Moonrise

Moonrise 8x10

Eruption

Eruption 8x10 Sold

I have learned a lot about color after have visited Yellowstone.

By just observing nature , and her use of colors , I feel as though my work has improved.

I can tell you this , there are more ideas in Gods creation , than can any artist dream up !

Yellowstone Back Country

Yellowstone Back Country 8x10

Orchard in Bloom

Orchard in Bloom 8x10 Sold

It has been some time since I have posted, as I have been intensely working on my upcoming fall shows. This is a preview of a work to be featured this Oct. 19th at Meibohm Fine Arts show in East Aurora NY.

I will be posting more images from this show and my upcoming show at Planet Bronze in Bozeman MT this September 14th

Mammoth hot Springs 10x8 Sold

Twelve Mile Creek

Twelve Mile Creek 8x10 Oxford Gallery Sold

This is a marsh area just inland from the mouth of 12 mile creek on Lake Ontario.

One of my favorite places to hike.

Thunderhead

Thunderhead 16x20 Sold Meibohm Fine Arts

Unfortunately , I have many projects that will keep me away from the studio for a good part of this month and the next. As a result ,paintings will be few. I will however be posting existing works that are offered through various galleries.

Yellowstone Falls Study

Yellowstone Falls Study 8x10 Sold

Although I will not be out to Yellowstone until next month, I am already thinking about all the beautiful scenery that I will be able to soak in. A friend had some pictures of her visit to the park ,and brought them by. Out of these I was able to do this small study.
Even without having been out there first hand , I think I captured the spirit of the location.

Ontario Oak

Ontario Oak 8x6 oil on canvas panel Sold

Sometimes, just the nobility of a solitary tree, is reason enough for a painting.

California hills

California Hills 6x8 $650 Planet Bronze Art Gallery

The Zorn Pallette

The Zorn Palette 6x8

This was a fun study of a portion of a painting by Anders Zorn, an artist who I am really into lately. The colors I used were only Black, Vermilion,Yellow Ochre and white. It was quite the learning experience.

Lengthening Shadows

Lengthening Shadows 6x8

I love the California hills and countryside ,the rolling hills and Oak groves that are dotted in and around the hills, have a natural abstract underlying design. One does not need to look far to find great composition.
The painting is oil on a professional grade canvas panel by Raymar Art.

Canyon De Chelly

Canyon De Chelly 7x5
Still dark ,rainy and dull here, so I thought I would paint a southwestern image .It gave me a chance to use some livelier colors than I normally would.

Summit View

Summit View 5x7 It is snowing here again, so I was just looking through some more photos of the Carolina's and decided to paint a view from the summit of grandfather Mountain.

More Indulgence

Today I had classes most of the day,so I had some time in between. I have been considering starting to do sculpture as a diversion from painting. So today seemed like a good time to start.

Above are the results of my first attempt at sculpture. A couple of hours work and far from what I had intended,still a bit rough, I guess you can call it a sketch. I plan on getting a few more serious sessions in on this work before starting the mold work before casting in metal or pouring with composite materials.I will be posting updates as this work progresses. Tomorrow ,I paint

An Exercise In Indulgence

A Tribute To Bierstadt 8x10

Apparently I must still be celebrating the holiday as I had no serious ideas or inspiration this morning, but I knew I had to paint. So it seemed to me ,to be a good morning to be inspired by a master artist whom I really admire, Albert Bierstadt. Some art circles,to which I will not identify, frown on the practice of copying or imitating works of others or works of the past. They feel that your work should just come out of your own mind and that you should develop your own way. And to that end I see allot of students coming out of UNIVERSITIES....OOOPS!

I said that I wouldn't point fingers. ....I see a lot of students even with degrees that haven't a clue as how to paint. As a matter of fact , I strongly encourage my students to copy and learn from the past. That is how knowledge is gained. One learns from others past experiences and then builds on it. So on occasion , I will study a Master work just for the practice.

In this case, I spent a few hours this morning indulging in this painting. I made many changes from the original, I changed the format to horizontal, changed the lighting direction and did what I could to put some of myself in the painting.But as one can see... it is still strongly influenced By the Master. I make no apologies.

This one will go into my private collection.

Genesee River Study

Genesee River Study 7x5

This is the Genesee River as it flows thru a narrow channel , located in Letchworth State Park here in New York State.

Blue Ridge mountain View

Blue Ridge Mountain View 24x30 $3,000.00 Albright Knox Collectors Gallery

No small Gems this past few days, I have been gearing up for some larger commissioned works. Also the Albright Knox Art Galleries annual area artist entry is coming up in a few short weeks, so I will be getting together a couple of large works for that also.
I had a couple of works accepted into the collectors gallery last year and I feel that it is great exposure and important for an artist to keep their name out there in the public.


Happy Easter to all....Praise God ,the Lord is risen!

By The Old Stone Wall

By The Old Stone Wall 8x5

As the day grew long ,the skies cleared and it turned out to be a beautiful evening. That little voice inside me started to grow. Before I knew it, I had to get to the studio and paint! And as I have been into trees lately ,I did this study. I think the larger version will have a couple meeting at the wall.Still needs revisions in the composition

On Top Of Grandfather mountain

On Top of Grandfather Mountain 7x5 Sold

With the weather warming up here in Western NY, I can finally get outside more often. Smelling the spring air and soaking in some sun triggered in me a longing to get back down to the Carolinas and to get up into the mountains. My sister and her husband live down in Charlotte NC, and when I visit them I always try to find time to get up to Grandfather Mountain to spend a day hiking. While not the highest in the east ,it is considered the most rugged.
So I figured if I cant get there right now, I could at least paint it!

Spring Day in the Alabama Swamp

Spring Day in the Alabama Swamp 5x7 Sold

Finally the first warm spring day! I was driving through the Alabama swamps and took some pictures that will inspire some small studies ,before I attempt the larger version. This is study #1

18 Mile Creek Study

18 Mile Creek 5x7 Sold
This is a view of 18 Mile creek just before it empties into lake Ontario. It is a great spot in the summer and fall to go canoeing or kayaking. The fishing isnt so bad either!

Hummingbird vase

" Hummingbird Vase " 7x5 Sold

Last weekI spent the good part of the afternoon at the Antiques Barn, A co-op of venders set up in an old barn. I love antiques and I must have taken a hundred or more pictures. From these I will be choosing images to paint.I will be working this series of antiques for some time to come ,as the inspiration for ideas from my afternoon there seems endless. I also will be sneaking in the occasional landscape or figurative work ,Which I cannot resist the urge to paint when the right image comes along!

Getting Used To It

" In The Cupboard" 5x7 Sold

Today 5x7 does not feel so small. I forced myself to slow down and get more control over my brushstrokes. If I can get into the habit of this my overall painting technique should improve. actually ,painting small is a great way to improve your concentration.