“The Doorway” depicts the rear entrance to a structure built years ago by my late father-in-law, John. When I moved to the property, he installed a stairway just inside this door, leading up to a lumber loft that we converted into a painting studio for me. It is a joy to walk through this doorway every morning to begin the workday, and I was grateful for the occasion to reflect on John’s craftsmanship and our friendship while painting this piece.

Continue Reading ›

This year I had the special experience of painting Muriel Van Orden Jennings’ portrait for Princeton Theological Seminary. This portrait was quite an adventure compared to my typical commissions!

Continue Reading ›

I am happy to report that my recent workshop at Susan Porges’ The Art Studio went beautifully. I couldn’t have asked for more – gracious hosts, a beautiful model, and friendly & talented attendees! And thanks to Susan’s iPhone photography, I can share some process shots from my demo painting. I hope they are useful to see…

Continue Reading ›

This spring, I gave a private lesson to a local artist friend of mine. We set up our easels side by side, and I did my best to explain my process as we each worked to capture this still life arrangement in oils. Once it was over, I had already invested so much energy in describing my painting choices that it seemed like a natural opportunity for a step-by-step writeup …

Continue Reading ›

This little painting was my contribution to this year’s Portrait Society of America “6×9 Limited Size – Unlimited Talent” fundraiser. I have no idea what became of it at the event, but here’s how it was created…

Continue Reading ›

For the most part, I have two gears as a painter – one for paintings that I build up wet-over-dry, letting each layer dry for days or weeks between coats … and one for smaller paintings that can be completed in one or two sittings while the paint is still wet. This little picture is a good example of the latter – 12″ x 8″ and completed over the course of a long day…

Continue Reading ›

This painting was created over two days during my most recent portrait adventure in England, and it represents my first ever commission to paint a house. Crockham Grange is the home of Randolph and Catherine Churchill, and I’m happy with how it translated into paint…

Continue Reading ›

This painting is actually a view of Kathryn’s and my old driveway in Upper Black Eddy (Bucks County, Pennsylvania) … although at more than a quarter mile long, it certainly was a forest path! This represents one of my first attempts at beginning an outdoor painting in sepia, and it remains a good example of how I approach much of my plein air work…

Continue Reading ›