Ending Rain 16" x 24" giclee print on canvas $285

A storm has just passed and remaining moisture drips from branches above creating a mesmerizing pattern in the reflective water. The print will be a giclee on canvas which amazingly captures the subtleties of each drop of water in the original painting unlike any other printing process.
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Fall Aspens 7" x 5" acrylic $265

A group of aspens flaunt their brilliant fall foliage on a warm autumn day. Aspens are my favorite tree because of the sound they make when they quake in the wind. It soothes the soul.
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Bugling Bull 5" x 5" acrylic

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I just got home from my second trip of the year to Yellowstone in which I focused on getting reference for doing some elk paintings. Of course, I saw much more to go along with the elk. This particular bull elk was the largest that I have ever seen in person. The rut was in full swing and the bulls were bugling and protecting their harems on the cool mornings that were dropping to just below freezing. There were also a couple of times that I found myself in precarious situations as their behavior gets to be unpredictable during this time of year, but it was worth it.
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Lamar Evening 15" x 26" acrylic

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The Lamar Valley in Yellowstone is a special place. It is not uncommon to see elk, deer, pronghorn, bison, grizzly bear and wolf - all at the same time! In fact, the valley seems like it is a slice of the way things used to be. This past August, I was able to to take my kids through the Lamar Valley and they too were amazed. This painting is from that trip and on that evening several different flocks of Canada geese were flying over the Lamar River. In the painting, a herd of bison grazes in the background as the last rays of light filter into the valley adding to the aura that is the Lamar Valley at sunset.
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Wood Duck Drake 7"x10" acrylic

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After a bit of a hiatus from posting (but not from painting), here is a wood duck painting that was finished a couple of weeks ago. Currently, it is not for sale but if you are interested in it, feel free to email me as it will become available later in October.
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Roswell Wigeon 16" x 20" acrylic

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This painting has been completed for an auction benefiting the restoration of Roswell Marsh which is scheduled to be restored as a wetland. The marsh will be dedicated to Paul Ralstin, who has played a vital role in wetland conservation through various roles with Ducks Unlimited, on August 14th & 15th in Boise, ID.

Evening Waters 18 x 14" acrylic $2900

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John Briggs, an expert on the subject of creativity, wrote in his book Fire In The Crucible -

"Probably from time to time nearly everyone has felt the rise of their unique vision into awareness - as nuances, as uncanny moments, as a fleetingly strong sense that a mix of different contours and feelings one has about the world must somehow go together. These instants of vision are extremely tacit. They are sensations we have no words or forms for and which other people don't seem to experience, or at least don't experience in quite the way we do."

I like to call this an aha moment and I had one of these recently at the Metolius River in Central Oregon. A early evening thunderstorm had just rolled through and left some wispy patches of fog hugging the water on the river. Noticing this I went for a hike along the river to observe this unique weather and came upon this flyfisherman. The evening light, the fog, the woods and the water all fit together perfectly. It was an aha moment!

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Coaster Poll

One of the following images will be produced as set of 4 absorbant drink coasters. You can pick your favorite by taking the poll to the right.

Coaster #1 - Winter Hideaway

Coaster #2 - Puppy Eyes

Coaster#3 - Into the Open

Coaster #4 - Cardinal & Blossoms

California Covey 12" x 24" acrylic

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This painting of a covey of quail was completed almost a decade ago when I was living in Bend, OR. The rock is volcanic and the habitat is high desert. The moss indicates that water is nearby which would naturally attract these quail to this spot.
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Yaquina Head 6" x 7" acrylic

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Today's daily painting is of the 93 foot Yaquina Lighthouse tower which is located on a narrow point of land jutting due west into the Pacific Ocean 5 miles north of Newport, Oregon. Winds and rain have hammered this lighthouse since its beginning in 1872. It took approximately one year, and over 370,000 bricks to construct Oregon's tallest lighthouse. The light has been active since Head Keeper Fayette Crosby walked up the 114 steps to light the wicks on the evening of August 20, 1873. At that time the oil burning fixed white light was displayed from sunset to sunrise. Today, the fully automated first order Fresnel lens runs on commercial power and flashes its unique pattern of 2 seconds on, 2 seconds off, 2 seconds on, 14 seconds off, 24 hours a day. The oil burning wicks have been replaced with a 1000 watt globe that, according to the US Coast Guard generates over 130,000 candlepower.
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November Teal 16" x 20" acrylic

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November in the Central Valley of California can be a foggy place as clear cool nights ignite the formation of tule fog. As the sun rises on these calm mornings a battle is waged to try and burn off the fog creating some spectacular and often surreal lighting. This is one such scene as a flock of greenwing teal circle outside a set of decoys getting ready to bank in and land.
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Riverside Retreat 16" x 20" acrylic $3200

A mixed flock of mallards and wood ducks mingle in this backwater hideaway. Snowmelt has caused the Deschutes River to overflow it's banks creating a wonderful pocket of habitat that provides a new food source for these ducks.

This painting is an older one that I have just finished reworking. The colors in the heads of the ducks have been enhanced, especially in the two wood ducks. Some new habitat was also added in the lower left hand corner of the painting to help fill what I felt was an unnecessary void and the background water at the top of the painting was lightened to create more depth.
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On the Road to Emmaus 24" x 48" acrylic

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This large painting was done for my church to hang in an area in the lobby that has been dubbed the Emmaus Cafe. It is about the story of Jesus walking and talking with two disciples on the road to Emmaus the day after His resurrection. The disciples did not recognize who he was until after they invited Him into their home for dinner and 'broke bread'.
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Cheetah 4" x 4" acrylic $225

The cheetah is the fastest land animal on earth. It can sprint at speeds of up to 75 mph and can go from 0-68 in three seconds! They are designed for sprinting speed, which can only be maintained for about 1500 feet. A unique fact about cheetahs is they lack the ability to climb like other cats. This daily painting is a portrait of this handsome cat.
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Chipmunk 4" x 4" acrylic $225

I saw this chipmunk on a wooden fence along the Metolius River in Central Oregon. The dramatic lighting is what inspired this daily painting as the rich green grasses were shadowed by towering pine trees allowing the chipmunk to 'pop' in the sunshine.
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Trip to Milwaukee

This past week I had the opportunity to fly to Milwaukee to visit Classic Art Prints to sign the 2010 Ducks Unlimited National Stamp prints. Marie Cutraro and Tom Zarnoth do an incredible job of matching color and reproducing images as they create prints for many of the top artists in the country. I have been fortunate enough to visit them 3 out of the past 4 years and each time their hospitality has made the experience special. Many thanks go out to Ducks Unlimited, Marie and her husband Guiseppi, and Tom!

Peter signs the prints and Marie pulls them and stacks them.

A sheet of the 2010 stamps along with the new limited edition print.

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Goldeneye Brood 7" x 5" acrylic $265

A female goldeneye protects her new brood on this Spring wetland. Predators like coyotes, foxes, and birds of prey abound in and around marshes like this one making the survival rate of young ducklings quite low at times.
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Tree Swallow 5" x 5" acrylic $245

This painting was originally intended to be just a stand of tules and their reflection but the composition just didn't quite work. So, I added this tree swallow flying over the pond in search of some aquatic insects to eat.

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American River #2 24" x 48" acrylic on canvas

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This is the second painting for the commission utilizing bold colors and a more impressionistic style. This one portrays the bluffs near Lake Natomas in Sacramento. Look for more daily paintings starting tomorrow.
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American River #1 30" x 30" acrylic on canvas

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This painting is one of two that were completed this week as a commission for the lobby of a law office in Sacramento. Lots of color and a looser style is what was requested. The paintings were a lot of fun and very freeing (the second will be posted tomorrow). I feel that these paintings pushed me as an artist and taught me something about the use of color and how colors can play off one another. I bought tubes of paint that I don't normally use like magenta and bright aqua green. Look for future daily paintings to subtly incorporate a bit more of a vivid color palette while still maintaining the realism.

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Waxwings 4" x 4" acrylic $225

This pair of cedar waxwings was passing a berry back and forth for a few minutes this morning - just enough time to inspire a daily painting. I'm not sure if the exchanging was a mating ritual or not, but it was interesting to watch.
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Greenwing Teal 4" x 4" acrylic

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The greenwing teal is the smallest of our North American waterfowl and it is among the handsomest. This daily painting portrays a male swimming calmly on a clear day.
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Robin's Nest 5" x 5" acrylic

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A clutch of nestly snuggled robin's eggs.
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Spring Goldfinch 5" x 5" acrylic $245

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This male goldfinch landed on the top of the autumn blaze maple right in front of my window yesterday. This time of year they are striking in their breeding plumage.
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American Wigeon 4" x 4" acrylic $225

An American wigeon comes in over the reeds. This daily painting is a study for a possible federal duck stamp idea where the main focus is on the bird.
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Ellensburg National

This weekend I will be traveling to Ellensburg, WA to participate in the 37th annual National Art Show and Auction which will feature the following attractions:

- Talented new artists and nationally-acclaimed artists display and sell original art and prints
- Quick draws and artist demonstrations
- Auction includes original artwork and quick draw pieces
- Over 14,000 square feet of climate controlled show space
- Free parking
- Food vendors - Three Peaks Outfitters of Cle Elum, WA will be serving delicious cast iron cooking for all to enjoy. Stop by the encampment for a unique and filling meal. Beverages are being run by Young Life of Ellensburg

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Tundra Swan 7" x 5" acrylic

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A tundra swan stands peacefully in a shallow wetland. They are identifiable by the yellow tear drop just under the eye and they often intermingle with trumpeter swans.
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Reflections 4" x 4" acrylic

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This daily painting depicts a black-necked stilt wading through some calm water. It is from the same reference I used for an earlier studio painitng a couple of years ago of two stilts moving through some calm waters, which you can see at this link.
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Gray Jay 4" x 4" acrylic

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This daily painting is of a gray jay as he perches atop a fallen tree. They are common in Oregon in the mountains especially around campsites where they have been nicknamed "camp robbers". Another common name for this species is a Canada Jay. They can be tame enough to eat right out of your hand if you hold out a piece of food.
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Long-Billed Curlew 5" x 5" acrylic $245

The final painting in the series is of a long-billed curlew - another species that can be found in sandy, coastal habitats.
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Sandy Habitat Series - Set of Four $735

This set is complete and available for sale. Sold as a group of four for the price of three, $735, or individually for $245.

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Egret 5" x 5" acrylic $245

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On a cool, crisp morning a great egret cruises overhead. An unseen, newly fallen snow below helps subtly highlight the undersides of this magnificent bird.
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Flooded Fields 5 3/4" x 8 3/4"

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A pair of horses traverse a flooded field on their way to drier ground. These fields are located just outside of Burns, Oregon and flood every spring. The area is a haven for waterfowl, which is why I was there. However, when I saw this scene, I had to paint it.
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