The New Westward at the Tucson Museum of Art

Leading West, 48"x48", oil on canvas

Bound For Glory, 30"x 30", oil on canvas

I was recently invited to participate in a show at the Tucson Museum of Art. They included these two train paintings of mine. It is an incredible honor to hang in this prestigious museum and alongside the amazing artists in this show. If you are in the area enjoying the weather, swing in and enjoy some art. The show will be up until early February. 

Some Fun Paintings from the Summer

Living in the Present, 24"x 30", oil on canvas

Foolish but Faithful, 24"x 24", oil on canvas

On the Other Side of Fear, 24"x 24", oil on canvas

Here are a few fun small paintings I did this summer for the Rare Gallery in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Check out their gallery up there if you are in the area. http://raregalleryjacksonhole.com/home.html 

Always fun to sell a few paintings.

Mistakes Were Made, 14"x 11", oil on canvas.

True to the Call, 14"x 11", oil on canvas.

Fixed Transmission, 14"x 11", oil on canvas.

The Elements Mixed in Him

We recently just dropped off 10 paintings to a great gallery in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. If you are in the area stop in to the Rare Gallery to check them out and say hello to Rick and Hollee.

The Elements Mixed Him, 36"x 36", oil on canvas.

Lincoln Commission

This is a recent commission for the Brain family. With all the political discussions going on here in the United States and even abroad in the UK, it was a breath of fresh air to spend some time with old Abraham Lincoln. It was fun to listen to some audiobooks about his life as I painted this piece. As we have faced trials recently, may we take his advice from another time when the country was on the verge of bursting apart:

"We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature."

Drawing for Parley's Stake Trek

Brigham Young, 12"x 16", graphite on paper

Leaving Navuoo, 12"x 16", graphite on paper.

Ephraim Hanks, 12"x 16", graphite on paper

James Willie, 12"x 16", graphite on paper.

Dan Jones, 12"x 16", graphite on paper.

Levi Savage, 12"x 16", graphite paper.

Amy Loader, 12"x 16", graphite on paper.

Patience Loader, 12"x 16", graphite on paper.

The River Crossing, 12"x 16" graphite on paper.

Elsie Nielsen, 12"x 16", graphite one paper.

 George and Sarah, 12"x 16", graphite on paper.

 Emily Hill, 12"x 16", graphite on paper.

Linford, 12"x 16", graphite on paper.

James Kirkwood, 12"x 16", graphite on paper.

Bodil Mortensen, 12"x 16" graphite on paper.

Chimney Rock, 12"x 16", graphite on paper.

Recently, I was asked by my local church to do drawings for their upcoming youth trek. They are highlighting certain pioneers who traveled the Mormon Trail about a 150 years ago. I was hesitant because I have plenty on my plate as is, but as I drew these people I came to appreciate their sacrifice and fortitude. Many of my ancestors walked that trail and this experience has inspired me to research their stories. 

The Wright Brothers

First Flight, 24"x 48", oil on canvas.

Attracting a Crowd, 36"x 48", oil on canvas.

I recently did these two pieces for the dental offices of two old friends. They went to dental school at UNC and their building was inspired by and constructed in the fashion of an old cigar factory. They wanted pieces that had some Tarheel blue and were connected to North Carolina, so we came up with this concept. What a miracle it was that flight was first achieved by two bicycle makers from Ohio who were worked tirelessly to solve any problem they met.

If you are in the SL area and need work on your mouth, look up Jon Rasmussen and Dave Stoker, they are the best in the business.

The Men in the Wind

My wife and I recently spent a day at Peal Harbor. Our time there led me to pause and reflect on the men and women who choose to serve their fellow citizens by joining the armed forces. We often if not always seem to take these people for granted. I am thankful that this visit reminded me of our many freedoms and those who have served and are currently serving our nation.

This painting is about those who answer their nation's call. The Men in the Wind, 36"x 48", oil on canvas.

One of Toil and Blood

One of Toil and Blood, 36"x 72" diptych, oil on canvas.

Paul Davis challenged me to paint the same thing twice, approaching one in a conservative manner and the other in a gutsy fashion. I tried it a few times, but never really committed to it. So after all these years I went all in on this one. I now understand what Paul was trying to teach me.

Available at Terzian Galleries, Park City Utah

Helper

Helper, 48"x 48", oil on canvas

I became interested in paintings trains and laborers after participating in a show that was based on living in the small town of Helper, Utah. I have a lot of respect for those who get up everyday, roll up their sleeves and go out into the world to make a better life for their loved ones. 

Sold at Terzian Galleries

Took Thence a Stone

"Took Thence a Stone", 48"x 48", oil on canvas.

As I painted this piece, I reflected on the Aesop fable about the Lion and the Mouse. Sometimes the small or the weak are deemed inconsequential in this big world we live in. Sometimes, though, it is someone from that category who steps in and saves the day.

Sold at Terzian Galleries.