This painting was created from a photo taken during the shoot for “Sarah and Emily’s Still Life.” This arrangement is similar to the one in that painting. The jar of peaches has meaning for my wife for her grandmother jarred them and she passed away a few years ago.

Was drawn by the muted view of the Ben Franklin bridge in this view of Philadephia’s Chinatown. Also loved the washed out blues and grays against the colorful restaurant and shop signs.

Stacey and I took our first European trip a few years ago – started the trip in Brussels. Right near the town center is a restaurant area along a winding cobble-stone street lit with neon signs. Each restaurant had someone in front badgering passers-by to stop in. Stacey and I stopped at one of the restaurants and had a great mussels dinner (you have to have mussels in Brussels) and Trappist Beers (I particularly liked Chimay) at a cozy table right on the street. Loved the shadows the restaurant signs created and captured a reference shot for this painting – that’s Stacey in the foreground.

We take a trip to Manhattan every year around the holidays. I’m an incessant people watcher. Love nothing more than walking the streets of New York and checking out the people. Took a reference shot for this painting on 42nd Street – if you look carefully, that’s the Chrysler Building (the pointy bright building) way in the background.

On a business trip to Seattle, had to drive past this carwash sign every day. Got a kick out of it. Snapped shots in the morning (on the way to meetings) and at night (on the way back to the hotel) to create this scene. See also “Seattle Pink Elephant – Night.” Found out later that this sign has inspired a number of artists/photographers.

Try to take a trip to New York City every year some time over the holidays. Usually see the tree at Rockefeller Center, check out the displays in the windows of the 5th Avenue department stores, and take a carriage ride in Central Park – real touristy stuff. Particularly like taking the kids to the Christmas Show at Radio City. During this trip, there was a fire scare at the beginning of the Radio City show, so everyone had to evacuate the building. We were seated up front and were evacuated to the same area as the performers. The kids got a chance to talk to a Rockette and saw Santa while we waited for the “all clear.” Was wild seeing the camels and other Nativity animals evacuated to the streets. Took the reference shot for this painting later that evening.

On a business trip to Seattle, had to drive past this carwash sign every day. Got a kick out of it. Snapped shots in the morning (on the way to meetings) and at night (on the way back to the hotel) to create this scene. See also “Seattle Pink Elephant – Day.” Found out later that this sign has inspired a number of artists/photographers.

I’m a big fan of the Philly boxing scene. A few years ago, the venue changed to a club in South Philly, right under a major highway. A block away from the club is a famous local cheesesteak place – Tony Luke’s. Captured a reference shot for this painting after the fights. Was midnight, but the place was still hopping. If you want to truly experience Philly, a cheesesteak at midnight from a walk-up stand is a great way to do it.

Any Penn State grad from my generation has burned a few hours over grilled “stickies” at Ye Olde College Diner. The place has changed ownership and menus over the years and shut down a few years ago, but the grilled stickies have remained – can buy them through The Penn State Creamery. Loved the neon in the diner’s entrance against the dark, cool colors of the evening sky.

This painting is a view of The Corner Room Restaurant as seen from Old Main Lawn at Penn State University (“Go Big Blue!”). My oldest daughter encouraged me to snap a photo of this corner. She was drawn to the variety of colors and glow of the restaurant windows.