Grant Park 11 x14 oil on canvas SOLD

  This painting, a view from the south end of Grant Park in Chicago looking north, was done about 18 months ago. The perspective is at near ground level looking through the flower bed. The reddish hued building to the left is the Hilton. I might use this general composition again-but perhaps as a plein air on an early summer day early in the morning with the long shadows sweeping across the open parkland.

Old Mill Disney World2 Oil On Board 11 x14 $175

  Yesterday the posting was the same building but from a slight different perspective. The feel is almost identical, the colors the same, including the rough back on the tree to the right of the building. Both of these paintings were done on gessoed board. Gesso is an acrylic based paint that is like a primer-when you paint on most surfaces it is primed. Canvas, either in bulk in rolls or when already stretched is typically primed ready to paint-but not always.

Old Mill-Disney World oil on board 11x14 SOLD

The painting knife and the brush were both utilized in this painting of the Old Mill at Disney World-you might recognize it as the mill on Tom Sawyer's Island across from Frontierland. The red and green as complimentary colors each serve to make the other stand out. The sun is bright and the water still as evidenced by the short shadows and the mirrored reflection. I also did an alternative view of the mill-that will be posted tomorrow.

Susans at the Shedd oil on canvas 8 x10 $95

  This view is looking from the underpass of Lake Shore Drive towards the Shedd. There is a planting of black-eyed susans and other perennials that frame the aquarium and provide a blast of color in contrast to the subdued colors of the Shedd. The focus here are the flowers rather than their more famous counterpart, the Shedd.

Water Tower-Rain oil on canvas 16 x 20 $200

This painting was done with a simplified palette on a raw sienna toned canvas-thus the unifying color. A thin wash of ultramarine blue, green and red (in various mixes and blends) provided the background buildings. The water tower itself was done with blends of yellow ochre and a touch raw sienna. All these colors contribute to evoke a rainy overcast late afternoon scene in Chicago.

Here Somewhere Oil on Board 8x10 NFS

  This composition is our our grandson Brendan exploring his favorite-the toybox. You may have recognized the toybox (and Brendan) from an earlier posting. He seems to know exactly what is in the box and reaches for what he wants when he is at grandma's and grandpa's quite content with his nookie in his mouth. The cube in the foreground is a Mozart Magic Cube-a music cube that plays various Mozart tunes by different instruments with a touch of the touch-one of his favorite toys. This was all done with brush with a magenta acrylic underpainting. It was a gift for his parents for Christmas. Still trying to master the photos of the paintings as they don't quite match for some of the pieces. Merry  Christmas to all.

...You're the one Oil on board 8x10 NFS

  This whimsical painting of rubber ducky fame is a painting for my grandson for his second Christmas. Last year it was a bear with a WWI era biplane. We shall see what next year brings. The photo didn't reproduce the painting well-but it was done on a magenta underpainting followed by oil brushwork. Today the final push to Christmas. If I don't get a chance to post tomorrow-Merry Christmas to everyone.

POWDER!! Oil on board 8x10 $75

 This loose painting without sharp edges is like a deep powder day-all is blurred as the the powder flies with each turn. A deep powder day drives the snow into the chest and all one may see of the skier is the head and an extended arm to link the next turn. This painting was done with painting knife-the colors are predominately purple with its complement yellow (the goggles)-the photo doesn't quite capture the colors.

Finishing Touches Oil 8 x10 $65

  I did this painting last year to evoke the images of kids playing in the snow and making their first snowman, complete with wool hat and scarf. Our friend on the left can barely reach the top to place the hat firmly in place.

Maroon Bells oil on canvas 11 x14 SOLD

The composition here is of Maroon Bells Colorado-near Aspen. A beautiful region especially in the fall when the aspens are gold and there is a smattering of rusts, scarlet and green.

Meet Me Under the Clock Oil on Canvas 8x10 SOLD

  This simple composition evokes the memories of shopping on State Street in Chicago. The clock is the historic clock at Marshall Fields (now Macy's). The name has changed but the clock remains still greeting the shoppers and theater goers on State. This painting was done predominately with a painting knife with some brush work as well. It is done with a simple palette -the green of the clock in striking contrast to the rest of the colors on the canvas, drawing the eye to the clock.

Brothers-Pals Forever oil on canvas 16 x20 SOLD

  This painting is based on a photo I took of my 2 sons over 25 years ago. The scene begged to be painted (although my sons did not share my enthusiasm for this task-in fact they were glad when it sold for it meant they were not going to see it hanging on the wall). Here our little friends are searching for leaves on a bright warm autumn day with the older son carrying their loot. This was the first larger figurative work that I had done-in the future I might add all five of our kids assisting in the 'collection.' It would make a nice present for mom. The advantage of painting over the photo for the artist can take great liberty with composition, ages, season and time of day. Even with photoshop the camera can only capture what is there.

Mountain of the Holy Cross Oil on canvas 16 x20 $225

  This scene is taken from a hike in the Gore Range trail in Colorado. Looking west on the trail you can see in the distance the mountain of the Holy Cross. In the photo, which is not ideal, the cross appears on the mountain in the distance. The eyes are drawn to the mountain by the flow of the valleys (almost a Z shape). I will probably do a portion of this painting again-placing greater emphasis on the mountain.

Sunday at the Orland Train Station Oil 11 x14 $175

  This composition is of a local train station in Orland Park, a southwest suburb of Chicago. It is later in the afternoon and the shadows are longer. This painting utilized both brush and knife in its formation. The colors in the painting are a bit more subdued, the tower less mustard and the work itself more evocative of Hopper (style not talent) with strong contrasts between light and dark areas. Later this month I will post a work suggestive of one of his nocturnal pieces. This work is available as both limited edition prints as well as cards.

Venetian Holiday oiil on canvas 11 x 14 SOLD

  This composition is derived form a photo my father took on a trip to Venice. The composition is somewhat unusual in that the eye is drawn to the blue drape on the gondola in the right lower area of the painting. This is counterbalanced by the blue and bright colors on the left side thus keeping the viewer eyes on the painting. If there were not the brighter colors on the left the painting might seem out of 'sync'. This was painted with both brush and painting knife resulting in a variability in texture. You have probably noted that the reflection in the canal yields some detail to the tops of the buildings on the left side thus completing the composition.

Around the LIghthouse II Oil on Canvas 11 x 14 $175

  In yesterday posting I wrote that todays painting is the same composition but with a different style and feel. In today's painting the edges are less distinct and more blurred. Lake Michigan is a bit more unsettled, clouds have moved in, more boats are on the water taking advantage of favorable winds. The work utilized both brush and painting knife. I look forward to either your comments or emails as to which painting you preferred-12/14 or 12/15.

Around the Lighthouse oil on canvas 11 x 14 SOLD

This composition is from a photo I took. It is the lighthouse on Lake Michigan off Chicago. Throughout the sailing season one can see boats, both motor and sail, sailing by this local landmark. This painting, with a simple scheme, captures the adventure on the lake. I recently redid this painting implementing some changes. It will be the subject of the post tomorrow. I will be interested in hearing which the readers enjoy more. I have my preference-which I will share in a future post.

Apple on a Shelf -Blue Oil on Board 8 x 10 $70

 This is the same composition as yesterday-simple-single apple on a shelf. Today however there is a blue light coming from the left. This cerulean blue is also picked up on the top of the shelf and the shadow side of the apple. Again the painting was completed only with a painting knife. You can also sense the texture of the paint. By the way the shelf is straight in the painting-when rotated and cropped for the photo the shelf ended up a bit off. Still trying to work out the bugs of photographing the artwork.

Apple on a Shelf Oil on Board 8 x 10 $70

This simple composition-a single apple sitting on a shelf-light coming from over the viewers left shoulder-was painted solely with a painting knife. The apple is slightly off-center as is the shelf-just enough so the painting is not symmetric. The red of the apple stands in sharp contrast to the dark background as well as the shelf drenched in light. My next posting will be the same composition but with a different take.

Going to Grammies Oil on wood panel 8x10 sold

  This figurative captures our little troop going to grandma's for a visit. Big brother is tending to his little siblings as they look to visit grandma. May redo this composition-adding a bit more color into the snow and contrast into the kids' clothing-and perhaps add grandma peering through the side glass.

Sun and Water oil on wood panel 8x10 $60

    This is not an original composition. Most painters work are generally original compositions (arrangements). Occasionally, they may work some else's arrangement but modify the colors-change the focal point, texture and etc. This work is taken from a book that I have-I loved the simple composition and then warmed up (more red) and cooled down (more blue) the contrasts. This was also done only with the painting knife.

Recycled in Montezuma Colorado Oil on canvas 11x14 $175

  This rendering is of the conversion of an old mine building into a mountain home. I saw this through the woods and thought it would make an interesting subject especially with the window askew in the upper level.The photo fails to capture the colors as they are more muted in the photo. But one can sense that it is a bright Colorado summer day and almost reach out and touch the firs and pines.

Earthen Jug Oil on Canvas 16x20

Today is probably a good time to answer an email and also consider compositions-what to consider when you view a painting. 

Firstly I have not had formal painting instruction as in either a fine arts major or college classes. Rather my instruction has consisted of classes at a local community art center (McCord House) with a wonderful teacher and painter (Liz Wall).

This painting has only several merits-the brown jug is clearly earthen and exudes a mass and density to it.  The lighting on the jug and the cork are good. But the rest of the pieces fail to interact-there is a lack of unity. Your eye is unsure as to where to rest-do I stay on the jug, but the bright vase draws me there, and then the orange and perhaps the flowers.  This painting fails to pull you in and keep you there.  This painting serves as a reminder that not everything one paints is good, but it always offers an opportunity to learn. It will be painted over the next time I decide to use a dark background in that size canvas- unless a reader really likes it and would like to email me with an offer with a deal to be had.

Last Run Oil on canvas 16x20 $400

 I had hoped to not only capture the exhilaration of a powder run at end of glorious day of skiing, but more. As you make your carefree turns in the powder you have an opportunity to take in the spectacular beauty that surrounds you. But you are torn, torn between stopping and enjoying the view or connecting turn after turn in virgin powder. As hopefully you can see-the skier overcomes the spectator, linking turn after turn. Perhaps I will redo this someday with our skier pausing at the overlook to absorb the colors, the view and the scents from the nearby firs.

Stables at Copper Mtn Colorado Oil on Panel 8x10 $50

   I have done a number of paintings and photographs of this western style barn/stable that sits on the western end of Copper Mountain. I have painted it in different colors, different perspectives and sizes, but in this the barn predominates.  Ten Mile Range is in the background and their size can be impressive, but they are clearly in the background with muted colors and do not draw attention to themselves. The line of shadow behind the barn draws the eye into the barn. The light green roof with a line of shadow combined with the evergreen to the right anchors the eye and keeps it from wandering too far. I like this composition-although the photo of the painting disappoints.  I will paint this composition again but change the colors, perhaps the season, an advantage the painter has to the photographer.

Into the Toybox Oil 8x10 NFS

  This figurative of our grandson Brendan was done using magenta acrylic paint as the value underpainting will oil painted on top. The value underpainting is done to ensure that the darks are dark and the lights are light before you paint the actual colors on top. It simplifies the process-although it might sound like a needless extra step it helps in the development of the painting. The neat thing about the magenta acrylic(kudos here to Mike Rooney-see first blog) is that lends to a depth of color and unifies the painting. You can see the sharp contrast to the green. The shadows also have a complexity of color you can't achieve without the underpainting. Previously I had only used oil-takes days to dry. Acylic only several minutes.

A Fine Approach oil on panel 8x10 $75

  This figurative work was done with a painting (or palette) knife. It is an autumn day with the sun still bright and our golfer is enjoying the day. The challenge here was capture the feeling while still keeping a  'loose feel' to the work. The edges are blurred, the contrasts present and the colors vibrant.

Newberry Library Oil on Oak 1x6x10 NFS

This painting of the Newberry Library in Chicago is a bit of a throwback. The style and rendering is both tonal and almost lithographic-the edges of the building are a bit sharp. The lights and darks add a dimension of depth as well. Finally the size is a bit odd. I painted this on a piece of oak that was gessoed (5 layers of white acrylic paint) to hide the grain and hold the paint. Additionally, it is free-standing designed as a piece that could sit on a shelf or ledge. It was painted for my middle daughter and her fiancee as this is the site of their wedding reception next year.