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.

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.

Used reference photos shot along the highway in the Western part of Virginia to create this piece. These flowers were growing in the highway median. Word to the wise – it’s not a good idea to pull off and take shots of these flowers. It’s hard to keep a steady hand when cars are wizzing past a few feet from your rear.

Stacey’s cousin is a great guy. Graduated from college a few years ago and is enjoying single life. He joined me and a couple of other older guys in our family at a bar one night. Needled him about the opposite sex – encouraged him to share some of his pick up lines. Said his favorite is “My name’s Leonard. I’m a rodeo clown.” Probably the worst pick up line I’ve ever heard. Not sure if he’s even seen a live bull in his life. Couldn’t let it rest, and used it as inspiration for this portrait of him.

I call this a “study,” but I created this small painting after I completed the larger “Eiffel Tower Carousel.” Eiffel Tower Carousel took a number of hours to complete. Brushstrokes used to create it were pretty tight, and I paid attention to detail. Wanted to see if I could create a looser, more relaxed version of this scene and do so in a couple of hours. This is the outcome.

One of 3 paintings created for Airgas’ 2006 Holiday Cards (See also “Extra Run” and “The Extra Mile.”) Was going for a Thomas Kinkade/Terry Redlin vibe in these paintings.

One of 3 paintings created for Airgas’ 2006 Holiday Cards (See also “Extra Run” and “One More Run.”) Was going for a Thomas Kinkade/Terry Redlin vibe in these paintings.

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.

This painting is of a Berks County, PA farm that no longer exists – used an old photo as a reference. Farm used to be in my wife’s family. Painting is different than most of my other work – limited the palette and kept my brushwork loose. Often asked if this piece is done in watercolor – it’s not. It’s done in oil. But, the loose brushwork, especially in the sky, does give it a watercolor feel.

Used reference photos shot along a Jersey Shore boardwalk to create this piece. Don’t know what this plant is actually called, but love the orange/reddish fruit contrasted against the magenta/pink flowers.