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| "Palmetto Contemplation" |
This piece, a 24" x 36" pastel on Ampersand Pastelbord, has been accepted to Art of the Animal XIII.
The painting is based on my photography of the Silverbacks at the Jacksonville Zoo, Jacksonville, FL, in January 2006. These guys just captivate me with their oh-so-humanlike gestures and behaviors. When one looks directly at you, you can't help but sense a high degree of intelligence and a certain distant kinship with these magnificent creatures. I already have plans to do another piece featuring one of these Silverbacks.
The painting is based on my photography of the Silverbacks at the Jacksonville Zoo, Jacksonville, FL, in January 2006. These guys just captivate me with their oh-so-humanlike gestures and behaviors. When one looks directly at you, you can't help but sense a high degree of intelligence and a certain distant kinship with these magnificent creatures. I already have plans to do another piece featuring one of these Silverbacks.
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| "Leopard on Alert" |
Latest addition to my series of "Big Cats." 36" x 24" pastel on Ampersand Pastelbord.
This cat is the same as featured in "Leopard Look." The reference for this piece was photographed at the Jacksonville Zoo in 2006. He was particularly cooperative that day, in that he would actually cease his incessant pacing of his habitat for several minutes a time, long enough for me to capture some incredible close-up images of him. I find this particular "on alert" pose particularly compelling. He was checking out some zoo visitors passing behind me while I stood literally just the other side of his enclosure to photograph him. At 36" high, this piece approximates life-size.
This cat is the same as featured in "Leopard Look." The reference for this piece was photographed at the Jacksonville Zoo in 2006. He was particularly cooperative that day, in that he would actually cease his incessant pacing of his habitat for several minutes a time, long enough for me to capture some incredible close-up images of him. I find this particular "on alert" pose particularly compelling. He was checking out some zoo visitors passing behind me while I stood literally just the other side of his enclosure to photograph him. At 36" high, this piece approximates life-size.
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This piece was completed in August 2007 based on photography from my 2006 trip to Glacier National Park. This guy allowed me to photograph him from a close range. Frankly, he did not seem terribly interested in what I was doing at all. We found this group of Big Horns late afternoon just below Haystack Butte on the High Line trail. The sunlight seemed to be almost horizontal from us, and I love the way it backlit this "gentleman."
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| "A Bright Moment on a Dreary Winter Day" |
New pastel piece, 15.5" x 21", on Ampersand Pastelbord.
This piece will be exhibited at the Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, FL, February 10 through March 14, 2008 as part of the 6th Biennial National Art Exhibition.
My reference for this piece was photographed on December 30, 2006, at Brazos Bend State Park, TX. I received a phone call on the way out to the park that my father had been admitted to the hospital in Jacksonville, FL. I spent the entire day in a quandry about whether to cut our trip short to return home. What started out as a gorgeous, sunny Texas winter day transformed into an almost totally dreary winter day for me. But when we came across this brilliant cardinal while hiking through the woods, my day was made. I knew as I photographed him that I would feature him in a painting.
This piece will be exhibited at the Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, FL, February 10 through March 14, 2008 as part of the 6th Biennial National Art Exhibition.
My reference for this piece was photographed on December 30, 2006, at Brazos Bend State Park, TX. I received a phone call on the way out to the park that my father had been admitted to the hospital in Jacksonville, FL. I spent the entire day in a quandry about whether to cut our trip short to return home. What started out as a gorgeous, sunny Texas winter day transformed into an almost totally dreary winter day for me. But when we came across this brilliant cardinal while hiking through the woods, my day was made. I knew as I photographed him that I would feature him in a painting.
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| "Deanna" |
Meet Deanna - newly completed 12" x 24" pastel on Ampersand Pastelbord.
The portrait was commissioned as a Christmas gift. The recipient emailed shortly after receiving her gift: "She has been by my side for almost 15 years and I've wanted one of your pieces since I first saw your labs [drawings] at Starbucks . . . . You have captured her essence perfectly -- and I will treasure this forever. She means so much to me and to have this hanging in my home will be beyond special."
The portrait was commissioned as a Christmas gift. The recipient emailed shortly after receiving her gift: "She has been by my side for almost 15 years and I've wanted one of your pieces since I first saw your labs [drawings] at Starbucks . . . . You have captured her essence perfectly -- and I will treasure this forever. She means so much to me and to have this hanging in my home will be beyond special."
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| "Flair for Fashion - Dru @ 4" |
Well, she's not exactly "wild life," although her mom swears that she is from time to time!
This 15" x 24" pastel on Ampersand Pastelbord is the second portrait I've completed of Druanna, a family friend. She has incredible sense of self and presence for a 4-year-old.
I had the pleasure of being present when her grandparents opened their Christmas gift - a framed print. "Mi Mi" knew immediately where she was going to hang the portrait when she returned home. I hope it brings her years of joy. I'm already planning my next piece for the Dru series.
This 15" x 24" pastel on Ampersand Pastelbord is the second portrait I've completed of Druanna, a family friend. She has incredible sense of self and presence for a 4-year-old.
I had the pleasure of being present when her grandparents opened their Christmas gift - a framed print. "Mi Mi" knew immediately where she was going to hang the portrait when she returned home. I hope it brings her years of joy. I'm already planning my next piece for the Dru series.
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| "Flamingo Inspection" |
36" x 24" Pastel on Ampersand Pastelbord.
Flamingo Inspection is currently on exhibit in Lake Worth, FL, in the Fourth Annual National Drawing, Painting and Printmaking Competition at Palm Beach Community College. Based on a photograph I took at the Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park. This facility is a surely a hidden gem! We spent a few hours in the park on a Sunday afternoon on the way home from a art workshop in the Tarpon Springs, FL area. What I particularly like about the park is that it primarily features Florida wildlife, and visitors are able to view the creatures at a fairly close range.
I love the flamingos. Singularly and in groups, they present all manner of abstract shapes as they rest, groom, and confront each other. This individual is just the first of a planned series of flamingos that will all be based on my Homosassa photography.
Flamingo Inspection is currently on exhibit in Lake Worth, FL, in the Fourth Annual National Drawing, Painting and Printmaking Competition at Palm Beach Community College. Based on a photograph I took at the Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park. This facility is a surely a hidden gem! We spent a few hours in the park on a Sunday afternoon on the way home from a art workshop in the Tarpon Springs, FL area. What I particularly like about the park is that it primarily features Florida wildlife, and visitors are able to view the creatures at a fairly close range.
I love the flamingos. Singularly and in groups, they present all manner of abstract shapes as they rest, groom, and confront each other. This individual is just the first of a planned series of flamingos that will all be based on my Homosassa photography.
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| "Double Egret" |
24" x 36" Pastel on Ampersand Pastelbord.
This piece will be exhibited at the Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, FL, February 10 through March 14, 2008 as part of the 6th Biennial National Art Exhibition.
My reference for this piece is from a photo shoot I did at one of my favorite Florida birding spots -- Viera Wetlands. I wanted to portray a "bird's eye" view of this bird "on point" as it searches for food.
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| "A Momentary Pause in Play" |
This pastel is a rare "small" piece at just 14"H x 9"W, as I generally work no smaller than about 15" x 18".
This piece will be exhibited at the Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, FL, February 10 through March 14, 2008 as part of the 6th Biennial National Art Exhibition.
My reference for this work is just one of a whole pack of wolf pups I photographed at Triple D Game Farm in Kalispell, MT, in July 2006. I must have taken 200 photos of these wildly energetic pups, most of them yielding just blurs of images. Captured their "motion," but not much help as a reference for a realistic painting!
This piece will be exhibited at the Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, FL, February 10 through March 14, 2008 as part of the 6th Biennial National Art Exhibition.
My reference for this work is just one of a whole pack of wolf pups I photographed at Triple D Game Farm in Kalispell, MT, in July 2006. I must have taken 200 photos of these wildly energetic pups, most of them yielding just blurs of images. Captured their "motion," but not much help as a reference for a realistic painting!
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| "Wood Stork Watch" |
Finalist, Animal/Wildlife Art Category The Artist's Magazine 24th Annual Art Competition 2007
Winner, Faber Castell Award, UKCPS 6th Annual Open International Exhibition 2007
4th Place Winner in the 14th Annual North Light Cover Competition (featured in June 2007 issue.)
Accepted into CPSA's 15th Annual International Exhibition 2007, Bethesda, MD, and
Accepted to Favorite Things, 1st Annual National Juried Exhibition, 2007, Atlanta Fine Arts League, Atlanta, GA
Winner, Faber Castell Award, UKCPS 6th Annual Open International Exhibition 2007
4th Place Winner in the 14th Annual North Light Cover Competition (featured in June 2007 issue.)
Accepted into CPSA's 15th Annual International Exhibition 2007, Bethesda, MD, and
Accepted to Favorite Things, 1st Annual National Juried Exhibition, 2007, Atlanta Fine Arts League, Atlanta, GA
I photographed this wood stork at the Jacksonville Zoo (Florida) on January 15, 2006. I find the unique angle of view intriguing. The stork's pose provided me an opportunity to portray his "featheriness" while also conveying his sense of "bulk."
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| "Tasting the Breeze" |
Juried into the Art of the Animal XII Exhibition at the Bennington Center for the Arts.
Third Place, It's Colored Pencil!2007, Statewide (Florida) Exhibition of Artwork in Colored Pencil
Finalist, Favorite Things Challenge #40, International Artist Magazine, published in August/September 2007 issue.
This piece is based on reference material I shot at the Houston Zoo in March 2006. I had to wait patiently for the breeze to die down that day so that the water was still enough that I could capture this powerful tiger's reflection. Just when I was ready to snap the image, he leaned back over his shoulder, extending his tongue - as if he were "tasting the breeze."
Third Place, It's Colored Pencil!2007, Statewide (Florida) Exhibition of Artwork in Colored Pencil
Finalist, Favorite Things Challenge #40, International Artist Magazine, published in August/September 2007 issue.
This piece is based on reference material I shot at the Houston Zoo in March 2006. I had to wait patiently for the breeze to die down that day so that the water was still enough that I could capture this powerful tiger's reflection. Just when I was ready to snap the image, he leaned back over his shoulder, extending his tongue - as if he were "tasting the breeze."
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| "Great Blue - Through the Grasses" |
Just completed, this piece will be first shown at the Thornebrook Art Festival, Gainesville, FL, October 2007. It is a life-size pastel work, 36" x 24".
"Through the Grasses" is based on a photo taken Spring 2007 at the Viera Wetlands near Melbourne, FL. Iparticularly like tension created by the abstract-looking tall grasses behind the realistic heron.
"Through the Grasses" is based on a photo taken Spring 2007 at the Viera Wetlands near Melbourne, FL. Iparticularly like tension created by the abstract-looking tall grasses behind the realistic heron.
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| "The Sentinel" |
I find the coloration, stature, self-imposed isolation, and grace in flight of the Great Blue Heron infinitely fascinating. I never tire of photographing these gorgeous birds.
This regal, watchful heron, created in almost life size, took Best of Show at the Gainesville Fine Arts Festival at Oak Hall School in May 2007, just days after I completed it.
This regal, watchful heron, created in almost life size, took Best of Show at the Gainesville Fine Arts Festival at Oak Hall School in May 2007, just days after I completed it.
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| "High Level Vigilance" |
Chasing after predators turns me into a kind of predator. Getting close enough to raptors to capture good reference images can be a real challenge. This red-tailed hawk, however, was so involved in his own vigilance that he really wasn't paying any attention to me . . . for a few minutes anyway! He was photographed high in tree near the entrance to the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge near Anahuac, TX, in March 2006. The sky was truly this clear and blue on that gorgeous Spring day. "Watching" the hawk, as he surveilled his territory, lent me a sense of serenity and security!
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| "What's Up? - Meerkats" |
This new pastel piece, 14.75" x 24", is based on a photo of meerkats taken at the zoo in Houston, TX. Who can resist these adorable little creatures?
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| "Woodland Nymph" |
This large (33.5 x 22) pastel piece is one of my new figurative pieces.
"Woodland Nymph" is based on a photo I took at the Gaineville Fine Arts Festival at Oak Hall School, May 2007, of a young dancer who participated in the festival as one of the entertainers. Several of the exhibiting artists whipped out cameras the second time this lithesome dancer performed to capture her fairy-like appearance. I like the ethereal sense of movement in this piece so much I'm contemplating developing a series from my photography of this young woman.
"Woodland Nymph" is based on a photo I took at the Gaineville Fine Arts Festival at Oak Hall School, May 2007, of a young dancer who participated in the festival as one of the entertainers. Several of the exhibiting artists whipped out cameras the second time this lithesome dancer performed to capture her fairy-like appearance. I like the ethereal sense of movement in this piece so much I'm contemplating developing a series from my photography of this young woman.