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.

Put it on the Line

Put it on the Line, 36"x 36", oil on canvas.

I've been thinking a lot about composition lately and the proper prep work to achieve interesting balance. I hope Wayne Thiebaud would be proud.

For Us to Strive

For us to Strive, 30"x 48", oil on canvas.

This was an enjoyable world to live in for a month. I contemplated on the various roles that would make a racing team successful. While only the driver gets to hold up the trophy, there are many hands that make that moment possible. It reminds me of a quote by Albert Einstein.... 

"Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to divine a purpose.

From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing do know: that man is here for the sake of other men—above all for those upon whose smile and well-being on own happiness depends, and also for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day I realize how much my own outer and inner life is built upon the labors of my fellow men, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received." 

Working Men

Here I Raise, 24"x 30", oil on canvas.

Bid Thee Farewell, 24"x 30", oil on canvas.

Both available at the Meyer East Gallery in Santa Fe.

Widow Maker

Be Not Dismayed, 24"x 24", oil on canvas.

While Daring Greatly, 24"x 24", oil on canvas.

As I child, my brother and I were obsessed with sports highlight reels. We were not lucky enough to have ESPN, so we would watch the local news every night, anticipating the 4 minutes of sporting news. On Sunday night we were on cloud nine because, they would show a bloopers reel of all the mishaps in the sporting world that week. These two paintings were born out of those sports highlights.

I have to admire someone who is willing to risk, for without risk, there is no reward.

New Gallery

No Toil Nor Labor Fear, 30"x 40, oil on canvas.

The Moment Before the Moment, 30"x 30", oil on canvas. 

We drove some paintings down to a gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. We had an amazing adventure stopping for anything interesting along the way. 

It has been a long time in the works, but I am now selling paintings in the Meyer Gallery in Santa Fe. It is a prestigious gallery, full of amazing artists and has been in business since 1967. I am super excited to be hanging work there. Check out their website... http://www.meyergalleries.com

Some more gallery news will be coming soon...

Some Sketchbook Drawings.

I have been a little under the weather, so I decided to look through some old sketchbooks. Here are a few of the ones I remember with fondness. Looking back through all my sketchbooks, I have realized I need to sketch a lot more. I feel it is vital to making good paintings.

"Bind up the Brokenhearted"

"Bind up the Brokenhearted", 48" x 48", oil on canvas.

This painting is a reflection on various themes, mostly though, I was thinking of what we can aspire to when we are at our best as a nation. As it says on the Statue of Liberty:

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"