Old Bank Building, Kaufman--oil, 10x8"

Something I've been interested in for quite a while is small town downtown buildings. I've spent a fair amount of time driving through them in Texas. I'd like to publish or exhibit a series called "Texas Small Town Downtowns".

Doing them as small as this one, it's hard to paint architectural detail. It may be best to do small studies like this one, then do a larger one in studio based on the study and a photograph. I'm particularly interested in the way light creates interesting shadow shapes and colors as it falls across the warm brick colors. Something that creates a mood. I like Edward Hopper's paintings, his most famous is "Nighthawks" http://www.edwardhopper.info/night-hawks.html

These paintings sold in an auction to benefit a little girl sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Asso.

Both SOLD

Garden Entrance--pastel, 6x8"

Donated to a non-profit

This morning was overcast and misty, but I was determined to make a picture while waiting for church. A painting shouldn't always depend on color and light to be successful. Composition, edges, brushwork, and value treatment are also important.

I travel with a pastel assortment that doesn't have the greatest selection of colors, and I was limited by time. I wish I had used a different color of paper. Those are my excuses.

Turtle Creek Idyll--pastel, 10x5" on Canson paper.

SOLD

This small vertical pastel was done recently in plein air. I've done this scene before, but of course each painting has its own look. I liked the varying reflections in the water, and the contrast between foreground and the late afternoon background. It's one of the prettiest places in Dallas.

Rosie--oil, 10x8"

This painting of my wife's dog received a First Place in Oil award at the Irving Art Association's Pet Portrait Show.

You wouldn't believe how difficult it is to get an animal into a good pose, let alone be still for a picture. They're either too close, too far away, the light's not good, they won't be still, they're looking directly at you, they're looking away, you have to lie down on the ground... It's probably best to photograph them when they are asleep. (ditto for little kids.)

Bench with Blossoms--pastel, 8x11.5

I've always liked this plein air painting. I'm not good at thinking of interesting or "poetic" names.