Pumba

While staying in Kruger National Wildlife Refuge, Maureen literally ran inot this guy as she walked between the main lodge and her cabin. He didn't seem to pay much attention to her, though. He just did what warthogs do ... follow their noses and eat! They were able to get several shots of the beast as he made his way across the compound.

Mo's gorilla

One of the highlights of Maureen's trip to Africa was "gorilla trekking" in Uganda. She said it was one of the hardest yet rewarding things she had ever done! After hiking nearly three a hours straight up hill, they finally found the gorilla family munching away on leaves at the top of the mountain. She got some great shots of the group, but this image was my favorite, so naturally its the one I just had to paint!

The Blacksmith Shop @ Haun's Mill

 I was asked to do one other painting for this commemoration ... the blacksmith shop at Haun's Mill. This is the place where the saints took final refuge from the mob as they began their work of destruction. In all, 17 men and boys were murdered before it was all over at the hands of over 200 men on horseback, their anonymity hidden behind their painted black faces. Sobering indeed to contemplate the horrors that went on here so many years ago.

After studying the journal accounts of the settlement and events, this is how I envisioned the blacksmith shop. It was built and owned by a member of the church, James Houston, and was still under construction at the time of the tragedy, so the cracks between the logs were not chinked or dobbed. It was about 18' square, made of local timber and a bark roof.

When the mob rode in, the men went to the blacksmith shop where they had hidden their remaining weapons (the locals had illegally disarmed the saints previously several times).  The women and children ran to the woods to hide. Basically, the men were defenseless.  The mob came with their weapons and their bullets and their guns.  The blacksmith shop was not secure enough that it could protect them, so the guns went through the spaces in the logs. 

This has been a sobering yet faith promoting experience for me to participate in this project. I am grateful for those survivors and their descendants who have risen above this incident through the years, their faith still in tact. 

Mufasa

 













Maureen just spent several glorious weeks in Africa with her friend, Carol. They had the privilege of experiencing first-hand the many incredible attractions that Africa has to offer ... from swimming with the sharks, to walking among the mountain gorillas ... from the bustling cities to the beauties of nature! She brought home some great photos and stories. I couldn't wait to get started on my "Africa" body of work based on her experiences.

This is the first installment! They were able to watch a pride of lions on consecutive days, seeing their day to day activities and adventures. Hope you enjoy ... Mufasa! Acrylic on canvas 24"x18"

Leopard!

Although Maureen didn't see a leopard in a tree, I used my artistic license to take "her" photos and place "her" leopard in this tree! She actually got to see a leopard up close and personal! It fought with a honey badger over its kill right before her eyes! The leopard won the skirmish and got the meal! Unfortunately, it was getting dark and the photos didn't turn out very well. So, I tried to capture the leopard in all his glory "after the fight and meal"! Acrylic on canvas 24"x18"

Mustangs in the Mist

A couple of months ago, we were returning home from a fly fishing trip on the Green River in eastern Utah along the "mustang" highway between Dutch John, Utah  and Rock Springs, Wyoming. It gets its name because of the wild herd of mustangs that roams this high mountain area. I was telling our group that I see the mustangs almost every time I take this route. It was cold, had been snowing earlier and was foggy and misty. As we came around the bend, there they were right next to the snow drift fence, just as advertised ... free roaming, and majestic! (I'm sure my companions must have thought that I had set the whole thing up!) I couldn't wait to get home and paint the scene! Enjoy ...
Acrylic on canvas 18"x24"

Good things come to those who "wade" ...

I love fly fishing the Green River. Maureen has come with me a couple of times and is a pretty good fly fisher, though she doesn't "love" it like I do. I used this as reference material for our group painting class in April. Enjoy ...

Hawn's Mill Tragedy

This painting depicts the original Hawn's Mill in Missouri circa 1838. I was invited to create several paintings that will be used in the upcoming commemoration of the tragedy that occurred there in early church history.

Though such a sad part of LDS history, many have risen above it and the healing balm of the Savior allows for such a commemoration now. I am honored to have had the opportunity to participate.

Contact me for further information ...

The Hawn's Mill settlement circa 1838

This piece depicts what the Hawn's Mill settlement may have looked like in the fall of 1838. In 1835, Jacob Hawn, not a Mormon, built and operated the mill located on Shoal Creek, a tributary of the Grand River in Western Missouri. Jacob seemed to welcome the Mormons when no one else would because he viewed them as new clientele. History suggests that there were several structures built by the Mormon settlers, along with several other temporary shelters scattered about the settlement. This settlement is where the tragic Hawn's Mill Massacre occurred on October 30, 1838.

I have had the opportunity to participate as an artist in the upcoming Commemoration of the Hawn's Mill massacre of 1838.This piece is one of three that I have provided for the cause.

Sacred Burial Site @ Hawn's Mill

This is perhaps the most sobering and heart-rendering scene I have ever tried to paint. After that excruciating night of terror at the Hawn's Mill settlement in October 1838, 17 men and boys were found murdered in and around the blacksmith's shop. Several others were badly wounded. The remaining survivors were in fear for their lives and thus had to remain in hiding for some time afterward.

They didn't have the means or manpower to properly bury the dead. No funeral services were performed, nor could they be buried with customary decency. The lives of those, who in terror performed the last duty for the dead, were in jeopardy. Every moment they expected to be fired upon by the fiends who they supposed to be lying in ambush waiting for the first opportunity to dispatch the remaining few who had escaped the slaughter of the remaining day.

So in the hurry and terror of the moment, the survivors placed the bodies of the slain in a dry well and buried them with dirt, straw and rocks. They later returned to place a stone painted red atop the mass grave. Eventually all of the Mormon settlers were driven from Missouri on the extermination orders of Governor Wilburn Boggs. All this death and tragedy simply because of their faith.

Vinny

Our grandchildren love our little beagle dog and he knows it! He turned 12 years old today and is starting to show signs of age. However, when he was a puppy, he couldn't have been more cute! I have always wanted to do a painting of him when he was just a puppy. I finally took the time to find one of his early photos and came up with this rendition of him about three months old ... see what I mean!

Generations

One of my good friends sent a photo to me of this dad and son surveying the launch site just before a float trip down the beautiful Green River. I thought it was a terrific opportunity to paint a tender scene in a beautiful setting. Hope you enjoy it!

Let us build a home ...

It has become a nice tradition for me to do a painting for each of my family and close friends for important occasions such as marriages, graduations, Christmas, etc.

This piece came as a result of a request from one of our good friends. I promised her a painting as a wedding gift so I asked her for any ideas. She sent me the lyrics of a song that really had meaning for her and asked if I could use it as inspiration for the painting.

The basic message of the song was that one could build a home, with the Savior's help, and with Him as the cornerstone, where all could feel welcome and safe. This is the image that came into my mind ...

Misty morning on the Narrow Gauge

This is a painting that I did following a Jerry Yarnell study session. Monochromatic paintings are always a bit more challenging for me, but I love the eery atmosphere they can create. My grandsons all like "trains" so I always have an audience and demand!

I used a local treasure, the "Juniper", as a model. This locomotive, also known and CP #60, was originally built in 1868 and was used to represent the Central Pacific Railroad at Promontory Summit in Northern Utah for the Golden Spike Celebration wherein east met west with the First Transcontinental Railroad. The replica we have today was built in 1979.

Tuscan Perspective

This is another addition to my body of work about the Tuscany area of central Italy. I saw a painting similar to this many years ago and have always wanted to try something like it. The vineyard rows that follow the contour of the ground are very inviting into the soft distant village beyond. Very fun to learn "how to" create distance, softness and perspective using the very unique color palette of Tuscany! Hope you enjoyo it! Acrylic on canvas 18"x24"

Green River Grandeur

Those who know me well understand my love of this part of the world! Not only is the fly fishing world renown, the scenery is simply spectacular! I have painted several scenes along the Green River through the years ... I just can't get enough of this special place!

Boulder Creek

Another little mountain waterfall scene ... can you tell I haven't fished enough this year ... I keep painting these types of scenes! Enjoy ...

Mountain Meadow Creek Falls

This is a another study using a Yarnell "plein air" painting as reference material. I used a more impressionistic approach with the sky and background ... lots of fun! Wouldn't this be a great spot to cast a fly?!!

Misty Morning Light

I had fun learning to paint this foggy, misty scene. This particular lighthouse has a graceful design that is unique among American lighthouses. This is one of my favorites in this body of work.

Evening Light

Another of my lighthouse paintings ... I wanted to create a marine sunset scene with this piece including the marine haze, low light and crashing waves.

Pigeon Point Lighthouse

I have been working on some additions to my "lighthouse" body of work. This is the Pigeon Point lighthouse, one of the more elegant structures among lighthouses. I love the symbolism associated with these icons. Enjoy ...

The "end" of the rainbow

A few months ago, one of my friends asked if I could paint an incredible rainbow scene from a photograph he had taken while on a fly fishing trip down the Green River. I enjoyed the opportunity, not only to paint the beautiful double rainbow, but to also paint the surrounding landscape as it is one of my favorite places on earth!

Several weeks later, it occurred to me that I could paint another version of the "end of the rainbow" ... my version! This is my favorite view of the end of the rainbow, just after I have released it back into the river! Enjoy ...

Mourning Dove

Some of you know that I have been compiling a body of work, inspired by a granddaughter, about the little birds we see in our backyard from time to time ... this is my latest addition to this group. Some of our grandkidlings think they can hear an owl "hooting" when they are actually hearing the eery call of the Mourning Dove. These delicate birds frequent our area in the fall, and fill the air with their "sad" cries. I enjoyed learning to paint the thicket of limbs and how to create the depth of field in the background, as well as the dove itself.

Winter Glow

Our group painting class asked that we do a study that would teach them how to paint a winter scene that could be used as a personalized Christmas card. They chose one of my earlier paintings depicting a quaint little snow covered cabin as a subject. Though we are painting that particular scene, I wanted to try another approach on my own, so I came up with this composition. I enjoyed doing this peaceful scene depicting the soft glow of winter. Acrylic on canvas 24"x18"

Fishing the shadows

The dramatic morning light in these high mountain lakes makes for a unique setting for a painting. I have always wanted to paint this scene, and finally took the opportunity. Acrylic on canvas 24"x18"

Woody

Every spring, this little guy returns to our yard and makes his presence known by rattling every tree with a bug in it! He is relentless in his efforts and is fun to watch. This is my latest installment to my "Backyard Birds" body of work. Acrylic on canvas 12"x12"

Tetons over Jackson Lake

This is my latest installment to my Teton and Yellowstone collection. In May, we spent a couple days in the Jackson area as we returned home from our Yellowstone trip with Kris and Stephanie, and their two boys. This view of the Tetons was particularly impressive to me ... the majesty and sheer scale of this place underwrites its grandeur. It had snowed and rained almost our entire trip, but this one day for a few hours at Jackson Lake lodge, the clouds opened just a little to show off this incredible vista. It didn't last long, however ... the storms quickly rolled in once more. But it was enough to be reminded of just how beautiful God's creations are!

Booboo

Maureen recently spent some time with her friend, Missy, up in the Sierra Nevadas (see last post). They hiked a lot picking Elder berries along the way. They saw a particularly berry-laden bush, and decided to return a little later to harvest its fruit. However, when they returned just a short time later, they discovered that a black bear had beaten them to it and picked it clean!

When she told me the story, I remembered my many bear encounters and decided to paint this in their honor! I call him, "Boo boo" ...

Missy's braided bristle cone pine

My wife's friend often passes this old tree while riding and/or hiking in the Sierra Nevadas. Maureen asked if I would be willing to paint it for her ... of course, I was up for it! I had never tried to paint such a subject before ... it was challenging, yet fun! Maureen took the finished painting to her a few weeks ago. Upon her arrival, they promptly found a frame for it, hung it in her home, and then later hiked up to see the actual tree in person! Thanks, Missy, for the opportunity!

Stormy Seas

We all long for "smooth sailing" during our life's journey, but Father knew that there are some things we just can't learn from calm waters. Some life's lessons can only be learned by navigating through stormy seas. I have painted several such pieces through the years ... this is my latest representation of this principle ...

Solitude

This painting represents, for me, the solitude and grandeur of the fly fishing experience. I can't tell you where it is exactly (a cook never shares his "secret sauce" now does he!). It could be anywhere in Utah, Wyoming, Idaho or Montana ... one of my special places of solitude and relaxation. The fly fishing is legendary and the solitude extraordinary! Enjoy ...

Number Eight @ Red Ledges

This is a view of the Number Eight hole on the Red Ledges golf course in the Heber Valley here in Utah. This particular view is off of the back deck of a beautiful custom home we just completed. Its another attempt to capture a grand vista on canvas. Unfortunately, try as I may, I'm not sure that I got it exactly right, but it was fun trying!

Beautiful Bear Lake

For several years now our daughter-in-law has wanted me to do a painting of a beautiful lake in northern Utah called Bear Lake. It is located in a high mountain valley and the view from the top of the pass as you enter the valley is truly spectacular. Our grand daughter recently took a great photo from that specific spot so I could have some reference material from which to base my painting. I did my best to capture the unique turquoise color of the water and the grandeur of the vista.

Saltair Gulls

I have a body of work about the State of Utah, and my latest addition to it is of a misty morning on the Great Salt Lake. One of the early faith promoting stories of the Utah pioneers was a threat to their first crop here in the valley and an infestation of devouring crickets. They battled them to the point of exhaustion and despair in an effort to save their crops. Without this precious crop, they would surely perish during the winter months. Finally in desperation they prayed for help and within minutes thousands of seagulls descended upon the crickets. They would eat their fill, fly out to the Great Salt Lake and regurgitate them along the shore. The seagulls did this time and time again until the crickets were totally wiped out and the crops were saved. Through this miracle, those early pioneers were once again reassured that Heaven was aware of them and willing to help them in this wilderness desert. Consequently, the lowly seagull became the Utah State Bird.

During the turn of the century, a resort called "Saltair" became a very popular recreation destination. It was an amusement, dance and concert hall. It has long since been abandoned ... only a few pilings remain along the shoreline of the original old structure. "Saltair Gulls" was an easy adaptation of a study I did with Jerry Yarnell. The painting is not too technically challenging, but it was fun to figure out how to do the "misty" and "foggy" thing. Enjoy ...

Winter Pheasants

This is a little study I did with Jerry Yarnell. I customized my piece to our Utah landscape and added the birds and pheasants. It was fun to "cool off" by painting the snow in July!

Let Freedom Ring

One of my collectors asked me if I could do a patriotic painting with a background mountain resembling an American flag with an eagle perched in a foreground tree. It sounded intriguing to me so I took on the challenge!

Having never done a "masked" image before in any of my paintings, it took some effort, but I in the end I was happy with the result. Hope you like it, too!

I am always grateful to those who protect us, and who stand up for those who cannot. Let freedom ring ...

Yellowstone in May

Last month, Maureen and I were able to spend some time with our son and his family in Yellowstone. As it turned out, the weather was cold and snowy ... however, the silver lining was that we didn't have to contend with the normal "summer" crowds, and we able to see many unique and beautiful sites and animals that we would not have otherwise seen. I sketched or painted these three pieces during our trip. (Thanks to Kris and Stephanie, I have many more reference photos to paint in the coming months as well!).

The first is of Tower Falls, a stunning waterfall near the Roosevelt Towers. This is not the well known waterfall in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, but a hidden gem in the heart of the park.The second painting depicts an eagle we saw just taking off along the shore of Jackson Lake. The third piece represents the many Canandian geese we saw with their newly hatched broods of gosslings.

All in all, we had a wonderful trip! I'll get cranking on some future additions to this body of work! Enjoy ...

Tower Falls

Lift off

Canadian Care

Light in the Forest

Several years ago Maureen and I had the opportunity to visit an old growth forest in the Pacific Northwest. When the group we were with began our hike into this unique area, the mood was upbeat and jovial. As we entered deeper into the woods, our talk turned into whispers and eventually silenced reigned! The forest canopy was over 500 feet tall ... we felt quite insignificant in comparison to our surroundings.

Very little light even filtered onto the forest floor because of the dense canopy. When it did, however, it was dramatic and inspiring! The reverence there was overpowering. It was an incredible experience that we will not soon forget.

Since then, my daughter and her little family have moved near the Seattle area. When we visit them and see the surrounding beauty, I get the same feelings of awe that I felt so many years before in that old growth forest.

I have wanted to capture that feeling on canvas ... I finally had the courage to try. Here is my rendition of  "Light in the Forest".

Tuscan charm

For many years now, I have taught a group painting class on Thursday evenings here in the Bountiful area of Utah. Several of my students have now become quite accomplished ... I am very proud of them! This allows us to paint some more challeging subjects. Last month, we did a little "painting within a painting" of a charming little Tuscan villa. We did what is called a "composite", using various reference material and combinig them into a unique and original painting. This is my version of the project ... 

Hen with spring chicks

One of my little granddaughters asked me to paint a hen with chicks this spring. I have done several barnyard scenes with roosters and hens before, but had not done any with little chicks. So in honor of spring, here is my rendition of "mom and the kidlings"! Enjoy ...

Yukon Trumpeter

Several years ago, Maureen and I had the opportunity to spend some time in Alaska. We stayed at a little resort near Soldatna located on the shore of a couple of quaint little lakes. Though we spent most of our time fishing on the Kenai and Kasilof rivers, we also enjoyed the beautiful setting where we stayed.

A majestic trumpeter swan (cob) had claimed this particular lake as "his" and each morning he patrolled the shallows, grazing along the way. I'm sure he and his mate had a nest nearby, but we never saw her (pen) or the little ones (signets). Ever since, I have wanted to paint this beautiful, majestic cob ... he was huge! I finally mustered up the courage to try to paint him in the early morning hours using dramatic lighting and shadows. Hope you like it ...

Generations in Bavaria

My friend asked me if I would paint a scene for his grandfather that had reference to a recent trip they had taken to Germany as a family. Mac describes his grandfather as one of the most influential people in his life. He wanted to give him a meaningful gift that would evoke happy memories of their time together in Europe. While a young soldier in WWII, he served in this part of Germany. Through the years his grandpa never spoke much about his war experiences. However, he was anxious to return to Germany with his family on this recent vacation.

Mac gave me a DVD that had been compiled of their trip as reference material. He suggested a few thoughts about what the subject of the painting might be, but gave me total freedom to paint what I felt would bring joy to his grandpa.

As I viewed the DVD, I could tell that Grandpa and his little great grandson had not been very close previously, but that on this trip they really bonded. In one video scene, the little g-son hurrying to catch up to the group, used grandpa's cane in an affectionate, yet amusing manner. In my mind's eye I could see grandpa and g-son walking together into the black forest of Bavaria ... thence this scene was born.

Several years ago I had painted a scene of my son and g-son walking together down a mountain path in tribute to fathers who were really trying to make a difference in the lives of their children. This would be a similar type of painting. I had also recently done a study with Jerry Yarnell that used a similar setting and technique.

I appreciate so much the opportunity to create art for my friends and family! I hope this brings joy and fond memories into the lives of Mac's family through the years. Thanks, Mac, for the privilege to help with this project and for your thoughtful gift for your grandfather.

Decisions Determine Destiny

Many years ago, my dad and I went on a camping trip in the Uintah Mountains of northeastern Utah. Our plan was to join a group of scouts who had already hiked into the Pinto Lake basin a few days before, about 8 miles into the wilderness area. We asked for directions when we arrived at the trail head and were told to take the trail just over the "brink of the hill" as I recall. However, there was a "fork" in the trail and we had to make a choice ... as it turned out, we chose poorly! After hiking for several hours, the trail ran out and we ended up a long way from where we wanted to be ... lost deep in the wilderness.

I remember being pretty concerned, but my dad was remarkably calm. He reminded me that our truck was at the base of one of the prominent mountains in the distance and that we just had to make our way back to the base of that mountain. We hiked the rest of the day, exhausted, but we made it back to our truck just as it was getting dark.

We slept in the back of our truck that night and the next morning took the correct trail and found the scout troop at Pinto Lake right were they were supposed to be! I have never forgotten that experience and have applied it many times in my life since then.

Years later, I heard President Thomas S. Monson use the phrase, "Decisions Determine Destiny" in one of his talks. It brought back into my memory that fateful trip with my dad and the fork in the trail all those many years ago. It was a great object lesson for me that has had real meaning for me ever since.

The other day, I was reminded of this experience and decided to paint the scene as I remembered it, at the the fork in the trail ... decisions really do determine destiny!

The Ancient Mayan Ruins of Tikal

I received a call from a former missionary from my mission (Guatemala/El Salvador), asking if I could do a painting of one of the most impressive Mayan ruins in Central America ... Tikal. His wife sent me a photo that he had taken over 35 years ago for reference. I was thrilled for the opportunity. Curiously, I have never painted anything related to my experiences in Guatemala ... a fact that I will just have to change!
Tikal is a vast ancient Mayan city that had been swallowed up by time and the jungle, and is only revealed by the many temple towers that penetrate the jungle canopy. It is a very impressive and awe inspiring place. I really enjoyed this painting experience. Thanks, Elray ...

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!