Love to visit Longwood Gardens with the family. Great botanical garden in the Brandywine Valley. I especially like to visit the fruit and rose gardens and the bonsai trees in the main building. Also love visiting the Gardens around the Holidays – all the large trees are lit up, great fountain show, Nutcracker music – great day trip. On an early Spring visit, found these tulips on an outdoor path. Loved the color combo – like the cool deep reds and pinks against the warmer yellows/oranges – knew I had to paint what I saw. Took reference photos on my cell phone – surprised that the reference photos were strong enough to use. Had fun manipulating detail and color to create a sense of depth.

Love New York City. Love New York City hot dog stands. Just don’t love the feeling after eating at one. Took some reference photos of this stand on a rainy afternoon. Great highlights coming from the uncovered light bulbs. Like how they’re used to keep chestnuts and pretzels warm. Was at a show in the Fall of 2014 at the Salmagundi Club in NYC. One of the winning paintings was of a street seen featuring a hotdog cart that looked almost exactly like the one I painted. Just goes to show – many of us like and are inspired by the same things.

Painted this portrait of Tommy Merlene Dimsdle for my good friend, Jeff Palmer. I lived in Houston, Texas in the early 90’s – Jeff and I worked together – got to be real close – we still find ways to stay in touch. Tommy, Jeff’s father-in-law, passed away a few years ago. Jeff’s wife, Lisa, was real close with her father – his passing was/is hard on her. Jeff wanted to surprise Lisa with the painting as a Christmas present. He knows I don’t normally take on commissions, so he worked me for a while. Was reluctant, but once Jeff sent me the reference photos, I couldn’t say “no.” Tommmy, a Texan, seemed to have the good, classic qualities of the people I came to love from my time living there in the 90’s. I’m so glad I worked on this project. Was an honor getting to know Tommy. And, I was thrilled with Jeff and Lisa’s reactions to the painting.

Have always loved comics and superheros. Marvel, DC, independents – doesn’t matter. Love them all. Wanted a complimentary painting to some of my other large-scale still life paintings. Wanted to include all the big names – Superman, Spiderman, Batman, all the Avengers – but, wanted to also include some subtle, lesser-known heroes – The Guardians of the Galaxy, Dr. Manhattan, Hellboy, The Sandman, and The Umbrella Academy. As in a number of my other still life paintings, I play with the idea of pictures within pictures. And, I enjoyed playing with the symbols/icons for the heroes. Was also fun manipulating the set up, using complimentary colors, high contrast, figure placement, and figure line of sight to move the viewers eye through the painting. See if you can find my kids’ names hidden in the painting.  The print size is half the size of the original painting.

Have always loved comics and superheros. Marvel, DC, independents – doesn’t matter. Love them all. Wanted a complimentary painting to some of my other large-scale still life paintings. Wanted to include all the big names – Superman, Spiderman, Batman, all the Avengers – but, wanted to also include some subtle, lesser-known heroes – The Guardians of the Galaxy, Dr. Manhattan, Hellboy, The Sandman, and The Umbrella Academy. As in a number of my other still life paintings, I play with the idea of pictures within pictures. And, I enjoyed playing with the symbols/icons for the heroes. Was also fun manipulating the set up, using complimentary colors, high contrast, figure placement, and figure line of sight to move the viewers eye through the painting. See if you can find my kids’ names hidden in the painting.

In my family, food is love. Ask a Scheuring kid about a holiday, and the first thing we’ll talk about is the food. I have very fond memories watching Saturday morning cartoons with my brother, both of us munching away on overflowing bowls of cereal. Of course, we made our cereal selection decisions based on which brand had the coolest prize. Freakies cereal always seemed to have the best toy. But, Cap’n Crunch Crunch Berries was my favorite.

There’s a great story about the genesis of this painting of my son, Cole, and cereal merchandise.  Was inspired by a conversation we had while watching TV. Back around 2010, when Cole was 8, a news program came on TV – there was talk of a serial killer.  Cole asked “what’s a serial killer?”  Had to explain it to him – imagine trying to explain to an 8-year-old kid about the evil of a serial killer.  Wasn’t fun.  In fact, it was depressing.  After my explanation, I noticed Cole looked confused.  I asked, “what’s wrong?”  “Oh, nothing, Dad.”  “C’mon, what’s wrong?”  He explained that he thought a “cereal” killer had something to do with his breakfast cereal.  We both had a good laugh.

I went through the wide range of emotions in a few seconds.  Had real mixed feelings – kind of a “lost innocence” thing – both serious and silly at the same time.  Thought the idea of a “cereal killer” would make a great painting – tried to capture those feelings on this canvas.

Took the family on vacation to Lake Pacid, NY the Summer of 2013.  One morning, the in-laws, my nephews, and my son went fishing on this small lake.  I did some sketches from the shore.  Beautiful early morning sun.  Had to work fast – the light was changing by the minute.  Had fun capturing the impression of trees and leaves.

Took the family on vacation to Lake Pacid, NY the Summer of 2013.  One morning, the in-laws, my nephews, and my son went fishing on this small lake.  I did some sketches from the shore.  Beautiful early morning sun.

Did this drawing of a Lunar Moth while vacationing with the family in Lake Placid, NY the Summer of 2013.  Stayed at this beautiful mountain home – a number of Lunar Moths congregated by the hot tub on the side of the house.  Moths were huge.  Amazing colors.

Did this drawing while vacationing in Molokai, Hawaii the Summer 0f 2011.  Amazing place.  Only a few thousand people live on Molokai.  View was from the hotel patio looking across the lagoon – Molokai has a sea wall about a half mile off the south side beach.  Can tell where the wall is by the vibrant teal line on the horizon.  My son and I both did drawings while sitting on a deck enjoying the island breeze.