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.

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.

Learning to Fly

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days: January, 2015—Day 17 

Last spring, I witnessed a baby robin learning to fly. His father coached him with worms. This painting is from an photo I caught of the two of them together in a beautiful family moment. After about 2 hours of mustering up the courage, the little boy learned to fly.

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.

Chicken Run

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days: September, 2014—Day 8

Why did the chicken cross the road? To get away for the artist trying to take his picture! 

Chickens lay many eggs a year. Our bodies get the same good from eating eggs as from eating meat. Chickens like to eat bugs, seeds, and weeds. They are good at feeding themselves. Most of us like to eat chicken meat. Because they are small, a whole chicken can be eaten at one meal—no refrigeration needed.

I hope you take a moment to visit the Heifer Internaitonal website and learn more about ending world hunger "The Heifer Way."

Four O'Clock Rooster

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days: September, 2014—Day 3

Today begins one of my new themes for the 30 day challenge. Throughout the month, I will be painting subjects related to bringing awareness for Heifer Internaitonal. Heifer International's mission is to work with communities to end world hunger and poverty and to care for the Earth. Instead of donating money to people and governments, they provide animals and crops. They help communities build sustainability in ways that monetary contributions don't. 

One of the animals that Heifer International provides is the chicken. Chickens lay many eggs a year. Our bodies get the same good from eating eggs as from eating meat. Chickens like to eat bugs, seeds, and weeds. They are good at feeding themselves. Most of us like to eat chicken meat. Because they are small, a whole chicken can be eaten at one meal—no refrigeration needed.

While visiting the Heifer Ranch, in Arkansas, this rooster kept waking us up at four o'clock in the morning. He also rang-out at one o'clock p.m. I don't know what time zone this guy thought he was in, but he was way off in my book. 

I hope you take a moment to visit the Heifer Internaitonal website and learn more about ending world hunger "The Heifer Way."

Faith (Parable of the Mustard Seed)

30"x36" Oil on Gallery Canvas

SOLD

What is the kingdom of God like?

Jesus explains it to us using the imagery of a mustard seed. They are the smallest of seeds and produce trees large enough for birds to find rest in their branches. Jesus doesn't stop there. Later, in two gospels, Jesus uses the imagery again to explain the nature of faith. When his disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith, he tells them that if they had faith as small as a mustard seed, they could do wondrous things.

This painting tries to illuminate both teachings. Here you can see the scale of this paradox. The great tree has grown form the tiny seed and is host to a diversity of birds. As our faith grows, we become something greater than ourselves. We become the shelter, nurture and sustenance for others. You can also see roots in the soil—reaching deep to underground waters. These represent the "behind-the-scenes" mysteries that nourish our faith. Our baptism and the nurture of the church gives our faith the best conditions for growth. 

We need not discourage ourselves for our lack-luster feelings of faithfulness. Our limitations and shortcomings are not what defines us as people of God's kingdom. It is only the miraculous grace of God that transforms us from mediocrity into sainthood. 

May your faith so bloom.