"Sunrise Through Powerlines"

6" x 6"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

I was up all night for work a couple of days ago. The good part of being up all night was that I got to see the sunrise, which I hardly ever do. This was from a photo taken off the balcony of my apartment building.

"Trinket"

6" x 6"
Oil on Masonite
$80

To purchase, email me with the title in the subject line.

I got this ring several years ago in Prague. It is green amber. I thought about painting several pieces of my jewelry in this one, but I liked the simplicity of this one ring on a black background.

I didn't get a chance to photograph my new piece before the sky turned black and the rain started today. I will post it tomorrow when I can take a picture in better light. In the meantime, below is the flyer for the upcoming show at the Art & Light Gallery in West Greenville. The show will feature a number of my new works, as well as the work of several other Greenville artists. Also, jazz trio Jazz Mountain will perform. Come out and support local art and music. Hope to see you all there.

"An Evening In 2"

10" x 14"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

The fading light coming in the window as I was painting this piece created some intense blue reflections across the metal surface. I had to paint quickly to capture the changing light. I am pretty pleased with how this one turned out.

"An Evening In"

6" x 6"
Oil on Masonite
$80

To purchase, email me with the title in the subject line.

I love the way the light played across the irregular surface of this wine opener. This piece ended up being a study for a larger piece, as I wanted to include the "arms" of the opener as well. I will post the larger work tomorrow.

"Deciding What to Paint"

6" x 6"
Oil on Masonite
$80

To purchase, email me with the title in the subject line.

I never like when I have to search around for something to paint. I prefer those days when I "stumble across" the perfect subject. A couple of nights ago, though, I was at a loss for what to paint. I was staring at the paintbrush lying on my paint palette when it suddenly occurred to me- I'll paint that. I love how the background comes across as an abstract, but it was a fairly faithful representation of the arrangement of the paint on the palette.

I wanted to say thanks to those of you who not only send me comments on individual pieces, but have told me your impressions of the collection as a whole. Several people have recently remarked about the change and growth in my work since I started doing these dailies. It really is remarkable how painting everyday has changed the way I approach a piece, how I view subjects, and even how I handle a paintbrush. Thanks again for all your input!

"Reminder"

6" x 6"
Oil on Masonite
$80

To purchase, email me with the title in the subject line.

A couple of nights ago, I was headed out and had my hands full of stuff. I turned the lock on the doorknob, stepped out of the apartment, and pulled the door closed. Just at that moment I had the sinking feeling that the keys were still inside- which of course they were. After much ado, I was able to get back in the apartment to retrieve them. So, this piece is a visual reminder to me and everyone else to make sure you have your keys before you leave the house!

"Hand Made"

6"x 6"
Oil on Masonite
$80

To purchase, email me with the title in the subject line.

One of my other favorite things to do, especially recently, is to sew. My mom taught me how, and actually gave me her old sewing machine. For me, there is something exciting about wearing something that I have created myself, so that my clothes are even more an expression of who I am. I think it is the same excitement I get from creating a piece of art- that I have created something out of myself, that others can now see.

"After the Storm"

10" x 14"
Oil on Masonite
$150

To purchase, email me with the title in the subject line.

I meant to post this last night. Needless to say, it was a rough day. Hope you enjoy!

"After the Dance"

6" x 6"
Oil on Masonite
$80

To purchase, email me with the title in the subject line.

My sister made a comment to me the other day that she thinks it's funny that I love certain pairs of my shoes so much that I even make paintings of them. Well, little sis, here is further confirmation of that fact! I also had a great time painting the wool rug that the shoes are sitting on.

"Cover Art"

11" x 14"
Oil on Mat board
$150

To purchase, email me with the title in the subject line.

I have wanted to do this piece for a while. It is an interpretation of a cover of Ladies' Home Journal from 1943. The serial in this edition of the magazine is titled "The Hardest Wife to Be." I just think that it is such a beautiful and interesting image.

"Green Shoes"

6" x 6"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD


On Monday morning, I woke up a bit tired and cranky...and late. I got dressed pretty quickly, and set one of my favorite pairs of shoes by the door while I ate some breakfast. As I was sitting down with my cereal, I glanced over and my shoes were sitting in a beautiful shaft of morning light. I grabbed the camera and snapped a few pictures, because I knew this was what I had to paint! It is amazing how one simple moment can change the outlook of the whole day.

"Living Room through Glass"

10" x 14"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

To purchase, email me with the title in the subject line.

I completed this one over the weekend, and it is my 100th daily painting! Thanks to all of you who have regularly checked out my work, given me support, comments, suggestions, and a big thanks to those of you who now have one of these on your wall! My favorite thing about this 100th piece is the slightly distorted living room as seen through the curved glass. Now...on to number 200!

"Sunrise Through Trees"

6"x 6"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD


This is another piece from my friend's pictures of Alaska. I love clouds. They are one of the most amazing creations, which always remind me that there is a God who is so much greater than we are. Doing these pieces makes me want to go out and paint "en plein air", if it weren't for the 101 degree South Carolina heat!

"Case Closed"

6" x 6"
Oil on Masonite
$80

To purchase, email me with the title in the subject line.

I got the idea to paint this one after I had named the one from two nights ago. I really enjoyed focusing in on the intricacies of the wood grain.

"Beauty on the Horizon"

6" x 6"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

Ask and it shall be given to you! A friend send me some photos of his hometown in Alaska, and they were just too beautiful to pass up. A huge thanks to Dustin Wilson for the pictures. If you would like to commission a piece, send me some photos, or just give me a suggestion on what I should paint next, feel free to send me an email or leave me a comment, and you too can see your name in print. I am always up for suggestions.

"Case Open"

6" x 6"
Oil on Masonite
$80

To purchase, email me with the title in the subject line.

This case was my mother's art box, which she gave to me several years ago. I typically use it to carry around my little paintings to art shows. As I approach my 100th daily painting, I look back at them all and a small part of me thinks I should specialize- focus on a single type of painting, be it still life or figurative work, and a single style. But, the rest of me thinks about all the things I would miss if I were to do that. Beauty and inspiration come from so many sources. I never know from day to day what thing or place or person will strike me, or how I will choose to approach it. I am not saying that I will never focus my work in on a specific genre, and I have great admiration for those artists who do more specialized work. At this point in my painting life though, I plan to stay open to all of God's wonders, no matter what form they may take.

"Big Finish"

6" x 6"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD


This one was a very quick study. I mainly wanted to get a little color back in, but to maintain the looseness I have achieved in the last few paintings.

"Late Night"- Updated

12" x 18"
Oil on Masonite
$150

To purchase, email me with the title in the subject line.

I didn't do much more to this one, but added just enough detail for me to feel like it was completed. I called this one "Late Night" because I imagine that this club is closing down, and most everyone has gone home for the night except for these two men in the background, engaged in conversation, and these two people who simply cannot stop dancing while there is still music playing.

"Late Night"

12" x 18"
Oil on Masonite

I took a risk last night and did an even larger piece. As this one is so much bigger than usual, I have given myself permission to work on it a bit more tonight. It occurred to me that the act of painting is much like dancing. Creating a piece like this one, I really focus on the movement of the brush across the surface, and how I move the paint around to create the image. Both take coordination and skill, plus a good bit of fun. And for me, both involve playing great music to set the mood!

Hello all. I spent last night catching up with some friends who I hadn't seen in a while, so no painting. However, I thought I would share a thought with you. I was drinking a bottle of tea several days ago, and it was one of those brands that puts quotes under the lid. This specific bottle had a quote from Van Gogh, which said "If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced." Besides being slightly surprised to find this quote on a bottle of tea, I thought it was such a beautiful and inspiring idea. There is nothing harder for me personally than to make myself paint when I don't feel "good enough", or when I'm not "up to it." Even though painting is the thing I love to do the most, there are days when it is an incredible struggle. But, it is often on those days when I don't feel inspired, but am able to overcome it that I feel the most satisfaction in my work. Often it is not inspiration that brings about good work, but the work itself that brings about inspiration.

"Swing Out"

10" x 14"
Oil on Masonite

This piece is a companion piece to the one I posted last night. The perspective on this one is a bit unusual, but I love how the arms of the couple in front keep you from going very deep into the background. You can see that there is a lot of activity behind them, but you can't quite tell what it all is. Again, this one is not currently for sale, as I hope to submit it for an upcoming show.

"In Flight"

10" x 14"
Oil on Masonite

Once again, here is one of my favorite subjects- swing dancing. This piece is larger than my typical daily paintings, but I still completed it in one day. The added space in the same amount of time forces me to loosen up, and gives the piece a more impressionistic feel. This piece is not currently for sale because I will be submitting it for an upcoming Upstate Visual Arts show. More details on that to come.