Category Archives: oil 2021

The New Horizon

12×12 oil on canvas

2021 has come to a close with this last plein air study. Here I now stand, after following the rules of classical form for five years of painting, at the precipice of knowing that what lies ahead is toward the abstract. In order to avoid painting another ho-hum landscape, albeit ones with sound harmony and sensibilities, I’ve realized, from recent in-depth studies of the principles of Cezanne, that true art comes from the corruption and violation of nature. One is otherwise making a replica or a copy of her. The picture is the thing. It is its own thing. A two dimensional thing that must be created in its own right. I’m setting out. Wish me luck.

4240

11×14 oil on canvas – private collection

This is, most likely, my last signed painting of 2021. A little 11×14 house commission. Next year, I intend to turn a corner, instilling some new painting direction into my work. Stay tuned and Happy New Year!

Howard

20×24 oil on wrap canvas – private collection

Occasionally, I accept commissions, some random image strikes me, and I accept instantly. This was the case with “Howard.” This is, most likely, my last painting of 2021. A year in which I signed 45 paintings, with a goal to paint and sign 52. I fell short, but oh what a year it has been. My world changed a bit for the better when I acquired a new downtown studio in early March of this year. That north light has served me well. Mark my words here, 2022 is going to be a fantastic year of painting. As Cezanne is quoted to have said “with an apple, I will astonish Paris.” Stay tuned!

The Golden Gate

20×24 oil on gallery wrap canvas

I lived in California for five years in the early 90’s. As a school age kid, I was a California dreamer. Volkswagen beetles and flower power seemed very alluring to me. The entire west did. I eventually discovered it all and, the west and its beauty became my inspiration to paint. The Golden Gate Bridge represented the entire promise of what the west had to offer. Today, it is a vastly different cultural and political climate but, the beauty remains. This painting will most assuredly find a home.

Air Show

11×14 oil paint on canvas

I started this air show painting last week, from a reference photo of a Colorado friend who attended the show earlier this month. Though the scale was a bit daunting at only 11×14, I finally got around to finishing.

Racoon River in Water Works

12×16 oil on aluminum panel

This is the result of a two-hour plein air excursion in Des Moines. Though it is not finished, I am hesitant to paint on it again to guard against altering its freshness.

128 Corn

4 Replies

12×12 oil on wood – private collection

I have just a few adjustments to make, and then I’ll sign this one. Edit: you are now looking at the updated and final version. Thx!

R16 and 270th. Dallas County Sunrise.

20×24 oil on gallery wrap canvas

I’ve been driving around the surrounding farmlands this summer and fall, taking photos of future paintings. I just got around to facing, and finishing this one, after starting it a month ago, and being intimidated by the light in it.

12 Sheep

24×36 oil on cradled wood panel

It’s rewarding to knock off a small painting of, say, 12×16 but, I’d like to increase my production of larger paintings such as this one. This is still a work in progress and I’ll only fix a few small details.

Flock B

12×16 oil on birch panel

Farm life subject matter is something not to be overlooked in Iowa. In fact, it’s a challenge not to consider when looking for striking compositions here in the prairie.

South of Odebolt

1 Reply

10×20 oil on panel

Took a nice trip to Odebolt, Iowa to see some farming friends, play some golf, do some grilling, with a side trip to Boyer. Breaking trail with that one.

Dallas Country Grain

1 Reply

12×16 oil on wood- private collection

To quote, and borrow a phrase from baseball, “I’m seeing the ball really well right now,” I’ve got 10,000 hours invested in getting to where I can execute this sky and palette. If you go out early in the morning and look, meditate, on the color in the atmosphere, you will soon see that, starting at the horizon, all six colors (the three primary, the three secondary) are there. Follow me: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet. From bottom to top. So fun to paint. Enjoy.

East of Adel

1 Reply

12×12 oil on cradled wood – sold

I am beginning to drive around the state of Iowa more often, scouting for those special places that may be painted in the early or late light of day. This was a barn just east of Adel, Iowa that I found interesting enough to sketch out. The light, however, is the thing I am after.

“F¥CK, Turn Around.” More appropriately, “Proceed with Caution.”

12×12 oil on wood panel

Trying to build a remuda of skies. This is a rather precarious one we often see here in Iowa.

Iowa Fields

24×24 oil on canvas

The fields of Iowa have been in the news as of late. For us Iowans, we live, every day, with the idea that, if you build it, they will come.

Gray’s Lake Plein Air sketch

12×12 oil on wood

This year, in many ways, is a moving year. One major change in my orbit is to get outside and paint more plein air. Here is a little one hour sketch, in order to begin to stretch the plein air muscles.

River Walk Center Street

9×12 oil paint on wood – SOLD

Three night paint out in Des Moines, in association with Mainframe Studios, Salmagundi, and the Polk County Conservation, began at the Lauridsen Skate Park downtown. This was my Friday night entry.

Mr. Randy Newman

12×12 oil on panel – SOLD

I was asked to paint a portrait of this guy as a gift and, could only find a few photos where he is looking at the camera. I settled on this one, which was black and white so, I had to invent the color palette. Happy with results.

Lost Creek

9×12 oil on canvas – private collection

I’ve lived in the State of Colorado twice in my lifetime. Loveland Co. for one year in 1975, before returning to Iowa to attend University. (ISU.) Then again for six years throughout the late 1980’s in Colorado Springs Co. I knew the state well and, often miss the open range feel of the West.

Morning Walk revisited

5 Replies

24×24 oil on wood

I painted this very view only a week ago at 12×12. Here is a larger version. I enjoyed the sky and clouds from this vantage point during an early morning rain shower skirting by to the east.

Morning walk

12×12 oil on wood

This is a work in progress of the walking bridge that spans Grays’ Lake in Des Moines, Iowa. Currently tacking up a bit so I can add the rest of the bridge structure and railing. Stay tuned for final.

Iowa Summer Storm

12×12 oil on canvas

Clouds have inspired me lately and, there is every color in the sky. Ultramarine, Cerulean, Viridian, Yellow Ochre, and Alizarin are all used, though very highly tinted, with Titanium White. This, excluding Burnt Umber, is my entire palette.

Born Yesterday

12×12 oil on wood panel

Something about this little calf I can’t let go of. My attempt, however, was to capture the ethereal quality of the summer Iowa air and landscape.

Travelers

18×24 oil on canvas – SOLD

This is a Work in Progress. Des Moines is, or was, home of the Travelers Life Insurance Company and, this rooftop sign is an iconic part of the downtown cityscape. I’ve still to add the letters under the Umbrella and, it is basically all the farther I intend to take it. Cheers.

Since first posting, I’ve updated the painting to include the letters of the classic sign.

Simon’s

2 Replies

8×10 commission oil on cradled panel – SOLD

The Bar Simon’s in Chicago was a favorite of this client and, they asked me to paint a little scene.

Little Calf

12×12 oil on panel – sold

Just outside of Odebolt, Iowa where a newborn calf made his debut to life.

Field Check

8×16 oil on panel

This is a field study for a larger painting but, fun to do quickly with a palette knife.

Free Now

2 Replies

12×12 oil on canvas – SOLD

I was asked by a friend to paint a portrait of their dog, Remi, who passed away recently. It turned out nicely and they are delighted. RIP – you are free now.

Memento IV

12×12 oil on cradled panel

Fourth in a series of who knows how many. I’ll be looking for the proper gallery sometime this summer.

Memento III

Third in a series of 12×12 oil on cradled wood panel. When I approach fifteen completed, I intend to go gallery shopping. Stay tuned for my other two series coming up!

Memento II

12x12oil on wood

I’ve finally settled on a series of paintings that are related to one another and, it is this group of leftover floral arrangements. Welcome to “Memento.”

Memento for Julie Anne

12×12 oil on panel

Mars Landscape Perseverance #2

9×12 oil on birch panel

I am fascinated with the fact that there is now life on Mars and, it is us. Can you imagine one day inhabitants of earth going there? The stuff old star trekking TV shoes were made of.

Starr Pass

12×24 oil on canvas

In and around the Tucson area, there are many photo and painting opportunities. Sometimes, one has to change things around a bit for composition purposes but, the hues, the atmosphere, and the saguaros remain.