Redbird

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

One of the paintings for "A Walk in the Park" event at Marcella Vivrette Smith Park, 

Brentwood, on Oct 30 from 1-5 PM.

One morning while walking on the trails of Smith Park, I came across this little Cardinal perfectly perched in a tree. I could not have asked for a better composition.

Heron Glide

8"x10" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

Here is another portrait of a most fascinating bird. 

This Blue Heron will be on display at the 

Friends of Radnor Lake Fine Art Show & Sale, 

Nov 6–8 form 8 a.m–5 p.m.

The Wishing Bird (Revisited)

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

While recently painting a Cardinal (see previous post), I also revisited a painting from two years ago titled "The Wishing Bird."  See the link below to learn the origin of that name. 

You can also compare my technique and development between then and now. 

My… how time flies.

They Wishing Bird 2013

Cardinal

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife
Commissioned

Cardinals are plentyful all year in Middle Tennessee. Commissioned by a lover of these boldly feathered friends, here's a little Cardinal sitting on a branch.

Heron Flight

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

30 Paintings in 30 Days: January, 2015—Day 21 

Today is my son's 15th birthday. If there are such things a s spirit guides, My son's would be a Blue Heron. (See previous post here) So, here is a graceful heron gliding over the horizon of the lake. Happy birthday, son. 

Sparrow

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

Click HERE to Purchase

30 Paintings in 30 Days: January, 2015—Day 16 

Shifting gears today to paint a little house sparrow.

The Sower

8"x10" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days: January, 2015—Day 6

Today's painting is another illumination. This time the subject is Jesus' parable of The Sower.  

"A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold."

We tend to reflect on what kinds of soil we are. But recently, I've been thinking about the Sower. The Sower doesn't worry about getting ALL of the seed into the good soil. The seed is liberally thrown about everywhere. Once distributed, nature takes care of the rest. Jesus tells this parable to his Disciples, I think, to prepare them for ministry. We should spread grace the same way God gives us grace—to all—not just those who appear to be worthy.

So this painting's view of the Sower is from the ground up—for we are indeed the soil. What we see from that vantage point is a prodigal Sower, joyfully throwing seeds of grace to all the world. 

Robin and Red Berries

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: January—Day 23

On one of my walks, I snapped a photo of this little guy picking berries.

Blue Heron

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge—Day 28.

The Great Blue Heron will always hold a special place in my heart. On the day that my son was born, the bird mysteriously showed up in a field that backed up to my yard. Ever since then,  the Great Blue Heron has made his presence known around milestones in my son's life. This graceful creature reminds me that my son is part of a larger community, and belongs to someone greater than all of us.

Home

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge—Day 25.

Every spring, from an upstairs bedroom window, we have the privilege of watching a family of birds make their nest and raise their young. With the birds, we wait over the nest. We watch the eggs hatch and the babies grow. One year, we were able to see them learn to fly. It is a special connection our two homes share.

Songbird

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge—Day 20.

One thing I have discovered during these past 20 days is that I like to paint birds. Their colorful feathers make a great match with my palette knife style. My wife got a shot of this little guy in Norris, Tennessee. I confess I didn't recognize what kind of bird it was. After researching for this painting, I discovered that this bird is a Brown Thrasher.  The Brown Thrasher is a songbird with one of the largest repertoires in North America (estimated over 1,000 song types including mimics of other birds). So, here's a tribute to the Brown Thrasher. Sing on, my friend.

The Wishing Bird

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge—Day 14.

Cardinals are very special birds for our family. We know them as wishing birds. Whenever we see a bright red Cardinal fluttering around, we make a wish. In that regard, today's painting is a moment of opportunity for you. 

Go ahead. Make a wish.

Hummingbird

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge—Day 10.

"What are you painting next, Dad?" 
That's the question my kids ask me every day now.  They look forward to coming home from school to discover what I've painted for the day. My youngest daughter, who is an aspiring painter herself,  has been asking me for a couple of days to paint a hummingbird, her new favorite animal. So, here is a little labor of love in honor of my daughter.