Drew this portrait from a reference photo taken on family vacation to Ireland in 2017. This guy was cruising around the Bunratty Castle village playing his fiddle for anyone to hear. He kept popping up around corners. And, yes, he did have that same quasi creepy look on his face.

When vacationing in Ireland the Summer of 2017, my family had the opportunity to visit a sheep farm. The kids got to hold and feed lambs. And we saw a great sheep dog herding demonstration. The sheep dog was wild – he seemed amped up. His constant pacing and intense gaze kept the sheep in line. Liked the dog’s intensity. The farmer seemed to be the sweetest of guys. But, his lingering by the wool trimmers let you know he meant business. Thought the combo of two reference photos would make a nice drawing.

Painted this portrait from a reference photo taken by and old friend and photographer, Buddy Eleazer. Buddy takes safari photography trips a few times a year. He usually shoots wildlife – amazing work – but, I was especially drawn to an image he shot of a young lady from the Himba Tribe. Can tell she’s a girl because the girls wear two braids in the front. The boys wear only one braid. Thrilled Buddy let me use his photo. Captivated by the image. And, if you look real close, can see an image of Buddy in the eyes of the girl. Soon after completing this painting, Buddy was able to take a print of my painting to Africa to give to the girl.

Painted this portrait from a reference photo taken by and old friend and photographer, Buddy Eleazer. Buddy takes safari photography trips a few times a year. He usually shoots wildlife – amazing work – but, I was especially drawn to an image he shot of a young lady from the Himba Tribe. Can tell she’s a girl because the girls wear two braids in the front. The boys wear only one braid. Thrilled Buddy let me use his photo. Captivated by the image. And, if you look real close, can see an image of Buddy in the eyes of the girl. Soon after completing this painting, Buddy was able to take a print of my painting to Africa to give to the girl.

Had a detailed empty gold frame. Painted this specifically for the frame. Going a bit “old school” here – revisiting the Eiffel Tower and Carousel imagery that frequented my earlier paintings. Took a trip to Europe with the family in 2014 – went to some of the same sites that Stacey and I visited in ’02. Fun to revisit old subject matter from a different perspective. I don’t know the little girl on the Carousel. But, loved her look. Was also fun trying to get the tower to recede into the background even though it was lit with hot orange light. The key was mixing a bit of orange into the background color – allowed the tower to sit back and not dominate. I also enjoyed playing with the cropping of this painting. I like showing only a bit of the tower.

Painted this to celebrate my Alma Mater – Penn State. Includes obvious stuff – the lion, marching band, cheerleaders, Beaver Stadium, Old Main, Creamery ice cream, Joepa, grilled stickies. Includes key sports figures – Lenny Moore, Rosy Grier, John Cappalletti, Wallace Tripplet, Shane Conlan, Franco Harris – to name a few. Includes notable grads – Keegan Michael Key, Jonathan Frakes (Riker in Star Trek), Fisher (as in Fisher Price toys), Betty and Richard James (inventors of the Slinky), Guion Bluford (astronaut), Adam McKay (Will Ferrell’s writing partner), and Ty Burrell from Modern Family. And, includes less obvious stuff – marshmallows (thrown at football games in the late 80’s), Mike The Mailman, The Willard Preacher, Ernie from The Phyrst, Old Coaly (PSU’s first mascot), and tons of other stuff. Most importantly, my friends names are hidden throughout the painting. We Are!

Painted this to celebrate my Alma Mater – Penn State. Includes obvious stuff – the lion, marching band, cheerleaders, Beaver Stadium, Old Main, Creamery ice cream, Joepa, grilled stickies. Includes key sports figures – Lenny Moore, Rosy Grier, John Cappalletti, Wallace Tripplet, Shane Conlan, Franco Harris – to name a few. Includes notable grads – Keegan Michael Key, Jonathan Frakes (Riker in Star Trek), Fisher (as in Fisher Price toys), Betty and Richard James (inventors of the Slinky), Guion Bluford (astronaut), Adam McKay (Will Ferrell’s writing partner), and Ty Burrell from Modern Family. And, includes less obvious stuff – marshmallows (thrown at football games in the late 80’s), Mike The Mailman, The Willard Preacher, Ernie from The Phyrst, Old Coaly (PSU’s first mascot), and tons of other stuff. Most importantly, my friends names are hidden throughout the painting. We Are!

Took the family to Ireland the Summer of 2017. Took a reference photo of this guy at an outdoor pub in the town of Galway. I think the guy could tell I was stalking him. But, I was able to get a shot of him just as he put a full pint of Guinness to his lips. Was trading between drags on his pint with drags on his pipe. Guy epitomizes Ireland to me. Irish hat, whethered face, proper dress, parked in a chair with the objective of enjoying beer, pipe, and passers by – I just loved his look and knew I had to draw him.

Took the family to Ireland in the Summer of 2017. Saw this farmer at a square in the small town of Sneem along the Ring of Kerry. Tourists paid to snap shots of his goat. I was equally interested in the farmer. With his long, whethered beard, he kind of resembled one of his flock. Nice guy. The goat had a horn rack 4’ long, tip to tip. Said he had another one at his farm with a 6’ span. Think I captured his spirit well – can tell he loved his animals.

Created this colored pencil drawing of my daughter, Emily, from a photo I took at her senior prom. This captures her fun-loving spirit perfectly.