Midway, 4-H Fair

This painting took 6 years to complete, not because it required 6 years of work, but rather because the complexity of the scene made me hesitant to attempt it.  After several starts and stops, I decided the only way to continue was to take small sections to complete at a time. I approached it by painting color and shapes, occasionally only realizing what I was painting after it was done.  My favorite part of this painting is the distant crowd of people stepping out from the dark.  Image 10" x 14", Framed to 16" x 20". $450

Brush Jar

I revisited the Old Lyme Artist studio yet again in this low-light still life. This brings it to a total of five paintings inspired by a five-minute visit to that dimly lit work room. Here is evidence that inspiration is everywhere and never ending. Image 10" x 14", Framed to 16" x 20". $600

Top Rung

After Charlie (a painting elsewhere in this record) , I didn’t think I would ever paint another squirrel. However, this fellow, perched on top of a ladder leaning against a tree in the backyard was irresistible. Working Wet-on-wet, the background was rendered in a soft, out of focus manner. Image 10" x 14", Framed to 16" x 20". (Out on Loan)

Roosevelt Elk

This painting, like so many others, began as a quick demonstration of trees in ground mist for my watercolor class. I later decided to research Roosevelt Elk, and enlarge the scene into a more carefully constructed and rendered painting. SOLD

Swan

As a bit of a departure from my usual subjects, I attempted this close-up of a swan from a photo taken by my son, Brendan, in Montreat, NC. The juxtaposition of color-filled whites with the color-less dark background creates a striking composition.

Back From the Sea

A twisted of driftwood can hold a variety of colors and textures.  Trying to capture these was the point of this painting. Careful layering of washes and spatter, especially in building up interesting shadows, was the focus of my attention. Watercolor, Image 10" x 16".  $400

Lunch at the Bison Bar, Dublin

Low light subjects have become increasingly interesting to me, and this tabloid caught my eye immediately. A few surreptitiously taken photographs and a bit looser treatment on the subjects’ faces to preserve their anonymity, and I attempted to capture a glowing memory. This painting won “Best of Show” at the Elkhart Art League Fall Juried Show (after being rejected for the Elkhart Regional Juried Show). Watercolor, Image 10" x 14", Framed to 16" x 20".  $500

On the Beach at Clew Bay

I have wanted for a while to paint a painting of rocks on the shore.  Each individual rock had to be approached as a separate painting, with each having its unique colors and textures.  In the end, it proved an excellent exercise, and the final result came together unexpectedly well. Image 10" x 14", Framed to 16" x 20". $450

Pitcher and Basin

On a visit to a farmhouse in County Mayo, Ireland, the room I stayed in had an old fashioned pitcher and basin sitting in the window. The morning sun gave it a look of timelessness.  I found a challenge in capturing the reflections in the porcelain, but the real highlight of the painting was depicting the reflection of pitcher in the window. Image 10" x 14", Framed to 16" x 20". $450

Gate Ajar

While walking on the Isle of Inis Mor in the Aran Islands, I came across this walled garden, with its weathered iron gate standing slightly ajar. The colors and textures called to be rendered in watercolor. Image 10" x 14", Framed to 16" x 20". $375

Pitcher

Trying a new technique involving treating the paper with spray workable fixative, the subject matter was secondary.  I used it as a chance to practice painting reflections on a glass surface.

My Fair Lady

Painted as part of a fund raiser for the South Bend Civic Theater, My Fair Lady takes the current musical playing on the theater’s stage and places it on the front steps.  Something about the night lighting on the main entrance to the SBCT has always been compelling.  Looking closely you will find Elisa, Professor Higgins, and Pickering on the steps.  SOLD

Morning Swim

This imaginary scene was inspired by a photo of a quite different subject that I saw on the internet. I used the technique of masking the gaps in the trees as a demonstration for my watercolor class. The figures were added to lend context and narrative to the peaceful sunrise.

Old Lyme Studio

A trip to Old Lyme Connecticut afforded the opportunity to visit the Lyme Art Colony, established in 1899 in the boarding house of Florence Griswald. The art Studio of William Chadwick has been reassembled on the grounds.  When I looked into the workroom, I was taken with the limited light coming in through a single window.  This is the first of a series of paintings of that room. Watercolor, Image 10" x 14", Framed to 16" x 20".  $450

Old Lyme Studio II

The second in a series of paintings from an artist studio reconstructed on the grounds of the Lyme Art Colony, this is one of my very favorite paintings.  The soft light created subtle shadows and gentle textures that were a challenge in watercolor.  The end result was surprisingly satisfying, and I consider it one of my most technically successful works.  Watercolor,  Image 10" x 14", Framed to 16" x 20". $600

Old Lyme Studio III

This third painting in a series presented its own challenges, especially the variety of hues and the intricacies of woven  hat. The three paintings, Old Lyme Studio, Old Lyme Studio II and Old Lyme Studio III, comprise a grouping that together preserve a portrait of a room and a day in the presence of the past.  Watercolor, Image 10" x 14", Framed to 16" x 20".  $500

Artist's Workbench

This is the forth in a series of paintings from the same artist’s workroom. Filling the center of the room, the light from the sole window cast intriguing shadows across the tools and materials of the artist’s trade. Image 10" x 14", Framed to 16" x 20". $300

What A Journey It's Been

I was honored to be commissioned to paint this piece for President and Mrs. Carter, commemorating their work in Habitat for Humanity. The automobile is a locally manufactured Studebaker, owned by the Carters and driven across the country in the 1950s.  SOLD

Lopez Shoreline

This is another painting that began as a demonstration for my watercolor class.  The waves, driftwood, and sand all presented examples of texture and technique in painting landscapes and seascapes.

Props

    Unlike Slow Season, this painting was done in sepia watercolor rather than ink.  It depicts props for the South Bend Civic Theater’s production of Frankenstein, the world premier of an original play based on the classic tale by Mary Shelley.  Watercolor,   Image 10" x 14", Framed to 16" x 20". $400

Props II: Elizabeth's Doll

Strong contrast between light and shadow has always been elemental to my approach to painting.  In recent years I have enjoyed exploring this element in low-light settings, i.e. night scenes, candle light, lamp light, and darkened interiors.  Props II was the third in a series of paintings from back-stage scenes in a South Bend Civic Theater production of “Frankenstein”. This painting was included in Splash 18, published by North Light Books.  Watercolor, Image 10" x 14", Framed to 16" x 20".  $1000

Slow Season

This painting was an attempt to revisit a medium I had not used in years: ink washes.  Specifically sepia ink and water, rather than my usual watercolor.  I have since successfully used ink washes in a couple of other paintings.  SOLD

Riding To the Sea

Near Sligo in Ireland, we were trailing behind a group of riders as they made their way down to the strand.  Watercolor, Image 10" x 14", Framed to 16" x 20".  $400

Resting at Glendalough

Glendalough, in County Wicklow, Ireland, is one of my favorite spots in the world. The site of a monastic village that was thriving before Paris was founded, over the centuries it has become the final resting place for many souls. The peace and spirituality of the valley is undeniable.  Watercolor, Image 10" x 14", Framed to 16" x 20".  $400

Cat and Mouse

Sometimes life presents us with unexpected subjects for a painting. This is an actual pose struck by our cat.  I don't know what she found so interesting in the computer "mouse", but the scene was irresistible! Painted in Sepia watercolor.

"Time Through Elizabeth's Eyes"

When I first saw this subject photographed by photographer Elizabeth Warner, I knew it would provide a great example of weathered wood in watercolor.  I tracked down the photographer and obtained permission to base the above painting on her photograph, thus the title "...Through Elizabeth's Eyes".  Watercolor, Image 10" x 14", Framed to 16" x 20".  $600

Faherty's String Instruments

A visit to a musical instrument building shop in Cork, Ireland produced this painting.  A variety of stringed instruments hung from the ceiling, making an interesting collage of shapes and colors.  Watercolor. Image 10" x 14", Framed to 16" x 20".  $400