valinski and Ole' Number One - Acrylic on Canvas, 2014
First painting of the year, second in the "Uncle Charlie" series. Charlie was a racer in the 1920s and was killed while racing in 1929. My mother in law has a few Charlie stories, but mostly remembers how her father, Charlie's brother worshiped his memory. I'm doing this series as a memorial to him, for her and my own children. He deserves to have bit of history told about him.
Those of you that have been watching my style of digital illustration may not realize that I know how to paint... but I do.
Wild Charlie Valinski and the Nyikos Automobile Club Racing Team - Acrylic on Canvas, 2013
Charlie joined a number of other Polish/Hungarian immigrants in the 1920s as part of the automobile craze. He was a draw to local races throughout Indiana and neighboring states, with the monicker "Wild" tacked on before his name. He died on a banked turn after tangling for position with a fellow racer. The other guy walked away, but Charlie's lifeless body had to be carried off the track.
Wild Charlie Valinski and Ole' Number One - Pencil Sketch on Canvas
I block the painting in by drawing directly on the canvas. I then do a number of washes with acrylic to build up the deeper color.
These two paintings are for sale, and currently hanging in the Shenandoah Art Council Gallery in Winchester VA if you want to check them out.
Comments
I'm a bit blown away... When I was a kid (1950's) My mother sent me off one summer from Manhattan to stay with old friends of hers, Charlie and Mary Valinski in Rocky Hill New Jersey. Charlie's mother, who I remember as Momma Shahalla also had a house on the property. What is expraordinary here is that in the barn, under a tarpauline was a reacing car just as your painting depicts. We used to play in it and the story we were told by Charlie and Mary, was that Charlie used to race and was injured ending his career.
Coincidence aside, your picture and description are pretty incredible for me to find. I would appreciate hearing more if possible.
Thanks,
Ronald Howard Kelley