My artistic self and my ultimately my soul tells me I'm on a journey... this will be the third "III" in this series. Join me.

This is titled "II" John 8:12

The Journey II

The next journey for my little friend   has already begun on a 30x40 canvas. Here's the composition sketch. Photos of my progress coming soon.

The Journey I

Titled "I" - Psalm 23:4

The storyteller in me

Here's an illustration of a story thats telling itself each time I sit down to work on it. I think I might make a red fox the main character... perhaps crossing the opening... looking for the right moment to make his move.  Sometimes the world gives you an opportunity. Do you take it or stay in the shadows?

24x30" acrylic on birch box canvas.

Little Waterfall - Agordo, Italy

I've been wanting to paint this little waterfall ever since my family and I visited the Italian Alps.

24x30 acrylic on canvas

Jordana

I can say there are a handful of paintings that I have done in the past that have changed or shaped my life. This is one of them. I was asked by my pastor to paint a portrait for a little girl I didn't even know. She was a parishioner at my church who had passed away from a short battle with cancer. I was very reluctant to accept this project simply because I didn't want to disappoint her family. I had been experiencing somewhat of a dry spell and had almost given up on painting. Something about this seemed to call me. Mentally it took me a few months to begin. So many thoughts played with my emotions... as an artist or a person was I even worthy of such a task? As the deadline approached I had yet to put a pencil to paper and my sleep had been tormented with thoughts of failure. Eventually a concept was approved and the sketching began with a little prayer each time to Jordana to help me do my best for her parents. I think I did. For what I had planned to take a math to complete was miraculously completed in 5 days! I still can't explain it. The finished 3x4 foot painting was presented during the one year anniversary of her passing in front of more than a hundred people who came to pay their respects. I left the church with a sense of accomplishment - not because of the publicity but because the painting will serve as an eternal memory in their home. So with all the sleepless nights and worry I can say I did what I thought was impossible and unworthy of me. Thank you Jordana.

Autumn Breeze

This is of a family of aspens my wife and I found on a fall hike... 36x36" Acrylic on canvas

Disney Sketches

My family and I were at Disney last July enjoying the long lineups and that wonderful wet and hot weather Florida never fails to deliver. Still an amazing experience! My sons Andrew and Matthew graduated from their 5 day art program at Disney - thanks to Facade Art School. These are some morning sketches inspired from our trips to Epcot and Downtown Disney...

Autumn Glory

Acrylic on Canvas, 28x36

2014

Friulana

This is a painting I completed last December for my mother. It is a depiction of a typical house wife or mother from Friuli - the north eastern region of Italy.

The Raven

Black Agrek, also known as The Raven, is the self appointed leader of the Woodrils 

(ancient forest dwellers)... and he's got a bad attitude. Stay tuned for more development.

 

I'm bringing back an old post of some initial sketches for the Pinecone Chronicles.

Pinecone Chronicles - Beasts I

 

Meet Peter's wings 'Swift', a bear-back mounted on his giant musk-ox, 

and Eya's super-wolf 'Lu'. Stay tuned for more.

Pinecone Chronicles – coming soon!

Pinecone is back! Yep, the script is nearing completion and I'm on the search for a good writer and editor. Here's some character development for the dreaded Bearbacks. These dirty evil creatures never did evolve past their smokey dung infested caves. Grook the shaman is front and center.

The Grandfather Mound

Out in the back across the river is this unusual looking mound cropped by young poplars... makes me wonder what's underneath. Maybe some old river boulders, a burial mound or some ancient dwelling. I think an old stump grandfathering these young trees cast in the setting winter sun sounds more realistic. But you never know...

Kleinburg Afternoon - 20 x 24 Acrylic on Canvas

Here's one of my last commissions. If you haven't been to Kleinburg yet you should plan an afternoon trip during the summer. Enjoy a gelato or an expresso just outisde the Artista Gallery. It's one of those lazy towns perfect for a Saturday afternoon.

Tuscan Via / 20x24" Acrylic on Canvas

St. Gimignano, Tuscany / 12 x 24" Acrylic on canvas

Vin D'Oro, Friuli / 16 x 20" Acrylic on canvas