Blog

As an artist it is a challenge to paint subject matter you are not very familiar with. Living in southern Illinois I am not exposed to many white sand beaches.   I've been working on a series of paintings for a client who is interested in some beach paintings. Thanks to the generosity of subscribers I am able to craft different compositions for this project. In order to give them what they are looking for I combine various aspects of many photos.   Painting unfamiliar subjects makes you get out of your comfort zone. In this painting I had a hard time leaving the beach [...]

You don't find many like this one anymore. A beautifully maintained old barn. It takes you back to yesteryear! I love this crisp intensity of the colors. [...]

Another one from Jamaica. I still hope to make the trip down there some time.   [...]

In the 1890's, seemingly overnight, the Mississippi River changed course and cut off from Illinois the town that was once it's capitol; Kaskaskia. Once a thriving community on the river, it was now being consumed by this mighty river. The town of Kaskaskia lay somewhere near the bend in the river on the opposite bank. The location is near the center of the painting. Kaskaskia was very near where modern day Chester, Illinois is located.   [...]

Over the spring and early summer I had a studio built on to my house. It got me out of the basement and into a nice work environment. It also gave me an “emotional charge” as well as validating the amount of time I spend painting. Shortly after construction was finished I thought it would be good to have an open house for my new studio. Coincidentally, at the same time a FASO newsletter (Making The Most Of Your Open Studio – Luann Udall) arrived in my inbox discussing the merits of an open studio event. That newsletter confirmed I was on [...]

Viewing this painting one can feel the tranquility of the Jamaican coastline. The sun warms the early morning sky as two fishermen slowly work their way across the calm waters.   Perhaps one day I will be fortunate enough to visit the Carribean. Until that day I will have to settle for the generosity of friends who willingly share their memories for "Places I've Never Been, Things I've Never Done".   [...]

A snow-covered road winds sleepily through a darkening woods. The sun sets on a fresh snow. The colors that develop are astounding. I am always amazed how colors change at sunset. [...]

Southern Illinois is very rural and filled with many wonderful old barns that are slowly deteriorating. I've driven past my neighbor's barn countless times. Always wanted to paint it. I finally got a photo to work from. The warmth of the rugged wood texture has a lot of appeal.   [...]

This is one of my mid-career paintings. Created in 1995, it is interesting to see how my style has evolved over the years. One of the things I like best about this painting is it's "loose", watercolor style. [...]