Hawaiian Sunset – “Through The Vog”
Something that is unique to Hawaii and especially the Big Island is Vog. Essentially it is volcanic smog, tiny particles that are released into the air from Kilauea as it continually erupts. This vog hugs the horizon and can make or break a sunset. On the day I saw this sunset, it most definitely ‘made’ [...]
Peony in Oil – Step by Step
Here is a progression of a recent still life oil painting I completed for my upcoming show at Picture This Gallery in Eagle River, Alaska. Click through the images to see it progress and watch the video compilation. Thanks for looking!
“Koki’o ‘ula & Palila” Hawaiian Red Hibiscus and Palila Bird – Step By Step
This is one of my favorite paintings from my East Hawaii Cultural Center Exhibit. It is titled ” Koki’o ‘ula & Palila ” – Hawaiian Red Hibiscus and Palila Bird. All I had for reference was a small photo of a hibiscus blossom from a few years back. Though the reference was taken on an [...]
My Alaska Railroad Poster Contest Entry for 2012 – Step-By-Step
Back in the studio now from a whirl-wind visit to Hawaii and my exhibition at East Hawaii Cultural Center. I had previously decided that entering a piece in the Annual Alaska Railroad Poster Competition was not a logistical option. So many things going on! However I could not shake a poster concept from my mind. [...]
A Little Drizzle Makes For Consistant Lighting…(Updated)
Plein Air Painting at the Little Susitna River near Wasilla, Alaska. The weather was rather cold and dreary this early September day. Drizzles sputtered on and off over the course of a couple hours but the otherwise inclement weather made for some superbly consistent lighting. Here are a few photos documenting the process. “Little Su [...]
“Healing Light” Echinacea Step By Step
On my recent trip to Oregon I obtained many reference photos for future paintings. This subject, Cone Flowers or Echinacea, was just beautiful as they lazily swayed in and out of the late afternoon sun. Here I am working on an 8×8 Blick Studio Artists’ Board 3/4″ cradled panel . They have a nice irregular [...]
Iao Needle and Kinihapai Stream – Maui, Hawaii
Some places defy words. Even photos fail at capturing their beauty. This is one of those places.
Spring has Sprung! …Well, in our minds anyway. WIP Fruit and Tulip Still Life
Recently a couple artist friends and I got together for a little painting session. Here is the process! On my way to our painting date I swung by the grocery store to grab some painting inspiration. Though the weather is still yucky here, the produce at the store had all the colors and smells of spring that I longed for. It didn’t take long to find an assortment of colorful fruit, tulips, a red onion and one turnip to be our still life subjects.
Alaskan Iris Oil Painting Step-By-Step
This morning I awoke to a very unwelcome form of precipitation… snow 
Yeah, I know it’s April in Alaska and we always seem to get one last hurrah of winter this time of year but that does little to console me. So to combat my weather-related foul mood I decided to paint a flower. 
Simple pleasures people! Here is an Alaskan Wild Iris. In mid June these gorgeous flowers will carpet meadows with their shades of blue and violet. It is SO stunning!
Getting Back in the Saddle – Oils, that is.
About 12 or 13 years ago I took my first oil painting class. Immediately I became addicted. There was something so pleasing about pushing that paint around that, for me anyway, drawing could not compete with. Over the years many classes followed from several different artists and before long I found myself working in acrylics.