Good Day for a Hurricane

Being still relatively new to the region, I'm really unsure of what to expect when Irene hits us. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time, as I've always loved a good storm. Here's hoping that everyone makes it through this safely, and that we all have lots of inspiring skies to paint when it passes!

Reclamation Project

Here is a painting I decided to paint over. My wife curses me when I do this, but I'm tired of looking at it. Although I was happy with it when I completed it, my current work is so much better. Plus, it's a giant canvas and I have a great painting in mind for it!

Starving Artist

In an effort to minimize the starving part, I took on a new job. The flip-side of course is less time to paint. The balancing act became too difficult, and a great job opportunity was too hard to pass up. The job is actually more artful than many of my past design jobs, so hopefully it keeps me inspired.

I do look forward to painting outdoors more once it cools down, and still painting whenever possible. Above is a painting I did a few years ago, entitled "Willows on Water".

Yellowstone

Here is a painting that I had considered painting over until I was talked out of it. I had a great painting in mind for it, but I guess I need to start buying more canvases instead of painting over everything!

A Real Art Town

My wife and I had some great adventures on Maryland's eastern shore this weekend, and stayed in the town of Easton. Many towns claim to be "art towns", but Easton is the real deal. Not only do they host a plein air festival every year, but they celebrate art every day with many great art galleries, an art museum and live music pretty much every night. Not to mention fantastic scenery that is truly inspiring. We even stopped in and said hi to my friend, Nancy Tankersly at the South Street Gallery. She is the owner and a fantastic artist in her own right.

Inspiring scenery, a great art community and friendly locals make Easton my new favorite spot in Maryland!

Football!

I'm really happy that the players and owners worked their differences out, and am looking forward to the upcoming season. Although my team, the Denver Broncos are far from their glory days, I love football season because with it comes fall and its colors and cooler weather. Above is a mixed media piece I did a few years back of my childhood hero, John Elway.

Mad dogs and Englishmen

I actually planned to venture out of the studio today and paint en plein air, but then I remembered Noel Coward's quote, "Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the mid-day sun." Although he may not have been referring to plein air painting in the summertime, it seemed wise not to risk it! So I stayed in and painted in my air-conditioned studio.