A study of a peach on the table next to my paint box. Tried to bring this one back out of the shadows by working back into the wet paint.

Studio Peach
Oil on Panel - 5" x 7"
 

Buy Now

02-05-2023 - Chair Study

 

Finally had a few moments to myself.  Decided to do a quick study of a chair.  I loved how the back of the chair threw a warm reflected light under the window.  This was fun.  Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  Thanks for looking!

Oil on Panel - 6" x 8"

Buy Now

11-26-2022 - Mandarin and Bottles

 

Today's effort... I was cleaning up yesterday, and saw how the leaves had dried on this mandarin. Might not make sense, but we had an assignment in school where I had to draw a "hot" E... This one sort of embodied "fast" to me..I dug it! So it's shown here paired with some new bottles. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

As always, thanks for looking.

Oil on Cradled Panel - 6" x 6"

Available

 

Buy Now 

11-20-2022 -- Mushrooms

 

I've picked up mushrooms, a couple of times lately... Today I actually sat down to work while I watched the World Cup's opening game.  I had fun with these.  Can't say I saw much of the game, though I listened intently.

Looking forward to the game tomorrow!  With my schedule I don't know how many I'll get to take in.  I'm glad it's here and that the U.S. is in it again!  Until next time.. Thanks for looking!

Oil on panel - 5" x 7"

Available

Buy Now 

11-13-22 -- Wires

 

I've been thinking about painting this for a while now. Had a super early start this morning, so I finally had a chance to sit with it. Managed to finish as the sunrise began to pour in through the windows. It was a nice quiet moment.

This arrangement hit me as odd, almost a self portrait really. When I noticed it, I was struck by the fact that I never got around to hiding the wires. For a little back story, the tv was a purchase from Offer Up... At the time, I was so interested in making sure it worked, that I simply never got around to cleaning up! This was right after lock-down, so it's been a minute ha! Anyway, the more I looked, the more I liked the soft sweeping quality of the wires against the hard edged flat-pack furniture. I found it interesting how the big shapes broke up the picture plane I had in my mind. Even the shadows felt important, they repeated the forms and almost acted like a gentle echo. I've probably lost you by now... But I dig it! Hope you will too. Until next time, thanks for looking!

Oil on panel - 8" x 6"

 

Buy Now 

8-20-2022 -- Shower Head

 Oil on Panel - 8" x 6"

$100.00 - Available

Buy Now

8-14-22 - Stock - Mathiola incana

 

Saw this at the store the other day and it just called to me.  It's common name is Stock also known as Mathiola incana.  Seems to be a secondary player in floral arrangements, but it was fun to disappear into for a little while.

Stock - Matthiola incana
Oil on Panel - 7" x 5"
$100.00
 
Buy Now 

8-30-2021 - Bird Box

 

The start of something different. I went looking for somewhere to paint this morning. (I've really grown quite fond of my little quests.) Stopped at the grocery store and saw this little arrangement. The box sort of reminded me of a tour of sake a friend ordered at a Benihana. Random, but, I digress. Got a little lost in the main carnation for a minute. They get confusing! This felt like a good point to take a break. This is a little larger than my usual blog painting. It'll be interesting to see where it goes from here...

 

8" x 10" - Oil on Cradled Panel

Contact Me

8-12-21 - McHenry Dam

 

 

 

Today things started off a bit haphazardly. I headed out the wrong direction just to get through the traffic. (Everything around here is under construction.) Having been forced another direction, I ended up changing my intended spot and went to the dam. Turned out I forgot to transfer my panels back to my usual bag. So gouache it was for this morning! It turned out to be a nice morning. Couldn't have planned it better..

Below is a shot of my view. Taken after I had pretty much packed up... Thanks for looking! Have a great weekend!

McHenry Dam - 8-12-21

Gouache on Paper - 10.5" x 5.25"

Contact Me

 

7/22/2021 - Water Pump at Wright Woods

Thursday seems to be the day I get to get out lately. Wasn't sure where I was going, but I ended up at Wright Woods in Vernon Hills. This was a fun little study, I'm glad I painted it in oil. It gave me a chance to soften some edges and adjust some other little things that might not have worked out in gouache. I really enjoyed painting the bike rack too. The sun was in and out as I painted. The news this morning suggested it was overcast due, in part, to the fires out west. I'm not sure myself, but I do hope this finds you all safe and well.

Have a great weekend! As always thanks for looking.

Contact Me

07-01-2021 -- Wheeling Rock Plant

 

I think I had drawn this one up before the rain last week? Either way, it became completely overcast while I was working. Sounds strange, but I really just lost the idea. Yesterday was so nice, that I decided to try again around sunset.. There was a lot more warmth about the structure. This one really forced me to try some new things. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole process!

Gouache on paper - 7.25" x 10"

Contact me

While your here I had taken a process shot... always fun to see what happens afterwards. You can also see a little of my paint box too, I replaced the Cotman watercolor kit with gouache. It comes apart to make an extra mixing area too. I hadn't added any white yet in this shot, usually just use that at the end.

 

Thanks for looking.  Enjoy the long weekend!

07/01/2021 - Willow Stream

 

After a week of rain, I was able to get out for a little bit this morning. This is a view of Willow Stream Park, right by the house. The water level was higher than I expected, so I changed a little from my planned composition. This park gets a lot of foot traffic! I avoided too much conversation by just hanging out the side door of the minivan as I painted... It is such a wonderful day out. Maybe I'll be able to get out for a little later today or this weekend.

Hope you all enjoy the holiday weekend! As always, thanks for looking!

Gouache on Paper - 8" x 6"

Contact Me 

Huddle Study

Couldn't sleep. Was trying to organize my files... and look for inspiration. You never know when you'll find a gem you missed!

 

Anyways, stumbled on this quick sketch from a number of years ago. Was meant to be one of the main figure groups...

Click to Bid

Fun with Ma

Had a little paint left from this morning's open session. Managed to talk Ma into posing for a bit. Always great to spend some quality time! About one hour... Zorn Palette..

Oil on Panel - 8" x 6"

Click to bid

Bud Vase and Walnut with Rose

In keeping with my post vacation boot camp.  Another bud vase.  Haven't painted a walnut in years... They always remind me of little brains.  I swear the rose is just the slightest bit green too.  I guess that's what she meant when she said we kind of have white sprays available...

More soon.

Oil on Panel - 8" x 6"
Click to bid