Mixing It Up

Piece number two for the small works group show.  Creating this painting made me realize how complicated the mixing of color is up close.  I had never really paid much attention to the very subtle gradients that form between colors on a palette not to mention how many little sparkly highlights exist in wet paint.

Pastel of Pastels

Pastel on board.  20 X 17.

Sometimes it's nice to change it up and paint something that isn't a variation on tan, peach, brown, beige or white as it often is when painting portraits.  Throwing some tissue on my drawing board with a few of the pastels I used to create this piece seemed the perfect remedy.  It all seemed so simple at first until I realized how much I had crumbled the tissue.  That just created a lot more detail work than I had anticipated.  No matter, I like a challenge and this one certainly provided that!

Image Distortion-Marbles Magnified

Pastel on board.  26 X 10.

For many months now I wanted to include a beautiful magnifying glass that belongs to my mom in one of my paintings.  I finally remembered to ask if I could borrow it.  I've always loved marbles; I am fascinated by what happens to the light as it passes through them.  What better opportunity to get a closer look at the flowing swirls, the little air bubbles, and the distortions?   

Retiring Judges Honored with Portraits

 

I had the honor (pun intended) to paint 3 retiring judges from St. Charles County this past year or so.  The portraits of Judge Lucy Rauch, Judge David Dalton, and Judge William Lohmeier were presented recently at a special luncheon recently and I was fortunate to be invited to attend.  I love painting these wonderful people who dedicate themselves to the service of our community.  I wish all three of them a happy and healthy retirement! 

Large Oil on Canvas Portrait

Part of what I love about the portrait portion of my work is the opportunity to work with my clients again when a child has siblings.  That was the case with this adorable young man, brother of a former portrait subject.  For this family in particular, I also get the opportunity to paint larger and I really enjoy that.  This is an oil on canvas measuring 48 X 30.  It had to be shipped which is also a task!  If you would like to see progress shots of this painting just click on the WORKS IN PROGRESS tab above. 

A win! Outstanding Pastel in Bold Brush Painting Competition

It never hurts to get a "thumbs up" for one's art, right?  The Bold Brush Painting Competition for September sponsored by FASO is the first national contest I have entered...ever.  And what do you know?  The painting "Sweet Escape"(above) was chosen in the category of "Outstanding Pastel" which made for a nice day.  Thanks, FASO.

Three Amigos

Finally, I had the opportunity to work on a still life piece that had been calling my name.  I'm still not completely settled on a title, but someone suggested "Three Amigos" and so far it's my favorite.  This oil on canvas painting measuring 30" X 24" will soon be available at Ober Anderson Gallery in Kirkwood, Missouri.  I invite you to come in and see it in person.  The live version has a different impact from the smaller online image.

Marbles

Marbles.  Aren't the shadows they cast fun?  I think so.  Pastel on Uart Pastel Board.  Roughly 18 X 10.  I'm on a roll...

Get to the Point!

How about a very large and colorful pastel painting?  This one is 36 X 24 unframed...though it is being framed as I type this.  Pastel on Uart Pastel Board.  Love that stuff.  Finally, a still life that isn't edible.

Office Party

Howdy!  Working feverishly on some still life paintings for the gallery.  This one is an oil on panel, 18 X 18.  I will never paint circles again.  Argh.

Still Life Commission

I wish this had been my idea but it wasn't.  It was my client's idea.  This is a commissioned memory still life.  It contains important objects from my client's life and family.  I LOVED painting this one!  20 X 20.  Oil on panel.

I've Gone to the Dogs!

Two recent and very large oil paintings for a client.  Each measured 43 inches wide!

Oil Painting of Boy

It's that time of the year when my studio stacks up with completed portraits.  This handsome little fella is one of the more recent and it has been delivered!  Oil on panel.  Roughly 16 X 20.  Now it's up to the framer to get the whole package together before Christmas.  One down, lots more to go!

I've been working! Paintings of baseball players

 

Sometimes you just get lucky.  I had the good fortune to be able to create these paintings for a baseball fan/collector overseas.  The project was large.  The paintings were large.  It took a lot of time.  That being said, it was one of my favorite projects of all time!  These are all oil on panel.

Above Top: "Odd Ball" Pastel, 24 X 18.
Above: "Captain Picard" Oil on panel. 14 X 18. I'm hoping to get Sir Patrick Stewart to sign this.

New Still Life-Zest Appeal

In advance of the grand opening of my gallery with Daven Anderson, I have been working on some still life paintings. I'm so used to working on commission and even with the gallery will continue to do that but I think I need some other paintings on the wall. This one is an oil on gallery wrapped canvas. It's large, measuring 24 X 24. Not sure what to call it yet. Maybe "Zest Appeal".

Spring

Some Spring work which included a historical portrait of Custer which I really enjoyed doing since I had to invent the colors. Fun! Some of these prints will eventually be available on my website.

Watercolor-A Step into the Unknown

A friend inspired me to try watercolor for the first time in decades (except for the occasional house portrait). Above are the results of two very large paintings. I didn't realize what I had been missing all these years. Watercolor is so freeing!

Yellow Lab in Oil

This oil on panel is my most recent dog portrait. This guy was sweet and handsome. I really enjoyed painting him. Lots of little brushes with little hairs to paint all the fur. FUN!

Triplets In Oil

The dogs above, oil on canvas (16 X 20), are all members of the same family. Rescued to a wonderful home, they are all adorable!