Recent Paintings

Here are a few of my recent pieces. Two of the pet portraits are commissions and the other two paintings I painted for my two friends (Cissy and Wendy). 

Emma

11" x 14"

Oil on Canvas

Commission

Dexter

8" x 10"

Gouache 

Commission

Sweetie

8" x 10"

Gouache

Christmas gift for Cissy

Jeff's Fish (Wendy's husband)

8" x 10"

Gouache

Christmas gift for Wendy

Acrylic Sketch

New Song
9" x 12"

Acrylic on Canvas Board

I'm experimenting with loosening up a bit. I've been looking at the work of Nicolai Fechin...very inspiring... On this one, I started with a toned background and began drawing with a dark mixture. Trying not to get too tight but sometimes I don't know when to stop. I think I'll leave this one as a sketch because I like the feel of it. Maybe I'll do a bigger painting later.
This is my daughter and she is getting ready to go off to college - "sing a new song". :-)

An excerpt from Robert Henri's Book - The Art Spirit

Harden Not Your Heart
Acrylic on Canvas

“The work of the art student is no light matter. Few have the courage and stamina to see it through. You have to make up your mind to be alone in many ways. We like sympathy and we like to be in company. It is easier than going it alone. But alone one gets acquainted with himself, grows up and on, not stopping with the crowd. It costs to do this. If you succeed somewhat you may have to pay for it as well as enjoy it all your life.”

― Robert Henri, The Art Spirit: Notes, Articles, Fragments of Letters and Talks to Students, Bearing on the Concept and Technique of Picture Making, the Study of Art

Garden Club

Garden Club

11" x 14"

Acrylic on Canvas Board

I couldn't resist painting this picture of these cute little elderly ladies. I can only imagine they're discussing what's blooming.

Jesus

Jesus

16" x 20"

oil on canvas

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
SaveSave

Sisters - Day 13

7" x 9"

Acrylic on canvas board

My family and I go to Destin, Florida every summer and have been doing so for over 20 years. This past summer I took this photo of these two little girls that looked like sisters. My kids and I watched as they were carefully walking out into the shallow water. It reminded me of when my two boys were little.