Alice

Alice with Chili

Oil on Canvas
48″ x 24″ approximate

Portraits are a favorite subject matter. Composing a painting of someone with (or without) their chosen symbols is enjoyable for me as the painter and, it is my hope, that that energy holds for the life of the work. Alice is a beautiful person whose lives a life of compassion and love. Some of her chosen symbols include her 15 year old dog, Chili, her plant – nettles, the Admiral (nettle) butterfly, snake, cottonwood, gnarled oaks, coyote and owl. The figure sits cross-legged with Chili at sunset/rise on a misty river with deep space evident through the leaves. The water reflects some internal parts of the human body; bones, organs, muscles. The monad/jewel above the figure is representative of someone who strives to live through her higher self.

Aesa

• Chalk pastel on pastel paper
• 10” x 8” approximately

I like Aesa’s spunk, inherited from the rest of her family.

Whispers

• Watercolor plus mixed media
• 14” x 34”
• $1250
• Giclée Print, 10.5” x 25.5” $395
  

Whispers is a painting of Eighth Street storefronts in Baldwin City, Kansas. Maple leaves float through the air, freshened after a passing storm. The contemporary street scene shows folks going about their business, enjoying life. Then there are images of the past. Vaguely visible are fossils, Native Americans, activity on the Santa Fe Trail, John Brown as depicted by J.S. Curry, Black Jack Battlefield in 1856, women’s bridge, historic Baker University building, Bibles, bison, log cabin, quilters and the open prairie.

Grands 2016

Grandchildren – 2016

• Colored Pencil on Illustration Board
• 16″ x 20″
• NFS

A snapshot in time using a Josef Albers color exercise. Albers’ teaches us to step out of the comfortable and allow for insight. This piece plays with gravity, space and perception.

Phoe

Phoenix

• Mixed media on watercolor paper
• Approx 12″ x 14″
• In a private collection

The young boy has the phoenix rising from the flames on his shirt and holds a rock with a petroglyph of Kokopelli. Behind him is an ancient kiva found in Chaco Canyon. A starry dragon’s tail encircles the moon while a fiery comet shoots from his mouth.

Miles, 1 year

Miles, one year

• Oil on Ampersand Gessobord
• 16″ x 12″
• In a private collection

At one year, Miles’ smile is shy, sly, bashful, endearing, precious and encouraging. He juggles the earth, moon and sun, surrounded by our planet and deep space. A small figure of Miles floats in space tethered to his rocket ship near an asteroid mining operation. Mars, Saturn, Jupiter and multiple asteroids can be found. Animals in the painting are moose, bison, fox, deer, rabbit and bottle-nose dolphins. Besides space there are a northern landscape, wetlands, prairie, ocean with schools of fish and an underground den. Prairie flowers include butterfly milkweed, blazing star and echinacea.The birds are the sandhill crane and red-headed woodpecker. Trees are birch and black cherry. Bugs are the earthworm and the pollinating bee.
Two of my many wishes for Miles is that he enjoys learning and sharing that joy.
The varied perspectives of this portrait were inspired by MC Escher’s “Other World”.

Remembering George Paley

George and Nancy

George Paley died this week. What joy he brought to his friendships. Encouraging, always curious, he loved sharing his ideas and projects with others. You could join him in the journey or not. While exhibiting casualness and a wry sense of humor, he brought a vital energy and creativity to his endeavors. His efforts were full throttle forward. Many will miss George terribly, but will take a deep breath to shrink the lump in our throats, and be grateful for his love and his friendship.
This is a link to Joanna Hlavacek’s lovely tribute to George and Judy in our local paper.

Marshall Family Bean Bag Game

• Walnut and mixed hardwood trim on birch plywood, painted with acrylics and marker
• 36″ x 24″

A Bean Bag Game for the Nat and Anna Marshall family
A woodworking project painted with images of the Marshall kids on a lily pad. Behind them are two Zimney cousins plus lots of cartoon characters that color their imaginations. The parents’ portrait is inspired by Grant Wood’s American Gothic painting. The surrounding landscape shows a world of plenty and plenty of fun.

Another bean bag game I made for the Zimney family can be seen here.

Printmaker, Artist, Friend, Sally Piller

Sally Piller in the Flint Hills

Yesterday a friend updated a group on Sally’s health status, so I knew she was in hospice. But upon hearing of her passing, a somber cloud settled around me. Now her delightful presence and fun company will be only a memory. Described as a force, Sally was willing to jump headlong into whatever project captured her imagination. She was a skilled artist who produced superb work; strong, beautiful prints. One of the reasons I love and will always admire Sally, is the way she made me feel about myself and my work. She lifted my spirit with her attitude. I bet she’s pissed about dying before she was ready and, frankly, I’m a little pissed too. Sally’s work can be seen here.

Celebrating life and love

Eric and Libby

• Oil on Ampersand Gessobord
• 60″ x 30″
• In a private collection

A celebration of life and love caused this painting to be commissioned. It shows special places, events and people in the lives of this loving and lovely couple. In the rocks at their feet are images of their first meeting as 4 year olds, their wedding, their 20th anniversary and a kiss on a Colorado mountaintop under the full moon. Following the steps up the hill in the painting there are portraits of a large family and meaningful places. A variety of symbols important to the couple are scattered throughout the painting. Behind them are the homes they’ve lived in through their marriage, a setting sun and the full moon.