Mary Fielding Smith's Millcreek farm circa 1850

I was asked to render what Mary Fielding Smith's Millcreek farm may have looked like in 1850. Shortly after arriving in the Salt Lake valley, this remarkable pioneer woman saddled her horse and rode south to what is now the Millcreek area. She found a clear, flowing spring on a gentle mountain slope and carved out her homestead there. All we have are descriptions of her farm from journal entries today … this is my rendition of how it may have looked back then.

Oquirrh Mountain Temple

This is the latest in my body of work of these sacred LDS temples … the Oquirrh Mountain temple in South Jordan, Utah. 

Far West, Missouri circa 1838

I was asked to paint a scene depicting what Far West, Missouri may have looked like in 1838. There is not much left of the original settlement today, but through study of journal entries and other historical notes, and time spent on my knees, this is my rendition of it.

Surfs up

We recently went on a cruise to the Bahamas and I was inspired to paint a surfing scene … enjoy!

Mama beside me ...

While traveling, I had the chance to interact with this little guy. He was too shy to leave his mama's side, so I just painted him at her side.

Fish On

This is a little self portrait of me fly fishing on the Green River. If I can't be there in person, I guess painting the experience is the next best thing!

Delicate Winter

Delicate Arch is perhaps the most photographed rock formation in the state of Utah. I have painted it many times. This is my rendition of it in winter.

Section B on the Green River

One of my favorite fly fishing destinations is the Green River in Eastern Utah. This scene is looking from our lunch spot on Section B of the river.

Hawkeye

This Red-tail Hawk terrorized our backyard flock of chickens this past Fall. He actually got a couple of them while I was gone and before I could protect them. Though it was not fun to lose those two birds, it was quite an experience to watch this majestic bird soring above our neighborhood and perched atop the light poles in our backyard.

Deep woods creek

This was a fun painting to do with my art class. They wanted to learn how to create depth without distance in an outdoor scene. This is what I came up with to teach them.

Cozy Christmas

This was the painting I used for our family Christmas card in 2018. I wanted to show the warmth and coziness that such a mountain cabin can provide in winter, much the same as the warmth and comfort of the Savior's love in our lives.

Rescue

This is my rendition of a famous photograph. I do not know the name of the photographer, but I saw it up in Montana in a restaurant. I was on a fly fishing trip up there in October and actually saw a cowboy with a calf across his saddle in a blizzard on the Sitz Bull Ranch. I just had to come home and paint it! I call it "Rescue".

Mesa arch

Utah is home to a variety of landscapes … from high mountain Alpine areas to colorful and unique arches and rock formations, from desert vistas to lakes and reservoirs galore. This little piece is of the famous Mesa arch in Canyonlands National Park.

Liberty

This piece was a little out of my comfort zone and skill set. However, it was fun to do and to learn new techniques. I wanted to portray the symbols of our freedom and patriotism. It was the first to sell at the Zion's Bank Art Show in SLC last November.

Dad's baptism in the Big Hole on Crow Creek

Eighty-one years ago this summer, Dad was baptized in the Big Hole on Crow Creek in Star Valley, Wyoming. Though it was early June, he recalls that they still had to break a little ice away from the edges of the river before entering … brrrrr!

Last year, we took dad back home and enjoyed hearing his first hand accounts of his Star Valley childhood. Our grandchildren were glued to his every word as we visited cemetaries, homesteads, and the new LDS temple in Afton. Though the site of his baptism doesn't look the same anymore, he was able to describe it enough for me to attempt to put this sacred experience on canvas. I am sure it is not entirely accurate, but it portrays the event and secures its memory.

Release

Next to hooking and fighting a beautiful trout, I love a successful release! This is my version …

Yellowstone Falls

Years ago, we visited Yellowstone National Park with some of our family. This waterfall was made famous by Thomas Moran back in the 1800's. This is my version of it.

Royal Elk

I have wanted to paint this guy ever since I saw him in the wild many years ago. I finally mustered up the courage to try it …

Easton's locker

My grandson, Easton, has a room that is decorated in a sport's theme, His parents asked if I could paint an overlay to put on his closet door that looks like a gym locker. Here is my attempt at the request …

Cuteness in the grass

One of my students brought a photo of this little guy to our class as reference material for a springtime painting lesson. This is my version …

Hammy

We live in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains of northern Utah, and we often have mountain resident visitors in our yard. One little guy, Hammy (as the grandchildren call him), visits us each summer and gives our dog something to chase around.

Northern Lights

I have only seen the northern lights one time while fishing up in Alaska. They were spectacular! I have always wanted to paint them. When one of my students suggested that I teach them how to paint such a scene, I jumped at the chance. Very challenging and fun …

Narrow gauge

My grandson's love trains, so I find myself painting a new version of one every couple of years or so. Here is my latest version of an old steam engine chugging through a beautiful canyon in Autumn.

Tikal tryptech

I have painted several versions of the Majestic Tikal ruins of northern Guatemala. This one is actually on three canvas panels of one scene. This method of display is called a "tryptech", meaning three art panels placed together to depict one scene.

Michigan home

One of our friends commissioned me to paint this scene of his mother's home in Michigan where she grew up. They gave me a reference phot of the place as it is now, so I took some artistic license to create this version.

Mystic Misty Fjords

This is the final piece that I did for a Texas based investment firm. I took this scene from my own experience in the Misty Fjords National Park just outside of Ketchikan, Alaska. This place is just drop dead gorgeous!

Trail to sucess

This is the second of this body of work for this Texas based investment firm. It shows a weary hiker at a crossroads with a decision to make … to take the risky trail into the rocky and dangerous cliffs, or to follow the safer trail into the settlement below.

Portland Head

I had the opportunity to paint three large pieces for an investment firm in Texas. This one is of the famous Portland Head light house. This is a symbolic representation of the mission of this firm ... to guide people into safe harbor with their investments.

Right side of the Barrancoso

The last of my body of work entitled, "Jurassic". This spot is where I caught most of my 30" and bigger rainbow trout … over thirty in all. The largest was a whopping 34" and 24 lbs.!

Jurassic Splash

Another in my body of work called, "Jurassic". Again, dealing with the wind and waves defined our experience but also created the opportunity to get close enough to these giant fish to be able to have a chance to fool one.

Estrobel!

This scene defined our daily experience at the mouth of the Barrancoso River and Lake Estrobel. No words are necessary to describe the experience … this piece is worth 1000 words.

El Punto

There is a bay just north of the Jurassic Lake Lodge they call, "The Bay of Pigs". This scene is of the northerly most point of the bay. It shows the relentless winds and waves that defined our experience. The name of this bay was not an exaggeration … it did not disappoint!

Alan en el Poso

Another of my "Jurassic" paintings … this one of my good friend, Alan, in a section of the river they call, "El Poso" … a large bend in the Barrancoso River that was home to hundreds of giant trout. Here, Alan is hooked up again with another brute!

Jurassic surfing

I recently had the one in a lifetime opportunity to fly fish the legendary waters of Lake Estrobel and the Barrancoso River in southern Patagonia, Argentina. They did not over sell the experience! Though the constant wind and waves were a challenge to fly fish in, they were also what made this fishery so unique. We literally each caught "hundreds" of giant rainbow trout during our stay … 10 to 24 lbs! I couldn't wait to get how to put my experiences on canvas. This scene shows the schools of fish that literally rode the waves into shore to gorge on the scuds that were dislodged into the water column by the pounding waves.

Night lights

My friend, Louise Shaw, is a wonderful photographer who let me use one of her shots as reference for this painting of Salt Lake City's downtown at night. Fun to learn how to paint such a scene!

Jaron's Miracle

I was asked by my lifelong friend, Alan, to paint this scene of Jaron, his brother and dad of a recent fishing trip. Jaron just found out that he has a serious health issue that will threaten his life. Alan provided the opportunity for these three to take a day off and to leave the stress of Jaron's condition behind, and to focus on catching some really big fish. This scene is of the last, and biggest fish of the day. As it turns out, it was miraculous … the hooking, fighting and landing of this magnificent fish. The smiles on their faces is truly a blessing of relief from their trials and afflictions.

Christmas Glow

This is the painting I taught in my painting class as a Christmas scene. I think the students really liked learning how to create these effects.

Zion's Camp March

I was asked by Glenn Rawson, host of the "History of the Saints" TV show, to do a painting depicting the march of Zion's Camp back in the 1830's. Many of the early members of the LDS church were persecuted, driven, raped and murdered during the reign of terror in Governor Bogg's Missouri frontier. Zion's Camp was formed to give relief and protection to the thousand's of refugees seeking shelter, food and safety. I was humbled as I researched to be able to paint this scene by the dedication, sacrifice and mercy displayed by those who formed this little band.

Location, location, location ...

This is a little study I did with a Jerry Yarnell instructional painting book. It was a lesson on monochromatic painting. Very fun to do …

Scout Lake

This was our view looking to the south from the amphitheater at Camp Steiner, a Boy Scout Camp located in the High Uintah wilderness area in northeastern Utah. It is the highest BSA camp in the world at 10,400 feet above sea level. Each morning, I got up early to fish and to paint this scene before the boys rolled out of bed.

Walk you through the night ...

One of my favorite singer/songwriters, Cherie Call, wrote a touching little song wherein she talks to her newborn son promising to hold him tight and walk him through the night. It is definitely a favorite of ours.
As Mary pondered all that she alone knew about her newborn son, she no doubt had similar feelings of love and commitment. As Cherie sings, "Rest your head now while I hold you tight, and I will walk you through the night".
The good news that the angel brought so many years ago was that unto us (you and me), a Savior (not just any baby) was born. I like to think that He "will walk us through the night" of our mortal lives. Thank you, Cherie, for penning such a meaningful and touching song.

Mia

This is the shepherd of some of our dearest friends ... her name is Mia. I felt impressed to do this painting of her for them as a token of our friendship and admiration.

Mischief

 Each morning lately when we pass this storm drain inlet on our way up the mountain for our daily hike, my dog gets very excited and literally wants to climb down into this drain. I knew some critter was using it but was not sure which one.

The other night, on my way home from an evening appointment, I saw a family of raccoons darting into this very inlet, one after another. Mystery solved! Just had to come home and paint them!

Moosen

We love to see moose in the wild. They are majestic animals with know fear of humans. We gave this cow and calf "wide birth" when we saw them up in Alaska years ago. I finally got around to painting them.

Romantic Sunset

I have always loved to paint sunsets, and sunsets on a secluded romantic beach, well, they just don't get any better than that! Here is another in my Hawaiian body of work.

Silver Lake

This is a beautiful little setting high atop American Fork canyon in the Wasatch Mountain range of northern Utah. It is not far from our home, yet its Alpine beauty whispers remoteness and seclusion. We took our family on a hike there several years ago ... very beautiful indeed!

Wisdom

Owls have been a symbol of wisdom from ancient times. They are interesting creatures to be sure. We have a resident great grey owl that lives in our neighborhood, and it has been fun to see it in action and just sitting high on its perch.

Stealth

Great Grey owls are among the most interesting birds of prey. Their majestic size, quiet stealth and unequaled hunting skills make them a very special bird of prey.

Hangin' Out

The resident flock of eagles at Pybus Point was enormous. When they roost at night, they seem to all want to be on the same branch of the roosting tree. These characters put on a show for us every day ... flying around, fishing, grooming or just hangin' out!

Pybus Point Dock

This is the busiest place on the property ... people coming and going, by boat and by plane; fish are processed, frozen and boxed. This is the view of the dock from the main lodge above. We sure loved our time up there.