Flasks.

Obama. (stage,V.)

Obama. (stage,IV.)

More pots...

Obama. (stage, III.)

More pots...

I did this painting of my friend Sara. I think it's finished. I might have her sit one last time (for some touch up work), after I frame it. I will re-shoot the painting at that time due to the glare on her hair. Sara, oil 10.25" x 14.25"

Turmoil & Tranquility... (some of my thoughts, opinions, and notes as an artist.)

§ In regards to art do as you must and do as you will. Do it without compromise or regret.

Obama block-in. (Stage II.) I will continue taking and posting progressive photos till the painting is finished.

Today I threw planters for West High. This photo was taken by Meaghan Till. Photos of the finished planter next week.

President Obama's skin tone. (Stage I. 10-15 min.)

About a week ago I started throwing pots as a donation to the West High School ceramic department. These pots will be available at auction the end of Fine Arts Week (May 18-22). I will continue throwing them Tuesdays and Thursdays till the end of the semester. All profits will go to the art department. This is what I have so far...

Camera cap for scale.

Tomorrow I start a portrait painting of President Obama. 

This is a portrait of my friend Sara. I meant to photograph this painting at different stages, but forgot until middle stage.

This photograph was taken just past the middle stage.

This is almost the finished painting.

This is a close up of the almost finished painting. We have one more sitting together to tie things up.

Turmoil & Tranquility... (some of my thoughts, opinions, and notes as an artist)

§ I've heard a lot of talk lately about how we need to rethink the American Dream. Why do we need to rethink it? The American Dream meant to our founding fathers that we as citizens of the United States have the right to pursue our goals in life through hard work and free choice. So, again why do we need to rethink our right to pursue "life, liberty, and happiness?"

Rethinking the dream isn't necessary. Rethinking the pursuit and attainment of the dream is. (To be continued...)

§ If I could recommend  a book on art and life it would be "The Art Spirit," a compilation of Robert Henri's notes, articles, fragments of letters and talks to students, bearing on the concept and technique of picture making, the study of art generally, and on appreciation.

The last drawing I did of Morene "Mo", before she moved to New York. One of my favorite models. It is a charcoal drawing highlighted with gesso. It was drawn on illustration board toned with a Burnt Sienna wash. (16x20 inches)

Biography (for those of you who want to know)

So here we go...

I was born 1978 in Madison, Wisconsin. After graduating from West High School, where I studied ceramics and sculpture under Don Hunt, I was accepted into the Commercial Art program at Madison Area Technical College. There I studied Ad/Graphic Design and Illustration. Soon after my enrolment in this program, drawing, painting, and ceramics became the focus of my career.

Encouraged by Chris Gargan and John Ribble, the two professors who mentored me at MATC and with the support of my family, I then moved to Chicago, Illinois to attend the American Academy of Art. There, I became enamored with the paintings and techniques of John Singer Sargent, Antonio Mancini, Anders Zorn and Joaquin Sorolla. (just to name a few)

At the American Academy, I studied painting and drawing under Ted Smuskiewicz. I was taught the technical and conceptual methods of the Dutch, Flemish, Spanish and late 19th century European and American painters. The emphasis in each of these periods was Au Premier Coup (Alla Prima) and En Plein Air (Plein Air). Eager to learn more and continually work on my art, I was encouraged by Ted to attend night Classes at the Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Art also in Chicago.

After a year of hard studies at the American Academy and the Palette & Chisel, I then moved to Columbus, Ohio to attend and graduate with a BFA from Columbus College of Art & Design. There I continued to study painting and drawing under Gordon Lee, Gregg Kumlien, Lowell Tolstedt and Dennis Drummond, while also furthering my studies in sculpture and ceramics under the instruction of Curtis Benzle, Bill Hunt, and Kaname Takada. 

Check out and join the Au Premier Coup Society I created on Facebook for Alla Prima and Plein Air events and info.

Westerville Winter

This is one of the last paintings I did before graduating from Columbus College of Art & Design (Ohio). The painting was done on a 12x16 inch white lead oil primed panel. It was snowing and -20 with the wind. Yes, this was painted En Plein Air.