Vacation

My family and I had a great vacation on the North Shore in Minnesota. I took lots of reference photos of wildlife, waterfalls, boats and landscapes. I also painted some plein air. The weather was just beautiful. Much cooler than the 100 degree weather we have been having in Chicago. I wish I could have stayed longer.


I can't wait to paint some larger landscapes from my reference photos. Stay tuned.

Train Ride

14" x 11" acrylic on nature core paint board

I had fun painting this portrait for a friend of mine. It is painted on a Fredrix nature core paint board. The board consists of a blend of vegetable based and recycled components. Its a smooth canvas wrapped around 3/4 of an inch of a hard board and sandwiched with foam. Perfect for portrait work. I think I will paint on a board like this again in the future. I would recommend it.

Sisters

8"x10" acrylic on masonite

Here is a portrait commission I have just recently finished. Portraits are always a challenge, but I really do enjoy painting them. Sometimes a likeness can be achieved rather quickly and other times it seems to be a struggle to get there. This painting was a bit of both. In the end I am very happy with the finished piece. I hope the family will be happy with it too.

Daddy's Little Princess

18"x24" acrylic on canvas

close up of detail

This is a painting of my daughter doing what she loves to do best. Ride here little bike up and down the driveway. She is my little princess and that is what I love to call her. I am very pleased with the finished piece. I am looking forward to painting more people in the future.

Kings Camp Creek

10"x8" acrylic on masonite

I had fun camping with the family this weekend in our new old pop-up camper. This morning I did a small plein air painting of the creek at Kings Camp. It was fun to break in my new plein air easel and enjoy the wildlife around me.

Cattle Ranch

40"x30" acrylic on canvas

reference provided by "legends-of-the-west"

I have been very busy with this painting for the past few weeks. It is much larger than I am used to but it was fun and I learned a lot from it. Its one of those paintings that seem to never be finished. I always find something that needs to be adjusted. In the end I am very happy with the finished piece.

Cloudy Day

10"x8" acrylic on masonite

Last Sunday, my family and I went on a walk at Blackwell Forest Preserve. The weather was beautiful! It was in the 80's in March! I always try to bring along my camera for painting reference. These beautiful clouds were rolling in and I happened to get some good shots. This one had to be painted.

I have really been enjoying painting these landscapes. It is so much fun and peaceful, especially with classical music playing in the background. I am happy with the results of this painting. Maybe I will have to do a larger cloud painting in the future?

Evening Glow

28"x22" acrylic on canvas

photo reference provided by SalsolaStock DA

I was in the mood for painting a landscape. Had a lot of fun painting this one and I learned some new techniques. Overall I am happy with it.

Lady with a hat

11"x14" acrylic on masonite

photo reference provided by Lisa aka Fairiegoodmother

detail of face

I really enjoyed this one. People are always a challenge to paint and get a good likeness. One of the disadvantages to acrylics is that the paint often dries a darker color than when it is was originally painted in. This makes the portrait process even more challenging. Through trial and error I have been learning to mix my colors with more accuracy.

Banana's

7"x5" acrylic on masonite

Banana's painting demo

My booth at the Gallery Gala show

This was the first show that I have participated in that I have had my own booth space. It was also my first time painting in an art show. It was a lot of work, but also a great experience. I was a bit disappointed that I didn't sell more than a few paintings, however, the other artists seemed to be experiencing the same. It was fun to be in the show and I was proud of my work, even if it wasn't a huge success.