Late Summer Lunch











This piece is 2' x 4' on a 2" pine cradled panel. The surface was prepped with Gesso and a drywall knife to make an interesting surface. Then I took it outside where I drew and painted it right from my garden. The little Yellow Finch was feeding while I was painting and he kept making the flowers bob around. The longer I painted the more he came to feed and I finally decided that he had to be included in the painting. My first bird and likely not to be my last as I quite liked his presence in this very active composition. Ultimately, he provided a much needed focal point for this piece.

Sometimes it is hard to let a piece go when I know I may not ever see it again. Fortunately, this one went home with some of my favorite collectors, my parents. Thank you Mom & Dad!

When bigger is better...

After 7 years on my old easel, it was time for an upgrade. I had stripped out all of the threaded adjustments on the old one and felt my knees and back deserved something a little more ergonomic. Here she is, I named her Maude. The piece that I am working on in the photo is seven feet wide and Maude holds it with ease. I can raise and lower my work with just two fingers using the marine winch on the back. Maude can hold pieces up to 10' tall and 200#. She has a double masthead for small works so that I can work on a diptych or series in unison. Made in Kimberly, Wisconsin by the Richeson family, she is built to last a lifetime. I look forward to spending many years with Maude!

Nothing beats making your kids proud!




















When they're 4 and 6 it's pretty easy. This past week I completed a project for each of their schools. A permanent mural of a "Music Tree" at Milan Children's Preschool and a snowman at Paddock Elementary (illustrating what he does at night when you are sleeping) per the children's book Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner.

A series of small poppies and an art center....

Yes, I have been painting this month! A series of smaller poppy pieces with a larger work in mind. This one is my favorite and has already found a home! Also, I have a hand in bringing an art center to life in my small town of Milan, MI. One of the flip sides to these hard economic times are that people have slowed down a bit. They have time, space and materials to share. A handful of local artists and community folks are making this all happen. To check out the progress on this project go to Milan Art Center.

"Sunseekers of Torch Lake" Installed
I love to see my work in installed. It's not always possible, but it certainly closes a visual loop for me. What a great spot for this piece. As you can see, even on a cold winter's day, the Torch Lake blue is amazing here.

"Sunseekers of Torch Lake" 2' x 6' on Panel - Finished Piece







This piece was a great way to end my painting year! I love the composition, the scale and the feeling of painting on the specially prepped surface (Gesso on recycled panel). All made it fun to paint. Monday it is heading "Up North" as we say in Michigan. There, it will have it's very own view of Torch Lake at the home of a good friend and collector! I have a few smaller pieces in process now, but look to work on this wide horizontal format again.

Sunseekers of Torch Lake 12-14-09








Here is the painting as it has progressed from my 12-6-09 post. This is after 3 - 4 layers of paint. I am really liking the monumental scale of this piece at 6 feet wide and 2 feet tall. These next few layers are where all of the sparkle and fun are added as I play with the surfaces adding more light and shadow.

Sunflowers for Torch Lake - 2' x 6'

Here is a picture after the first wash-in which is where I cover all of the white with an "underpainting" of pigment. To enhance the depth and luminosity of an oil painting, the old masters worked in layers from dark to light. Light tones and bright highlights being added in the final stages. The one exception that I have found is yellow. Most of the yellows are extremely transparent. So the yellows in the petals are more in the mid-range with shadows and highlights both being added in subsequent layers. This piece will be painted entirely with brushes. I am using M. Grahams oil paint and Walnut oil medium to move the paint. If you are a painter, Graham's products are solvent free and non-toxic as long as you do not eat them ;) It usually takes 3 - 6 layers in various parts of the subject to get the final expression that suits me. Any suggestions for names out there? "Sunseekers of Torch Lake" is rolling around in my head.

This past couple of weeks, I have been busy painting my studio and contiguous living spaces in our home. This piece has been on my mind all the while. It is 2' tall by 6' wide and is destined to be hung with a view of Torch Lake. I couldn’t wish a better place for it!

Seekers of the Sun, 3' x 4'

This piece was recently installed in the sun room of a home that is filled with wonderful original art. The couple found me at the Great Lakes Art Fair in Novi where I had just begun to my layout and had gotten as far as an initial wash of color.

After visiting their home, I was able to really make this painting work for them. I used a palette knife to apply the paint so that all of the little facets of the paint surface catch your eye as you walk by the sun room which is seen from a good portion of their home. You can even see it from the front entry. My photo doesn't do it justice as their home and the piece are much more stunning in person!