"... because there was no room for them in the inn ...

As Maureen and I were thinking about what painting we could use for our Christmas card this year, we realized that we had already used my previous Christmas-themed pieces, so I started to ponder what would be an appropriate subject.

Whenever I consider doing a "Christmas" or other religious-themed painting, I try to approach them with an attitude of reverence, and try to make myself worthy of the inspiration I seek. Each such experience has helped me to grow in my understanding and has provided me a new perspective and humility.

This experience was no different. It didn't take long for this composition to distill in my mind and before I knew it, it was out of my head and onto the canvas! Once again, the sacredness and veracity of this event were confirmed in my heart. May the tenderness of the Christmas season bring hope to all who ponder its significance ... may we always be able to find room for Him in our lives! Acrylic on canvas 15" x 30".

Reflections on the Rio Grande (near Alamosa, Colorado)

My boss, Jim Seaberg, commissioned me to paint this scene of his father fishing on the Rio Grande near Alamosa, Colorado. His father loves to flyfish but has not been able to do it much lately because of his failing health. Jim provided me with a home video of a couple of different fishing trips that he had taken with his dad so that I could get the feel of the area, his dad's mannerisms, etc. It was a real challenge, but I had a lot of fun developing this piece.

Some of the thoughts and feelings that I tried to portray:

He is perhaps seeing the river for the last time and has just entered the water …
He is pondering how best to fish the runs ahead and how to best fish this run ...
I love the contrast of the glow of light vs. the deep shadows.
The reflections are a big part of this composition as well ... memories.

Enjoy ...

Acrylic on canvas 36" x 24"

Craig's Venice

One of my young friends and art students, Craig, spent some time in Europe this summer with his family. He took a photo of this scene while on a gondola in Venice. Pretty good photographer, eh?!! He wanted to paint this as a lesson subject ... oh, please, don't twist my arm! I love these types of scenes! We had a lot of fun learning perspective, composition, textures, reflections, etc. This is my version of the scene ... hope you enjoy it! Acrylic on canvas 24" x 18".

The Colors of Autumn

This was a study that I did with Jerry Yarnell on line. It reminds me very much of the colors of fall and the changing of the seasons in a local park, just east of Bountiful, Utah ... a little paradise right in our own back yard. It represents the glorious changes in nature that autumn brings ... it's one of the reasons we love to live in Utah! (Acrylic on canvas 36"x 24")

Are we there yet?

I did a scene like this in a class setting with the Yarnell School of Fine Art. I adapted it in this effort to represent the Island Park area of N/E Idaho near West Yellowstone. For me, it has always been an inviting place to spend some time with nature. The dynamics of the scenery, the weather and the opportunities for recreation make this a place I want to be!

Though this is a fairly dark painting, the softness of the light and the multitude of subtle colors underwrite this piece. Hope you enjoy it! Acrylic on canvas (24"x 18")

Ross Falls

Maureen has really been working hard on her forthcoming family history book of the Ross family. In fact, she just received a draft copy from her co-author to proof before it goes to press ... pretty exciting!

In her honor, I painted this scene of Ross Falls, located in the Ottawa Valley (Cananda), named after her ancestor Arthur Ross, the original settler. Acrylic on hardboard (12"x16")

Pumpkins and Crates

October is one of our favorite month's of the year! The colors of the harvest and the change of seasons are especially exciting for me as an artist. This little scene is from a photograph given to me by Beverly Bott, one of my wonderful art students, as a subject that she would like to learn how to paint. I had a great time developing this painting ... in fact, it is the subject of our October group painting class at Robert's Arts and Crafts. Hope you enjoy it, too! Acrylic on canvas (24"x18").

Tuscan Peace

One of my good friends asked if I would do a painting that was inspiring and peaceful without being of a religious nature. After a couple of weeks, this composition settled into my mind. The peace of the courtyard and soft colors of the region are inspiring to me. I used a more impressionistic approach to this piece to lend to the softness of the composition. Hope you enjoy it! Acrylic on canvas (24"x24" gallery wrap).

Colors of Tuscany

Over the past couple of years, I have developed a body of work centered around a "Tuscany" theme that I call "Colors of Tuscany". This little piece is the title painting. I love the unique color palette from that area of the world ... soft and inviting. It is almost a still life ... very soft pastels with the aged flavor of old world stucco and wood.

Recently, one of our friends, who works with art galleries, suggested that I do even more of that sort of work since it is in such demand. I really enjoyed this painting experience! Acrylic on canvas (20"x24")

Florentine Vista

The views overlooking Firenze (Florentine) are vast and majestic. We had the opportunity to spend some time there a couple of years ago with our dear friends, Gary and Denise Wright. These types of views abound in the Tuscany area. My daughter is the lady on the balcony, so this piece has special meaning for me.

It is part of my body of work entitled "Colors of Tuscany".

Tuscan Dusk

I wanted to approach this piece a little differently than I normally do by tinting the canvas with a sienna color prior to the underpainting. This allowed me to achieve a unique peaceful evening mood at dusk. I have really enjoyed developing this piece which is part of my body of work entitled "Colors of Tuscany".

Tuscano Gold

This is a part of my body of work entitled "Colors of Tuscany". The gold fields, crimson poppies and grey-greens along with the traditional stucco buildings and tall Cyprus trees instantly identify this scene as being from Tuscany.

The San Diego Temple

My parents served a mission together in the San Diego area and were involved in the Temple Open House there in the early 90's. Our son and daughter-in-law were married in this beautiful temple as well. For their 15th anniversary, he commissioned me to paint this as a gift for her. Happy Anniversary! Acrylic on canvas 36" x24" (gallery wrap)

The Ship Brooklyn

I have had the recent privilege of participating in the design and construction of a replica of the cutter ship "Brooklyn" at this is the Place Heritage Park in Salt Lake City. It will be a "hands on" experience for children to learn about this "almost forgotten" part of the Mormon Pioneer story.

238 east coast pioneers left New York aboard the "Brooklyn" about the same time as Brigham Young left Nauvoo. They sailed around the horn of South America and landed six months later in Yerba Buena, California (today's San Francisco). Many of them continued on east to Salt Lake, but some stayed in California. Some were even involved in stimulating the California Gold Rush @ Sutter's Mill in 1849.

I was also asked to do a painting of the Brooklyn for the display. I did a lot of research to understand more about this type of ship before attempting to paint it. It has been a fascinating experience for me. I have been humbled as I have come to know of the sacrifices made and hardships endured by these early pioneers. Their faith and devotion is inspiring.

My hope is that this painting will be a catalyst to help us remember our heritage and to reverence those who have gone before. We are certainly the beneficiaries of their commitment and sacrifice. Acrylic on canvas 36"x24".

Shine On II

I have the opportunity to teach a group art class each week. During one of our sessions last month, several students wanted to know how to paint a moon scape in low light conditions. As I began showing them some techniques, we began to compose this scene. Everyone liked the concept so much, I went home and painted it. We are now using it as the subject for our June classes.

Painting something that is not really there or something in low light conditions can be very challenging. Very subtle light changes are the key to this type of painting.

I have now painted several lighthouses through the years. They are a beloved symbol of hope and guidance for us as we navigate through this mortal experience. Even in our darkest hours, we can find glimpses of light to help us find our way. The power of darkness is simply the absense of light. Light always wins. Enjoy ...

Acrylic on canvas 24"x18"

Winter Spring Creek

I love to fly fish in the winter ... the quiet and solitude are therapeutic. Small streams like this one abound in our mountain valleys and offer a unique outdoor experience. After spending an afternoon in this environment, I just had to come home and paint it! Acrylic on canvas 24"x18".

Siena Perspective

This is a typical scene of a Mediterranean farming area. The perspective of the road and rows are the subject of this piece and are what drew me to paint it. I used a very impressionistic approach ... really fun! Acrylic on canvas 36"x24".

Tuscany Poppies

While Maureen and I were in the Tuscany region of Italy a couple of years ago, we saw many quaint landscapes like this one (a study painting with my painting mentor Jerry Yarnell). The red poppies really compliment the gray-greens of the surrounding flora and fauna of that area. It is so interesting to me that every area of the world has its own color scheme!

We were invited to spend a few days there with our good friends Denise and Gary Wright and loved every minute of it! Thank you, Wrights! The countryside so impressed me that I have completed several paintings of this region now. I have them displayed on my website in the gallery called "Europe" along with some of Prague and Poland. Enjoy ...

Acrylic on canvas 30"x15"

Spring break ... country style!

I did this little piece as a study with my painting mentor, Jerry Yarnell. I have completed several paintings lately and I noticed that they all have dirt roads or pathways in them ... Hmmm?!! There is just something artistic about dirt or gravel roads I guess! I love the outdoors enough that I have walked down my share of them and they speak to me for some reason. Anyway, hope you enjoy this piece of springtime in the country! Acrylic on canvas 24"x18".

Simeon with the Savior of the World

My close friend, Alan Russell, invited me to study the story of Simeon and then paint a scene depicting him with the baby Jesus. I have to admit, I had never paid much attention to this story in the Bible before. It was a humbling and fascinating experience for me! What I took away from it was that, like Simeon, we can all make valuable contributions in life even though we may not have high profile responsibilities. Simeon was just a good man, trying to magnify his calling as a temple worker ... every day going about his duties faithfully. I invite any of you to read this account in Luke chapter 2 ... I would love to hear from you about your experience.

I tried to imagine what it must have been like for him to finally hold the baby Jesus whom he recognized immediately as the Savior of the world when he first saw Him with His parents in the temple.

Then my little grandson, Matthew, was born in Washington state. I didn't get to meet him for several weeks after his birth. When I finally did get to hold him, I was overcome with emotion ... I just stared at him with awe and amazement ... the long awaited event was finally happening.

After returning home, Matthew's parents sent me a photo which captured that very moment. I was unaware that the photo had even been taken. I knew right off that I would use this image as my guide to paint this piece. (It's a little scary to see what even more grey hair and a beard does to make one look older!) I could only imagine that Simeon, too, took a moment to gaze into the babe's countenance with wonder and amazement after such a long time of longing. I hope this piece will inspire us all to be a little better each day and to try to do as much good as we can. Acrylic on canvas 18" x 24".

Ahhh ... New Zealand!

Maureen and I spent two wonderful weeks in New Zealand this spring (their autumn). The people were warm and friendly, the pace laid back, the scenery stunning and the weather pleasant! It was truly hard to come home! I wasn't sure at times if we were in Hawaii or Alaska ... the landscape was that divers and beautiful.

This little scene is a typical scene on the south island (my favorite!). Hope you enjoy it! Acrylic on canvas 24" x 18".

The Green River Gorge

One can see forever it seems in this BIG country near the Flaming Gorge reservior and the Green River below. The scenery is stunning! Though this is one of my very favorite areas to fish, it is worth the drive just to experience the vistas and breath-taking landscapes ... and a river runs through it! Acrylic on canvas 30" x 15".

Are you in there?

This is a fun little painting that I did as a lesson subject. I had done a similar one previously but I wanted to give the little wren a bit more attitude this time! The softness of the background and the deepness of the shadows make this a dramatic yet simple painting! Hope you enjoy it! Acrylic on canvas 12" x 24".

Logan LDS Temple

My son and his fiance will be married in the Logan temple this coming May. I have always wanted to paint this temple ... it is so beautiful, in setting and in architecture! This one will hang in their home soon! Acrylic on canvas 30"x22"

Town Square in Eastern Europe

I offered to do a painting for my nephew as a wedding present a while back. He and his wife both served missions in Europe and they decided to have me paint this scene of a town square in Poland just after an evening rain (that seems to be the theme of several of my latest pieces?!!) Acrylic on canvas 24"x18"

Small town gathering

I painted a similar scene for my home several years ago ... I actually painted it on hardboard and then cut it in half so that I could place the two halves in tall narrow frames that would fit on my radius stairway wall. Cutting the painting in two took some courage, I admit, but it worked out well and the scene still hangs in our home today.

I wanted to have a painting of the complete scene as well so I painted this one just for myself. It is a fun study in creating the peaceful feeling that always follows an evening rain. Hope you enjoy it! Acrylic on canvas 18"x20".

Wintertime at the Bountiful Temple

No doubt, I have painted the Bountiful Temple more than any other! I was teaching a class the other day using this type of monochromatic approach and decided to experiment on how the Bountiful Temple would look in mystical stormy weather. I had painted this very scene for my son years ago depicting a bright summer day, so this is in direct contrast to that view.

The little birds roosted in the trees and the glowing lights through the foggy mist lend to the mystical feel of the painting and suggest a long, cold night ahead. What a contrast to the light, warmth and hope that the inside of the temple offers! Acrylic on canvas 16"x20"

"... he went and washed, and came seeing"

The story of this miracle is very sacred to me and my dad. A few years ago, he asked me to give him a priesthood blessing because he was concerned about the macular degeneration of the retina with which he was then challenged.

As I prepared myself for this event, I studied this passage with great interest knowing that the Savior certainly had the ability to restore my dad's eye sight just as he had for this blind man. It was also interesting to see the progression of the blind man's testimony of the Savior in this passage.

The day of dad's blessing came and, as it turned out, it was different than I had previously hoped for. His was not a restoration of his eye sight as I was want to bestow upon him, rather the promise of stabilizing sight and the comfort of knowing that he would be able to see when he needed to see and that he would be blessed with the added ability of discernment which is simply the ability to see spiritually. We wept together at the conclusion of his blessing ... tears of gratitude and comfort.

I have long wanted to paint such a scene, and after studying the wonderful photographic body of work by Mark Mabry called "Reflections of Christ", I finally had the basis for this one. I hope it reflects the promise of hope that the Savior provides for us. Acrylic on canvas 24" x 18".

Alpha and Omega

I have been working on a body of work now for a couple of years about the Savior. During that time, I have developed several thumbnail sketches and even some other paintings of the Savior's life, but none of them have felt right, so they sit in the corner of my studio gathering dust.

However, the other night, after having been studying about His compassion and healing influence, I began to think of trying again. We had a couple of our grandsons spending the night, and the thought came to use their dad's image as my model. In less than an hour, this painting was complete ... it seemed to just flow from my brush!

I had been reading a passage from the Book of Revelations wherein John explains that, "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

I was so touched by this description ... the act of wiping away tears implies a very intimate relationship ... only a parent, a spouse or a child would do that. Then He calls himself, "Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end". I was overcome with gratitude as I pondered on His great life and promise of hope.

I began to wonder ... what is He the "end" of ... the "beginning" of? As I see it, He is the end of death, sorrow, despair, guilt, loneliness and other challenges of mortality. He is the beginning of life, hope, forgiveness, peace and joy. I hope this painting helps to bring these "beginnings" into your life. Acrylic on canvas (18" x 24")

Irish Homestead

While on a family history trip to Ireland, Maureen and I came across a photo of this old homestead. We wondered if it might look something like the places that our ancestors may have lived back in the mid-1800's. Since we both have Irish roots, I wanted to paint this quaint little scene in their honor. Acrylic on canvas (18" x 24")

Ruling the roost

I have had several requests to paint roosters in an impressionistic setting. I have to admit, it has been pretty fun to develop this painting techinique. I have raised many chickens through the years, so this body of work is more personal than most. These are a sampling ... hope you enjoy these birds!

Confluence

In the winter, spring feeder creeks provide a unique fishing opportunity in our Utah rivers. The water in most spring creeks is a few degrees warmer than the main river water and thus offers fish and insects in the river a higher matabolism opportunity. I love to fish these "confluence" areas because the fish generally congregate along the "seams" of the converging flows.

I had the opportunity to fish such an area in January and the fish were very willing to play that day! I just had to come home and paint the scene! Acrylic on canvas 18" x 24".