Decision 2016

Another of our beautiful granddaughters decided to be baptized last month. This is her in front of the Bountiful LDS temple on or near her birthday.

Hunter

This is the grandson of my good friend. He is six years old and already has the knack for fly casting ... amazing, eh?! What a fun project to do for their family!

Jacy

One of my young friends asked me to do a painting of their family dog for a Christmas present to his parents. Jacy is certainly a beautiful dog!

Vintage Air Jordans

The owner of our company asked if I would paint a vintage Air Jordan shoe for his son (who likes to collect shoes). I had never painted just a shoe before, and am always looking for new painting opportunities, so I jumped at the chance. Sure hope his son likes it ... that's as close to a real pair of vintage Air Jordan shoes that I will ever come!

The dawn of a new era in Star Valley

My dad was born and raised in Fairview, Wyoming in the southwest portion of Star Valley. It was almost unbelievable to me when the announcement was made that a temple would soon be built in Star Valley. I have been monitoring the construction for awhile now, contemplating how I could put my feelings about it on canvas. This scene is what I came up with ... my dad on his horse at dawn marveling at the newly constructed temple ... the dawn of a new era in Star Valley. Hope you enjoy ...

Ketchikan troller

While in Ketchikan, Alaska this summer, we saw this vintage old wooden troller. The setting was just so spectacular I had to try to paint it! complimentary colors abound in this piece which is what makes it so dramatic! Enjoy ...

Family Time

Last year my grandson wanted to learn to paint a scene with bears in it. After returning from an Alaskan adventure this month, I was inspired to attempt to paint them as well. I love Alaska ... to experience personally and to paint! Enjoy ...

Golden Moment

This is a commission I just finished of a beautiful Golden Retriever in a very dramatic light setting. So fun to try and recapture such a moment.

Ketchikan Eagle

I love to be in Alaska! A friend of mine, who used to live in Ketchikan, took several photos of some local eagles in action. I used them as reference and painted this majestic eagle with his catch.

Hooked

My young friend and his fiancé asked for this scene as a wedding gift ... so fun to paint for them. I hope they love it! Fly fishing with your sweetheart ... not much better than that!

Brock's Beach

I have a tradition of providing a painting for each of my young adult friends when they marry. These two are particularly close and asked for an Hawaii beach scene for their painting. It was fun composing and painting this piece for them. Hope they enjoy it! Congratulations on your beautiful marriage!

Evening sail ...

Sail boats have always intrigued me and I love to paint them! This is my rendition of the subject I taught to my painting students last month.

Boise LDS temple

One of my traditions of late has been to provide a painting as a wedding gift to my young friends when they get married. When I asked one particular couple what they would like for their painting, they requested that I paint the Boise LDS temple for them. I now can add it to my collection of LDS temples ... enjoy!

Winnie

Maureen surprised me with this little gal over a year ago on my birthday. She's all grown up now, but this is how she looked at about 4 months old. She was the "chewingest" critter I had ever known! She sure was cute, though ...

Tilley Graduation

The son of one of my good friends commissioned me to paint this scene about his dad. He had graduated from the U in 1975 in Mining Engineering. He recently graduated from USC with his professional MBA. Since he loves football, his kids thought it would be fun to combine his two school experiences along with their football stadiums and their dad dressed according to his respective degree. They also like the fact that the score reflected his graduation years, and that the Utes were creaming USC! By far and away the most unique commission I have ever had!

Alex Johnson pioneer home

Back in the 80's, I sketched this old pioneer home in Grantsville, Utah while I was studying about Utah architecture. Last month, we used my old sketch as reference to paint this scene with my students in our painting class. They wanted to learn more about two-point perspective and how to paint buildings ... thought this was the perfect subject!

Rural perspective

Years ago, while traveling in Tuscany, I sketched a scene like this and painted it when we returned home. The other day, I thought it would be a great idea for a local rural scene. Turned out just right!

Winter pheasants

We did this little study in my painting class with my students. Very fun ...

Provo City Center Temple

This new LDS temple rose from the ashes of a tragic fire of the old pioneer tabernacle, transformed into a beautiful and sacred temple.

Aquatherapy

There is something about the quiet solitude of a mountain stream that moves me. Being in these types of environments is synonymous with one of my passions ... fly fishing! This scene depicts the drama and serenity of the early morning rise of a wild trout. Enjoy ...

Jon and his tractor

My brother asked me to paint this scene of his father-in-law on his tractor at his farm in Heber City, Utah as a gift for his wife ... what a sweet gesture! I was pleased to be a part of this birthday surprise ...

Manti magic

I painted this scene for my mom and dad on their 50th wedding anniversary. Mom passed away a couple of weeks ago ... I wanted to post this in her honor. "Til we meet again, Mom!

Suffer the little children to come unto me ...

One of my work associates asked if I could paint his niece and nephews around the Savior in portrait form. He gave me a photo of them with their mother to use as reference. Portraits are always challenging for me so I took me time and really tried to get each child's countenance just right. Then it came to the Savior! I understand that we don't exactly know what He looks like, but I still wanted to give it my best effort so that the viewer would understand immediately who the children were with. It was a touching and tender experience for me.

I hope this painting brings a spirit of peace and understanding to this little family in the years to come.

I truly enjoy these meaningful painting experiences. A special thanks to many of you for providing these types of opportunities for me through the past many years.