Commissioned Painting

This painting was actually seen by Senator Frank Morse who has a place in British Columbia. A bear was trying to get to a moose calf while it's mother protected it. In brief, the gentleman approached in a boat and shouted. As he did so, both animals which were practically nose-to-nose, looked up right at him. The image was burned in his mind and now has become a painting that he will hang in his capitol office. For more information on commissioned paintings you can click the link below.

More Commissions

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

The above 20"x30" painting has been in progress for quite some time and is proving to be a serious challenge. I think it is one of those paintings where a step forward in my abilities could be made. The thing about taking a step forward is that sometimes it takes two steps back and it's those steps where the real learning takes place. This painting has been like that. One day, I'll work on it and feel that great progress has been made and other days, I'll paint for hours and leave thinking that the painting is worse than it was before I started. The hard part, for me, has been blending the numerous branches and the mist to create depth and realism. The image above is the painting in it's current state - now it's back to work.
My website

PFDA

It's that time of year again! The Pacific Flyway Decoy Association's (PFDA) annual wildfowl art festival is going to take place on Saturday and Sunday at the Doubletree Hotel in Sacramento. The show features live woodcarving demonstrations, decoy competitions, and, yes, wildlife art! I will be at the show with about 35 miniature originals (including the one pictured), framed and unframed prints, and a couple of larger originals. The weekend is always fun and there are some amazing artists that attend. If you are in the area, drop by.

My Website

Tucson

This past week I spent some time in Tucson and while there, gathered some reference to complete some desert scenes. The birdlife was incredible as was the weather. There was even an encounter with a live Arizona bark scorpion in the bathroom to make the desert experience complete! Future paintings will come from this trip, but for now here are a couple of photos.

My Website

Hooded Merganser

This new 9"x12" painting is as much about the water as it is about the duck. While the hooded merganser is the main focal point of the painting, I really focused on the reflections creating a subtle swirl into the duck. Incidentally, his look assists with this directional movement. It's subtle, but it's there and it's intended. I think this helps add a bit of depth as well.
My Website

Oregon DU Competition

These three images were submitted to the Oregon Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year competition, which is taking place today at the state convention in Hood River, OR. All are small originals and will compete with entries from other artists around the state. The winning entry will be reproduced as a limited edition print that will be a part of the DU Sponsor package. Monies raised from the package directly benefit wetland habitat, not only in Oregon, but throughout the country. I have been fortunate enough to use my art to help wildlife conservation for many years. If one of these entries is chosen I will post it on the blog.


My website

Misty Morning Mallards

This 8"x10" painting of three mallard coming in at sunrise is along the lines of some of the more recent paintings I have been doing that are primarily a landscape with distant ducks as part of the scene. With this piece I was really going for the mood of the morning and to create the effect, a much simpler palette was used.
My Website

Hooded Merganser (In Progress)

A painting I have been working on... it's seems to be more about the reflections in the water and the movement in the water that swirls in towards the striking merganser.
My Website

Greenwings

Here is a painting of a low-flying flock of greenwing teal. These ducks commonly fly low and fast and can surprise you if you don't see them coming.
My Website

Ducks Unlimited National Convention

Here are some pictures from the trip to Baltimore where I received the award for winning the 2009 International Artist of the Year... It was an incredible, inspiring experience and the people involved with Ducks Unlimited are so generous and giving. It is difficult to describe how grateful my wife and I are for the experiences that Wild Wings and Ducks Unlimited shared with us.

Myself and Rachelle at the sports party at Camden Yards with the incredible staff from Wild Wings - Sara, Michelle, Larry and his wife Roberta. They were so helpful and a lot of fun!

Rachelle and I at the Saturday evening banquet....

Receiving the award, a beautiful custom ring, from Don Young of Ducks Unlimited...

The fine people from Alaska DU - keep an eye open for the upcoming Alaska print Rainy Day Respite - Pintail.

My Website