New Series of Smaller Works

I have completed all of the following this month. They are much smaller than any of my previous works, 12" x12". They are based on my impression of Yellowstone NP, from the one time I have been there. We visited in April, I think. There were still several feet of snow on the ground all the lakes were completely frozen over, the sky was overcast overhead and totally clear on the horizon in every direction. The burned-over landscape from the '80s fires ,there seemed so strange with many of the fire damaged trees scraping at the gray sky. everything was back-lit. This definitely reinforced the connection in my mind between this land and the of the pictures in the National Geographic magazine articles detailing those fires.

Newly Completed Works.

I have been able to spend a lot of time Painting in my studio over the last couple of months. Here are the works I completed in December.

'Totem' 36" X 60"

'Heirlooms' 36" X 48"

'Winter Sparrow' 46" X 80"

Fininshed Dallas Condo

A few photos of the condo in Dallas after completion. The first photos are of the wall in the master bedroom, a polished plaster finish with a subtle water-ripple pattern embedded.







Some of my painting were purchased my this client and are hanging in his new condo.

Carp for Dallas Powder Bathroom

In the powder bath of the previously mentioned Dallas condo we installed a polished plaster finish we embedded a carp with water pattern on the wall opposite the entrance.

This is the drawing for the embedded plaster

Working on getting the layout right.

The polished plaster with the embedded carp.

A detail of the embedded plaster. I always love the fine details of this finish. The walls are quite shinny, and with the dark background, very reflective.

Apartment Therapy

I didn't get mentioned, but there is a great picture of one my paintings here. I think it looks quite handsome as it has been hung in this showroom in North Carolina. Heather is obviously really talented, and I hope we get to work together at some point in the future.

photo directly from the link above to Apartment Therapy article.

Another SeattleHomes Mention

I just found this. Here a little image of one of my paintings at a new store in the Seattle area. You can't really see much of it, but it is this one blogged previously. It is 'Overexposed' 36'x 48'.

Dallas Condo

original concept sketch


These are images of the early stages of a larger scale graphic on the bedroom walls of a condo we are finishing in Dallas. The condo is very modern in style with some really great art already hanging. It is furnished with a minimal aesthetic, but we finished all the walls in a slightly burnished plaster to soften what sometimes becomes a bit of a n institutional look, without cluttering it up. We are constructing this installation in the master bedroom of multiple plaster colors, with a subtle striae pattern. The plaster in applied around the masking then sanded back down to reveal the detail then polished to soft sheen. I have some images of some walls I previously installed in offices in San Francisco, if any one is interested. Again, I have some frustration that much of the details that make this finish so great have eluded all photography thus far. The absolute best part of this finish is its Tactile properties; unbelievably smooth. I selected the wall in this location to particularly take advantage of this. passage through the bedroom to the bath and dressing area will bring the resident or any guests close enough that they will find themselves with their hands on it frequently.

display walls

We have been working on a couple of free standing walls for display at local carpet and rug retailer, Regency Royal. They have a truly amazing space, and products. If you are at all interested in design or decor, next time you are in Salt Lake City, you have to stop by there for at least a few minutes. You will be amazed.

The first two images are of a side of these walls we are finishing with an inlaid plaster. The first image is the vinyl masking. I kind of wish I had gone a little larger scale. with the pattern, and I have redrawn this pattern since, making the pattern more open (more of the background between the pattern) and changing the curves and points to make it a bit more dynamic.



This second image shows the filled stencil being removed. the khaki inlay color isn't as green as it looks in the photo. There area few more stages that level out the surface, hopefully it will be done by the time I get back from Dallas and I can get some pictures of the finished product.


This this image is a side completely covered with copper leaf that we chemically aged to a bright patina.


This is the other side of the patinated copper leaf wall above. This side has the same copper leaf applied over an olive green plaster, in a large scale oak leaf graphic, and finished with a similar patina. I really like how the plaster amsorbs someof the blacked copper creating a slightly darkened shadow around the copper.



We have been working on a couple of free standing walls for display at local carpet and rug retailer.

Some Exciting News...well, Maybe.

Looks like I will probably be involved in the remodel of a soon to be reoccupied (different resident) apartment in this building, here in Salt Lake City, UT. We have come up with what I think are some great ideas for this space, with a very generous budget, so I am quite excited. In working with this group in the past, however, often some of what I thought were the best ideas don't quite, "make it through committee," so to speak. Nothing is confirmed. I hope to know more by next Monday. I will let you know as soon as it is a sure thing, if they don't give me instructions otherwise, and I will post pictures as the project develops, if they let me take them.

Finished Holy Family Catholic Church

All done, I still think the colors are a little strong.
This is a close up that shows the sheen. We put a little burnish on the plaster.
the last image shows the patterning of the two colors, though the camera on my phone didn't like the light level much.
I should be getting some images from one of my employees soon that show all this much better.

Holy Family Catholic Church

Thursday, pretty much everything is moving forward. The polished yellow plaster is done. The dark red is just the paint for under the plaster the small area near the floor, behind the alter is the terracotta color all that red will be. That area is completed as well. Hopefully we will be all done today.

Day 2 or is is 3, I don't know. I haven't really been sleeping. I'm trying to finish a painting for a contest before the cut-off on Friday- oh tomorrow I guess - well that isn't going to happen...On site the trim is painted in a bright gold and the polished yellow plaster on those skirt
type areas is prey much done too.

Holy Family Catholic Church

This is a proposed job in Ogden. The trim is to be a painted gold metallic. The space between the trim and the shaded area is to be a bright yellow, two-tone plaster,fairly polished. The shaded are will not, in fact, be anything that would fall under anything what accurately be called by the "F" word above. The image above was sent to me. I did NOT write the caption. This shaded area is to be a darker rust and yellow two-tone plaster not as polished. I am hopping to update with progress photos as we go. In warning, the colors are significantly stronger than I recommended, but the client was sure that was what he wanted.

'Grove' 60" x 36" and 'Firs in Mist' 48"x60"

Here is a continuation of my Pine tree series. I actually completed these last week but have been getting my most recent works photographed professionally prior to delivering them to any galleries. Shawn (Elton) Young helped me produce some promotional postcards. I will put in a later post. My plan is to produce postcards for each of my larger available pieces, and mail them to everyone on my mailing list. I hope this isn't going to feel like more "junk" mail to anyone. Any of you think that should be a concern to me? If any of you would like to be on this mailing list or if you know anyone who would like to be included, I would be happy to do so . There is contact link on my website, just give me the necessary information and I will be sure you (or they) are added. Oh that website has been just updated too if any of you are interested.

'Magpie in Aspen (blue-green)' 48" x 60"

I actually finished this piece last week. I have set a goal to finish 3 paintings a week. I have found that when I am under pressure, I tend to have more success. This week however I was able to finish exactly ... zero, paintings. I have two quite close...

Encroachment 18" x 24"

I am little embarrassed to even post on here again after so long. It has been a fairly normal summer for me; meaning, pretty much, total chaos. I finally finished another piece.

'Catalpa' 60"x48"

I have always loved these overlooked trees. Rarely have a I ever seen this tree on the "right side of the tracks". Usually it is the tree that springs up in the poorest neighborhoods (some of which are becoming more desirable). I have seen it growing right up through the middle, and out the window of a row-house in southeast Washington, DC and in slag piles in Oakland, CA.
Unfortunately, I often see their naturally, characteristic conical crowns, truncated for overhead power lines. Their beautiful blooms, huge leaves, and the long bean pods (seen in the painting), have always drawn my attention.

The New "finished"

So this is where they had us take the mural. I still think it looks good I just liked it better more simple and sleek. Leaving it the old "finished" also would have saved them several thousand dollars.