McDowell Creek Harlequins

McDowell Creek Harlequins
16" x 20"  acrylic  $3800

After a few months of studying this painting to figure out where and how to add some ducks, it finally hit me.  Harlequin ducks resting on the rocks. Originally, I was kicking around the idea of hooded mergansers, but harlequins fit the habitat better as they nest on inland streams just like this each spring and summer.  The brilliant markings of the male also add a nice accent to the painting.

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Mountain Bluebird

Mountain Bluebird
acrylic 3 3/4" x 6 1/8" $275

A beautiful mountain bluebird perches on a tall bunch of sage brush.  These brightly colored birds are found in and around the open mountainous areas that are associated with the high desert region of the western United States.
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Evening Yellowlegs

Evening Yellowlegs  5" x 7"  acrylic

A lesser yellowlegs wades through the shallows in search of a meal causing a disturbance in the otherwise still waters of evening's last light.
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Misty Marsh

Misty Marsh  5" x 7"  acrylic 

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A quiet marsh greets these geese as they come in to roost on a misty morning.
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Gentle Wave

Gentle Wave 5" x 7" acrylic  $295

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The site, sound and smell of the rhythmic surf is one of my favorite parts of visiting the coast.  Even though this is a gentler wave on a calm day, capturing a crashing wave in paint is always challenging as there is so much subtlety involved with moving, translucent water.
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Wave Runner - Common Loon

Wave Runner - Common Loon
5" x 7"  acrylic  

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This past March on the Oregon Coast, a storm had just passed and the ocean was churning creating a roller-coaster for this feeding loon.
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Out of the Shadows

Out of the Shadows  5" x 7"  acrylic  $295

An menacing wolf emerges from the shadows...

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McDowell Creek

McDowell Creek  7x5
acrylic 

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McDowell Creek runs near my home in Oregon and is a beautiful place to go for day hikes.  Several inspiring waterfalls occur along the path as well - one of which has been painted:)   Here, I wanted to show the beauty of the creek and highlight it's clear, cold water in a more serene section.
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Rainbow Lake

Rainbow Lake  5"x 7"  acrylic  $295

This lake is a gem located in the mountains behind the small town of Gold Creek, MT.  The cutthroat trout grow to a nice size and are fun to catch.  In fact, this is where my son caught his first trout with his great uncle:)
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Evening on the Metolius
5"x 7" acrylic $295

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Feeding Rufous  7" x 5"
acrylic  $295

A rufous hummingbird feeds on freshly opened spring flowers.  This is the same hummingbird that I observed at McDowell Creek near my home a few weeks ago. He had quite a dominant grasp on his territory as he went from flower to flower and perch to perch.  While working out the composition for this piece. images of simplified Far Eastern bird paintings kept coming to mind.
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Sutter Butte Sunbreak

Sutter Butte Sunbreak  12" x 24"
acrylic  

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As storm clouds clear, the sun begins to break over the Sutter Buttes.  The calm water reflects the surrounding wetland and mallard are using the area to rest.  The Sutter Buttes are the worlds smallest mountain range and are located in the heart of the Sacramento Valley -   an area rich in farming, wetlands and waterfowl.  They are the result of volcanic lava domes and some geologists say that they may be the southernmost portion of the Cascade volcanic chain.
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Osprey

Osprey  5" x 7"  acrylic 

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This past Friday, I led a school group out to one of our local wildlife areas to teach them about birds.  We came across a fishing pond stocked with trout and sure enough there were several ospreys fishing - along with quite a few fisherman.  Nobody was having any luck including the osprey which are expert fisherman.  However, their large eyes and high vantage point seemed to give them the edge over the bobber, bait and wait method.
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Yaquina Head Lighthouse

Yaquina Head Lighthouse 5" x 7"
acrylic

Located just north of Newport, Oregon the Yaquina Head lighthouse is Oregon's tallest.  It serves as a beacon to ocean goers during severe winter storms with winds gusting in excess of 100mph as well as on foggy, calmer days where visibility can get down to zero.  This painting shows it on a day when the weather is clearing...
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Misty Solace

Misty Solace 5" x 7"  acrylic 

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A Belted Kingfisher enjoys a peaceful perch on old fallen tree that sits over the glassy water.
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Chestnut-Backed Chickadee

Chestnut-Backed Chickadee
4" x 4"  acrylic  $225

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This handsome, darker species of chickadee is found among the damp forests of the  Pacific Northwest and it's chestnut colored back matches the richly colored barks of these forests.  Just as vocal and full of personality as their counterparts the black-capped chickadee; these little birds are always exciting to spot!
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Redwing Blackbird

Redwing Blackbird 7" x 5"
acrylic

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A redwing blackbird sings from atop a seeding cattail.  Redwings' songs are familiar around wetlands, particularly around cattail marshes, throughout the spring as they sing to claim then defend their territories.  Their bright wing patches make them easily identifiable.
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McDowell Creek

McDowell Creek  16" x 20" acrylic $3800

I was inspired to paint this from a family hike we took in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains.  Icy runoff plunges over the falls creating a misty environment perfect for moss to grow on the rocks below.  The path the water takes between the rocks also leads viewers' eyes through the painting and continually back to the falls.

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Trout Series

Trout Series  4  - 12" x12" panels
acrylic on canvas

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The four major trout species in the United States grace these canvas panels which sold this past weekend at the Cattleman's Western Art Show.  Each panel also features a series of popular flies that include streamers, dry flies, nymphs and wet flies.

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Spring Rufous

Spring Rufous  4" x 4" acrylic 

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While hiking locally along McDowell Creek, I heard the rapid whir of  wings and found this rufous hummingbird feeding on freshly budding flowers.  These aggressive hummingbirds will chase all other hummingbirds out of their area and have been known to even harass chipmunks if they are disturbing their nests.  Creating an elegant, sculptural quality to this painting was my goal so I kept the composition simple.
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California Gold

California Gold 14" x 18" acrylic $3500

This painting was two years in the making because of experimentation with various skies and shapes of the mountains.  I saw this while driving on Highway 101 near San Luis Obispo and the slice of light is what attracted me to make an emergency stop and snap a couple of pictures from which this  painting was created.  This part of the coast range is already beautiful, but this light made it indescribable - so, in this case, a painting is worth a thousand words!
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Still Waters

Still Waters  18" x 24"  acrylic

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Enshrouded in fog, this serene wetland creates the perfect habitat for a great blue heron.  He stands tall and still much like the surrounding trees.  I saw this scene the same morning that I saw the wood duck that I painted about a month ago.  The two spots are within a quarter mile of each other and the foggy morning made for some amazing ideas!
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Spring Reflections - Wood Duck

Spring Reflections - Wood Duck
5" x 7"  acrylic  $345

Wood ducks reach peak plumage during Spring each year and become one of most decorated birds in the world.  They are common in most parts of the United States, but can be difficult to see because they are found around flooded, timbered areas instead of open marshes.  Here a handsome drake swims proudly in all of his glory!
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Snowy Launch

Snowy Launch 5" x 7" acrylic

A magnificent bald eagle has focused in on it's prey and launches from it's snowy perch. These large birds are powerful fliers and I wanted to show the thickness and strength in this birds wings.  Their wingspan can reach up to 6 1/2 feet!
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Snow Bound

Snow Bound  7" x 5"
acrylic  $295

Illuminated by the low afternoon sun, this set of trees stands out against their larger counterparts in the shade.  You can tell they are young mountain hemlocks by their tips and within the next couple of years, they will bend over like candy canes.  They are most likely the offspring of the trees behind them.

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Autumn Splendor

Autumn Splendor  8" x 10"
acrylic  

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This is the second painting for the upcoming American Miniatures at Settler's West Gallery in Tucson, AZ this February 9th.  It depicts a peaceful moment on a misty morning.

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Winter Wonder

Winter Wonder  7" x 5"
acrylic  $295

I spent this past weekend cross country skiing with my family through the hemlock forest of the Cascades. A snow flurry had just passed and the sun broke through to illuminate the trees to make for a fantastic afternoon.  This trip was inspiring as it reminded me of my time spent working at a ski resort and the many hours spent on the snow.
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Misty Hideaway - Wood Duck

Misty Hideaway - Wood Duck
8" x 10"  acrylic

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Available through Settler's West Galleries - American Miniatures Show and Sale - February 9th
This was inspired by a foggy morning at first light. The depth created by the mist and the different layers of the flooded timber created an inspiring scene.  While you explore this unique landscape, you will also find a lone wood duck which is secondary to the painting as it blends in naturally with it's favorite habitat.
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Pueblo Mountain Pair

Pueblo Mountain Pair  13" x 18" acrylic

This was my last painting of 2012!  Pueblo Mountain disappears in an approaching high desert snow storm as a pair of chukars flushes.  Although chukar have a grayish appearance, their plumage is very colorful when seen up close.  With this painting I tried to incorporate both what you would see in a flushing bird along with a hint of their true colors.  Smaller than a pheasant and larger than a quail, chukar love the rocky, arid mountains of the high deserts.
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High Desert Dreams

High Desert Dreams 14" x 18" acrylic

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This commissioned painting depicts three generations of German short hairs   The grayer dog in the front of the pair is the grandmother who has passed away.  Her daughter is the single pointer and her daughter is next to her grandmother.  I believe that all three have never hunted together but they have all hunted with the new owner of this painting who is an avid chukar hunter.  It was given as a Christmas gift from his wife and I received a text saying that he teared up when he opened it:-)
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Fall Chickadee

Fall Chickadee  5" x 5"  acrylic  $295

A black-capped chickadee takes a quick break from foraging through the vibrant fall foliage to sneak a peak.
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American Kestrel

American Kestrel  5" x 5"  acrylic  $245

An American Kestrel perches where he can clearly see what is below him.  I was struck by the simplicity of the scene when I saw this and by the simple beauty of this bird of prey.
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If you are interested in seeing paintings in progress, photos from reference trips and much more you can 'like' my facebook page to receive art in your news feed.
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Common Loon

Common Loon  4" x 4"  acrylic 

My wife and I saw this loon from a canoe on a lake in Wisconsin earlier ths fall.  We were also fortunate enough to hear it's haunting call before it dove out of sight.  Although we have common loons in Oregon, they aren't all that common so it was great to see one up close.

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Blackwater Bounty

Blackwater Bounty  9" x 12"  acrylic  $1200

A uniquely beautiful wetland because of it's size, location and abundant wildlife, Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge borders the Eastern Shore of Chesapeake Bay. Here, a pair of mallard rest peacefully in the glassy water as the early morning sun spreads it's warmth over the autumn marsh.  Out in the more open water, a group of swans feed on underwater vegetation.  This painting is also for the Waterfowl Festival which is this Thursday - Sunday in Easton, Maryland.
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Dropping In - Teal

Dropping In - Teal  9" x 12"  acrylic  $1200

Here is a new painting for the upcoming Waterfowl Festival in Easton, MD.  A group of greenwing teal rocket their way in on a clear, cool fall morning. The positioning of the birds hints at their erratic and speedy flight as the rich colors of dawn illuminate the marsh.
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