Back at it...

I apologize for a long absence. I was over in Europe studying some of the greatest paintings in the world. I am now back, and getting back to painting. Here are three portraits(16"x 20"). Three brothers all in their element, kids being kids. So much more interesting than the formal versions would be.

"The Whole is Equal to the Sum of it's Parts"

After looking through a bundle of old photo albums I wanted to do a ton of paintings of my youth, but rather than doing all those paintings I decided to do a painting about wanting to reflect back on all those visual reminders. I find it interesting to contemplate on all the influences that come into our lives and I loved putting some of those figures(literal and symbolic) into the same painting. Any painting that has Honest Abe and superman is my kind of painting. There is about 30 references here, I came across so many others but it was getting out of hand. This on is Oil on Canvas and 55"x55".

Saturday Morning Soccer Self-Portrait

While painting a large Self-Portrait I came across this old Photo and I felt compelled to do a painting of it. I imagine I was about 5 or 6 when it was taken. Notice the Spiderman shoes, no cleats or shin guards needed. And I believe I had shorts on but hard to tell. The Eighties... no car seats, lead paint and who had ever heard of a bike helmet. How did we ever survive?

Contrasting Expectations 2

The title of this painting is Contrasting Expectations 2, oil on canvas, 42"x 48".

Studies for New Painting

Here is a study(18"x 24") for the current painting I am working on. It is in a way a companion piece to the last one, and is a obvious that I was influenced by Whistler on this one. White on white. The larger one will come soon.

Por Fin...

Still searching for a title for this piece. Lots of contrast to the painting. It is 48" x 60" on canvas. I tip my hat to Tyrell for being willing to be in this painting. "Takes a real man to wear pink"

Small Study

I just returned from a painting trip in Central Utah. While there I was working on some ideas for some paintings, here a oil sketch (18" x 24") that I did there. The real painting is underway and is life size(48" x 60"). Some of you know what the painting is about, to those who don't I would love your insight. I enjoy doing a sketch to work out the kinks, composition, color schemes, etc. Also, I have yet to determine a title, if anyone has ideas I would love to hear them.

"...That They May See..."

This is a small painting(sketch) that I had to do along with the latest painting. It was so much fun to do. I hope you enjoy it. Thanks to Craig for modeling.

Finished Product

Here is the finished painting. I wish I would have taken some pictures throughout the process to see its evolution. It is so easy to become slightly myopic and too focused on a painting. This painting is titled "... to be Trodden..." and it is oil on canvas, 36"x 40". Any comments are appreciated, I would love to hear what people think this is about.

The Underpainting

The Under-painting has been a reoccuring theme in conversations lately. So I thought I would post a painting prior to moving into thicker paint. The "rough draft" version, I will post the finished painting and then you can compare the before and after. ...to be Trodden... (36"x40")

This is a small little Sketch (18"x24") I just did for a show at the UMFA this summer.
Similar to one I did before, I enjoyed looking at the same subject and approaching it differently.

Start of New Direction

These two paintings are the beginnings of a new series.
They are 46"x40". Thanks to Romm and Katie for posing.

Another recent commission. This is Steve Tate from the University of Utah. It was so much fun to paint. This painting is 40"x 45". Go Utes!

Recent Portrait

Recent portrait commissions of the Plumb boys. The bottom one is smaller (24"x30"), the top one is life size.