Molasses Creek Farm, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
A recently completed watercolor montage commission for a realtor who just sold this property. It is going to to be given as a gift to the previous owners. Built by a Revolutionary War colonel in the 1790's, the home was renovated but still kept many of it's original features. The owner loved the front of the original house and I decided to add a view of the old barn as an additional element in the painting. It is now hanging in New York City.
"Ferrari"
My latest portrait commission is of a not so little pomeranian, who is the constant companion to a nice woman in Morehead City, NC. She has had numerous difficulties in her life and has suffered many back operations and two strokes. She was thrilled to have me paint him. I painted "Ferrari" in oil on an 11" x 14" canvas panel and pictured him in a garden setting. It couldn't have made me happier to see her reaction and the look on her face when she saw it. It makes what I do so wonderful!
This was an unusual request for me recently. I just completed a pastel and pencil commission for a couple who wanted to surprise their son in the marines. He has completed his helicopter flight training and is receiving his wings in August. They gave me their idea and after showing them a sketch, this is the completed drawing. They were very happy with the results and are giving it to him as a surprise gift.
"Tyson"
This is an oil on panel portrait of a Rottweiler named "Tyson" that I recently completed for a local veterinarian and his wife. They lost the dog about 4 years ago and wanted a montage portrait of him at different stages in his life. I am happy to report that they loved it.
"Aunt Lorraine at Penn State"
It was my Aunt Lorraine's 80th Birthday and my cousins asked if I would surprise her with a drawing of her at a Penn State Horse show when she was about 19. I loved doing it and she was really surprised when they gave her a "Kentucky Derby" theme party. She lives outside of Denver, Colorado and now has the portrait hanging over her fireplace. It is a graphite pencil and pencil wash drawing on watercolor paper.
"Sasha and Julie"
My latest portrait is of "Sasha" and "Julie", a 20" x 24" pastel and pencil portrait. After a photography session with the dogs, this is the resulting drawing. I am happy to report that the owners were thrilled with it.
'SHACKLEFORD MOM" (AFTER REVISIONS)
THIS PAINTING IS AN 11" X 14" ACRYLIC ON MASONITE PANEL THAT WAS ORIGINALLY PAINTED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. AFTER EXHIBITING IT AND "LIVING WITH IT", I DECIDED THAT THE DOLPHIN REALLY COMPETED WITH THE PONY IN THE COMPOSITION. I ALSO LISTENED TO RESPONSES FROM OTHER ARTISTS AND GALLERY OWNERS AND DECIDED TO ELIMINATE THE DOLPHIN AND PLACE THE FOAL IN THE FOREGROUND OF THE PAINTING. THE BEAUTY OF ACRYLICS! I ALSO ADDED SOME COOLER COLORS TO THE BACKGROUND, CHANGED THE DUNES AND INCLUDED SOME ADDITIONAL SHADOWS. I THINK THIS IS A MUCH MORE SUCCESSFUL PAINTING NOW. IT IS FOR SALE AT $325.
THE SCENE DEPICTS ONE OF OVER A HUNDRED WILD SHACKLEFORD PONIES THAT NOW SURVIVE ON SHACKLEFORD BANKS, THE SOUTHERN MOST BARRIER ISLAND ON CAPE LOOKOUT NATIONAL SEASHORE. MOST OF THE PONIES ARE NOW BRANDED WITH NUMBERS AND WERE INTRODUCED BY EARLY EUROPEAN EXPLORERS AND SETTLERS. GENETIC RESEARCH SHOWS SPANISH ANCESTRY IN THE HERD. THE LIGHTHOUSE IN THE BACKGROUND IS CAPE LOOKOUT.
ORIGINAL PAINTING FROM LAST YEAR BEFORE REVISION
"Sadie and Bo"
This is a recently completed watercolor commission of "Sadie", a fifteen year old Boykin Spaniel and "Bo", a thirteen year old Dalmation. This is going to be a surprise birthday gift for my friend Jennifer's husband. She cried happy tears when she saw it.....I think he will be happy also.
"NIGHT MAGIC"
This is a Watercolor Portrait commission of an event horse in Massachusetts. It is to be given as a surprise Christmas gift and I hope I was able to capture the personality of the horse for them. I completed the painting from various photographs supplied by the client.
"BELA" CAT
This is a portrait commission of a persian cat from the clients photographs. She lost her cat a few years ago, but he is forever in her heart and can never be replaced.