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

Cowgirl Dancing

                   

This paper mache sculpture was for my granddaughter Avery's 6th birthday which was today.  She is a very bright young lady who already shows some incredible artistic skills.  I thought she might appreciate a non toy gift even at this young age, and she made my year by saying that she loved it.

Untitled

Jack Pine Forest looked so dark and sullen in their living room, so I asked Jessie and Shane if I could repaint, and they graciously consented. This was the the rework after many edifications, and it only took a few months...ugh!

acrylic on canvas

36" x 24"

Black Is The New Blue

Bit of story as to why I would paint a portrait of an oven, but it was a commission by my "designer" daughter as a gift to a client whose blue oven did not happen.  They were only able to install a black one, so this is a reminder of what could or should have been.

oil on panel    Sold...Ok I gave it to her...ha!
8 1/2" x 9 1/2"

Skeets

This painting was done for my son in law Shane as a birthday present from his loving wife.  Skeets is their awesome Heinz 57 pooch who brightens their lives.

oil on board

8" x 10"

Stayin' Alive

This paper mache sculpture depicts an older cow literally dancing for her life.  After seeing friends disappear over time she has learned to entertain by dancing, and by keeping her figure trim feeling she is less likely to be carted off to the abattoir.

paper mache, acrylic, wire and wood 
20" total height with base diameter 15" x 10"

Jack Pine Forest

A composition out of my head for Jessica and Shane.  I wanted to create something more abstract, but working with acrylics this time made that a lot trickier as I'm not really used to working with the medium.  I love/hate the quick dry time which dictates how you are going to apply and work the paint.  Suppose like anything else practice makes...don't want to use the word perfect here, but you know what I mean.

Acrylic on canvas   36" x 24'

Roger and Joanne Aldag

 

I had the pleasure of meeting Roger and his lovely wife Joanne on a beach in Bucerias, Mexico last month when they graciously allowed me to take their photograph for this painting.  I didn't know who they were initially until we exchanged particulars so they could see the finished work.  I recognized his name immediately, as Roger was a star in the CFL and gave our Bombers fits whenever they met on the football field.  He still looks like he could suit up and help their team.  It's worth googling his name to see his amazing accomplishments through a very long and successful career.  The man is revered in Saskatchewan, and with Rider fans throughout the world...as they are everywhere. Anyway what a great couple that I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking with.  And yes it's true, the pros do get all the good looking girls...ha!

oil on board  12" x 9"

Avery

            

My little granddaughter Avery... 2 1/2...  is a real peach.  This is my first painting of her.  After her        

amazing abstract painting which is now hanging in the foyer, I was inspired to create something as I        haven't been painting for too long a time.  She is a super smart kid...but aren't they all these days.  This is her giving it her best "Uma" look...ha!

oil on board

8" x 10"

Niko

Sadly, poor Niko was struck and killed by a car last year right in front the house where he lived with friends Don and Luz.  Not sure how people can drive so recklessly on a quiet residential street and not be bothered to slow down for a confused little critter.  It was a very sad day.  With not a great photo to reference, I borrowed heavily from a painting I fell in love with by artist extraordinaire  Jill Soukup.  She is an amazing painter whose workshop I would love to attend.  When you look at her painting, the cat is alive and breathing.  I loved her composition and decided to use it to try and create something that would remind my friends of their beloved little pal.  He had the bushiest, coolest tail I've ever seen on a cat. Thank you Jill, I learned a lot trying to emulate your beautiful work.

oil on board  

8" x 10"