Historic Benson Grist Mill

This is my vision of how the old Benson grist mill may have looked in its working days. It was key to the development of the Tooele valley and served as the last real watering hole before crossing the desert salt flats. Ivory Homes has a new housing development called Benson Mill right next door to the old site. The mill has been restored now and is open to the public.

Because of my company's connection to the mill area and because I have always wanted to paint an old grist mill, this one seemed a perfect fit! The stark contrast of the life threatening cold outside and the life giving grain inside is the theme of this painting. Acrylic on canvas (30" x 22")

Horseback in Zion

Zion National Park must be seen first hand in order to appreciate its scope and beauty. There is no better way than by horseback. This composition is a bit different for me but it was fun to paint and to relive the experience. Acrylic on canvas (30" x 15")

Key bird

My dad used to describe the little birds of winter as "key-birds". When asked why, he would simply say ... "They seem to be saying, 'Key-key-key-riminy its c-c-c-c-c-cold"! Here is my latest version of a "key-bird"! These little winter birds are very artistic and fun to paint, especially cardinals! Acrylic on canvas 14" x 11".

LDS.org - Ensign Article - Mormon Journal

LDS.org - Ensign Article - Mormon Journal

An acquaintence of mine entered my name into his search engine to help him find my Harmon Art website and he stummbled across this link to the LDS magazine "Ensign". (My article is the second one on the link) I had almost forgotten about this article that I was asked to write for the Ensign way back in 1979 about my experiences during the 1976 earthquake in Guatemala. As I read it again, I was touched and humbled anew by the character and humility of the amazing Daniel Choc.

My time with Elder Choc has forever changed my life. I can't wait to see him again and thank him for the inspiring influence he has been for me and for my family. I hope you enjoy reading about this incredible young man.

Irish Pride

My friend, Mac, asked me to paint this rendition of his wife's family homestead in Red Castle, Ireland for her for Christmas. Originally it belonged to her great, great grandfather. The significance of the trombone is a fun story ...

He asked me to incorporate somehow a trombone into the painting as a tribute to her father, who played in the Utah Symphony for years and who's dream it was to return to the old homestead and live there. Unfortunately, he passed away before ever having the opportunity.

The deep shadows and the brilliant light really define this painting. It was fun to use every shade of green on my pallet! Acrylic on canvas 24" x 20".

Arc of Faith

During a recent Family Home Evening about Noah's arc, Little Miss gathered all of her stuffed animals together to put them on the arc! Her parents captured this photo and I just had to paint it! It sure is fun to be a grandpa! Acrylic on canvas (20" x24")

Winter in Midway

There is just something artistic about old farms ... fences, out buildings, trees, etc. This setting in Midway includes the majestic Mt. Timpanogus in the distance and a beautiful winter landscape, typical to this area. I plan to have a booth in the Midway Swiss Days next September, so I thought it would be fun to start painting a few scenes from that area. Acrylic on canvas (30 x 22")

Air Paul

I am doing a trilogy of paintings depicting Utah winter sports, using as subjects, people close to me. In this one, my friend Paul is jumping a small cornice on his Polaris snowmobile in the back country above his cabin near Heber, Utah.

The other two scenes in my Winter Sports Trilogy are of my wife powder skiing (see earlier post in this blog) and a fly fishing self-portrait (on which I am still working)!

Acrylic on canvas 15" x 30".

Pecking Order

Our kitchen is decorated with roosters of all shapes and sizes. I thought it would be fun to paint some chickens and pumpkins to celebrate the fall season. Once again, I used a very impressionistic approach to this piece ... lots of fun! Acrylic on hardboard 24" x 18".

Harvest Pumpkins

A few years ago, we purchased some leftover Easter chicks from a local supplier and were assured they were all hens. Well, one turned out to be a rooster! Since our zoning ordinace did not allow for roosters, (and the fact that he was so beautiful) we just didn't have the heart to make him into chicken soup, so we took him to a place called the Pumpkin Patch. They loved having him there! Ever since, I have wanted to paint such a place to celebrate the harvest season and the beautiful fall colors! I really enjoyed this painting expereince! Acrylic on canvas (gallery wrapped) 24" x 24"

How Do You Like Them Apples?!!

As many of you may know, one of my most sacred painting experiences occured while painting a scene of some spilled apples from an old wooden bucket (see earlier story on this blog for details). While attending a reunion with Maureen's family a couple of weeks ago, I had some spare time to do some painting. I used a very impressionistic approach to this piece and really had a lot of fun with it!

It is a sequel to the original "Do You Like Apples?" It has an even deeper meaning for me because it now belongs to a good friend of mine and hangs in her home today. Acrylic on canvas 24" x 24"

The Greatest Snow on Earth!

Ski season is almost upon us here in Utah. Maureen loves to ski, but I am not so gifted! In her honor, I painted her frolicking in the powder. Since we have the "Greatest Snow on Earth" right here in our own backyard, I thought it appropriate to post such a painting as we head into winter. Acrylic on canvas 12" x 24"

Seattle Visit

I had the opportunity to visit Rachelle and her gang over Conference weekend. We had a blast! We watched Conference together and enjoyed every other spare minute ... we read Grammy's frog book, painted (of course), rode bikes, wrestled, told stories and thoroughly enjoyed each other!

I finally got to meet little Matthew ... he sure is a sweet little guy! I really enjoyed my visit! Thanks, Rachelle and gang!

Welcome, Matthew!

Little Matthew Glen was born last week to Rachelle and Cory up in Seattle! He is just a doll! Rachelle says that he is just as sweet as he is cute! He makes grandbaby #21 for Maureen and I! We sure are proud grandparents!

Autumn in Zion

While visiting our friends, Ken and Marilyn Peck, I noticed a photo the had in their family room of this striking scene near the Temple of Sacawava along the Virgin River in Zion National Park. I asked them if I could paint it for them ... I love the contrast between the deep shadows and the wonderful highlights. It makes the color jump right off the canvas! Acrylic on canvas 16" x 20".

On Point and On the Rise

My friend has an English Pointer hound and asked me to paint it on point in the field. I used a fairly impressionistic approach to the background and a more focused realistic attempt for the dog and quail. The texture of the original piece is wonderful, though it does not translate via the digital image. Oh well, it was fun anyway! Acrylic on canvas 24' x 18"

Deep Woods Therapy

The other day I was longing to be in a place such as this ... where clear pools of water held hungry trout ready to take my dry fly. As it turned out, I couldn't go, so I painted it instead. This color scheme with its deep shadows and contrasting bright highlights is very cool ... I really enjoyed this painting! Acrylic on canvas 24" x 18"

Winter Worship

For some reason, my last few paintings have been of winter scenes ... may be a Freudian thing because I really do love to paint snow and it has been pretty hot out lately ... who knows?!!

The softness of the moonlit snow and the darkness of the night really define this painting. It will make a great Christmas card, don't you think?!! Acrylic on canvas 24" x 18".

Narrow Gauge Nostalgia

When my son, Nathan, was in High School, he and his friend formed an official club called T.W.I.G. (Train Watching is Great). I never quite understood the whole "train watching" thing but they did it nonetheless!

Now, years later, most of my grandchildren are themselves fascinated by trains. Maybe it is a hidden characteristic in the DNA pool?!! Who knows ...

So, in their honor, I decided to study up on old steam locomotives so I could paint an accurate rendition of this "narrow gauge nostalgia". I really enjoyed this painting experience! Kaiden has especially been looking forward to seeing the finished product ... enjoy! Acrylic on canvas 30" x 15"

Welcome little Kayla!

Kayla was born to Nathan and Holly on July 18, 2009. She is beautiful and perfect! She rings the bell as the 20th grandchild for Maureen and I! Grandpahood sure is sweet!

Escondido

While fly fishing this past winter, I came across this little guy hiding in the grass. The only thing that caught my eye while walking past him was his glistening eye. Experiences like this one are why I love to fly fish in the winter ... along with solitude! Not many folks are willing to brave the elements, but for me, the rewards are worth it! (Acrylic on canvas 24" x 18")

Torrey Pines #3

We just completed a Medical Office building for Dr. Monte Layton in Midvale, Utah. His passion is golfing and one of his favorite courses is Torrey Pines near San Diego. This is my attempt with this beautiful place. We had it framed and gave it to him as a "move in" gift!

Morning Rays of Spring

This is the springtime version of "Morning Rays". Note the eggs in the nest atop the post!

Morning Rays of Autumn

Autumn is my favorite time of year ... I love the colors and angle of the sun. I had fun mixing up the poses of the little wren ... this one is my favorite.

Morning Rays of Winter

This is the "winter" version of this scene. (see earliler post) It was a fun experience to capture this scene and the little wren during different seasons of the year!

Morning Rays of Summer

I am doing a series of paintings depicting the same scene across the different seasons of the year. Our daughter-in-law, Stephanie, inspired this concept, so to her I dedicate this body of work. This is the first installment of the group ... the other seasons will follow as I complete them (I am just finishing up "winter" right now). I did a painting similar to this many years ago, and I thought it would be a perfect setting for such a project. There is just something very artistic about old wood and weeds ... I love to paint them! (Acrylic on canvas 18"x 24")

The Three Amigos

Several years ago, Maureen captured this scene in our back yard after London, Eric and Ethan had been splashing around in the wading pool. She has used it as her screen saver ever since. The painting hangs in our living room today.

Catch & Creel vs. Catch & Release

Springtime along the steep banks of a river gives way to this nostalgic scene of days gone by ... I have experienced this setting many times through the years. Creels have since given way to catch and release, but the therapy is still the same! Tight lines ... (Acrylic on canvas 30"x 22")

Wild Flower Power

Spring has sprung ... finally! This was a quick study in painting something to simply brighten up a room! It is not my normal genre of things to paint, but it was fun and helped me broaden my horizons. (Acrylic on canvas 16"x 20")

Shine On

A few months ago, my sister asked me if I had ever painted a light house. Coincidentally, I had just finished a painting for my first mission companion that depicted a sailing vessel and a light house guiding the way. That was the first light house I had ever painted. My mentor, Jerry Yarnell, has done a collection of lighthouses and so I decided to study up on them. I did this piece with one of my students as a seascape study. I was fun to paint in the "old masters" style of deep shadows and bright highlights. My group painting class chose this painting to work on this month. Though it is challenging, they seem to really enjoy this piece.

Though I have not had much maritime experience, the few lighthouses I have seen always give me comfort and peace amid the turbulence of the sea ... a great metaphor of Heaven's guiding light in our lives. (Acrylic on canvas 20"x 24")

Trail of Faith

My friend, Mac Davis and his sister, commissioned me to do a painting about the Martin's Cove area and the handcart pioneers for their Mom. She will be serving a mission in the Martin's Cove Visitor's Center beginning this summer. I had seen a poster advertising for a Pioneer Trek some time ago and thought it was an appropriate depiction of that area. This is my interpretation of that scene. Whenever I have occasion to ponder on the pioneer effort to come to and establish Zion, I am humbled by their faith and determination. Acrylic on canvas (30"x 22")

Location, location, location ...

This was a fun study in monochromatic painting. I basically used different values of one basic color scheme. I used a golden undertone, adding only purple, its compliment, to create the shadows and sky. This would be a great little cabin to have as a retreat someday! Acrylic on canvas (24"x 18")

Beauties of Creation

I have always wanted to paint the Tetons. I have been holding out for an "on-site" experience. That may still come about, but I just had to paint this scene the other day! It is difficult to capture the scope and magnitude of such grandeur, but I had fun trying! This scene is a composite I created from a couple of old photos that I had taken while on a family trip in the late 80's. Another fondness from my memory bouquet! Acrylic on canvas (36"x 24")

Great, Great Grandad Ross ...

A few years ago, I painted this scene for Maureen of the Ross homestead in Fitzroy Township, Ontario, Canada. She had been researching her family history at the time and had a truly inspiring experience on this trip. We have a couple of old artifacts from this old barn. It was one of the only remaining original structures built by her great, great grandad Ross!

She just returned a couple of days ago from another trip to Ireland where she was researching this same family line ... she came home with an old mossy stone from their old homestead in Longford, Ireland along with more inspiring stories of success. She was able to find exactly what she was looking for over there to be able to connect the dots a little further back in her Ross line! She maintains that if you want to have a spiritual experience, just start doing some family history work! This little painting is another tribute to her selfless work! Acrylic on canvas (20"x 16")

Reflective Stroll on the Charles Bridge

My daughter, Rachelle, and her little family lived in the Czech Repulic for about 5 years. We had several opportunities to visit them and experience the beauty of Prague first hand! We have walked across this famous old bridge many times. This scene was how I recalled one of my first visits there ... it had rained a bit and dusk was settling in ... it was a very peaceful scene. I hope I was able to capture that moment for you! Acrylic on canvas 18"x 24" studio wrap.

To bind on earth and seal in heaven ...

This is a typical scene at our Bountiful Temple from the north and east side. We love having the temple so close to us ... literally it is only about 4-5 minutes away! I have painted this temple more than any other! Acrylic on canvas 24"x 18".

Ah, Venezia ...

Maureen and I had the opportunity to travel with Paul and Nadine Craig this past November to Venice, Italy and points beyond. I was able to paint a little during the cruise, but painted these two scenes just the other day from some photos and thumbnails I sketched while there. I experimented with a more impressionistic approach this time ... a technique I have been working on lately. Impressionism is quite popular these days, so I thought I had better figure it out! Both are Acrylic on canvas about 18" x 24".

Meet Easton Alan Harmon ...

Easton was born February 4, 2009 to Kyle and Tiffany back in Maryland ... congrats to our east coast gang! Easton is grandchild #19 for Maureen and I! Kaiden looks like he approves!

Coincidentally, Feb. 4, 2009 was the 33rd anniversary of my Guatemala earthquake experience! Way to go, Easton ... you came into this world with a bang!

Pakenham Bridge

Maureen has been doing a lot of genealogy work in the Ottawa Valley in Eastern Canada. This old bridge is significant in her family history. It is the only one of its kind in North America. It spans the Mississippi River near its headwaters. Mo's family members are buried near a little church just behind this view.

She asked me to paint it for one of her distant relatives who has been so helpful to her with her research efforts. Acrylic on canvas 20"x 10" (Jan. 2009)

Lean On Me

My sister, Connie, asked if I could paint this scene of some old out buildings she had seen in a black and white photograph given to her by Sister Elaine Dalton. She expained what it meant to her ... sometimes in our lives we need to lean on someone else for support and sometimes we need to be leaned upon! I was thrilled to give it a try!

As evidenced in the painting, the Lord can use any of us, no matter our perceived condition or stage in life to help another! I thought it was a great visual image of one of life's wonderful realities. Acrylic on canvas 24"x 18" (Jan 2009)

Grammy's Monkey Business (Christmas 2008)

Maureen has been suffering from some severe neck trauma and has been working through some disc decompression therapy since November. She somehow found the strength to sew a sock monkey for each grandchild, 18 in total, for Christmas this year! Liz Wolfgramm from work helped her cut out and sew a few (thank you, Liz!) ... I even tried to help a little by stuffing some of them. In the end, Maureen did most of the work (even re-did some of my efforts) and finished them on time for Christmas!

The kids absolutely loved them! She even led them to believe that she had used all of my fishing socks for the project ... a fact that several of them relished! I naturally fell right into the act complaining later that all of my fishing socks were missing! We really had alot of fun with that one!

I was so impressed by her efforts that I painted this litte guy and had all of the grandkids, that were there that day, sign the painting and we gave it to her for her Christmas present! Acrylic on canvas 16"x 20" (Dec 2008)