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")