these images are ‘clickable’ they will take you to their respective galleries
LANDSCAPES
Most of my landscapes are ‘farmscapes’ and are inhabited by the animals we rear here at Brown Dog Farm.
Since becoming a farmer, my art has become centered on the relationship between the farm and the farmer, the land and our connection to it. I am obsessed with what it means to be a steward. My landscapes are usually the rural ones where I live. I try to capture the specific light, and its changing qualities that vary with time and season.
THE HERITAGE
BREED SERIES
The Heritage Breed Series is an ongoing project . I am going to make one painting of each animal breed on the Livestock Conservancy’s Conservation Priority List. I am about 1/3 of the way through, but after its all done there will be over 195 images in the group. 10% of the proceeds of any sales will go to the Livestock Conservancy. It is a organization dear to my heart. I usually have 8-10 of these paintings always on my studio wall and they help me ‘warm up’ each studio session. I also have a beautiful 2024 calendar with a selection of farm animals, sets of note cards, and refrigerator magnets! We also developed a new card game FARM FLIP, from the series. Look for them in the shop, the button is below :)
FIGURES
Most of my work involves the figure. I love the narrative quality that a painting takes on when you depict a figure and the implied stories that happen when one or more figures are in a painting.
I am working on a series of Farmer paintings called Your Beautiful Work. Their work is essential, necessary, life affirming and beautiful. If eco -anxiety describes our times in this 21st century, then this action, this work, is an antidote. Farmers and ranchers have shared images of their work life with me and I am creating a group of paintings from them. Are you a farmer or rancher? Send me an image and I will work it up into a painting for this body of work.
STUDIO COMMISSIONS
Each month I open up 3 slots for commissions.
I accept commissioned portraiture projects. I am open to most ideas and can discuss your interests. Commissions do not require the sitters to come to my studio. I can work from photographs and other source materials. My commissions reflect my personal style and tend to be ‘action’ oriented , not formal seated portraits. Peruse my work and make sure it is aligned with your interests and needs. I can adjust for your size and color palette. For more information or to start a dialogue fill out the from and hit SUBMIT. To reserve a commission with a 200$ deposit towards the final price, hit the RESERVE.
I will respond with all the details.
The Writers Den, oil on canvas, 30 x 40, 2019 In the collection of Denise Kiernan and Jo DAgnese
Studio Girls 12”x12”, oil on panel, 2020 in the collection of Michael Javernick
Morning Field Check,oil on panel, 2022 private collection
Hunter Max 8”x8”, oil on panel, 2020, private collection.
ARTIST STATEMENT
“man is most nearly himself when he achieves the seriousness of a child at play”
My paintings combine vibrant color, nuanced light, gestural marks, and the depiction of figures at their real and humble work.
My goal is to share a poignant reminder of our connection with the environment through stewardship. The central theme in my painted stories is that there is inherent beauty in our labor both externally, in how well we steward our surroundings and internally in our purpose and well-being.
My paintings are about this story.
My work is grounded in the shared understanding of agrarianism -that our existence holds purpose- we are created to tend our Eden.
Education
Southern Methodist University, Meadow's Schools of Art, Dallas TX , Bachelors of Fine Art, Painting, Printmaking cum laude , 1988
Colorado State University, Ft Collins , Master of Fine Art, Printmaking, 1991