Meadowlark

I have loved Meadowlarks since I was a boy. My mom and dad had little songs and sayings they would sing whenever we heard a Meadowlark singing that I still remember today.

In this composition, the blue-violet background compliments the yellow-orange of the lark's breast and head feathers.           

Cedar Wax Wing

While visiting my parents the other day, they had me go through some of my old stuff, mostly papers and books. I came across a report I had done on "Birds" when I was in elementary school probably 5th or 6th grade. As I browsed through it, I was impressed with my artwork ... not to brag but it was pretty good! I had totally forgotten about that report, but the memories came flooding back as I read on. One of my favorite birds back then was the Cedar Wax Wing, so it was fun to create a new version of this beautiful bird!

Cherry Blossom Cardinal

Cardinals are rare around our neck of the woods, but we saw one last year in our back yard. I have painted a few of them through the years and they never cease to amaze me with their vibrant red color!           

Curious Quail

We live in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains and have quail in our yard nearly every day during the summer. They are curious little game birds and fun to watch!           

Catch and Eat

Many times while fishing our local streams and rivers, I have the privilege of seeing and interacting with ospreys. They are fearless and very territorial. And as far as their fishing skills go, they are unmatched in their ability to put food "on the table"!

A few years ago, Maureen also had a close encounter with an osprey. She was visiting at a friend's mountain cabin and noticed an osprey's nest in a near by tree. She wanted to get a closer look at the nest and take a photo, but before she could get much closer, one of the parent ospreys came swooping down and "buzzed" her within inches. She got the message ... she had entered the "too close for comfort" zone! I have seen ospreys actually chase off a bald eagle because they were fishing in "their" stretch of the river! It looked like an F-16 attacking a cargo plane ... pretty impressive.

Anyway, I used Maureen's experience and combined that with what I had seen and came up with this painting ... hope you enjoy it! Acrylic on canvas (gallery wrapped) 24"x18".

Sittin' on the dock of the bay ...

My students in our group painting class wanted to do something a little different this month ... something nautical, something to do with boat harbors, etc. So this is what I came up with for our subject painting.

Winter Shadows

One of my favorite things to paint is snow. The low light of winter creates these long and dense, ere shadows which seem to swallow up the brightness of the winter sun. Acrylic on canvas (24" x 18")

Balanced Rock

Arches National Park in south central Utah boasts some of the most interesting rock formations found in the US. This springtime scene is of Balanced Rock ... one of the more recognizable formations in the park. It is a fun hike and there is a lot to explore if you ever have the chance to visit. Acrylic on canvas (24"x 24" gallery wrap)

Vinny and Hammy

I was reminiscing with some of my grand kids the other day about the funny relationship between our dog and a little back yard squirrel that the kids affectionately call "Hammy". They were worried that he may not have survived the recent wind storms that took out so many of our trees. They will be looking for him come spring with hope. My dog is a little beagle named "Vinny" (short for Vincent ... we named him after Van Gogh since his mommy bit off the lower part of his right ear as a puppy! Today it is still shorter than his "normal" left ear and a bit turned up on the end) Anyway, the two of them are hilarious to watch! Hammy is the biggest tease I have ever seen (except for maybe me)! He knows Vinny can't catch him as long as he is in the trees or on the other side of the iron fence!

One time, I was playing on the lawn with Vinny and noticed that Hammy was within a couple of feet just sitting up on his hind legs looking curiously at us. Though Vinny hadn't seen him yet, he at once got wind of him and began to "bay" with enthusiasm, and run around until he located the scent of the squirrel. Hammy immediately made a dash through the iron gate and stopped just on the other side and looked back. Vinny all the while hot on his trail until he couldn't go any further, with his nose through the gate within inches of the squirrel. They both just stared at each other for the longest time. Finally, Hammy dashed up and along the top of the fence on his way to the closest tree with Vinny in hot pursuit!

I had seen them interacting like this several times before ... Hammy racing around the tree and Vinny on the ground, barking at each other only inches apart! After all the ruckus, they would seemingly call a truce and just stare at each other until one or the other wanted to play again, and the chase was on once more! So funny ...

Anyway, recalling the two of them made me want to do a painting in their honor! After the grandkids were tucked into bed, I retreated to my studio and quickly blocked in the under painting that night and finished it a couple of days later. I really tried to capture their strange little personalities ... hope you enjoy it!

Thievery!

My latest addition to my Alaska Collection ... "Bear Thievery"! Fly fishing for Coho is an incredible experience! When one comes face to face with the top of the food chain, however, one is smart to yield! I am just glad I had a fish to offer this big guy! Notice my stringer still hanging out of the salmon's mouth! Acrylic on canvas 20"x20".

Alaska Browns

Each time I have had the opportunity to visit Alaska, I have had some interaction with these incredible critters. This painting adds to my Alaska collection ... eagles, bear, salmon, beautiful vistas.

Alaska and Eagles

Each time I have the opportunity to go to Alaska, I marvel at the majesty of the eagles we see. The fierceness of their eyes and their shear size never get old to me. I have had the opportunity to paint many eagles over the years, but this piece was especially meaningful to me. 

To you is the song ...

As our choir has been preparing to sing “Carol of Joy” by Eileen Barry this year, I have been touched by her lyrics. At first, all I of my concentration was on learning the music, so I didn’t catch the beautiful message.

While rehearsing the other day, these words really sunk deep into my heart:

“Oh fearful world, to you is the song--
“Peace with your God, and pardon for wrong!
“Tidings for sinners, burdened and bound--
“A carol of joy!
“A Saviour is found!”

"Earth wrapped in sorrow, lift up your eyes!
"Thrill to the chorus filling the skies!
"Look up sad hearted--witness God's love!
"Join in the carol swelling above!"

Along with all of the great things about mortality, it also brings some bad news into our lives … we will all die, and we will all struggle with weakness and sin. The good news that the angel brought on that incredible night in Bethlehem so long ago was that, “… unto you (each of us) is born this day in the city of David a Savior (not just a baby) who is Christ the Lord”. And He can fix both parts of the bad news!

In my mind’s eye, I could see the heavens opened with choirs of angels singing praises while the shepherds watched their flocks by night. I had been wondering what our Christmas card would be this year … I didn’t wonder anymore! Hope you enjoy this painting and I hope the message of hope and peace permeates your homes this Christmas season with a “Carol of Joy”!

Winter Getaway

One of my work associates commisioned me to do a painting of their family cabin a few months ago. I had a lot of fun with the composition and late afternoon lighting. There's just something about mountain snow and cozy cabins that appeal to me. Original is acrylic on canvas 30"x20".

Pheasant Tales ...

One of my friends asked if I had ever before painted pheasants ... I hadn't but told him I would give it a try! I had fun researching these beautiful birds and learned a lot learning how to paint them!

Lilly Pads

This little piece was a study I did with Jerry Yarnell ... way out of my normal subject range.

Meet Hannah Harmon ... pure sugar!!

Hannah is grandchild #23 for Maurren and I ... she is just a sweet as she is beautiful! Adam and Aubrey sure have the formula down for beautiful little girls!

Meet Boston Kirt Harmon

Boston was born Sept 24, 2011 to Kyle and Tiffany, their third son. Kaiden and Easton sure are proud of their little brother! He makes grandchild #22 for Maureen and I ... whew, they are really adding up! Another little buddy to take fishing with me someday! My dad has always claimed that the reason grandchildren and grandparents share such a special bond is that they share a common enemy! Enjoy ...

Birds of Summer

This is a four piece set of paintings depicting the beautiful little birds we see in our yard each summer. Because we literally live in the shadows of the Wasatch Mountains we see Mountain Blue Birds in our yard all the time. We also have had a nesting pair of Robins for the past several years that call our yard home. And the little wrens, what can I say ... they are active and have quite the attitude (as evidenced by their tails!). I had a blast learning how to paint these beautiful birds.

After President Uchtdorf's address at the last Women's Conference about "Forget Me Nots" I just had to put some in these scenes since I was painting them concurrently with the conference! Hope you enjoy them ... they are all acrylic on 12"x12" stretched canvas.

Tuscan Steps II

This is a little Tuscan piece that I just completed as a study with Jerry Yarnell. I have enjoyed painting many scenes of the Tuscany area which are all part of my body of work entitled, " Colors of Tuscany". In fact, I recently completed a similar scene of a Villa Stairway in that group of paintings. I will add this one to that collection. I had fun learning some new techniques from Jerry while painting this subject. Hope you enjoy it, too!

More Waterfalls ...

These are the latest additions to my body of work entitled "Waterfalls". Lower Calf Creek Falls is located in southern Utah's slick rock desert, while Mesa Falls is on the Henry's Fork of the Snake River just south of the Island Park area of northeastern Idaho. I believe it is as spectacular as anything in a national park.

Autumn Fly Fishing

I believe that my favorite month of the year is September ... for may reasons, but one of the defining ones for me is the great fly fishing the season affords! This little piece is another one of my fly fishing themed paintings. Ah, aqua therapy!

Irish Pride

I started this piece a couple of years ago when Maureen and I visited Ireland on a family history research trip. I was so impressed the the vast shades of green along the country side. After completing the under painting, I tucked it away and kinda forgot about it! As I was sorting through my studio the other day, I ran onto it and decided to finally finish it.

New Classes for Beginning Painters @ Michael's

Michael's Arts and Crafts in Layton and Bountiful are now offering classes for beginning painters in their Layton and Bountiful stores, and have asked me to be their instructor. We have enjoyed several sessions now and have had a lot of fun so far! Here are the paintings we have done in our first four class sessions. The first is a simple landscape; the second is a scene of wild flowers; the third is a seasonal still life of pumpkins; and the last one is a little seascape with a lighthouse. I invite all to who think they might like to learn how to paint to come and join the fun!

Tuscan Steps

This is the latest addition to my "Colors of Tuscany" body of work. I saw a photograph of a some quaint little villas sometime ago. This composition is of the stair portion of one of the villas. I actually created some texture on the canvas with some heavy gesso and a bristle brush prior to applying any paint. I was hoping to be able to better depict the texture of the hand-applied stucco through this method ... a total experiment to be sure! I was pleasantly surprised, being able to make the stucco actually look like the real thing! I guess an old dog can be taught a new trick from time to time! Enjoy ...

Paulilne Creek Falls

This is another beautiful place in Oregon known as Pauline Creek Falls. As I have added to my body of work on waterfalls during the past few months, I have really enjoyed learning how to paint these incredible icons of nature! Through this experience, I have learned a little more each time how to create the depth and mist associated with moving and falling water ... very fulfilling! Acrylic on canvas 18" x 18"

Paris Rain

I recently had a request to do a black and white painting of Paris or France for one of my collectors. I had never painted in black and white before, so I decided to do a "test run" before attempting her commission.

In fact, I don't even use the color "black" from a tube on my palette at all ... I mix my darker colors in harmony with each painting to achieve a black-like effect. This way, I don't get just a "dead color" from a tube, but "living" color that compliments each painting's color scheme.

So, I mixed up a pile of my "black" and just added white gesso to the edges of this pile as I went along to create the different values needed for the piece. I discovered that extreme monochromatic paintings are more difficult than I first imagined! It was a very fun project, however, and I learned a lot!



Hope you enjoy it as well! Acrylic on canvas 12" x 24"

Lago di Como

Lake Como is widely regarded as being one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy, renown for its breath-taking scenery. It has been a popular retreat for aristocrats and wealthy people for centuries, and is today, a very popular tourist attraction. It is not far from Milano, and someday Maureen and I hope to be able to visit in person, but for now I just know it from photos. This is an impressionistic view of the town of Como from the lake. Hope you enjoy it! Acrylic on canvas 24" x 18" gallery wrapped.

Hog Wallow above the Bridge rapid on the Green River

If you haven't had the opportunity to experience the grandeur and beauty of the Green River gorge just below the Flaming Gorge Dam in northeastern Utah, you need to add it to your bucket list of things to do! It is simply drop-dead gorgeous! When we fish the river from a drift boat, I usually get so concentrated on watching my fly on the water, that I have to continually remind myself to look up and take in all the beauties of creation that abound there. This scene is one of my favorite places to fish and to stop for lunch along the way. The unique turquoise-greenish color of the river water and the contrasting red cliffs above are breath-taking to say the least! Acrylic on canvas (gallery wrapped) (30" x 30")

Tuscan Landscape

I continue to add to my body of work entitled "Colors of Tuscany". This is my latest. It is a simple impressionistic view of a typical landscape one might see there. Acrylic on canvas (30" x 15")

Mustang Ridge

When we go to fly fish the Green River near Dutch John, Utah, we often go by way of Mustang Ridge along the East Flaming Gorge highway. Nearly every trip along this stretch we see the wild mustangs from which this area gets its name. For me, the horse is one of the most difficult animals to paint. However, I still try! I love the freedom and wild spirit that these mustangs symbolize. Acrylic on canvas (24" x 18") 

Jake

Jake is a handsome golden retreiver and our neighbor. His owner, our dear friend, asked if I would paint this scene of Jake on their dock at their family cabin in Island Park as a gift for her husband on Fathers' Day. This was a really fun project for me ... thanks, Stacie, for the opportunity! Jake is such a good looking dog, I hope I captured his likeness and personality! Acylic on gallery wrapped canvas 14"x11".

Tuscan Light

The soft evening light of Tuscany creates beautiful opportunities for fabulous lighting conditions. The softness of the color palette along with the angle of the sun define this little piece. A fairly simple painting, yet it offers depth and detail in an impressionistic approach. Acrylic on canvas 18"x24"

Riding Fence

As a cowboy, my dad learned the value of hard work. One of the grueling chores he had to endure was "riding fence" ... seemingly endless miles of checking and maintaining the perimeter fence line so that live stock would not wander away. This is my tribute to dad's work ethic! Happy Father's Day, Dad! Another view of the Teton Range to add to my collection! Acrylic on canvas 24"x18"

Mountain Meadow Tranquility

The Tetons are perhaps the most recognizable mountains in the lower 48 and have been the subject of much art. I, too, have painted them several times ... each one so different from the others.

Justin's grandpa passed away a couple of weeks ago and his funeral service program had a scene similar to this on the front cover. I wanted to paint something as a tribute for Justin and thought this would be an appropriate composition. I really tried to portray the peace and majesty of this special place. Acrylic on canvas 18" x 24".

Rain on the High Plains

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to paint a scene depicting the Martin's Cove area of Wyoming as a tribute to one of my collegues' mother who was serving a church mission there. I have wanted to do a follow up to that piece and have been studying and practicing how to paint rainy, dreary scenes. In this little piece, I am trying to convey the sacrifice and shear courage and determination it took for these hearty pioneers to risk their lives and exercise their faith to relocate in the west. Acrylic on canvas 18" x18"

Evening on the Links

I'm not much of a golfer, but I do enjoy the occasional outing. I have painted several commissioned golf scenes in the past and really enjoyed the color palette that I was able to use. The deep greens and vivid light make this scene jump right off of the canvas. I tried to keep it in a complementary scheme to accentuate the contrasting light conditions and the peaceful nature of an evening round of golf. Acrylic on canvas (24" x 18") 

Delicate Light

The slick rock sandstone formations of Southern Utah are strangely spectacular, even hard to believe unless you have actually seen them with your own eyes! Delicate Arch has been photographed and painted perhaps more than any other Utah icon. I have always wanted to paint this truly magnificent formation and finally had the courage to try! When I saw it in person, the sun was low on the horizon, the cast shadows were long and the reflected light was intense ... I tried to capture such a feeling in this piece. Acrylic on canvas (36" x 24")

Winter Light

I love the "low" light of winter. Though it brings snow and dreariness to the landscape, the long, cold shadows are very intriguing to me. Winter fly fishing, for me, is peaceful and quiet. I can usually find a place to fish without too much trouble (not too many other anglers out there!), and the fish are usually very willing to play! The deep blue-violet shadows are underwritten by the intensely contrasting evening light in this painting. Acrylic on canvas (30" x 22")

Milford Sound

I think Milford Sound is one of the most beautiful places on our planet! Maureen and I had the opportunity to visit here during our trip to New Zealand last year. The scenery is just spectacular! At first I was a little hesitant to try to paint such a place because I wasn't sure if I could do it justice. I actually tried to paint it soon after we returned home but I did not like how it turned out, so that iteration is now just a layer of paint under one of my other paintings! I learned a bunch from that first try, however, and was finally satisfied with the way this one turned out.

We were able to fly out of this gorge in a helicopter all the way back to Queenstown. It took us 4 hours to get there by bus but only 30 minutes back via helicopter. The wind was blowing, it was raining (even snowing at altitude) which only added to the excitement of the ride. I have to say that was the highlight of our trip for me ... indescribable beauty! Hope you all get to go there someday! Acrylic on canvas (24" x 20")