I've really been turning on the juice in my paintings the past couple of Months.  Painting thicker and yummier than ever.   I hope you enjoy the freshness of the color and intensity that is possible with this approach.   It is definitely more exciting to paint this way as an artist.   

July 24th  Here are a couple more small ones I did for my trip to Virginia where Colter and I will be photographing the pony swim painted below.

12x16 Early light

9x12 Heavenly Light

July 19th I'm gearing up of a photo event in Virginia - the Chincoteague Pony Swim and have done some different studies, so I might anticipate what I want to paint when I get there with my camera next week.  

June 30th - I'm preparing for a show in Myrtle Beach SC next week and have completed a few smaller images (below) for the event.

DESERT THUNDER - 12x16  One of my favorite subjects because of their beautiful form and grace.... and if you ever stood in front of them as they were running towards you, you would marvel at the noise!

Romantic Moonlight  - 9x12  I've sketched this scene a hundred times on the back of canvases at signing events, and every time I think, "I need to paint this"... well I'm excited to have a satisfactory study and can't wait to do a larger painting for publishing in the future.

BEACH HIDEAWAY  -  12x16   I love to paint moonlight, and was inspired early on in my career by Dalhart Windberg who painted scenes like this in his day.   Thanks Mr Windberg for opening up "art" for me as a profession. 

Warmth on a Cold Day  - 12x16 - a study in which I experimented with warm and cool colors.  I was trying to focus on the sunlight glare and intensity. 

June -- After attending an amazing show in Gatlinburg, I just had to come home and paint a scene that I have had sketched out for quite a while.   So many friends and customers have been wanting me to paint something like this... a peaceful retreat.   I saw a sky like this while I was fishing one evening with Colter.  the sun had already gone down, but there was enough of a glow to cast some light on the clouds in front of the rising full moon, so they appeared three dimensional, rather than just backlit by the moon.  

I spent more time that usual adding little touches and details that go beyond your first glance at this painting.  There are hidden creatures everywhere, as the moon's lesser light keeps them feeling safe.   Leaves flicker and the ripples shimmer in what has become one of my most popular images

May 15th  --  Below is a new painting I'm starting called "Jewel of the Rockies" (50x60).   It is a commission for the Wurt Hotel in Jackson WY, and will be hanging in their lobby.     This first stage directly below  is is in acrylic paints and was done in about 3 hours.   I will make some adjustments today and then proceed with Oil paint in the steps below this first pic.   

April 2010

I'm after a very contrasty "eye catching" look from across the room, because this painting will hopefully be in the CM Russel "Masters in Miniature" show this fall.  The dark brown frame and dark subject will pop against the blues of the cold light I am seeing in my mind.

Nice Coat

Lift Off  11x14 - after "landing" the Turkey Federation deal, I'm after a Ducks Unlimited spot as well!!!  keeping my fingers crossed... 

Miss Texas  20x24 ... I have another day or two to spend on this Central Texas winner. 

March 2010

Stage one of a 30x40 painting I'm working on for a show at the JR Mooney Gallery in Boerned TX (April24)

English village 11x14

English Countryside II  11x14

I'm almost finished with Peaceful Evening... I have high hopes for this painting.  It is fun when you start out with a great subject... captured beautifully by a professional photographer.  Thanks Stephen Lau.

This is my first long day on this sunset painting.  I am going for DYNOMITE !   I want something that grabs folks from across the street ... not just  across the room.   I began this morning by blocking it in with acrylic paints... this way I could push the color levels without worrying about getting things too "stirred up" and muddy if I had to correct.   Now I am beginning to put down some thick lose oil paint in the sky. 

February 2010

Jerimiah  10x8

Below are a couple of small study paintings that my wife snatched up - excited to see this delicious paint.... (rooster and pigs-- delicious in the paint... not necessarily in the ham and chicken) 

three little pigs  11x14

  Rooster  11x14

Evening in Paris   9x12

In the Sun (Venice)  11x14

A Perfect Day 9x12

sledding  9x12

Pigs in the Garden  9x12

Passing too Close   6x8

Aware of what is coming  6x8

January 2010 :

In my quest for "more juice!" in my paintings... more bravado!  More yummy!   I felt I needed to paint another while I was on a role.  I want something looser than I attained in Beach Bums...  So I started a little portrait below:  Kaely!

Here I have established lights, darks, color key, on top of a fairly dynamic under painting wash of green, yellow orange and brown.    I can tell already I want to noodle this to death!   Hold me back!  Hide my little brushes!

much more establishing of shape and form.    I didn't allow my self enough time to paint this painting, so I will be doing some wet on dry paint to get the "juice" flowing again today.

a new day... big piles of paint and a medim brush... not small ones at all.   If I think I need a small brush, I'm  looking too close

I've "expressed" or "interpretted" what I see in the photo with large strokes and soft edges.  I'm almost finished.   I want to zero in on the chicken  and work of a few edges.  Hope I don't lose it

I love painting this way!   I hope you aren't too nervous about that idea.  To accomplish the same look and yet have all the yummy paint makes a painting .... well....  a painting!