My Texas Spring

14″ x 11″ pastel on sanded paper

“Happiness held is the seed; Happiness shared is the flower.” – John Harriman

For all of you who are still in winter, I paint for you today…my Texas spring. For everyone who is working, in all the million contributions you make to help this world go round, thank you. And if you labor under the buzz of florescent light, or in a factory, or facing a parking lot, I share with you too, my Texas Spring.

Garden Spot of the World

10″x 8″ Pastel on sanded paper – Plein air

I must say as to what I have seen of Texas, it is the garden spot of the world, the best land and the best prospects for health I ever saw, and I do believe it is a fortune to any man to come here. (Davey Crockett)

Splish Splash

36″x24″ acrylic on canvas

“There are people who can achieve huge success in life, while adding a bit of fun and a splash of colour to this increasingly grey world.” -Peter James

I want to be that kind of person.

Walking to School series No•13

Finish Line Friends

10’x8′ oil on panel – Plein air Big Bend national park

More than a painting of a beautiful national park, this is a painting of friendship.  The guy who just had knee surgery needs his friend to cross the finish line tape as much as the guy running needs the support of his friends.   Those little dashes of color are friends waiting in the shade of the cottonwoods with their cooler and guitar to cheer on the first place runner of “Border to Badlands” 50 mile trail Run.   I am sitting just beyond them waiting for my runner, enjoying the fact that they brought a guitar and I have an afternoon to paint in the shade.

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​Here is a short video of me adding the finish line flags and friends.  Just a few well placed strokes and a toothpick.  I know with a little suggestion (like the title of this painting) your imaginations will make sense of these dabs and dashes of color.

Cactus-noon

7″x5″ oil painting on panel (primed with oil and sand underpainting)

It is HOT today, and the sun is bright, and my painting umbrella at home. To capture this beautiful cactus and limit my time getting baked, I used a panel with a busy underpainting, carving the cactus out with sky, and just adding a few shadows and strokes to complete the painting.

Silver Lining

10″x8″ oil on panel

Silver linings don’t come without rain clouds.

Here is my sketch. I painted on a panel primed with fluorescent pink acrylic. You can see the underpainting peeking through all the grey of this painting.