Still Life

I think it is best to paint from life as much as possible. Some purists insist on it but in my world I don't have the time and or resources to paint everything I want to paint from life. Consequently, as with most artists, I have to paint from photographs on occassion.

This painting is done from life however. I placed the related pieces on an old dish towel near a window to take advantage of the natural light. I really liked the way it turned out, the lighting, the texture of the peppers and onion and garlic skins was really fun to do. I felt like a real traditional artist while I painted it. I should do more. It was very satisfying. This painting is availabale at the gallery.

The Kannally House

A couple of years ago I was in Tucson, AZ for a show and to paint for a couple of days. It was January and cold here in Colorado. Unfortunately, the 10 days I spent in Tucson it never got above 45, with blustry cold winds and showers. I was glad to get back home. I did get a couple of pretty nice paintings done however and met some really nice people.

This painting is of the Kannally House in Oracle State Park in the Catalina Mountains near Tucson. It is a 9x12 oil painting I did on location one very cold morning. The morning sun was a welcome that day. While doing the painting, the State Park Ranger came out to see what I was up to. He invited me to come up to the house when I was finished for a tour.

It seems the Kannallys were a family of 5 siblings none of whom had any heirs of their own other than each other. As one would die, he/she would leave their interest in the place to the remaining sibs. When the last one died she left the place to the State of Arizona for a park. Originally the ranch was some 40,000 acres. By the time it was left for the State it consisted of 4,000 which comprises the Oracle State Park.

The architecture of the house was quite facinating. It is of a Mediteranian/Moorish style, built into the side of a hill to take advantage of the cooling effect. To help ventilate the place, the rooms were all built around a "cooling" tower which drafted the hot air out and the cool air in. This tower can be seen in the center of the painting next to the tree in the courtyard. Neat place. This painting has sold. Thank you.

Fall in Colorado

This is a 10x12 plein air painting I did last September. Fall is one of the most scenic times of the year in Colorado. Generally the last Sunday in September is called "Color Sunday" and is when people go for their "Sunday Drive" to view the magnificent colors on display. This painting has sold at auction.

South Mineral Creek

This 9x12 plein air painting was done last summer on location from our campsite on South Mineral Creek, near Silveerton, Colorado. The area is a favorite both for it's scenic value as well as the fishing. Just upstream to my rear about 1/2 mile is a series of waterfalls that are very picturesque, cascading into clear pools at their foot. This particular morning the vista was enshrouded with low clouds (fog). When it lifted it revealed this sccene. This painting sold at auction.

Evening on Rock Creek

This is a little 5x7 oil painting on a linen panel I did in 2006. After spending the day painting with a couple of artist friends we were leaving the area and I noticed the late afternoon light was very appealing. I stopped long enough to capture it in this little study which I used for a larger studio piece which has subsequently sold. I am now offering the study at auction. This painting has sold.

Monday on the Crystal

Spent a few days on the Crystal River. As some of you know, I like to fish and paint. Sometimes I do more of one than the other and the secret is to find a good balance between the two loves. Of course I make a living with the brush and not the rod so I have to keep that in mind. I rationalize the fishing however by reminding myself that I have to eat too. This is a 14 x11 oil of a fly fisherman on the Crystal River. It is a redo of an earlier version and I think this one turned out a lot better. Hope you like it.

The Stars of Sturgis

A couple of weeks ago we rode the Harley to Sturgis. For those of you who don't know, Sturgis, SD is home to the largest motorcycle rally in the US...maybe the world. I don't know. The numbers just released by the officials of the rally said there were something around 400,000 motorcycles crossed their counter into the little town of Sturgis between Aug 9th and the 15th. That's alot of people on two wheels. We were actually there the week before the official start of the rally and there were still thousands of bikes in the area who, like us, came early to avoid the congestion of the next week.

Riding the Black Hills was absolutely awesome and we obviously weren't the only ones to think so as there were hundreds if not thousands of other bikers on the road with us. I just can't imagine what it would be like to be there the next week during the official dates of the rally.

If you are a people watcher like me, this was the place to be. I got alot of great photos of the characters who showed up and will be using them to paint from and start another series of paintings called the "Stars of Sturgis". Main Street in Sturgis is the place to see and be seen and there were lots of "characters" who wanted to be seen. My only regret is that I didn't stay longer to take advantage of the opportunity. There is always next year and you can bet I'll be there again.

This painting, a 18x10 oil, the first one of the series and appropriately titled , "Mr. Sturgis" is of a guy who was sitting on a bench on Main Street watching the people walk and ride by. He must've been in his late sixties or early seventies. His beard really was that long and his eye brows were very bushy. I'm surprised he could even see out of them. His arms were heavily tattooed and he looked like he belonged there and would be a great choice to start the series of paintings with.