Winter Blizzard Dec. 26, 2010

 We are having one crazy blizzard in Virginia! I didn't have much to say. I just wanted to share some photos of the storm with you. Happy Holidays!

Reindeer Christmas lights in the front yard.

This was taken around 10:00 a.m. Last night at sunset there wasn't any snow.

If is wasn't for the trees on both sides of the driveway, there would be no
evidence of a driveway at all.

This is the back yard. Since I took this photo at 10:00 a.m., it has snowed
another two inches and it's still coming down hard.

Making a list...

It's my favorite time of year again! I wanted to share a painting I did several years ago. I hope you enjoy this not-so-traditional rendering of Old St. Nick.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and have a Happy New Year!

Chip off the ol'block

My eight year old daughter painted this in her third grade art class. This proud daddy is quite impressed!

7 of 24 Autumn Rain

Here is the newest in a series of 24 paintings. This was an enjoyable study of warm and cool colors. It is for sale at my online store just in time for the holidays.

6 of 24–Summer marsh

6" X 8" acrylic on birch panel.
Summer Marsh

I finished this painting last night. I tried to complete another in an attempt to have three new paintings ready to have juried at a local gallery on Monday.
The first Monday of each month is the only day the gallery will jury local artist's work.
It's been several years since I've had work in a gallery. My 'real' job hasn't provided the opportunity until recently. Now that opportunity is knocking, I'm excited to get back into the show. Still, patience is something I need to practice. Another month will allow more time to complete new paintings and choices to have juried.
Feel free to leave comments. They are always appreciated.

Number 3, 4, and 5 paintings of 24

I wanted to try out impressionism, even leaning more towards abstract. It seems that once I get going I really have to concentrate on keeping loose or the detail will find its way onto the canvas. With each painting, more detail was introduced. Oh well, I still had a great time drinking coffee, listening to jazz and painting today. I learn something new with each painting I finish.

If you're interested in purchasing these paintings, send me a message. Thank you and enjoy!

This was the first one out of the three.
Desert Arch

I like how this one turned out but it wasn't as loose as I planned.
Desert Meadow

I enjoyed painting this one. It has more detail than planned but I guess
sometimes the brush has a mind of its own.
Desert River

A little about my studio

Here is my studio. I have Twitter on the computer
while I paint.

Tonight I've been preparing more panels for painting. Now that they are drying, I thought I'd share with you, my little studio. It's small, however it has a large window with plenty of natural light. As you can tell I love color. Every room in my house is filled with bold colors. I was worried the colored walls could effect the outcome of my paintings. Luckily, this hasn't been the case. Working in my blue studio is very relaxing, I find myself getting lost in my work and time.
I enjoy keeping my computer close by with iTunes pumping out a wide range of Jazz. It's not often I listen to Jazz but when I paint I completely lose myself in the rhythm of the music with the movement of the brush. It's all very therapeutic.
Most of my work over the past 15 years has been with watercolor and some acrylic on canvas. I will continue to work in both mediums.

Here are a few panels ready for Gesso.

Over the next several weeks I plan to expand my experience and learning by painting on panels. 24 6X8 inch panels to be exact. I decided to cut and build the panels myself.  Once the panels are built, I paint several layers of Gesso on the panels then sand them smooth. So far I've enjoyed this process and as I continue through the experience, I feel the panels will reveal many more lessons.
I'll post new paintings as I finish them so please stop by often.

number 2 of 24

Can anyone come up with a name for this painting?
All I can think of is Sunset Tire Swing.

I was attempting impressionism but I'm not sure if I'd call this impressionism or just stylistic. What do you think? Either way it's done and I believe I'm headed in the right direction. It's time to move on to the next.

First of 24 complete.

This barn is about a mile from where I live.
I take my own photos for reference. The cotton is in
full bloom and ready to be harvested.

I finally finished an acrylic painting–first one since my college days in '95.  Not my best work but considering it's been so long since I've messed with opaque paints, I'll consider it a success–with a few lessons learned.

I prepared several more panels, all similar size. I'm attempting to get away from traditional painting and move more into abstract works, or at the very least an impressionistic look. I thought it would be easy but I'm really having trouble letting go of my ways and allowing the brush to take over. Maybe the next one will be closer to my goal. Till then, I'd love to hear your comments and or suggestions.

P.S. Please drag over on the twitter Visitor window and let me know you've visited. Thank you!

Barn in Cotton Field. 6X8" acrylic on birch plywood.

This is a side view so you can see that I continue
the painting around the edge.

My Chair

This is my big red chair. My wife and I went out to buy two chairs to place around the fireplace. It will be nice to sit around the fireplace this winter. She got the black leather recliner and I got the red accent chair. Sounds a bit unfair but I am fine with that. It's very comfortable and my laptop fits perfectly on my lap while sitting there.

But this post really isn't about the chair but what's sitting on the chair. Twenty four pieces of quarter inch birch, cut approximately 6X8 inches. This is the start of a fairly large acrylic painting adventure. I have a lot a prep work before I can start painting so, enough for now. It's time to get in the shop to cut and attach the backings.

I'll keep posting as the progress continues.

Starving artist

I attended The Art Institute of Seattle from Spring 1993 to Spring 1995 graduating with an Associates of Applied Art.

One day I showed up to school financially unprepared–Ok, I was broke. Desperately hoping my depleted supplies would get me through the day. I only had a few tubes of paint, some brushes and a few other odds and ends. Unfortunately, the assignment for the day was to paint a portrait, start to finish (two hours) and it would require some type of canvas. A canvas, I didn't have.

With only change in my pocket I headed to the school store knowing I couldn't even afford a two dollar illustration board. Looking around the store completely stressed out with a looming deadline at hand, I glanced down toward the garbage can and saw a tattered cardboard box sitting on top of the trash. I asked the store clerk if I could have the box. He said yes and I was off and running back to the classroom.

Once back to the classroom, I grabbed an old western magazine in search for reference. With a bit of luck the magazine almost flipped open to a black and white picture of a cowboy.

I had an hour and a half left. I broke out two acrylic paint tubes, one black and one white, and two brushes. With time to spare and some stress to get me thinking out of the box, I came up with this painting on a tattered piece of 6" X 10" cardboard.  I got an A.

Cherry Blossoms

This is a large 2' X 2' acrylic painting of cherry blossoms on birch plywood. Sold.

Using birch as a canvas is a new venture for me. This painting was the first in what I hope to be many more to come.

I plan is to create several small paintings that will easily hang in an office cubical, adding a touch of class where many of us spend a large portion of our week.

Paintings will be between 5" X 7" and 8" X 10".

If you would like a custom painting to fit your space perfectly, please email your idea.

Sunflowers

This is an 11" X 14" watercolor on watercolor paper. Sold.

Beach scene set of three for sale $120

Here are three paintings I am selling as a set. Paintings are acrylic on canvas, each measuring 8" X 10".
Each are gallery wrapped and ready to be displayed. Selling the set for $120 shipping is free within the U. S. Please let me know if you have any questions.