Thursday, May 30, 2013

Daily Painting - Still Life - Little Roses

Little Roses 5 in. x 7 in. Oil On Panel - SOLD

This is a round glass vase with a bunch of small roses. This was actually something that my wife had sitting out on our kitchen table (something that she does often to give me a little inspiration). I moved it up to my studio and put the vase on a darker table. I really like the light inside the vase. I hope that you enjoy the painting.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Daily Painting - Still Life - Iris In A Blue Vase

Iris In A Blue Vase 20 in. x 24 in. Oil On Panel


These are iris from my wife's garden. The bulbs were given to my wife years ago by a friend of hers. They are absolutely huge flowers. I was really attracted to the blue color of the vase with the white of the flowers and table cloth. I hope that you enjoy the painting!

Monday, May 13, 2013

Maggie



As a rule I only use my blog for my artwork, but last week we had to do one of the most heartbreaking things that we as humans do and I feel compelled to share some of my feelings about it.

Last Thursday (5/9/2013) we had to put to rest Maggie our border collie after 16 incredible years. My family is certainly not the first or the last to go through this but it is truly sad and painful. I cannot begin nor will I try to explain what an amazing athlete, friend, and absolute family member that she was. My wife and I were young parents and our kids were in elementary school when she came into our lives, and as she leaves us we are in middle-age and our kids are finishing college. What an amazing run! What an amazing blessing!

I struggled for days to find a bright side to this without success. But I can say this. Maggie confirmed for me as fact something that I had long believed: The greatest single accomplishment of humans as a specie was domesticating the dog. You can be pretty or ugly, rich or poor, generous or selfish, but no matter what you are or who you are your dog will love you completely and without condition. And that is worth more than almost anything.

For me my daughter summed up our feelings best on her FB page:

Today, after sixteen beautiful years we put this wonderful dog to rest. And while I am painfully sad I am even more grateful for the sixteen long years of loyalty, love and companionship she brought to our family. It has been said that, "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." And I have to say Maggie was a perfect depiction of that statement. So thank you for these wonderful sixteen years, Maggie. You were more than just a dog to me, you were a sibling and a friend. We grew up together and I couldn't fathom a better dog to grow up with. I could live another hundred and never find another dog as loving and loyal as you. I love you, Pretty Girl. Rest in Peace.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Daily Painting - Still Life - Shooting Skeet

Shooting Skeet 12 in. x 16 in. Oil On Panel - SOLD

This is a painting of two of my friends shooting skeet. We have some very remote property in north-central Tennessee that is perfect for outdoor activities like this. This day there was a large group of us out there shooting the clays. I thought that these two made for an interesting composition with the (still) wintery colors. I hope that you enjoy the painting!

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Daily Painting - Still Life - Pineapple And Mangoes

Pineapple And Mangoes 12 in. x 16 in. Oil On Panel


I had been wanting to do another larger painting in chiaroscuro where the objects are emerging from darkness and shadows. This composition is a pineapple with an inlaid wooden bowl and four mangoes. I had used mangoes in a smaller painting a week or so ago and I really liked the color of them. So this painting is about the shadows and light, and the overall greenish-brown tone in most of the painting. I hope that you enjoy it!