"Ceramic and Red" - SOLD

As a general rule I never eat anything I paint (food items I mean). So, its kind of sad to paint these two garden tomatoes knowing I can never eat them.

I have posted some artists links below on the right. They are a few of the artists I know. I have taken workshops from Brad Slaugh, David Dornan, Paul Davis, and Doug Braithwaite. The Helper workshops are fantastic. John Erickson was my teacher in college and is probably my main influence. Zach Proctor, Lane Bennion, and Joseph Alleman are friends of whom I have also learned a great deal.

Anyway, check them out. They are worth your time.

Oh yeah, and sorry for not painting very much this week. We have been adjusting our schedules a bit and still working out the flow. Don't give up on me.

"Glass and Yellow" - SOLD

I wish I had painted this one a little bigger - fill up the board a little more. My scale has shrunk with use of these smaller boards. I catch myself painting too small and then reminding myself to paint larger. I guess that can be next weeks goal.

"Off The Line" - SOLD

I like this little honey bear. The bear is fun to paint. Go ahead-give it a try.

"Ceramic and Green" - SOLD

The thing I like about painting daily (or at least trying to) is that we can have a fresh start everyday. There are so many times where I will put on the final brush stroke and think why in the world did I use brown for my background.

"Cup and Onion" - SOLD

Well I kind of disappeared for a month and a half. We went through the process of remodeling and moving into a home. I've moved my studio to the basement of our home, and now I have to deal with the new lighting. I always have a hard time adjusting to new setups. Figuring out the lights usually takes me about two weeks. Right now, I'm wishing I had my old studio back. I'm sure things will work out. I'm happy to be swinging the brush again, yeehaw!

"August Vegetables"

"Untitled"

I'm back.

"Alta Trees" - SOLD

This one is done near my home. I have hiked around this area for years. There is nothing very significant about these three trees. Off to the left and right were dozens of other trees. What is fun about painting outdoors is not having to set up anything-everythings is ready to paint. I have not yet decided if I will go back into the studio next week. I guess we will see.

"The Pond"

This one may be a little harder to understand. I was looking down at a pond with the reflection of the bank in the water, and moss is floating in the pond. Painting outdoors certainly gives us a time limit. The colors around us change with each hour causing some funny shifts.

"Devils Creek"

I painted this one a little differently. First I blocked in all of the main colors, and then after I went and placed modifying colors on top of the thinner layer. I was careful not to put too much paint on and allowed for the thin layer to show through.

"Pleasantview Reservoir" - SOLD

This is my first landscape of the summer. The sun kept peeking in and out of the clouds which was a little bit of a challenge. I used a lot of paint and kept moving it around until I ended with this.

"Flower Print" - SOLD

I found this mug at the thrift shop. Best place to find inspiration. Strange. I am going to be out of town Monday thru Thursday. I will still be painting, but I will not post anything until I get back. I will probably post on eBay, just not my blog. I actually have a question... I think this painting is an 8"x6" not a 6"x8", right? Or is it the other way around? I have checked out gallery websites and most people list the height followed by the width. Does anybody know the rules or reasons for this? Anyway, I have changed all of my old posts to reflect this new rule.

"Temporary" - SOLD

I threw this pot in college. I actually loved ceramics. My sister majored in ceramics the same time I was in painting and drawing.

"Cracked" - SOLD

blah.

"Apples" - SOLD

I have a hard time naming paintings. Today I showed this painting to my 3-year-old son and asked him to title the piece. He said "apples". I know I lack a certain amound of creativity in titles, but often when I think of names for my work they tend to sound a little tacky, cheesy, or B-rated. So for now (while I do not have the money for a marketing department) I will just use my son.

"Tie Soup" - SOLD

When I set up this scene, I did not question its logic. However, I finished this painting and wondered why in the world someone would roll up a tie and put it in a bowl. I certainly never have. But maybe this painting will start a new trend. People all around the world will come home from the office, roll up their ties, and place them in available bowls. No questions asked. Next morning, get a new bowl, take out the tie, put it on, and pour their cereal.

"Gary's Gravy" - SOLD

"Three Containers"

"Flower in a Cup"

"Tomato Soup" - SOLD

My studio is about 5 miles from my house. After I paint for the day I put the painting on the floor on the passenger side and drive home. This is a really bad idea. I'll tell you why. I glanced at my painting as I was driving home and suddenly I heard screeching tires. I looked up, hit my breaks, and rammed into the back of an SUV. My little corrola turned into an accordion. Stupid, stupid me. Never look at your paintings in the car. Arrggg. Well enjoy the painting.