Combover

I snapped this fellow in Sayulita last Feb. and thought he might look good next to Tor-Arne's chicken.  I loved his beautiful colours and that jaunty comb over his eye look.

10" x 8"

oil on board

Toby

This painting of Toby is a commission for Tanya and family who lost their beloved companion a few weeks ago. My granddaughters knew him and loved him as well.  They attended daycare there and now go after school.  I met him myself a few times and he was a gentle friendly sort of guy.  Not the best photo.

oil on board

12" x 9"

Ay Chihuahua

This little guy sure has it going on with his tie and tongue hanging out the side.  Used a little different technique on this smaller surface with just a rough pencil sketch underneath.  I usually do a fairly detailed charcoal or paint sketch, but I liked developing the likeness with colours, lights and darks in a looser manner.  I think a better overall result.

oil on board

5" x 4"

Shane's 69' El Camino

This commission was a blast to paint in that the background is taken from a 16" model artfully constructed by Shane's uncle.   His uncle was also restoring the real car, and modifying it prior to his passing.  So here we have an image of a life sized car sitting inside a model of an old time garage.

oil on birch panel

18" x 24"

Elliot

Just completed commission of this little cutie named Elliot.  Lots of fun and challenge with all those curls, but who wants easy right...ha?  Unfortunately he is sorely missed by his humans and hopefully this brings them some happy memories.

oil on board

12"x 9"

Summer Blues

Completed landscape was a long journey, but I am very pleased with the result.  It had many variations until I finally felt this one evolve, with the clues for the composition being right there in front of me all the time.  Never stop trying and trust in the process is the best advice I can offer anyone.  This piece is quite a show stopper in real life with it's larger than average scale.

48" x 96"

Koi School...framed

I just delivered and installed this latest painting in the new owners home.  Couldn't be happier with the way it transforms their room and how the frame I made matches all their black accessories from the kitchen faucet to the squared off black matte drawer pulls.  The canvas is mounted on top of the frame which gives the piece a very contemporary look in my opinion.  I decided to stand beside it to give an idea of the size.  They loved the painting which is all that matters.

Deklan's Cat

Dekan's Cat was a commission just completed.  I was supplied with several photos that didn't have that something extra until I cropped this one, and instantly loved the paving stone design for the background.  Also the cat is looking off at something which raises a question for the viewer.

oil on board

12" x 9"

My 15 Minutes

I am humbled and truly grateful for the wonderful article written by Brandi Johnson.  She is an aspiring author.  And check out Becky Fleury's amazing award winning photography.

My Studio

This is my sanctuary where it all happens...if I'm lucky.  Just put the finishing touches on the big one in the back and the cat.  I'm still playing with the abstract but getting close.  Another commission is shaping up off to the side out of the frame, but will be posted soon.  

Pool School

I just did a glaze on this earlier painting, varnished and framed it, so it is now available and looking very vibrant.  I love the calming effect of koi on a larger scale.

36" x 72"

oil on canvas

Sightseeing In Tuscany

This is a new posting showing the frame I just completed.  This started as a landscape, but I found it boring so decided to add this young couple who I photographed in another location. I suspect they were probably on their honeymoon at the time.

48" x 72"

oil on canvas

Molly

The owners just said goodbye to this beautiful pup and here she was playing fetch with a potato. Love the two different coloured eyes. Commission piece gifted by a good friend.

8"x 8"

oil on canvas board

Koi School

This new painting is available and just awaiting a new frame which I will make in the next week or two after it dries.  Just know that it has a ton more lovely subtle details and vibrancy in real life.  I am using an iphone 13pro max which does not take great pictures of paintings.  I need photography lessons for sure, and a new battery for my Canon.

oil on canvas

40" x 48"

Dave

 Friend Dave prior to a Tuesday afternoon spin class.

Parker

Quick sketch of a young woman from my gym after a one hour spin class.  Trying to sketch more...it is a habit one should strive to to create.

Pencil on paper

6" x 10"

NFS

Blondie

This is my friend Mark's pride and joy, and I was happy to paint this little portrait of her as a birthday present.

oil on board

8"x 6"

Betty

This portrait commission for her son was created using about three reference photos and hopefully suggests her strength and kind soul. It is always an anxious time when paintings are unveiled, and a great relief if they are loved as was the case here. I really enjoy the challenge whether it be an animal or a human to capture their spirit and personality, and of course a good likeness.

12" x 9"

oil on board

Tor-Arne's Chicken

I borrowed this composition from Norwegian artist Tor-Arne Moen whose work I greatly admire. I  changed it to make it my own not wanting to copy another artists work, but this may be too close...don't know.  May be hearing from Tor-Arne's solicitors shortly...ha!  Hope not because I really love this man's work and want to learn as much as I can from his effortless technique.  He is very generous with his videos, and does make it look way easier than it is...a true master.

10" x 8"

oil on board

Eva's Chicken

This little study is for friend Eva in Puerto Vallarta who raises chickens on her egg farm.  Now hanging in her kitchen, it did not require a frame as it is on 1/2" thick MDF with the sides finished.

10" x 8"

oil on board

Krueger

Pugs have a face that only a mother could love, but millions adore them nonetheless.  It's the soulful eyes. My own daughter rescued one, and Duchy became the apple of her eye.  This little tyke, I call him "Freddy" looks to have quite the attitude kitted out with a dapper little bowtie. He was a challenge, but thanks to his other mom I was supplied with this pose which we instantly adopted. 

oil on board

12" x 9"

Rex and Daisy Rose

Another commission piece framed and delivered.  This is a Christmas gift for a couple that look after my clients dog from time to time.  What a generous gift. I love the vibrant greens in the grass and may use this image on my next business card.  Not to mention that they are a couple of good looking dogs.

oil on board

12" x 9"

Checking On The Neighbours

It's been a very busy fall with commissions and this is the latest.  The client was very happy and is anxious to present it as a gift...love making more than one person happy.  Horses are a challenge, but fun to work on even though, and these three were no exception.  I loved the way the sunlight was hitting them.  

oil on board

14" x 18"

Silver Bay Sunset

Amazing sunset on Silver Bay, Lake Manitoba.  During the day if the lake is a bit calm and it's sunny, the water shines like diamonds. It is a spectacular sight for sure, and then it ends like this.  With a few friends and a nice fire it doesn't get any better.

oil on board 

9"x 12"

Sadie and Layla

Just completed a commission of these two lovely girls.  Burmese have the most delicious colouring don't they?  Photo doesn't do the painting justice, but you get the idea.

oil on board

9" x 12"

Opal

Just finished varnishing and framing Opal to send to her new owner.  Fun commission to complete having to use a couple of different reference shots and imagining a background to compliment her beautiful looks and larger size.  I have been doing pups that have passed so it's great to get a chance paint them while they still walk among us.

oil on board

12" x 9"

Sophie

 

I feel privileged to be asked to capture an image of a loved companion and friend after they have left us.  In this case Sophie, a sparkly black poodle enjoying a sunny afternoon in her garden. This was a commission ordered by friends of the owners and I hope it brings them some happy memories. 

12" x 9"

oil on board

Sold

Buddy

 

This commission just completed was so much fun to do...what a handsome fella.  Only had one reference photo for this piece, but fortunately that was enough.  It's best to have a few taken preferably outside.  Once I decide, the photo is cropped, but I also like to do a quick pencil sketch to get a feel and approval to proceed.

oil on board

12" x 9"

Say What?

 

I snapped a pic a few years ago inside the Statue of Liberty ferry and after cropping, was immediately drawn to the cool lighting on this lady's face.  She was a hidden gem inside a larger photo. You hate taking sneaky pics without permission...okay she was the intention all along...busted!  Would happily gift it to her should she see it.

oil on board

8" x 10"

Bailey

Now that I'm off and running doing commission portraits, (and having a blast), this is one that just got picked up.  Done in oil on a  9"x12" board,  I'm charging $395 plus shipping...framed as shown.  Makes a great gift and ready in time for Christmas.  I work from photos and do a quick sketch or crop for approval before starting.  Also doing people and other critters.

My iphone13 is terrible at producing accurate photos of paintings...ugh!  The ai tries to make a painting look more like a painting, and that is kind of funny in a way, but very frustrating.  The subtleties/brush strokes are magnified, colours off, any tips would be appreciated.  The framed piece looks a lot better in real life.

Family a Tapestry of a Thousand Tiny Threads

This figurative abstract is a piece inspired by the queen's 25th wedding anniversary speech.  Family a tapestry of a thousand tiny threads is so beautifully descriptive and exudes love and warmth.  I reworked this so  many times until arriving at this place where I finally felt satisfied.  When a piece comes totally out of your head with very few references, it is a great challenge.

oil on canvas

36" x  60"

 Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be

This painting was inspired by an early 1960 British musical entitled Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be.  It is an apt comment on how our world has changed in the last year and the abstraction is appropriate me thinks.  I reclaimed a furniture store wall decor piece with frame that was also refinished.  Fun to do, but I feel like such a vandal painting over it...ha!

Oil on panel

31" x 35" 

Whall Family

This commissioned family portrait of the Whalls taken at Clear Lake, was inspired by one of those 3" square black and white photographs circa 1963.  (Photos weren't developed until 1965). Mom and child were added to include everyone in the family, and hippos are notorious photo bombers...ha!  The larger scale was fun to do and I find the vintage aspect very interesting.

oil on canvas

36" x 60"

Don Ranchie

This is a portrait of my cousin Ann's husband Don in his younger days duking it out some time in the 60's.  I understand he was a fairly good fighter holding his own with some top ranked amateurs.  Not sure if he won this particular fight, but he was looking good at the time of the photo.  The painting is for his daughter Dawn Marie, a wonderful woman who has helped me out, and this is my way of saying thank you.

Oil on board

12" x 9"  

Social Media

Even the strongest of us are not immune to the dark side of social media.  It has enabled terrorism, bullying, privacy abuse and fake news to name just a few.  So many of us have become slaves to our devices, especially the phone, to the point where lives are ruled by them. 

Paper mache on wood, copper wire, acrylic paint

16 1/2" high