"My Baby Boy" (oil on stretched linen; 30" x 24") sold

sold

Alex commissioned this charming double portrait of himself and his baby boy Andrew for his mother's birthday. I hope it will be well received and appreciated by her! It was a rush job as I only had two weeks to paint such a large portrait and only one week to dry and ship it before the birthday party. It made me focus on the essentials and, as a result, the painting retains freshness. What do you think?

"Piping Plover" (gouache on paper; 7" x 7") sold

sold

During the winter term at the Art League School in Alexandria, VA, I taught a new class called "Experiments in Watercolor". I introduced the students to various mediums, such as dip pen, brush pen, watercolor pencils, watercolor crayon, oil pastel, colored pencils, and gouache, to enrich watercolor. Being relatively new to gouache myself, I practically taught myself how to paint in this opaque watercolor. When I pulled off "Piping Plover" one evening, I knew I finally figured out this tricky medium!

"Westerkerk, Amsterdam" (oil on linen; 8" x 6") sold

sold

Located mere footsteps from the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, the 17th-century Protestant church, Westerkerk, is visible from afar, thanks to the much admired 275 ft-high tower which dominates above most of the Old City center. As I was sitting across the canal at a bar sipping a cool drink, the late afternoon sun set the tower ablaze. What a view!

"Elephant Love" (watercolor on paper; 8" x 8") sold

sold

The mother and baby African elephants snuggle with each other. What a loving image!

"Maggie" (oil on linen; 7" x 7") sold

sold

For the past two months, I have been busy working on a new class ("Experiments in Watercolor") I am teaching at the Art League School in Alexandria, VA. Although I have produced many paintings, few are uploaded to my website, not alone blogged about. My apologies.

I will just share one small commission portrait. "Maggie" was commissioned by Tissy for her parents, who lost this beautiful Australian cattle dog. Tom and June were overwhelmed with emotions when they saw it.

"Erik and Kyla" (watercolor on paper; 8" x 8") gift

gift

Here is the double portrait of Erik and his wife, Kyla, that I painted for her as a Christmas gift, remembering happiness and wishing for healing. Miss you, Erik. 

"Erik" (watercolor on paper; 10" x 7") gift

gift

This past summer Erik Stenberg passed away at the age of 38, breaking the hearts of his family, friends, and students. His portrait is my gift to his parents, my brother and sister-in-law. It was not an easy painting to work on as my emotions got in the way.