"Diggin In" 12x16 Oil On Linen

One saturday I got a call from a friend and she said "I'm at this estate sale and they have two really cool old sock monkeys! Do you want them?" Of course I did. She got them for me and handed them over at a Chestnut group plein air painting event. Ever since these two monkeys have been the favorites of my collection. I was really impressed by their quality.

I have always liked the work of Edward Hopper. One of my favorites is "Night Hawks" which was part of the inspiration for "Diggin In". I hope you enjoy! Dig in.

Beach Boy

Beach Boy 11x14 Oil On Linen

Ever since I bought this little monkey at an antique store here in Bristol, Tennesse I have felt he had a tropical attitude. Here he is playing his guitar. The scene reminds me of a Candlelight dinner I had with my wife on our honeymoon in Cancun.

Oil Painters Of America Eastern Regional Exhibition

"A Simple Melody" 15x25 Oil On Linen $1195

My painting "A Simple Melody" has been accepted into the Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition. 2011's Eastern Regional Exhibition and Sale is being hosted by Addison Art Gallery in Orleans, Massachusetts, beginning September 17 through October 15, 2011.

Model City Art Show

"Til The Cows Come Home" 11x14 Oil On Linen SOLD

My painting "Til The Cows Come Home" won Second Place at The Model City Art Show in Kingsport, Tennessee. The Show ran in conjunction with the annual Fun Fest celebration.

The juror; Bain Butcher is a conceptual figurative artist who exhibits nationally and maintains a studio in Knoxville, TN. He was born in Kingsport, TN and received his MFA in painting from the New York Academy of Art in 2006 where he studied with leading contemporary figurative painters. Prior to his time in New York, he studied at Davidson College, the Pacific Northwest College of Art, and the University of Cincinnati where he received an MD degree. Bain has won numerous awards and was recently named a semi-finalist in the 2009 Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. As a complement to his studio practice, he teaches continuing education courses at the University of Tennessee and private courses at his Knoxville studio.

Bleak House View

"Bleak House View" 8x10 Oil On Linen $295

I recently participated in Knoxville Museum of Arts Artists on Location. I painted this view of the Tennessee River from the elevated banks of the Bleak House property. The painting won Jurors Merit award.

Bleak House is a confederate memorial hall owned by Daughters of the Confederacy. It is an antebellum mansion with 15 rooms. The house was used by General Longstreet as headquarters during the confederates siege of Knoxville. The house is now available for tours and wedding.

Primary Peeps

Primary Peeps 6x8 Oil on panel $90

Peeps are a staple of any good Easter basket. I enoyed painting them as well as eating them when I finished. Here I experimented with a three color palette and color scheme.

Cocoa Bunny

Cocoa Bunny 6x6 Oil

Every year when Easter comes it brings fond childhood memories of Easter egg hunts and getting dressed up for church in our Sunday best.

Well Read

Well Read

16x20 Oil $595

The subjects in my paintings often remind me of someone in my life. This time it is my mother-in-law. She is a librarian. She loves to read and has passed this love down to my wife and sister-in-law.

The book in this painting belonged to my grandfather. It is a short inspirational christian study book titled Abundant Living by E. Stanley Jones. My grandfather recieved it from a fellow deacon at his church. Sometimes adding personal treasure adds to the sentiment I feel for the piece.

Go Fish

Go Fish

14x11 Oil on linen $395

Like the guys you see on the World Series of Poker this monkey is ready to play. Can you guess what cards he is holding.

I have to admit my wife often joins me on the hunt for props for new paintings. Though I prefer to paint vintage toys I am not bothered by using new trinkets to express my concepts. On one such trip she suggested I paint a sock monkey playing poker like the people on tv. Instead of poker I wanted to the game many of us have played in childhood to further enhance the concept.

Somthing To Chew On

Something To Chew On

9x12 Oil on linen $295

I found this little guy at an antique store in Virginia. I always enjoy the hunt for new subject matter.

The concept for this painting reminds me how I felt after each critique from my mentor Dawn Whitelaw. Dawn always helped me with any problems I was having with my current work. I always left with something to chew on.

Well Trodden 30x40 Oil

I recently visited Glen Leven Estate in Nashville, Tennessee with several friends from The Chestnut Group. The estate of 65 acres was recently bequeathed to the Land Trust of Tennessee by Susan M West. The property has a beautiful home and several spectacular brick buildings. While surveying the property I found this fantastic gated path. I loved the way the light fell across the stones wall.

A Work In Progress Step 5

Step 5 Detail :

I finish by laying in the dark accents and light accents. This is when I also play a little more freely with paint thickness and try to add some nice pretty brushstrokes. In this painting I experimented with making subtle temperature shifts in the background to create and Icy feeling.

A Work In Progress Step 4

Step 4 Refine Transitions :

I normally wait a day or so to let the painting dry before I procede. When I start to paint again I begin working dark to light. I pay more careful attention to subtle value shifts, temperature changes, and edges. I try to maintain the unity of the larger shapes while establishing the subtleties of form. I want the painting to feel solid and complete.

A Work In Progress Step 3

Step 3 Block In Light :

When blocking in the light I concentrate on value relationships of the larger shapes. I give the least attention to form at this time. I try to create the gradation of value across the whole rather than individual parts.

A Work In Progress Step 2

Step 2 Block In Shadows :

When I am happy with the placement of my drawing I move on to painting. I paint all of the darks in large abstract shapes. My goal is to give unity to these shapes rather than concentrate on form or detail.

A Work In Progress Step 1

Step 1 Drawing :

When I start a new painting I have already drawn thumbnails and selected a size for my stretched canvas. Most of the subjects in my painting are life size . Since I have already decided the canvas size I make a simple drawing on my canvas. Proper placement helps me to create interesting shapes with the light, shadow, and negative space.

One Small Step

Out Of This World

36x24

With each new painting I try to make one small step forward. When I first started painting like many beginners I stressed the details. I totally missed the big picture. Early on I had trouble being selective. I felt like I had to copy what I saw. I feel this limited my ability to express myself. I realize that I can take what I see and enhance it with my vision. Now I can share the world I see not just the one that happens to be.

Jack

Jack 10x10 Oil

Jack and six of his friends are hanging at The Arts Depot in Abingdon, Virginia as part of a four persons show in the members gallery. The paintings will be hanging from January 6th -February 19. There will be an artists' reception from January 9th 2-4 pm.