Pink Rose - Rosemary

Last year, I was looking at Facebook and a friend, Rosemary, had posted a photo of a new, blooming rose in her garden.  I downloaded the photo and later on decided to paint it myself. So, here it is, Rosemary's rose.

One thing unusual about this piece is that I painted some of it live during our annual country club art show.  Once I got over the fear of painting in front of real people, it was fun to paint and talk at the same time.  I couldn't, of course, paint the whole thing in that small time frame.  But, it was partially done and I was able to get close to finishing it.

Russ's Winter Hike

The son of our good friends, Barb and Dave, named Russ, lives in Columbus, Ohio.  On his Facebook page recently, I saw a great photo of this park setting during Winter.  It is where Russ walks his dog every morning.  I decided to surprise Russ when he was down in Florida by painting the scene and give it to him since he and his Ann were re-decorating their home.

 I really liked the reflections and the morning sun in the background. He really liked it and recognized the scene immediately and can't wait to hang it up.  Have fun, Russ!!!

Antibes Street

I was looking through a cruise company brochure this Fall and saw a photo of a street scene from Antibes, France.  I loved the perspective and the colors, especially the flowers.  Using "artist's license", I decided to add some dimension by using strong light against shadow.  It turned out pretty neat, I think. 

Most people comment on the blue flowers, which really contrats well with the orange/yellow walls.

Pinehurst Reeds

Earlier this Fall, a group of us went to Pinehurst, the golf "mecca" in North Carolina.  During a round, we went past a swampy area that had the most beautiful red reeds.  I thought that they would make a great semi-impressionistic painting.  This is the result.  It was done almost completely with palette knives.

 I love the color!!

Sunset Dyptich

These are two 2 ft. by 4 ft. pieces that were commissioned by Barb, a very good friend.  She wanted two pieces with one scene, but ones that could stand on their own on either side of her entertainment system.  This shows the two sections together.

Barb wanted a lot of coral in the paintings, as it was a key color in her design scheme.  So, we decided to make it a sunset oriented subject.  She also wanted a landscape that was soothing.  This one does it, I think.

Pi Kappa Alpha

My fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha at Purdue University recently completed a major renovation on the fraternity house.  As part of that renovation, an "alumni room" was built where various pieces of memorabilia will be stored and displayed. 

I decided, as part of this renovation, to do a painting of the fraternity pin and chapter identification, Beta Phi. The smaller pin is the Pike pledge pin. This is how it turned out.  The piece was presented in November 2014 at the house dedication and will be mounted soon. It is based on my exact pin.

I'm proud of this piece and of the fact that it will be displayed at the house for many years - unless they spill too much beer on it!

Grey Oaks #10 Pine

This painting was done from an image used at my country club in Naples, Florida.  I wanted to capture the evening sky and the colors at sunset, along with the shadows on the course.  I really liked the way that it came out, and others did, too.  One of the members liked it enough to buy it.  In addition, it looks like it will be used at the club as an interior design element, and possibly be sold as a print in the golf shop.