Albuquerque New Mexico SNOW

Yes, on the morning of the 3rd day of travel, we awoke to snow in Albuquerque!

Now we had been told that Palm Springs was warm...it would be in the 80's, but we had l uckily brought along a few jackets.

Now we know that late March on Interstate 40 can bring surprises. It seems that the Interstate had been closed the day before in Amarillo TX because of a blizzard! So we stayed in Haskell OK with friends while waiting for the day to warm!

On the Road Again....

Amazing landscapes to two artists from the East! We are in Indio, CA but the 4 day cross country road trip has been an adventure! From closed Interstate 40 due to blizzards to the sunny warm landscapes of the moon!

We'll post a few more photos. Essentially we headed west from NC through TN, OK, TX, NM, AZ and into California!

We CANNOT imagine doing this by ox and cart! Wow what fortitude our ancestors had!

Incredible scenery as we journeyed through rain, fog, snow, sun and the continual winds.....

This photo is on Rt 62 in California. No more 4 lanes!

Indian Wells, CA here we come! (well almost)

There is nothing colder than a wet, gloomy day in North Carolina on a cold March morning (unless it is the Fall!)

But the dreariness does not stop us from getting our lists down to the wire.....Steve loaded the van yesterday with the portraits. Today is the final Paintings, the wall displays are in. Let's see, a few pillows, the portable coffee, the pastels, the easels, the clothes.....a lo-o-o-ong list!

At this art festival we are renting the tents and tables. Far more cost effective than hauling two Craft Huts and their weights across the country. I am finalyzing one pastel and hope to ship later today. Shipped the large pastel on the right on Tuesday to its new owner in FL. There is always SO much to get ready! Lists are critical.

5 dogs are getting worried. They know something is up and they' re not happy but no one is coming on this trip! We aren't pulling the camper this time and I know as we get closer to the desert regions, it will get warmer. There is nothing worse than traveling with a pet in hot weather!

Then again, I have to keep reminding myself that it WILL be hot. Just as heading down to Florida last month from a snowey NC (and returning to one!) presented a mindset challenge (it was hard NOT to pack a coat) so will our trip across the country.

I guess we are really www.OnRoadArtists.com!

Making changes in a portrait for a client

I completed the changes for the client in this large oil of their 3 charming sons.

Look carefully and see what I did compared to the image I posted 2 weeks ago!

We are getting ready to head to the Indian Wells Art Festival in Palm Springs, CA. The show is April 2-4. What a fun cross country adventure!

Family oil of boys and their pets

What a delightful experience it has been to work with the Faykus brothers! Their joy of life and their home in the country pours into their everyday attitude and being! Although their 30 x 40 oil is not quite done,I have had the family live with their portrait for a few weeks to get a feel for the overall impact. So just a few tweaks to do here and there and this beautiful moment in time is theirs forever!
Originally I photographed the boys and their huge Newfoundland and mellow Golden Retriever (and Siamese) in the late fall.
I created a more springtime look to the portrait and although everything is pulled together to create one cohesive look, the viewer can't tell that I used many reference photos!

But in this scene it is all about the exuberance of childhood! The rough and tumble relationships between brothers. The family pets involved with their young masters. And the growing up with an emphasis on being outside in all weather. It is an opportunity for growth and discovery at its most basic level!

I look forward to the final unveiling!

See more of my Portraits!

German Shorthaired Pointer Hunt Test

I spent a very cold day January day down in Southern Pines, NC at a Hunt Test. The clients had two gorgeous German Shorthaired Pointers who were participating and they wanted me to create a pair of oil paintings.

"Seth" and "Gretchen" were created on 14 x 18 canvases. The eye popping capabilities of oil are enhanced when the images are highlighted from the natural light of the sun. I like to fade the background and not have it compete with the foreground.

Loads of fun to create and the owners were delighted!

Family Pastel Portrait with westie

This 24 x 30 commissioned pastel portrait was a delight to create! I love zooming in on the subjects and although it means the portraiture must be very accurate when working almost lifesize, I find it actually easier to work larger.
The Jones family was delighted with my portrait of their two daughters, Lacey and Morgan and of course they loved Jack, their lovable Westie.
Although the garden was not in bloom, I recreated my rendition, groomed Jack, changed faces, hairstyles, perspective and a number of small areas to finalize my composition.
I met the family in October, took the photos early in November and completed this pastel right before Christmas! An heirloom for generations!