Along Castle Trail

Along Castle Trail (Badlands National Park Series), oil on canvas, 8 x 10"

A small light tonal piece depicting a very hot summer mid day in the Badlands. This rock formation along Castle Trail gave a very subtle surreal view from its soft pale yellow and pink hues in contrast to the bright sky.

On the Beach

On the Beach (South Carolina), oil on canvas board, 12 x 16"

A small tonal piece here. I composed the scene (Myrtle Beach State Park) to create a large expanse in a small picture plane. My two daughters are on the waters edge to give scale to the tonal banding created by the dry sand, wet sand, white waves, and ocean water, sky, and clouds. (Somewhat inspired by Edward Potthast.)

Straight Away

Straight Away (SCX Slot Cars) oil on canvas, 18 x 24"

OK, again a change in subject matter and rendering, though this is in my direct, brushy, painterly style. This painting developed from the urging of my brother who is the North America Sales/Tech Rep for SCX Slots Cars (a company based in Barcelona, Spain.) Visiting his Tech Workshop one day he gave me a few cars to create a scene of two digital slot cars racing on his track. So I composed this particular scene of a Peugeot 908 Le Mans holding off the Audi R8 digital car coming up from behind. This painting is a first of a series of SCX slot car scenes that I am creating and has stimulated an interest in commisions. (Contact me if interested.)

Garden Glory

Garden Glory - Homage to William Orbit, Pieces In A Modern Style, oil on canvas, 30 x 40"

Finally a post, as a change of pace occurred. A patron friend had seen a small 7 x 9" pastel piece I had done titled Garden Glory, which was a personal depiction of what may be considered the spiritual nature behind a backyard floral garden (one my wife had grown.) He enjoyed the piece and concept so much that he bought the pastel (it hadn't been for sale) and then commissioned me to transpose the pastel as an oil painting, 30 x 40".

Too Many Projects in the Mix

Have to many projects going on in the studio, hope to finish one to blog soon.

Rain and Dust Storm Over Prairie

Rain and Dust Storm over Prairie (Badlands National Park series) oil on canvas, 16 x 20"

I've been working on a special commission project which has limited my posts at this time, however I wanted to include another piece from my skyscape series of the Badlands. I was just south of Cedar Pass Lodge looking south west toward White River when this rain and dust storm kicked up.

Storm Overhead

Storm Overhead (Badlands National Park series) oil on canvas, 16 x 20"

Another piece from my skyscape series of the Badlands. This scene is looking west toward Conata Basin in the Badlands National Park, South Dakota.

Kilo/Echo Marine Nautical Flag Series

Kilo/Echo (Marine Nautical Flag Series) Veteran's Memorial Park, Avon Lake, Ohio. oil on canvas, 12 x 9"

Yes, another addition to my painting a day Marine Nautical Flag series. The light and sound still attracts me to these little flag moments. I backed up a few feet on this one.

Rain Storm Passing Through

Rain Storm Passing Through (Badlands National Park series) oil on canvas, 16 x 20"

Paramount Peak (The Pinnacles)

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Paramount Peak - The Pinnacles (Badlands National Park series) oil on canvas panel, 8 x 10"

This is a section of The Pinnacles along Loop Road in the Badlands National Park. It was a moment heading into the late afternoon, with a bright sky still holding out. (My son came into the studio and said it reminded him of the mountain at the beginning of the Paramount movies, so I titled it as that.)

The Pinnacles (Badlands National Park)

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The Pinnacles (Badlands National Park series) oil on canvas panel, 7 x 9"

Those that have traveled the Loop Road may recognize this particular scene. It is across from Ancient Hunters Overlook on the right side heading east. On the National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map (topographic map) this section of hills is called The Pinnacles. As you round the bend the scene comes up quickly - a momentary view of sage, prairie grass, and a section of the Pinnacles. For this aggressive daily painting I kept a section of road in for context.

Old Sentinel (Badlands National Park)

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Old Sentinel (Badlands National Park series) oil on canvas board, 9 x 12"

Continuing to work on daily paintings this was inspired by the Sage Creek series and my larger piece Bison, bison (Tatanka) I wanted to muscle it up a bit - let it go. I'm actually reversing my process being more energetic by simplifying the forms and colors.

Buffalo at Sage Creek I (Badlands National Park)

Buffalo at Sage Creek I (Badlands National Park series) oil on canvas panel, 7 x 9"

Another entry from my daily painting, working on my landscape series of the Badlands National Park, SD. Small pieces capturing the immediacy of the moment, similar to plein air.

Looking East off Old Northeast Road

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Looking East off Old Northeast Road (Badlands National Park), oil on canvas, 30 x 40"

Making preparations for the summer art festivals. Master watercolorist Terry Armstrong (my buddy) talked me into exhibiting on the festival circuit. I will be introducing new works in oil along with works from my Artist in Residency, Badlands National Park.

Hill 807 ( Badlands Series)

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Hill 807 (Badlands National Park series), watercolor on paper, 4 x 6"

Whew, I haven't posted in a while, I have been working on a small coffee table style book due out in early June. The little art book is selections from my artist in residency at the Badlands National Park in which this piece will be included. Meanwhile I'm back to the easel working on a number of new pieces for the summer exhibition schedule.

Oscar/November Marine Nautical Flag Series

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Oscar/November (Marine Nautical Flag Series) Veteran's Memorial Park, Avon Lake, oil on canvas board, 12 x 9"

Another addition to my "painting a day" Marine Nautical Flag series. While visiting Avon Lake (in-laws) I walk down to the Veteran's Memorial Park over looking Lake Erie. I enjoy hearing the flapping sounds of the nautical flags by the boat ramp. The sound reminds me of a number of films by Akira Kurosawa showing flags and banners waving with their snappy audible sound.

Alfa/Kilo Marine Nautical Flag Series

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Alfa/Kilo (Marine Nautical Flag Series) Veteran's Memorial Park, Avon Lake, oil on canvas board, 12 x 9"

Please see info below about my Marine Nautical Flag series.

Lima/Alfa Marine Nautical Flag Series

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Lima/Alfa (Marine Nautical Flag Series) Veteran's Memorial Park, Avon Lake. oil on canvas board, 12 x 9"

This is one from my "painting a day" Marine Nautical Flag series. While visiting Avon Lake (in-laws) I walk down to the Veteran's Memorial Park over looking Lake Erie. I enjoy hearing the flapping sounds of the nautical flags by the boat ramp. The sound reminds me of a number of films by Akira Kurosawa showing flags and banners waving with their snappy audible sound. (The banner scene in Seven Samurai is most memorable - credit to Ichiro Minawa, sound editor.) Am I painting the thought of sound?

Circle View Ranch

Circle View Ranch, watercolor on paper, 2 1/2 x 3 1/2"

When I'm out at the Badlands I stay at the Circle View Guest Ranch a great bed and breakfast lodge, run by Phil and Amy Kruse. One day I took a break from the hills of the Badlands and wandered about the ranch. This little plein air was looking South Southeast off the back porch. Though a frontal approach in my interpretation to the landscape (Frankenthalersque) one can make out the curve of the White River silt in the foreground, and the low rollings hills in the background. Very picturesque, I envision it as a 60 x 60" oil painting.

Split Pinnacle I

Split Pinnacle, watercolor on paper, 2 1/2 x 2 1/2"

Another of the Badlands series. West side of Loop Road there is a pinnacle that has begun to separate. In time the one section will break away completely. Every time I visit the Badlands I check it out. This is another daily painting I did en plein air.

contact me for purchase.

Along Loop Road

Along Loop Road, watercolor, 6 x 3"

From my daily en plein air Badlands series. On the right side you can see in the distance a split pinnacle. More on that above.

Email me if interested.

Petunias

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Petunias, oil on canvas board, 9 x 12"

Another painting a day. I had visited my in-laws near Cleveland and spotted this basket of Petunias in the driveway. The flowers, cast shadow, and contrasting light off the concrete was striking.

Yellow Mounds - Badlands National Park

Now for sale on Etsy.com
Yellow Mounds, watercolor, 4 x 6"

Back to my daily painting Badlands series. You can read more about it below. This is right off Loop Road, forms and colors just kept shifting.

Conch Shell

Conch Shell, oil on canvas board, 12 x 16"

Slight shift on subject matter. I really enjoy the daily painters especially Clayton and Keiser. I picked this object from some shells laying around my studio. As the painting is a little larger than some daily painters it also took an extra day to complete.

Open Window - Badlands National Park

Open Window, watercolor, 2 1/2 x 3", mat 8 x 10"

I was selected last year as Artist in Residence to interpret the Badlands National Park, SD in a contemporary style through drawings and paintings. These small plein air watercolor paintings exhibit my use of the lyrical line and selected hues interpreting the aging fluid forms of the Badlands National Park – a colorful banded landscape of buttes, canyons, towers and other wondrous natural forms.
The paintings are quite small and yet visually portray a vast and open space that I encountered. This scene was located off Old Northeast Road looking West. It was a very clear day, with a warm breeze moving across the dry grass (I can still hear the prairie grass and crunch under foot of the gravel.)

contact me for purchase.

Red Spire - Badlands National Park

Red Spire, watercolor, 5 1/2 x 8", mat 11 x 13 1/2"

This piece began a series of daily watercolor paintings I worked on last year as Artist in Residence in the Badlands National Park, South Dakota. I had pulled off of Badlands Loop Road set-up and en plein air captured this scene on a very hot and bright sunny day. A number of these works have been sold through exhibits and on ebay.

Symphony of Shadows (Beach Scene)

Symphony of Shadows, oil on canvas, 5 x 6 feet.

This past summer it was purchased and put on display at the 1000 Park Ave. Baking Co. Cafe, in The Village at Winona, Winona Lake, Indiana. The painting is a contemporary view done in a brushy, painterly manner, exposing the various hues that one can see in shaded areas of forms and in cast shadows. The scene is of my two daughters enjoying a hot sunny mid-day summer at the Myrtle Beach State Park, SC. (Currently I am reviewing requests for commissions and site-specific projects of such scenes, contact me for more info.)

Giclee prints are available, image size is 11 x 13", mat 16 x 18", email me if interested or go to my yessy.com art gallery.

I also have a limited number of MOO mini business cards of this painting from a terrific printing company in England. If you collect MOOs or would be interested in a free MOO minicard of this painting contact me. Each card is a separate section of the scene.

Turcan's the Student among Lilies

Turcan's the Student among Lilies, oil on canvas, 38 x 48".

Purchased and now on display at the 1000 Park Ave. Baking Co. Cafe, in The Village at Winona, Winona Lake, Indiana.

Giclee prints are available, image size is 10 x 8", mat 14 x 11", email if interested or go to my yessy.com art gallery.