Serveware (16" x 20" oil on panel) is my latest painting.  This composition came about when I went to our silverware drawer to look for a pie server.  I realized just how many different serveware we had.  Some of the pieces have decorative glassware wired to them that were made for us by my sister-in-law.   I decided a red background would provide the contrast I was looking for and I used some striped paper in the backdrop to get the wonderful reflections in the various pieces.  I definitely had fun painting this piece.  

Introducing "Where's Waldo", a 16"x20" oil on panel.  As you can imagine this painting took some time but was definitely fun to paint.  So much variety  and a few challenges along the way.   One day I was looking on Etsy for something and I ran across collections of game pieces.  I was intrigued enough that I purchased a bag.  I don;' recognize all of the pieces but several brought back memories.   For the setup I poured them out and added some of my own.  And then the fun began.  All the color. all the detail....things I love to paint.   As I did the setup all that kept going through my mind was "Where's Waldo" and I decided that must be the title.

Happy to share that “OOPS!” (16x16 oil on panel) was juried into the 2024 Oil Painters of America’s Annual National Juried Exhibition. The show will be at Marks Art in Wichita, KS from April 5 - May 31, 2024.

My last painting for 2023 is "Night School" which is an 18" x 24" oil on panel.  "Night School" features solid glass fish that I recently purchased from a local home goods store.  They come with a stand.  I had admired them over the last few months and finally decided I needed to own one or two.   As my friend who works in the store wrapped them up I mentioned I just might have to paint them.  Once home I just kept admiring how the light hit the undulations of glass for the scales and my offhand comment became a reality.   I decided on a black background so the reflections on the undulations would really pop.  I also decided two fish were not enough and added a couple of more in my drawing.  As I added the additional fish to my drawing the perfect title popped into my mind...."Night School"

Introducing Oops! (16x16 oil on panel).....finally!  This painting gave me a few additional gray hairs and has taken forever.  It went through a major change halfway along the process.  It was originally marbles nestled in a piece of aluminum foil.  The marbles were not an issue......but the aluminum foil became a major issue.  I won't go into details....suffice it to say after many attempts to get it right the aluminum foil was scraped from the panel and the painting became a group of scattered marbles on a black background.  I must say I am happy with the results.  Moving on!

I am pleased to announce that "Horsepower" (16"x20" oil on panel) was juried into the 2023 Oil Painters of America's Western Regional Juried Exhibition.    This year's exhibition is being hosted by Brushworks Gallery in Salt Lake City, UT.  The show will open October 1st and run through October 31st.  Great time of the year to visit Salt Lake City!

I am please to share that "Sugar High", 16x20 oil on panel, has been juried into this year's NOAPS Best of America Show which is being hosted by Principle Gallery in Alexandria, VA.   The show will run from August 11th through September 12th.  The opening reception will be August 11th from 6 to 8:30.  Thank you to the panel of jurors!  Whoo Hoo!

"Sugar High" is finally finished.  This 16x20 oil painting on panel was a long haul painting both because it has a lot of detail, but also because shortly after starting it I got covid and tested positive for 28 days with the cough and fatigue.  Working in the studio was hit and miss and short sessions for a few weeks.  But, I recovered and the painting was completed.  And of course I seem to be on a real roll right now with diagonal black and white stripes and of course a martini glass or two.  I started out working with a bag of jelly beans and a martini glass but ended up with M&Ms and licorice sticks as well.  Thus the name, "Sugar High".

Introducing "Just Red", my latest painting.  "Just Red" is a 20x16 oil on panel painting which continues my fascination with reflections on glass.  Of course red is a favorite color of mine along with black and white.  Seems I hit all 3 in this one which is probably why I am so happy with the results.  Gumballs have also shown up in a few of my paintings.  I actually am surprised there are any left as I tend to sample my edible setup pieces.  Maybe that is why I stick to  a lot of glass.