Sunset in oil pastel

I recently completed this large painting of a sunset which was inspired by Palo Duro Canyon in the Panhandle.  In reality the sunset actually occurred in New Mexico but the foreground was too distracting to be a part of the painting so I took artistic license and added the mesas in the foreground. I have been working with oil pastel to see how the medium performed on a larger piece than I normally paint in soft dry pastel.  I am expecting to complete the framing without the glazing necessary for dry pastel.  I photographed it on my patio under the dappled light of the huge oak in our yard.  I like the effect of the shadows.

Sunset on the Ranch

Sunsets in Texas are special because there is always a story.  This sunset could be almost any ranch in Texas but this particular scene is from the central plains not far from Dallas. Painted with soft pastel on sanded paper. There is no other place I would rather be than here at this time of the day.

Hill Country Wildflowers

The hill country around Texas west of Austin is beautiful in the springtime. There is such an abundance of color amid the huge canopy of green that covers the whole state. Unfortunately it does not last very long.  I painted this during a Dallas Cowboys game that was on my studio television while I painted.  It was like have  the radio on while used to do my homework in college.  i don't know why but it seems to help me concentrate. I guess I never really liked the Cowboys.. Go Oilers, Luv Ya Blue!

Working with art galleries

Several years ago I was very much about finding galleries to show and sell my work.  I even spent a couple of days while I was in New York to visit potential gallery partners. That was all before the WWW revolution and Google. I was very pleased to find a large, prominent and willing gallery in Santa Fe to carry my work. I placed I think, 14 paintings there.  here is a picture of two friends visiting this gallery and standing in front of 2 paintings of mine. Unfortunately this gallery sold 3 pieces of mine, went bankrupt and closed without paying me!  

Self Portraits

Many times I have fooled around creating a self portrait for fun.  The only person I can paint and not offend is me.  So I am the usual suspect!

Shadows on the Sandia Mountains

While I was in New Mexico this spring the clouds were beautiful like floating mountains. The patterns on the landscape highlighted the shapes and contours of the majestic Sandia Mountains.Although not as tall as the peaks in Colorado, these mountains have a soulful mystery that is inspiring to artists everywhere.

Giant Bald Cypress

These giant bald cypress trees along the waterways in central Texas are 400-600 years old.  The recent flooding along the Blanco and San Marcos rivers dislodged many of these ancient trees and sent them careening down the river wiping out all in their path. Their stately beauty is as awesome as their destructive power.  Life in balance. Pastel on paper 10"x10".