Middle of the Woods

14 x 11 oil on canvas panel

For this one I went to Jakes Branch Park in Beachwood and went off the path into the woods.  I came upon a small clearing and was surrounded by pine trees that stood quietly there as the falling sun peeked through their branches.  It is peaceful and comforting in the middle of the woods, and when I need to be re-centered, this is where I go.  Enjoy! 

Important announcement coming soon...

Packing House

11 x 14 oil on canvas panel

This is my second plein air painting, started on site at Double Trouble State Park and then later completed in the studio.  This is the packing house nestled amidst the cranberry bogs.  It was a warm January day and the sun was melting away the ice.  The sky changed several times, but I decided to go with the clear blue which is how it was when I first got there.  Enjoy!

Cedar Creek at Double Trouble

11 x 14 oil on canvas panel

This is my first completed plein air work.  It was started on location at Double Trouble State Park and then finished in the studio from a reference photo.

Plein Air 1 & 2

On location at Double Trouble State Park.  We've been blessed with a very mild January here in NJ, which makes for great plein air opportunities.

Plein Air 2012

I took my art box and added some pieces and now I have a homemade pleinart easel. The last time I painted outside was when I was in the 5th grade. I plan on getting out there as much as possible in 2012.

Camp Hill at the Mount

16 x 20 oil on canvas

This is where my daughter Anna lives and works.  It's Camp Hill at the Mount, located in Wadhurst, England.

English Castle

16 x 20 oil on canvas

Thoreau

11 x 14 oil on canvas panel

Why Not?

A lady at the church asked me to paint a deer on an antique sled she is giving as a Christmas present. Hey, why not?

First Show

These old friends have been framed and will be appearing in my first show ever:  Small Works 2011 at LBI Foundation for the Arts and Sciences; Nov 4- Dec 19.

"Barnegat Wetlands"

 

16 x 20 oil on canvas

 

Please enjoy this video showing the stages of the painting "Barnegat Wetlands".

Shenandoah Valley

16 x 20 oil on canvas



#6 Geronimo- Apache

10 x 8 oil on canvas panel

I decided the best way to end this series was to paint the most infamous Native Amierican of all--Geronimo.  It is from a photograph Edward S. Curtis took in 1905, 4 years before Geronimo's death.  He was a ferocious Apache warrior who did all he could to fend off the encroaching settlement of land by outsiders.  Eventually, he succumed and surrendered.  Late in life he was reduced to travelling around to fairs making what he could off of his celebrity status.

Footbridge at Double Trouble

8 x 10 oil on canvas panel

Took a break from the Native American series to work out this little landscape.  Not far from where we live you'll find a serene place called Double Trouble State Park.  Deep inside the woods you'll come across this wonderful footbridge that makes its way over a gently flowing river.  The sound of the water and the glow of the sun will put you into a calm trance that will capture you and not let you leave the forest...ever.

#5 Eagle Elk-Ogalala (Sioux)

10 x 8 oil on canvas panel

Eagle Elk was a warrior and hunter from the Ogalala tribe, a division of the Sioux, originating from Bad River in the South Dakota region.  He was a cousin to Crazy Horse.

# 4 Apsaroke Mother

10 x 8 oil on canvas panel

Behind every great Native American there is a great Native American woman; and behind every great Native American woman is the next generation.  The Apsaroke tribe was a matrelinear culture whose generations were traced through the mother's side.  It was also traditional upon marriage for the man to move in with his wife and mother-in-law.  They were a northern plains tribe that eventually settled in the Montana region.

Assiniboin Man

10 x 8 oil on canvas panel

Here is the third painting in the series; a man whose name we do not know.  He was from the Assiniboin tribe that was located in Montana and southern parts of Canada.  This tribe was known for its hunting prowess and fur trading.

New Chest-Piegan (Blackfoot)

10 x 8 oil on canvas panel

This is my second painting in the series of Native Americans based on the photographs of Edward S. Curtis.  This striking figure had the interesting name of New Chest and was part of the Piegan Nation (Blackfoot) in the Montana region.

Three Eagles-Nez Perce

10 x 8 oil on canvas panel



I came across the awesome work of Edward S. Curtis who photographed thousands of Native Americans in the late 1800's and early 1900's.  He wanted to capture a vanishing race.  His work, I believe, stands as the best of his time in capturing the soul of the people who lived on this land for centuries. 

So this is the first in a series of paintings I'm doing to honor Curtis as well as the people he photographed.  It's an old Nez Perce cheif named Three Eagles.

The Barn

11 x 14 oil on canvas

This is the barn at my parents house in Virginia.  I painted it for my brother Marc who loves spending time there.

Mountain T.O.P.

11 x 14 oil on canvas

This is a scene from Mountain T.O.P. Ministries, located in the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee.  I painted it for my sister Sonja who ministers there on a regular basis.

Marc

16 x 20 oil on canvas

A painting of my brother for my parents.  He is sitting at the top of the hill looking down over their house in Virginia.

Geronimo

16 x 20 oil on canvas

Knowing their love for the Native American I painted this for my son Matt and his girlfriend Kirby.

A Mother's Embrace

11 x 14 oil on canvas

Recognizing her love for our children I painted this picture of Joan with our daughter Anna.

Psalm 8

11 x 14 oil on canvas

Imagining when David composed Psalm 8, I painted this for my daughter Anna.

Boo's Tree

11 x 14 oil on canvas

Inspired by To Kill a Mockingbird this was painted for my daughter Rebecca.

Future Flute

Papilio Polyxenes - Black Swallowtail

Had to post some of the Creator's artwork.  Saw these guys hanging on the parsely plants today.  In the very near future they will be beautiful Black Swallowtail butterflies.  Amazing!

Double Trouble Woods

11 x 14 oil on canvas

Finally got around to finishing this painting today. Had to take a long break from painting because of other activities. After some advice from Dean Thomas I changed the composition slightly, adding some curve to the path. I love the woods and the mysteries held within it. I want to go further down the path and disappear into embrace of the forest. Who knows what is to be found in there.