Courtyard Gallery

I joined Courtyard Art Gallery located at 149 1/2 E. Bay Street Charleston, South Carolina. It is a beautiful gallery located in the French Quarter. These are two of the new paintings that are available there. The top painting is titled "Phoenix Rising" and is a little different for me. The cardinal is the "phoenix" rising up from the candle smoke. I love to paint wildlife and nature related subjects, but I am starting to paint them in non-typical settings. I just love the way this turned out! It is a 20"x 24" oil on canvas. The other painting is a 12" x 12" oil on canvas of a male lion. I would like to invite you to stop by the gallery. Thank you for visiting my Blog!

Painting Demonstration at Waterfront Gallery

I wanted to show one of the first steps that I take in painting. Both of these images started out with my reference photos that I took of the subjects. I then work out small "thumbnail" compositions to decide on my layout. When I am satisfied with a design I draw it on to the canvas. My next step is to paint a very light under painting in acrylic. At this time I refine my drawing with the acrylic paint, adding details and blocking in some dark areas(values). My next step will be to tone the whole canvas with a light coat of warm colored oil paint (usually cadmium yellow and burnt sienna). Then I can begin my actual painting!
These are two paintings that I will be working on at the Waterfront Gallery in Charleston, South Carolina. I have been asked to be the Gallery's Special Guest Artist during the week of the Southeast Wildlife Exposition. My work will be displayed and I will be painting from 1pm- 5pm on February 12th, 13th, and 14th.
Stop by and visit!

"Black Bear Encounter"

I enjoy painting in your face portraits of wildlife. When I am sketching out my compositions, I always try to arrange my subjects in an unexpected way. That is why I chose to zoom in on the bear's face and position him on a long horizontal canvas.I also think that bears have a pig like nose from the front view! (Which is why you don't see his nose.) This 12" x 24" oil on canvas painting recently sold off the easel as I was finishing the detail work on it. Thank you for visiting!

Gallery News!

I just found out that I will be exhibiting my art at Courtyard Gallery located in the French Quarter of Charleston, SC. I am so excited! Charleston is an amazing city and the gallery has a talented group of artists!
Also, the Waterfront Gallery in Charleston, SC has asked me to be a special guest artist during the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition in February. I will only be there for 3 days, but I will be doing a painting demonstration. I always enjoy that!
I will post more on this later. Thank you for visiting!

"The Littlest Fairy"- People's Choice Award

This 16x20 oil painting was exhibited in the Summerville Artist Guild's December Show. It received the most votes earning the People's Choice Ribbon. I really had fun painting her. I wanted the wings to look like real butterfly wings without being too colorful. I hope you enjoy!

Basset Hounds Commission

I had to wait until after Christmas to post this painting because it was a commissioned gift for a women who is active in Basset Hound Rescue. These are the family's three dogs. I love how different they all are. Thank you for visiting my blog!

Christmas Minis

These are some of the mini oil paintings I created for the tree at Art Central. I also painted several minis that were framed, but I did not have a chance to photograph them. They make great stocking stuffers! Thanks for visiting!