cliffsart

Among the Trees and Stones

2012-01-26T21:41:00.000-08:00

Well this is what I've been doing with the drawing you seen a few weeks back. I've been a little slow with this, I've been battling and losing a fight with a sinus infection. Last week was really rough, but tonight I did a lot of work, but it's not pictured here. I just set it down. Working on the skirt has been hard. Since I paint on a black background, black somehow eats orange. I have to put down a lot of orange before it starts to show unlike the other colors. I add lots of Yellow but it disappears in black too. I'll keep working on it and hopefully I'll make huge strides by next week. Take care and have fun!

Sold: The Stream

2012-01-17T22:35:00.000-08:00

I was doing an art change out at Broadway Clay in Frankfort and found out that The Stream had sold during December. That made me really happy because that's my first sell in Frankfort. Hopefully this trend will continue.

Pleasant Hill

2012-01-16T19:08:00.001-08:00

I don't know if this is the best picture, but it's done. Me and Malissa went walking out in the woods at Shaker town on Thanksgiving day and I Color Penciled this pic of her. Funny how warm it was that day.

New Drawing

2012-01-12T22:35:00.000-08:00

Here is a new drawing for my next painting. I drew the head first on 8x11 inch paper and realized it wasn't going to be big enough, so I cut off the head and tape it to some 11x14 inch paper. I've never been good at size control when it comes to drawing so tape has been a good friend to me over the years. The Color Pencil piece below is basically done, but I haven't got a good picture of it yet. Everyone take care and have fun!

Shaker Pathway

2012-01-04T22:31:00.001-08:00

Working on this one piece of my wife when we were hiking at Shaker Town on Thanksgiving day. I'm more used to rocks leaves and trees to help me define the landscape. Struggling a little with this one, but it will work out eventually. I found the strong light fun to explore. Oh, and this is another Color Pencil piece. I also want to mention more people has been reading this blog lately. Thanks everyone for your support. It's good to know you guys are there!

Smokey Mountian Stream

2011-12-29T00:12:00.001-08:00

Ok, a few nips and tucks but I finally have it the way I want it. Turns out, it has already sold to a person who really gave me some really kind words about her connection to this piece. Selling a piece is always great but to make a piece that means so much to someone means more to me than I can say. Totally awesome.

Guardian of Anglin

2011-12-23T22:13:00.001-08:00

The cell phone woke me while I was napping earlier and it was a man wanting to buy a piece of art that was on display at the Good Foods CoOp. An unexpected sale but very welcome. I looked upon Guardian of Anglin for the last time and handed it to the buyer. It's sad when they go, but he paid me, which made me feel better. Now to spend it on Christmas. I already spent some, cat food, a new cat toy, and some new fake plants for my fish Blue Boy. He always likes new objects to explore in his tank. Just wanted to share the good news. Everyone take care and have fun!

SOLD: Discovery

2011-12-20T21:56:00.001-08:00

Well, my painting Discovery sold last Friday from the Good Foods Co-Op here in Lexington KY. This is one of my wife posing out at the Anglin Falls, my favorite place in the world. It's one of my favorite and most realistic paintings ever. It's hard to see them go, but I'm glad it will have a nice home. The man who bought it really seemed to like it. There are times when sales go down but people reacting to my work like this makes me know I'm doing the right thing. It validates the time and work I put into this. There is another one spoken for, but I'll let you know if it actually sells. The buyer is supposed to get it later this month. Everyone take care and have fun. Merry Holidays and Happy Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Smoky Mountian Stream

2011-12-20T21:52:00.001-08:00

Ok, I'm not done, but getting close. This also isn't the best pic ever taken. I had to add the Turkey feather. Also named it Smokey Mountain Stream. My wife Malissa posed for this just outside Gatlinburg Tennessee. This Color Pencil piece is coming along nicely. Everyone take care and have fun!

New Color Pencil Piece

2011-12-15T23:07:00.000-08:00

There are two pics for this one. This is the new Color Pencil piece I'm working on. You've already seen the drawing a couple of posts back. Here is where I'm to now. The model is my wife modeling down in Gatlinburg Tennessee. Lots of Streams there.

Lady of the Valley

2011-12-11T19:23:00.001-08:00

OK, I worked a little more on this one. I realized with just her right foot showing from under the dress her posture might be a little confusing. In the original pic her left foot could be barley seen and there was light shining through the skirt, but I chose to leave these things out. Now I chose to go with it so that her right foot's placement will make more sense. I also added the light coming through the skirt as it was in the original photo to help everything makes even more sense. I'm a little uncertain about the leg shadows. They look blocky, but she is actually wearing blue jeans under the skirt. But this may be Ok. I have to think on it.

Lady of the Valley

2011-12-08T23:06:00.001-08:00

I finally got this one done. I was happy with the original drawing, but I could not recreate it on the painting surface. I use tracing paper to get my drawings onto the painting surface but for some reason, it would not work out on this one. I even painted the face white and started all over. Usually paintings aren't this hard but I'm very happy with the end result. My drawing which you can see a few posts back looks like the photo. The photo was taken in a way where it's a nice photo, but doesn't look like the model as much as I would like. In having to redo this, I got the semblance of the model more than the photo. I know her well, and I guess the drawing of the photo which didn't completely look like her bothered me. And this is a tall painting, so I had to work on her sideways, as that I do not like easels, but instead work with my paintings flat on a bar stool. We all have our own little ways. As for the Title, I was listening to the White Lion song Lady of the Valley and liked the connection in my mind between the painting and the song. Everyone tale care and have fun!

Omen-Kentucky Theater show

2011-12-03T08:22:00.000-08:00

Forgot to post this one. I didn't like the the title Black Figure so I renamed it Omen. I added some more branches and greenery. I will be hanging it tomorrow as part of my exhibit at the Kentucky Theater. I'll be showing new and older works. If you are near stop by. Take care and have fun!

New Painting

2011-11-22T23:51:00.000-08:00

Working on a new painting and decided to take a picture. You can see how I work with my painting on a bar stool. Oh, maybe you can't. Well I do with a pillow desk top thingy on the bar stool. I keep my drawing next to me to keep me on the right track. It was hard to get the face looking like the drawing until today. I started Last Friday. It's hard to control those brushes sometimes. Anyway, here I am, hopefully I will have a lot more done next week. Everyone take care and have fun and Happy Thanksgiving!

At the Thingy

2011-11-20T22:48:00.001-08:00

Well, Christ Church Cathedral here in Lexington buys artwork. One of their paintings is mine. They were getting a new painting of one of their Bishops unveiled Friday and did a show of artworks in their collection. When they did the unveiling they invited the other artists to stand and be reconized. I was kind of pushed to the back and the person talking to each artist overlooked me, but Jess mark called her attention to me out loud and I wasn't forgotten. He has been very good to me, Thanks Jesse!

Gallery hop

2011-11-14T19:08:00.000-08:00

I don't know how long this will last or if for sure I'll be there, but it is cool. This Church bought my painting a few years ago and they are doing a thingy for all the artists they have bought art from. Her is the announcement: RECOGNITION OF PARTICIPATING ARTISTS IN THE HISTORIC
ART COLLECTION AT CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL AT 6:00.

Come early and pick up a name tag just beyond the welcome desk.
...
The platform will be set up with the Dulcimer Choir placed to the right
The mike will be on the left of the platform with room for the
presenter; the participating artists can stand in front of the platform
facing the audience. Your names will be read off and appropriate
thanks be given for your contribution to the art collection.

Jesse Mark will recognize the participating artists:
Aoibheall Mize, Cliff Sullivan, Donna Jones, Grace Perreiah,
Jacob Evans, Jean Epperson, Jill Plaisted, Marijim Reeves,
Sarah Gray, Tom Gaither, Tom Wigginton and Tom Sturgill for his mother.

PARKING IS FREE IN THE CHURCH LOT AT CHURCH AND UPPER
NORTHEAST CORNER AFTER 5:00.

New Drawing

2011-11-13T20:43:00.001-08:00

Here is the drawing for my next painting, then I'll paint the drawing below. This will be the first painting I've done in a while, being that I've been working in Color Pencil. I enjoy both, but I like Color Pencil just bit more and I work faster in it. It just doesn't sell as well for some reason. Great news! I talked to a book publisher yesterday and might get some Illustration jobs. I'm working on a portfolio now and plan to send it to her in a few days. Wish me luck! Thanks!

Drawing last night.

2011-11-10T21:45:00.000-08:00

A drawing I did last night of my wife Malissa by a stream side. Probably my next Color Pencil work. Probably do that after me next painting. I'll post some pics of that soon. Everyone take care and have fun!

Roots

2011-11-02T20:38:00.001-07:00

Well here is Roots. I named it that both for the connection of one's self to the land, but also because there are a lot of Roots. This is a color pencil piece. I don't know if I got a good enough picture of it though. On the full size I don't know if you can see the model well enough. I did a detailed crop so you can see the model better. I have a few pieces in the works that I need to finish. I get excited and start new ones before I'm finished with the ones I'm working on. Guess I should do that now. Everyone take care and have fun!

New Exhibit at Good Foods Co-Op

2011-10-31T22:22:00.001-07:00

Just put this up today. Got some really positive comments from customers walking in. Always good to hear. If you live in Lexington, stop by, they look better in real life. Everyone take care and have fun!

New Art Show

2011-10-30T22:43:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the paintings going up today at Good Foods Co op here in Lexington. I will try to get a picture and post it soon. Everyone take care and have fun!

New pic.

2011-10-25T22:06:00.000-07:00

Here's a couple of pictures from my new work. It's another Color Pencil piece. The larger pic was taken last week and the smaller today. The pictures aren't great but you get the idea. I took this model out to Anglin Falls two weekends ago and she was a blast to work with just like she was at ShakerTown. I was glad to get her to the Anglin Falls though because I feel that's where I do my best work from. It was also nice to get her there during the Fall colors. Everyone take care and have fun!

Paris Art Walk/ Barrel Show

2011-10-12T21:19:00.000-07:00

Here's some of the pictures from the Paris Art Walk/ Barrel show. Above you can see my wife Malissa posing as she did in the painting. That homeless looking guy above is me. Above that Malissa is posing next to another painting she posed for. She's a very good model! At the top is a Color Pencil piece I did of my friend Britney. Another good model. It was a fun night. Local celebreties signed the Bourbon Bottles on the Barrels. John Calipari was one, I think Wolfgang Puck or one of those Food Network guys signed another. I didn't know the person who signed mine but I think someone said it was the lady that owned Secretariat. I'm not much into Horse Racing so I'm not sure. Oh, and so it makes more since, we had to paint the labels on the Bourbon bottles to go with our Barrels. The barrel acution went to some good benfit but I can't remember what for. I'll find and post it later. Everyone take care and have fun!

The Woods Of Mercer County

2011-10-09T20:23:00.000-07:00

Ok, here it is all done and everything. The Woods of Mercer County. I named that because this scene was actually modeled for in Shaker Town, but there is no Shaker Village and the model isn't wearing anything Shaker like. There are some need woods to hike in and I thought I'd paint some of those. Since this is in Mercer County I chose to go with that instead of naming it anything Shaker related. This is a color pencil piece aboot 2x3 feet in size. It's fun to work in Color Pencil again. I'm also thinking aboot joining the Color Pencil Society of America again. After the fiasco in Seattle I've been reluctant aboot rejoining, but it wasn't their fault I think, just the person receiving the shipped art. That didn't go well. Well, everyone take care and have fun!

New Painting

2011-10-04T22:24:00.001-07:00

Working on the Color Pencils again. This is another scene that I'm working on from Shaker Town. If you go down where the bird blinds are there is a neat place, where it's like a field in front of some woods. A small Field, it's really neat. Still working on this one, this is just where I'm at right now. Think this one will be really good. I hope so anyway. I'll show it again soon. Everyone take care and have fun!

Black Figure

2011-09-27T21:50:00.001-07:00

I've been working on this Halloweenish painting. It's inspired by the Black Sabbath song Black Sabbath. A friend of mine modeled for it at Anglin Falls, and it was a cool picture. She blends right in in terms of color, but she seems almost alien to the landscape otherwise. Very Creepy. Ghostly if you will. It's a good time of the year for this. It's not done but getting close. Everyone take care and have fun!

TV time!

2011-09-22T21:20:00.000-07:00

Here's my big TV shot. We didn't get to speak, but at least our Art was on the Teli!

Getting up at four a.m. wasn't too bad. Everyone was fairly awake. You may have missed me because they just scanned around the room and talked to just one person. The segment where I was in the bottom picture above, I was actually in the scene for a few minutes but still didn't get to speak. I haven't contacted LEX aboot better pictures, I think you get the idea here though. Now that's for the barrels. The Creative art show will be tomorrow and hopefully everything I have in it sales! Doubtful, but still, one can hope! Everyone take care and have fun!

At Days End

2011-09-20T21:50:00.000-07:00

Finally, I got a decent picture of this one. This is At Days End. This Color Pencil piece is based on a hill top in the Pleasant Hill Shaker Town near Harrodsburg KY. This is one of the better Field scenes I've done. It's a great place if you haven't been. Me and Malissa got a room here at Shaker town a few weeks back and we came to this spot to play music in the moon light. I was really glad to have this model here. She's a great person and with the way we get along, the photo shoot was really fun. I'm also supposed to have some TV time Thursday morning on 18 LEX with Lee Cruz. Not sure the exact time. I have to be there at 4:00 in the morning so we shall see how that goes. The TV thing will be about the barrel auction for the barrel I painted a while back. It's at the Hopewell museum in Paris KY, so hopefully (no pun intended...really) they will talk about the Creative Harvest Festival show that's on Friday. Our art is on the walls, so it seems like it would have to be talked aboot. We'll see. Hopefully this will get me more fans, more publicity and more sales! I like that idea. Well, everybody take care and have fun!

Gallery Hop in Lexington

2011-09-15T22:15:00.001-07:00

Still working on the Color pencil piece. And a acrylic painting. But I did want to take time to say there will be a Gallery Hop here in Lexington Friday September 16th, 5-8pm. I have the above paintings at Christ Church Cathedral. The top is Two Robins by a Stream and the lower one is The Approaching Wave. Both are acrylic and 2 x 4 feet. The bottom one, The Approaching wave is a rare non-Kentucky piece. Me wife modeled on Stinson Beach outside of San Fransisco. I believe this is where Jerry Garcia lived. I should have the Color Pencil piece on here soon. Everyone take care and have fun and if you are out tomorrow, come by and see me. Everyone take care and have fun!

The Creative Harvest Festival

2011-09-11T22:46:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone! I just delivered these to the Hopewell Museum in Paris Ky yesterday. My friend Patrick Lynch has work in there too! http://www.beautifulpast.net/ The barrel that I painted will be auctioned off there the day before the Creative Harvest Show. That's the show these two paintings will be in. It's a very busy month! If you want to see the poster for the show it's here http://www.hopewellmuseum.org/ Just scroll down a little and you will see it. Everyone take care and have fun! Oh, and I've made some changes to my Etsy shop. Hope everyone will like it. Take care and have fun!
Ps, I forgot to mention The top painting is Hauting Waters. It's acrylic on board and my Wife modeled for it. The bottom one is Sittin' Pretty. It's Color Pencil on Board and a good friend named Britney modeled for that one.

Label for event in Paris

2011-09-08T23:21:00.000-07:00

Oh, and here is one of the labels I painted for the event in Paris. It supposed to be beside my barrel. There supposed to be a local celebrity sign it next to my signature (Hoping for Ashly Judd!). I've gotten better over the years at painting and drawing, but my writing continues to get much-much worse:(

New painting

2011-09-08T23:19:00.001-07:00

This is a not so good of this painting. I'm not done yet but I wanted to post what I did have done this week. It's another Color Pencil piece, it looks pretty good actually, but there has been no sun this week and it's hard to get a good picture without it. I'll post the full painting next week. To be Continued....

Drawing for new painting

2011-09-03T23:48:00.001-07:00

Also had to share the drawing for the next painting. Well, color pencil piece I mean. Had some problems in the drawing, but worker them out once I added color. For some reason I miss mistakes in black and white that I later see in color. I jumped on this one pretty quick. Should have a pic of a more finished piece up this week.

Sitt'n Pretty

2011-09-03T23:41:00.001-07:00

I've had this done for a while, I just hadn't posted it yet. Not much different than the last pic, just a little more filled out and polished. The title took like 2 minutes to come up with. Usually that's really hard to do. I'm going to build a frame just for it now, and one without glass. Glass takes away from the image. You can try the reduced glare glass, but it didn't do much for me:(

Barrel-Mania 2011!

2011-08-24T23:08:00.000-07:00

Barrel mania 2011! This is an event put on by the Stoner Creek Arts group in Paris Kentucky. They asked local artist to paint a barrel for them and this is what I've been working on. I decided to put a painting on each side of the barrel, just to give them a little more. I had to keep the barrel on a dolly in my house and haul it around for the last few weeks while I worked on it. This is good, I should get some good exposure and even a TV spot next month. These are different versions of paintings I've have done in the past. The arch is Gray's arch from the Red River Gorge and the other side is my wife posing near the Anglin Falls in Rockcastle county. I hope everyone likes these and I'll announce more about the TV spot next week. Everyone take care and have fun!

Closer to being done

2011-08-16T22:28:00.000-07:00

Here I am again. Not done, but I think you get the idea. Love the color pencil. At least this time I got to do a pic without a basket. Those are hard! Anyway, hope everyone enjoys this, should have it done real soon. Take care and have fun!

A Memory and Queen Ann's Lace

2011-08-14T21:58:00.000-07:00

Here is the drawing and the first approach with Color Pencil. I will call this piece A Memory and Queen Ann's Lace. The scene for this was at Shaker Town near Harrodburg Kentucky. Pleasant Hill to be more correct. It's a great place and the model was a trooper. We had to walk around quite a bit while I tried to judge good places to model for the scene. In the last couple of pieces she was wearing a scarf on her head, but I wanted to do one without it so you could see more of her hair and face. She has a good hair and face! I also wanted to visit my old friend Color Pencil again on this one. It feels so natural for me, but when it's framed behind glass the reflection knocks down the image and the color. Even in reflection proof glass, which I've bought, you still see some reflection. I'm going to try it without the glass and see what happens next time I frame one of these. I might even explore some protective varishes. I seen those used once on watercolors in a gallery in Santa Fe. If anyone knows anything about this kind of stuff, please let me know. When this piece is done I'll post it. I have a pic of it done in a later stage, but I'll post it later with the new one. I wanted to show this in stages. Everyone take care and have fun!

Mewadow

2011-08-08T22:05:00.000-07:00

Here it is, Meadow. This painting was harder than I thought it would be. In the original picture, the model's face is really dark because of the shadows, but when I painted her that way, she just looked like she had a dirty face. I had to lighten her up a bit but still try and capture the bright light coming in the back ground. I do like the earth colors of the basket way better. The basket actually had green and pink on it, but this looks better. I think I will go back and repaint the basket in the last picture. Now I'm going to work on a color pencil piece and I think you will really like it. Everyone take care and have fun!

Exhibit in Danville Ky

2011-08-07T22:18:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, sorry I've been gone for a bit. I had to travel some last week to take care of some family issues. Ok, me and my wife each had a cousin to pass away and we needed to attend the funerals. But anyway, I thought I'd share some pics from the gallery in Danville that is currently showing me, The Maple Tree Gallery. Go there, it's a nice place. Danville is also a real nice town, and I sold four paintings last Fall at a coffee shop (The Hub) across the street. The manager, Julie, was really great about letting me show here and I also like any woman named Julie because that's my little cat's name. There are some other painters here, one is David Farmer, and he's is a big name down around here. I think it took him like 12 years before he sold well enough to do it for a living. I've talked to him a few times, but not enough to ask for advise. I'm in my eighth year, but I do sell a lot better than I used to, so that's encouraging when I think about it. I should have another painting up this week. I took a pic, and then found a mistake, so I need to fix it. I'm also about to visit my first Artistic love....Color Pencil!

Drawing for new painting

2011-07-21T21:36:00.001-07:00

Back again! Here is my drawing for the next painting I'll do. Actually, a lot of it is already done. It's odd to say, but I have sold enough paintings, and have my others spread out in different galleries and stores, I'm running a little short on art, so I'm trying to catch up. Tomorrow, I'm going to hang some paintings in the deli area of Barns and Noble in Hamburg (or as I like to call Hamburger place). That will make Broadway Clay in Frankfort, The Maple Tree gallery in Danville and now Barns and Noble. Pretty cool. If anyone goes by these places check out me art. It always looks better in real life. I also have Good Foods Co-op and the Kentucky Theater coming up this Fall. Anyway, back to the drawing, I have my friend modeling again (she did great), and I felt more confident with this drawing than the last one. I think it took a day or so. I thought I'd finish the basket in the painting. Well, everyone take care and have fun.

Fields of Mercer County

2011-07-13T22:41:00.000-07:00

Finally, I'm back. I've been working on this painting for a while now, but I didn't have a camera to take a pic of it with. But now I have one and a new painting to show! I'm calling this one Fields of Mercer County. I decided to get out of the woods a bit and try adding buildings to my work. Buildings have always been very hard for me, so I wanted to start doing them, but in the right setting. I still have to have the Nature element and also I like keeping the Female element too. When I took Art History in College, I remember seeing women in the farm fields in the Northern European paintings and I liked them. Here is my stab of doing something similar, but with a Kentucky spin. Behind the young woman is Shaker Town at Pleasant Hill. Me and my wife visit there often and used to live fairly close to there. I like it! So I got a friend of mine to model for me there and here is one of the results. She was a real sport. Very pretty and joy to work with. It's a big painting, 2 x 4 feet in size. Oh, and I have to say for anyone who wants to bring up the topic, I was not trying to make her a Shaker. I was thinking of a Late 1700-early1900's farm girl theme. An Idealized version. I doubt many girls went farming with bracelets and ear rings on. But hey, it's a painting and I get to create what's going on. I hope everyone enjoys it! Take care and have fun!

New drawing for Shaker Painting

2011-06-23T22:53:00.001-07:00

Hey! I've been gone to the Great Rocky Mountains for the past two weeks and haven't blogged but now I'm back, and I plan to do some different and new kind of paintings! Well, slightly different. I've avoided buildings and tried to stick to the deep woods, but I've been getting an urge to paint the Shaker Town area here close to Lexington. It's a great and beautiful place. I also worked with a new model, who is a great friend, and I plan to do her all the justice I can in these paintings. She was nervous about posing, but she did great and I hope to show it in these paintings. I worked on the drawing while on vacation. It was hard to do at first, drawing muscles in the brain are not the same as painting muscles in the brain, so after working on a few paintings it takes a few drawings before I get back into the swing of it. I also used my wife as an adviser (as always) to help me along. But anyway, here is the first drawing of this new series and I actually have the painting half way done. I accidentally dropped our poor camera in Boulder Colorado, so I don't know how long it will be before I post the painting. I was taking a pic of a mountain from my bike and then just dropped the poor camera. I was still able to get the pics I already made onto the computer, but picture taking is over for a while. Everyone take care and have fun and I'll put on more pics as soon as I get a new camera. Until then, hug your camera today and show it everyday that you care, for these accidents happen. Have fun!

Blast from the Past

2011-06-07T00:24:00.000-07:00

This is another Blast from the Past. This painting was 2 x 4 feet and sold at the historic Kentucky Theater several years ago, maybe 2005. It wasn't a real scene though, that always bothered me. Now when I do a painting I use real scenes. I want someone to know where the place is if they had ever been there and that has happened several times. I try to get the rocks, trees and everything right. It's my way to honor the places I have been.

Backyard sketches

2011-06-07T00:22:00.000-07:00

Some back yard sketches I did to practice drawing. Some Wild Strawberries, which you can eat, I keep hearing people who think they are poisonous but I've eaten them over 20 years and like them better than regular Strawberries. I also drew corn, dandelions, violets and some leaves of a Red Bud tree. I paint often and don't practice drawing near enough. I worked with a great new model last week and I want to be ready when it comes time to draw the pictures from the photo shoot.

Etsy

2011-05-16T22:52:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks, I'm doing a showcase today on Etsy, and I've made things a little cheaper than usual in hopes of stirring things up a bit, so check it out if you like. Take care everyone!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Cliffs-Art/131025403608120?sk=app_169505045786

Sorry Folks

2011-05-15T22:12:00.000-07:00

Sorry everyone, I didn't realize the font size was so small. I'll try to be more careful about that.

Autumn Days to Come

2011-05-15T22:07:00.000-07:00

I have fought with this painting for a while now, but at last it's done. This is a painted version of the Color Pencil piece Changing of the Seasons. When Robin posed for this, I used flash to get her details, but I didn't think about her coloring. Once I painted her she looked like a cartoon, because her colors were not natural to the sky. So I did this in color pencil to figure out the colors and did the painting after that. Color Pencil does come more natural to me and it's easier to problem solve with them. Everyone take care and have fun!

Dogwood Spring

2011-05-14T00:32:00.000-07:00

This is a painting I finished last week. It's titled DogWood Spring. Me and my wife Malissa were running around outside of Gatlinberg TN, and I saw this hillside full of Dogwoods. I don't do many pure landscape paintings, but I felt like I had to do this one.

New Video

2011-04-26T21:54:00.000-07:00

At long last! By popular demand(not really)! Here it is, my new video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzWuXuv_azQ

Autumn Repose

2011-04-24T14:54:00.000-07:00

Here is my newest painting Autumn Repose. In this painting Robin the model, sits under some bushes and trees down at the Waveland Historic site just South of Lexington. I like the accessories used in this painting. The basket I got at Goodwill, and the hat I got at Family Dollar for....a dollar. It was really nice, just a little big. She had problems keeping off her eyes. I really liked the way it looked though. I bought the skirt last year at Dragon Con. I look forward to painting it again. Everyone take care and have fun!

Drawing for New Robin Painting

2011-04-14T23:01:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone! This is my drawing for my next painting which I plan to start tomorrow. The other painting I just finished and I'll put it out here soon for all to see. You can see where I ran out of paper and taped another piece of paper on to complete my drawing. That's because the drawing was meant to be smaller, but I could never control the size of my drawings. Not really good anyway. When I was in art class drawing naked people I learned to do this, as we didn't' have much time to complete the drawing. I'd just rip me some paper from where ever I could find it, tape it and keep going. Sometimes I had to use paper of different colors, if I were out. Hope everyone has a good week, I'll put a pic of the other painting out here soon. Take care and have fun!

Hi everyone!

2011-04-07T22:39:00.000-07:00

I just saw on my settings that I am getting some traffic from the people of Iran. I think that's awesome! I have known several people both from Iran and of Iranian descent, and they have all been very nice. It also might be worth noting, when I paint I listen to music, sometimes Bluegrass, sometimes Techno-Tribal, sometimes New Age music. But I also listen to Axiom of Choice and Niyaz. These bands play a mix of Middle Eastern music and rock music. I love that kind of music and I know some of the members of both bands are Iranian. I think Azam Alli was born in Iran but raised in India, I read that some where. I really lie music that has an Ancient aire to it. It helps me get into the mood for painting. But I love that I have people from around the world checking in on my art. Take care everyone!

Unfinished work

2011-04-07T22:26:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone. This is where I am on this painting. Life keeps getting in the way of me painting, but it's coming along. Actually, this is from a day or two ago, I have a little more done than this, but I didn't get a picture today. I really liked this picture even though you can't see Robin's face. I bought this hat for a dollar an hour or so before the photo shoot. It turned out that the hat was too big for her head, but she worked with it, and everything turned out nicely. She's a real trooper.

Hi everyone!

2011-03-31T21:53:00.000-07:00

I just realized recently I'm getting views from Japan, Iran, Russia and others from around the world. Hi to all of you. I hope you go to my Face book link and friend me. I'm honored that people from around the world are checking in on my work! I didn't know you can see on Settings how many views you are getting and from where. Nice info! And for those in Japan, my thoughts and prayers go out for you every night. Japan is a great country, I'm sure it will recover even though this event has been very tragic. Take care everyone.

Drawing for new painting

2011-03-31T21:36:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Hope all is well, this is the drawing for my new painting. This is Robin modeling at the Waveland Historic site just South of Lexington. I had just bought the hat for a dollar before the shoot, which took place last fall. I just wanted to throw in some more accessories to spice things up. Ever draw an Easter Basket? It was a little hard, but fun. My eyes kept crossing (I just started wearing glasses). I better run, but hope the drawing is enjoyable for everyone. I'll post more when the painting gets going. Take care and have fun!

Etsy

2011-03-26T22:33:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, I'm doing a Showcase on Etsy this weekend. You can my stuff at http://www.etsy.com/shop/cliffsart?ref=pr_shop I have paintings and prints at a range of prices. Everyone take care and have fun!

Hey, I'm on Facebook

2011-03-24T21:54:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone. Now I'm showing some of my art and what's going on on Facebook so hit the link and like me. I look forward to seeing you all!

A Day in the Woods

2011-03-22T21:32:00.001-07:00

This is my newest painting...so far. I'm not sure if I am done or not, but either way, I'll probably post a better pic than this. I think the strong point in this is the skirt. I have sold at least one painting because the buyer liked the work on the skirt. I think this is the best one I've done yet. I do buy skirts to use for my models, but this one didn't belong to me, this one is Robin's. I really liked this pose she came up with. I've been blessed with good models. Everyone take care and have fun.

Resting

2011-01-18T23:03:00.000-08:00

Hi folks. Just thought I'd show you my newest painting titled Resting. I worked on this last week. I put a lot of hours in a short time on this one. I was trying to get a good painting done to trying to get in an exhibit in Scottsdale AZ. My first project was a poorly chosen attempt, so I went with something I knew a little better. Women and Earth. I'm happy with this one, I just hope the good folks jurying the Scottsdale show are too. Cross thou fingers....please. Have fun and take care evryone!

Placid Wilderness

2010-12-07T08:50:00.000-08:00

Here's a new piece, Placid Wilderness. In the scene, Robin looks into the woods, maybe contemplating her past, future, or her place in the wilderness in which she presently exists. The scene was photographed at the Anglin Falls and painted in my living room. And it's painted on wood, I don't like canvas. Too bouncy.

Ethereal

2010-11-18T22:40:00.000-08:00

I think this is the first time I've ever painted a Ghost. When Robin posed here, I knew I had to do this. Only bad thing is that I started this painting five days before Halloween and knew I wouldn't finish it in time for Hallows eve, so I did it anyway. I had fun with the Tombstones and wall too. This pose was done at Waveland, it's a great place to visit. Some people don't believe and I can't understand that, but maybe they haven't had the experiences I have. It's scary when it happens...usually, but cool to think about later. I may do another, it would be a cool sereis. Hope you enjoy. Have fun!

Portrait

2010-11-12T23:48:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! I've been working on many works, but haven't put any out here..............until now! My Half Sister wanted me to do a portrait of her and her brother on a horse. This was a really hard one to do because of the size of the original picture. Facial details are impossible to make out, so I was really drawing on instincts, trying to make things out. I also used this as a chance to use an old love...Color Pencils! I love seeing realistic art from Color Pencils. Hope you do too. Take care!

A Summer's Stroll

2010-08-31T23:24:00.000-07:00

Drawing closer and this work, my newest work, A Summer's Stroll, is now hanging at Common Grounds in Lexington. I usually do pretty good there, that's a great place for me and other artists. Two other pieces have sold at the Hub in Danville, but I'm not sure which ones yet. Summer's Stroll is another piece with my friend and model Robin and the Tom Dorman Nature Preserve in Garrard County. A great model in a great landscape. Good times! Everyone take care and have fun!

Drawing Nearer

2010-08-16T20:21:00.000-07:00

Here is that painting. Drawing Nearer. I have had it done for a while and thought I'd shown here. Opps. I'm pretty happy with this one. It's nice to be painting again.

Art Exhibit

2010-07-30T22:34:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, I'm back again. This month my work is being shown at the Hub in Danville Ky, http://www.thehubcoffeehousencafe.com/ While hanging the exhibit, these two pieces may have been sold. The potential buyers wanted me to sign them on the front and frame one. I did but don't know if they were bought yet. I never count them as sold until money actually changes hands. You get lots of "I'll buy it next week", but that promise often falls through. We will see what happenes next. But if you are in Danville, stop by. It's a good little coffe-eatery shop too. Take care everyone!

I'm back!

2010-07-22T23:12:00.000-07:00

Hello again, it's been quite a while. I've had a lot going on. I've been moving, helping take care of my Dad who recently passed away, and went through a horrible Art depression. I vowed to never paint again, but here I am. It's been a rough Summer. And Spring too. But I'm back, can't stop painting, never really wanted to anyway, I just had to learn that. Well, here is my newest work, still in progress, but it's good to be back in the saddle. You can see my drawing. I'm bad about keeping to a certain size when I draw. It was supposed to be small and on one piece of paper, instead of three. That's ok though, I can work with it. I'll show you more in a few days. Take care everyone.

What I was going to show you

2010-03-24T22:23:00.001-07:00

Sometimes while painting on wood I have these hidden pitfalls, such as the pivet of wood missing in the painting Windblown. I didn't see it until the painting was almost done and I had to hit it with some sandpaper. I had to sand off the ridges until it all smoothed out. I've heard some people cringe when I do this or paint black over the entire painting and start again, but if it needs repaired it needs it, or if it needs starting all over, so be it. I want to get it right. Just thought that might be interesting, Take care and have fun!

The Whisper

2010-03-09T20:08:00.001-08:00

Hello again! This is my newest painting The Whisper. It's kind of a Romantic piece, I haven't really done any, maybe I should do more. You might have to zoom in to get more of that Romantic look I'm talking about. It's always good to try new moods, but here again I had fum playing with the sunlight in the pic. And, I don't know if I had mentioned, I'm on Etsy now so if anyone wants to buy artwork from me, check out Etsy...I'm there!

New Painting Windblown

2010-01-27T22:59:00.000-08:00

Here is my newest work, maybe the first of the year, I'm not sure. Here the model is against a tree at the UK Arboretum. I've actually wanted to do this painting for a year or two, but wanted to do it at the right time. I may do some more out of the woods style paintings, but I don't think I want to get away from nature. Not too much. I just want something a little different. Here I got to play with the sunlight more than usual, it was fun! I may do some indoor paintings next. For the next post, I'll show some work I had to do to get this one right. Sanding and everything! Take care and have fun!

Morning of Reflection

2010-01-20T00:38:00.000-08:00

Good news, I just sold another painting, Morning of Reflection, to my friend and very talented and respected artist Patrick Lynch and his wife Valerie. I was happy to have them purchase this one. It's nice to sell a painting but when another painter like Patrick buys one, that's a huge compliment. He's very good, everyone check out his site at http://www.beautifulpast.net/ That's them in the photo above, they have a neat house too. I'm almost done with my next painting and I'll be back soon. Cheers.

New Painting

2010-01-01T23:12:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone! I've been working on this one for quiet a while. This is Robin at the Tom Dorman Nature Sanctuary in Garrard county. I wanted a picture of her on this rock and it worked out pretty good. After I got it done, I decided it needed more so I added a Recorder to add to the mood as well as the visuals of this piece. Heh, it was also nice to do a painting with more leg. She has great legs, so I needed to make sure to do more paintings with them. I was also happy with the hillside. Sometimes it's hard to make a hill seem as steep as it really is, but I got it in this painting. I think this is my third try to get this painting right. The other two, besides other problems, didn't have the hill right. This being titled, "A Song in the Woods," is my first paintng in 2010. Hope you enjoy!

A video!

2009-11-09T19:42:00.001-08:00

Well, I've gone and done it. Me and my wife worked on a you tube video and you can see it here

I made it based on The Land of Anglin because that is the most step by step photographed painting I've done. There will be more soon. Hope you like it!

Living Waters

2009-11-03T22:28:00.000-08:00

Hello again. I thought I'd take a moment and show you the latest work "Living Waters". This is yet another Acrylic piece on board about 2x3 feet in size. I take a certain pride in doing landscapes in this area. I've been out West in the Rockies, which I love, but I really think Kentucky can match any state in natural beauty....if you know where to look. In this painting however, this is my wife posing next to a stream just out of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. If you drive towards the Chimney tops on the way to Cherokee, this stream is located on the left side of the road just a mile or so out of Gatlinburg. There is a couple of signs that say "Quiet Walk" or something like that. It's one of those, but the same stream. It's not Kentucky, but it's close, and the landscape is not so different. The mountains are just a bit bigger. My next peice is also of another exotic land, but even more so. I'll keep up the suspence until I post it, but it was of a land far, far away. Take care and have fun!

Sold! Return to Serinty painting

2009-10-27T00:37:00.000-07:00

Well tonight, thanks to the good people at Common Grounds here in Lexington, I sold another painting to a fine Gentleman named Josh. This has been a good year, despite the economy I've sold art in almost every exhibit I've been in. I think all but 1, maybe 2. Don't think I'm getting the big head though, I still have my day job. But that may be about 6, maybe 8, I'm not sure. Anyway, I just wanted to send out the good news. Good night all and sleep well.

Portrait Fin!

2009-10-06T03:04:00.000-07:00

Well, it's done. I finished this portrait Saturday morning about 5:30 in the morning and a few hours later the two great people became one in the sunny city of Elizabeth town KY. I'm still happy with the angles on the garden structure, I usually don't do those very well. And I'm happy with this painting because this is the first I've done since I had taken a much needed break. Well, everyone take care and have fun!

Portrait

2009-09-28T00:04:00.000-07:00

Hi all! Just thought I'd show what I'm working on right now. This is a portrait for my Step-Brother in Law's wedding. He's a great guy marrying a great girl so I thought I'd do this for them. It turned out they were thinking the same thing so he gave me some equipment he didn't need,... we bartered. You can see my drawing and painting, I have to hurry on this one. They get married Saturday! I'm really happy with the structure behind them, I don't do well with straight angles. I don't care what what anyone says, perspective is way harder when you are working from a real picture. But anyway, I hope everyone likes this and I really, really hope they do! Everyone take care and have fun!

Hi there!

2009-09-24T22:40:00.000-07:00

Well, I took a bit of a break from painting, I needed some sleep. About a month and a half's worth. I'm now back and doing a wedding portrait for family member and friend of mine and his bride to be. I'll show a pic soon. During my break I still exhibited and Woodsong sold at last Friday's Gallery hop. Two wonderful folks from Richmond purchased Woodsong and said it reminded them of their backyard. I told them that this modeling session was done at Anglin Falls, South of where they live, but not far at all, and they loved it. I also let them know that this was my wife modeling and they met her. People always like meeting the models. I still have art at Common Grounds, Christ Church Cathedral and Awesome Inc. Everybody, take care and hace fun!

Up Coming Shows

2009-09-09T22:55:00.000-07:00

Haunting Waters

Hi! Sorry I haven't blogged in a while, I've been taking some much needed rest. Working in the day and painting at night becomes very hard after 6 or so years. I've also took some time to travel and clear my head some. But showing hasn't slowed down. Some of the previous show is still at Awesome Inc., I will be in the next Gallery Hop this September 18thhttp://www.ccclex.org/Art/tabid/172/language/en-US/Default.aspx and next week some art will be hung at Common Grounds http://www.commongroundsoflexington.com/ Hopefully I'll have some good art sales. I'll keep you posted as how I finish the last painting I posted. Take care and have fun!

Awesome Inc show

2009-08-19T23:32:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd share some pics from the exhibit at Awesome Inc. It's a neat place in downtown Lexington where people have started their own businesses and they share the space and the rent. Rebbecca has a dance studio there and Andy, my former drawing classmate (and student of the wise and wonderful Ross Zirkle, God bless his soul!) helped me get a show there and thanks to them both. It's a great space but kind of hard to see in during the day. If you go by at night look in, it's pretty cool. It's across from Duncan Doughnuts on Main Street. Just be careful if you are driving.

WoodSong

2009-08-05T01:10:00.001-07:00

Hi again, just thought I'd post the finished painting "WoodSong". It seemed like the only name suitable for this piece. It just seems that the subject is singing to the trees above her, and enjoying her place in the Universe. Here is a positive attitude we can all emulate and it would be good for us all. I really enjoyed working on this one despite being really busy lately. I guess when working on this piece I was kind of like her, slowing down and enjoying painting. What do you like to do to relax? Do it and have fun!

Kentucky Theater Exhibit

2009-08-03T01:06:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd show some of my pictures from the exhibit I had at the Kentucky Theater. I didn't sell anything this time, but I do have someone interested in a piece who I am currently talking to. The show ran through July and he didn't get in contact with me until August. That's OK, better late than never. But be assured, if I make this sell the Kentucky Theater will still get the commission coming to them, it's very good to keep good relations. And, Fred (the Manager) has been very helpful and supportive as far back as I can remember. I have an exhibit at Awesome Inc. through August and I'll post those pictures very soon. This will be a busy Fall, hopefully with lots of sales from very, very good people. Everyone take care and have fun!

The Next New Painting

2009-07-29T04:58:00.000-07:00

Here's the next new painting. I haven't came up with a title yet, I think I want to decide on that once it is done. Here you can see the subject gleefully looking to the trees and enjoying her environment. I really liked that this is such a Spring time scene. I will have more pics in a few days as I get more done and I will also have some pics of the Kentucky Theater exhibit that is currently up, well, at until Friday.

Just One Look

2009-07-13T23:11:00.000-07:00

Hey there! It has taken me quite a while to finish this one. At least I'm finished for now. I struggled a bit with the hand. At first the original photo didn't show enough detail so I had my wife to pose again so I could draw the hand. But then it was too big, so I had to re-draw and re- paint it. Anyway, here is the result. You may have to enlarge it to see it right. This is one of those paintings that don't look right small. Oh, and as for the title, if you look at it differently, she has different expressions. At least the painting does, it might on computer too, I'm not sure. I may show it next month in my show at Awesome Inc. I'll give more news on that soon. Have fun all!

A drawing and Black paint!!!

2009-06-16T00:25:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone. I have shown the start of another painting. As you can see I've started out with a drawing of the model, my wife Malissa, on tracing paper, then I transfer the drawing to a board already painted in black. And yes, this drives some people crazy such as my former painting teacher from college. He had two rules for me personally. No drawing with a pencil, and no painting with black as a back ground. I respected his class and didn't do there, but afterward, I've been all about black paint and pencils.
Why is there this rule that the background must be white? Some people paint the figure red before doing anything, but that was OK. Well, I've been happy with the paintings as they have turned out, and several costumers have them and seemed happy too, so I guess it all works out. I guess it's best sometimes to listen to what you think you should do. Everyone take care and have fun.

New Painting

2009-06-04T23:46:00.000-07:00

Hi there! Here is my new painting titled Haunting Waters. It's pretty much in the same place the last painting was set in, but in this one you can see the water I was telling you about in the last blog. I'm going to do some more like this, I really like the look of the low light. It gives it a nice haunting effect. The challenge here is not to make it too dark. A lot of people, like my Dad, has noticed that some of my work is really dark. I know though, I like it that way. I stay up late a lot and usually hike around sunset. I'm not a Vampire though, I'm just a creature of the night, like in the Laura Branigan song:) Everyone take care!

New Painting

2009-05-15T05:20:00.001-07:00

Hey, here is my newest painting that I have titled Discovery. This is the one from the Anglin Falls. My wife posed for this one, I'll be using more of her in the future. If she was to look up she'd be looking right up at the base of the falls. She's next to a pool at the bottom of the falls, but that will be in the next painting which I'm starting tonight. I really like these paintings with the low light. Everyone take care and have fun!

New Works

2009-05-08T22:37:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone! It's been a long time since I've posted anything. It's been too cloudy to get a good photo of my work. At the top you can see one of my newest paintings, River's Edge. It's of the Kentucky River as it appeared at the Tom Dorman Nature Preserve last Fall. That is in Garrad County Kentucky and some of my other work as been based on that land. This is one of my few pure landscapes, and even fewer water paintings, which I will do more of.
I have a thing about old houses. This one is here in Woodford county Kentucky. Oh, and it's titled My Old Kentucky Home. Actually, this is an abandoned house on Carpenter Pike. If you know where that is you can find it. I love seeing these old houses and will also do more paintings of these. In a week or so I'll have another painting from the beautiful Anglin Falls. Everyone take care and have fun!

Another Sale

2009-04-27T23:33:00.001-07:00

March and April has been a good month for me! I sold another painting, "Once upon a Summer's day" to Christ Church Cathedral. It was chosen by their Youth and I'm very thankful and find it a honor. You can see Once upon a Summer's day 2 or 3 posts back. Last Friday I was part of the Art Walk in Paris with my good friend and a heck of a painter Patrick Lynch. I have a pic with him, and one with my wife Malissa. I had a friend from out of town there too, but I don't think she wants her pic out here. Everyone should go look for Patrick's website at http://beautifulpast.blogspot.com/ Also I met a Ghost Hunter. Actually he works with my wife, I just got to speak with him at length about ghosts. Patrick and a friend/model of his named Norma had some stories too. It was fun. If you are from Kentucky and like ghosts check out Bluegrass CSI or go here http://www.bluegrasscsi.org/drupal/index.php Take care and sleep tight everyone. HA ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Go to the next post, this one is incomplete.

2009-04-27T23:26:00.000-07:00

March and April has been a good month for me! I sold another painting, "Once upon a Summer's day" to Christ Church Cathedral. It was chosen by their Youth and I'm very thankful and find it a honor.

New Painting

2009-04-14T00:06:00.000-07:00

Hi all! Well this painting didn't take me too long. It's titled Watching the Trees Sway. It's another painting based on the photos from the Anglin Falls area. It's a wonderful place to paint. All the big trees and rocks and the falls itself! I put a pic in here to show how I block off areas for trees so I can paint the sky and leaves around them. This makes things go faster and look more realistic. You have probably seen this before from painting books, but now you have seen it from me. I used masking tape, but if you do this, lay the tape on your shirt so as to make it a little less sticky, other wise it may hold too strong to your painting surface and not tear off right or pull away some of the paint you have already laid down. You can also get some of the lent and cat hairs off your shirt with this method too:) Everyone take care and have fun!

Hey everyone!

2009-04-06T00:20:00.001-07:00

Sorry it's been so long since I've last posted anything. Unfortunately, life has been very busy, but on the other hand, I have sold a few pieces this last month. Seeker of the Forest and Prayer Among the Trees sold to a very nice couple who did the Gallery hop here in Lexington last time. Tina and Patrick, beside having impeccable taste, are also very kind people and it was a pleasure to meet them both. The pic in the middle, Silence of Saturn also sold. I haven't sold, or showed any of my Space Art in quite a while. I left it a few years ago feeling I have said all I have to say in that medium. I may do it again some day, I hope Matt enjoys this painting lots! In this time I've done 2 paintings and I will show them soon here on the blog. Everyone take care!

Natural Beauty

2009-03-03T00:07:00.001-08:00

Hey Everyone. Here is the newest painting titled Natural Beauty, and she is too. This one was kind of hard to get right, but once I got it I was really happy with it. In the original picture, her mouth was not visible because of the lighting. That can work in photography, but it's harder to get away with in a painting. So, I had to imagine what one would look like, or figure out where it really is. This was quit difficult. I can draw what I see, but it's hard to guess. But, like I said I'm really happy with this one. The work paid off. Speaking of that, the Gallery Hop seems to have worked out well as I may sell 2 paintings from that event. I'll let you know more as things happen, but it looks good. Everyone take care and have fun!

Guardian of Anglin

2009-02-18T22:58:00.000-08:00

Hi all! Well, here is the newest piece. It's kind of like another piece I did last Summer, but from a different angle. Robin has her stick again and is ready to defend the great land of she is in. She really did like doing kung fu poses, even though I wasn't going to paint them. Maybe I'll draw one and put it on here one day. Oh, and I will have six pieces in the Galley Hop here Friday. I'll be at the Christ Church Cathedral on Market Street. You can go to http://www.ccclex.org/Home/tabid/36/language/en-US/Default.aspx Hit the Art button. Everyone take care!

New Painting on the way

2009-02-05T00:11:00.000-08:00

Hi! I just wanted to show the drawing I'm basing the next painting on. Robin has that walking stick again. I just got through loading up some paintings for a show I'll have at the Cathedral. I'll put more info up about that soon. Everyone take care and have fun!

Once Upon a Summer's Day

2009-01-23T21:49:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone. Here is the new painting Titled, "Once Upon a Summer's Day". I've been working on this series of Robin a lot lately. I tried something new with the tree bark. I usually paint in some highlights and leaves a few dark lines to suggest bark and texture. I did some of that, but I also kept painting brighter and brighter greens to suggest lichens growing on the bark. The paint darkened as it dried so I did this several times until it seemed right to me. In this painting is Robin over looking Jessamine County from Garrard County. I need to do a painting where in it you can see the KY River separating the two. Everyone take care and have fun!

Other works

2009-01-09T20:31:00.001-08:00

Just for anyone who thinks I'm a one trick pony, WRONG! I draw lots of things. Over the holidays, I did several cartoony pics of some of my friends for Christmas cards. Everyone seems to enjoy them. I just thought I'd post these to show some of what I do other than my main body of work. Take care everyone!

The Drawing

2009-01-05T21:00:00.000-08:00

Oh, I just wanted to take the opportunity to show the original drawing for the painting "Overlooking Jessamine". You can tell I'm right handed by all the smears on the right side of the paper. Anyway, there you go.

New Painting

2009-01-05T11:56:00.000-08:00

Overlooking Jessamine-this is my newest piece. The last piece did not work out the way I was hoping, but I will explain more of that in another posting. The reason this is called Overlooking Jessamine is because the Robin was setting on an Overlook in Garrard County looking at Jessamine County across the Kentucky River. This is an Acrylic piece on board. I struggle sometimes with her skin tone, being she is very tan, but when I get it right it is worth it. She a great model. In the original picture the trees almost completely hide the hill you are seeing so I left out a few trees. I thought about leaving them out all together, but I thought a happy medium was best. I also added in those Turkey feathers, I just love the way they look. Everyone have fun!

A New Piece with Julie

2008-12-06T01:08:00.000-08:00

I've been working on a new color pencil piece. The other night my cat Julie would not leave me alone, so I let her set in my lap while I worked, which was hard as well as cute, so I thought I'd show you guys a picture of this. Sometimes you have to be an artists even with the cutest thing in the world in your way. Just try to work and not wake her up. I'll put the finished piece on here soon. I may even give Julie credit as co-artist. Have fun!

Newest Painting

2008-11-30T20:31:00.001-08:00

Edge of Night, this is the title of my latest painting. I have done mostly landscape pieces lately with little or no sky, so I decided to tackle a clear sunset again. Something else I haven't done a lot of lately is add a model into a scene she has not posed in. I had Robin here leaning against a tree in one photo, and had this other landscape photo so I put them together in a painting. When I do this it usually doesn't look very good, but I'm happy with this one. I wonder how many people will recognize the Squirrel bed in the painting. I mean to add in more animals at some point, but I haven't liked the way I have done most of them. There is nothing I can explain other than saying usually when animals are put into paintings, it looks forced, or fake. It's like there is no mood in the painting with the animal added, even if it's a good depiction. I don't only see that in my own work, but many others painters too. But there are some that do work, so I'll figure out how to do it one day. I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving, and don't forget to work out a little. I will too,