Talking Budgie

 Oil on Cradled Board  6x6

I know he looks like a chick, but he is a lutino budgie. He was like a fluffy yellow cream puff. Also the most prolific talker I have ever known!

Wise Old Tree

 Oil on Canvas  8x10

I love this old tree. It lives in my neighborhood, and I have known it a long time. The trunk is so thick it would take three people to encircle it with their arms. When you stand near, you can feel it's sturdy energy. For me it brings comfort. I tried to capture the morning light of a late winter day. Small patches of snow still clung to the grasses, but Spring would not be far behind.

Smiling Sheltie

Oil on Cradled Board   6x6

 

Snow Storm Trooper

 

Acrylic on Cradled Board  8x8    SOLD

Many people hate winter. Me, I like the change of seasons, and love a pretty snow storm. Mostly I love a snowstorm when I am inside by the fire looking out the window. Cardinals seem to be a most hardy winter bird and maybe they don't mind a little snow either.

Shetland Sheepdog Puppy

 Oil on Cradled Board   8x10

I'm lucky to have this little imp as my model. I believe the white marking on his forehead is where the angels kissed him before sending him to earth to be my constant companion. It faded over time, and finally disappeared as he became a part of my world. Where did it go? I think into my heart where I can feel the kiss of angels every time I see my sheltie's face.

Lone Pine

 Acrylic on Canvas  5x7

Part of my tree series. A lone pine tree can show its character more clearly than if it is standing amid the forest. I love the different shapes and personalities these trees take on, especially when gnarled and misshapen. They remind me of people who have lived through hard times and endured.

Hopeful Sheltie Puppy

Oil on Cradled Board 6x7

Shetland Sheepdogs have a sweet nature and a puppy of this breed can talk you into anything. Here the puppy is gazing upwards expecting a treat for being so good. Although not without their naughty side, most shelties are eager to please and can be trained to do many tricks and jobs.

 

Misty Morning Bear

Oil on Cradled Board  8x8

This painting started out completely different. There were purplish mountains in the background and the mood was much brighter. I put it aside for awhile because I wasn't happy with it. I figured I had nothing to lose, and recalling artist Robert Bateman's remark to "not be afraid of your painting," I set about reworking it. I believe what he was talking about is the importance of taking chances. I'm glad I took the chance here because I am much happier with this result.

W Family Crow

 Acrylic on Canvas 3x2     SOLD

I paint a lot of crows because I love them. I studied them for a number of years, and wrote a book about their behavior. I did it out of a passion to understand them, and I didn't care if I even sold one copy of the book. As it turned out, "Caw of the Wild," sold many, many copies! In fact it shocks me that people are still buying it every day! Many people have contacted me to relate how much the book meant to them, and tell stories of crows they have known. This became an unexpected bonus of the love I had for the families of crows I detailed in the book. This small painting is a study based on spending so much time around crows, and looking at every detail of their feathering.

Working Border Collie

 Oil on Canvas  8x16    SOLD

Being owned by a herding dog is like being managed by someone with with four legs, and a cold nose. I have had shelties most of my life. Border Collies are like shelties times infinity. To me they seem more intense, and workaholics. I love the herding breeds for their willingness to please, intelligence, and devotion. I let this painting be a bit loose because I wanted to show the motion and energy of the moment. 

Her Majesty

 Acrylic on Cradled Board   8x10

Tropical plants are used as decorations, sometimes they find themselves in situations where even with expert care they will deteriorate and eventually die. This lovely plant unfortunately was unlucky enough to land in an impossible situation. It broke my heart knowing it could never survive, so I painted this as tribute to the beautiful palm

A Walk in the Woods

 

Acrylic on Cradled Board 8x10    SOLD

One of the most memorable hikes I have been on is to an apparently little known tree farm donated as a public space after the owner passed away. It was early spring, and the paths were moss and fern, very soft underfoot. There was no trash, not one piece of candy wrapper, bottle top, much less a can or cigarette butt. I can't recall any bugs that were bothersome. Did I somehow slip out of my body and take an unearthly stroll in heaven? This painting reminds me of that day.

That'll Do Pig

 

Acrylic on Cradled Board   8x8   SOLD

Two of my favorite children's characters are the pigs Wilbur from Charlotte's Web, and Babe from the movie. I will most likely be painting more of them in the future. There is nothing cuter than a piglet, except maybe a sheltie puppy!

Tiny Chickadee

Acrylic on Cradled Board 6x6   SOLD

In my backyard I don't get to see a large variety of birds, so in winter when I hear these little guys calling I'm always excited to run to the window.They are so cute and small but yet mighty against the fierce cold and snow.

 

Two Crows in the Canyon

 Acrylic on Canvas 9x12

These two have a secret to tell, like all crows do.

Winter Morning

 Oil on Canvas 7x5

I saw this scene one day as I was passing a window at a corporate office building. I loved the color of the snow in the warmer areas, and the desolate feel of the landscape. You don't have to be out in the wilderness to be inspired by nature. This was only a few feet from a busy road and a large building bustling with people. I look for bits of nature that would make good paintings everywhere I go.

Fawn in the Sun

 Acrylic on Canvas 5x7   SOLD

If you are lucky enough to see a fawn when you are out in the woods, you can appreciate the thrill it gives. I know deer are common in some places, even close to the city. I feel there is still something exciting about coming upon a wild creature. The light in this painting happens on summer days when the sun is lower in the sky, but still quite bright. The foliage takes on a translucent glow, as the fawn is about to disappear into into the thicket.

A Fawn Called Sweetie

Acrylic on Canvas 5x7  SOLD

I met this fawn at a nature center in Wisconsin. It was a very unique place in a natural setting. The animals were kept within the forest and fields, and but for the fence you would think you were in the wilderness. The place was so large you had to rent a golf cart to get around. The animals thrived in this beautiful park and made for great reference photos for paintings.

4rth of July

 

Acrylic on Cradled Board 8x10

I pass this house everyday as I walk my dog. I really loved the pine trees, and that's why I painted it. I see it in all kinds of light. I guess you could say this is part of a tree series I'm working on. There are some really beautiful, old growth trees where I live. Some of them are very personal to me because I've known them since I was a child. I think trees have personalities. Oh...and my dog loves them too, marks each and everyone with a message to his friends.

Winter Wolf

 Acrylic on Canvas 6x6  SOLD

I once visited a Wolf Research Park for a photo shoot. After an educational seminar to keep us safe around the wolves we were allowed in the enclosure to photograph the wolves. It was an exciting experience. I wish I lived closer to the park because I would love to visit more frequently to observe the wolves. As it is I've spent many hours watching and photographing endangered Mexican Grey Wolves at conservation facilities. This was my third try painting this same wolf. I feel I finally captured his spirit. I know what I see in this portrait, but you might see an entirely different character. To me that's what animal portrait is about. It's like a song lyric that takes on different meanings to each person. This painting has quite a bit of surface texture as I used a palette knife in some areas.

Sunrise Raven

 

Acrylic on Canvas 5x7

I have a confession to make. I'm absolutely terrible about cleaning my paint brushes. In fact right now in my studio there is a jar of water with probably thirty dirty brushes soaking in it. I don't even buy expensive brushes anymore. So this weekend when I had time to paint I looked at that dirty jar of brushes, sighed, and thought...let me just use a palette knife. And so that is how this painting was born. There is quite a bit of texture to it. Only a few of the tiny details were done with a brush.

Late Winter Farm

 Gouache on Board 5x7

This scene reminds me of a time in late winter. The air is still cold, but there is a hint of warmer days ahead. The sun feels different, and the character of the light in the late afternoon is changing. The short dark days of winter are coming to a close. The dog and the man have lived these seasons together before, and both of them have a memory of what is to come.

Cow at Sunset

 Gouache on Board 7x5

I painted over a a transparent layer of burnt seina which gives the piece a kind of glow like you would see at sunset. It reminds me of a summer day. When summer landscapes are filled with green everywhere it is difficult to find a way to translate this feeling of life energy to a painting. Adding bits of red, or warm colors seems to bring out the presence of the sun. I was inspired to try painting with gouache by one of my favorite artists, James Gurney. I also use gouache for plein air studies. It is convenient to carry, and cleans up with water.

Blue Kitchen Oranges

Acrylic on Board  8x10

I like to paint simple shapes and use color, light and brushwork to try to make a dynamic image. I find painting still life helps me to understand shapes better when I am painting my usual subjects of animals and birds.

Sleepy Bear

 

 

Acrylic on Panel 8x8    SOLD

I was once alone in a forest in Wisconsin. I was the only one around and I was sure there was a bear. Only there probably wasn't. Every leaf blowing, every twig snapping, and especially the fish heads on the rocks near the river left half eaten convinced me I should be on high alert. I like bears, I just don't want to confront one in the woods!

Forest Raven

Acrylic on Canvas 5x7      SOLD