Archives for Oil

A Great Gift

A Great Gift

May 26, 2012 | by

Working out of a studio in a suburb just west of Chicago, Illinois, Zhiwei Tu lives some 8,000 miles away from his ancestral home in the remote, mountainous area of Guandong Province in South China. Despite the distance, evocative figures on light-filled canvases still allow the gifted artist to share childhood memories and the ancient tales and legends of his beloved homeland with a worldwide audience. Zhiwei Tu (Illinois) Girl With Red Scarf Oil 30″ By 24″ In 2007, I was asked to do a demo, and the model was dressed very well by Frankie Johnson, director of Mainstreet Art
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Walking on the Wild Side

Walking on the Wild Side

May 26, 2012 | by

Luke Frazier is young, he\’s talented, and he represents a generation of young artists who will carry on the traditions of wildlife art masters such as Carl Rungius and Bob Kuhn. Luke Frazier (Utah) Pouncer Oil 16″ By 20″ Fox in the snow are a beautiful subject to paint—the warm, full colors of their winter pelage, juxtaposed against the cool colors of shadows and snow. Here, a true veteran listens for minute sounds under the snow, then in an explosion, leaps and dives nose first into the crusted snow, pinning the prey. Luke Frazier (Utah) Old Timer Oil 36″ By
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The Love Factor

The Love Factor

May 26, 2012 | by

“I do portraits of pottery.” So says Patricia Dobson in a simple statement describing her paintings, but those works are much more than mere portraits. The placement of objects in her still life paintings are works of art in themselves; her use of color and light take those arrangements to an extraordinary level, one that does not go unappreciated by art lovers. Patricia Dobson (Arizona) Oklahoma Territory Oil 18″ By 24″ With the Oklahoma Centennial in mind, this arrangement includes a Comanche drum, Cheyenne moccasins, and a check written in Guthrie, Oklahoma, in 1898, along with some wonderful old books
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Walk On In

Walk On In

May 26, 2012 | by

As artistic careers go, Daniel Mundy’s didn’t come to fruition until he was almost 45 years old, despite a life spent painting and dabbling in various art forms. It’s not that Mundy didn’t love the patterns and colors of the sky, or the nuances of form and color that shadows cast on the light; he just hadn’t quite figured out yet that he was an artist. Daniel Mundy (California) A Field In Bloom Oil 24″ By 30″ A few years ago, I happened on this field of poppies in late afternoon light. I jumped out of the truck, threw up
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Bigger, Bolder, Better

Bigger, Bolder, Better

May 26, 2012 | by

He’s part storyteller, part historian, and part movie director. That’s how Texas artist Xiang Zhang regards his role when he paints. And he takes his work so seriously that he combs the vast ranching landscapes of the Southwest in order to be as accurate as possible in his portrayals. Xiang Zhang (Texas) Simple Pleasure Oil 20″ By 16″ I met this cowboy at my friend’s ranch. He was about 70 years old and looked so handsome on horseback. He lit a cigarette whenever he got the chance, during the roundup. My friend told me that he was the model for
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Honoring the Master: A Retrospective

Honoring the Master: A Retrospective

March 26, 2012 | by

I take my work very seriously, but I don’t take myself seriously. Take awaymy paintbrush, and I’m no different than anyone else. Howard Terpning (Arizona) Medicine Man Of The Cheyenne Oil 48″ By 40″ The medicine man held a very important position in any tribe. He was, in effect, a combination doctor and minister, or priest. He knew about the healing properties of plants, and he knew the ceremonies, chants, and songs that wielded magical powers for the benefit of individuals, or the whole band. Howard Terpning (Arizona) Cheyenne At The Disappearing Creek Oil 50″ By 40″ In the 19th
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Beautiful World, Beautiful Life

Beautiful World, Beautiful Life

March 26, 2012 | by

Cary Ennis’ still life paintings embody a simple, elegant beauty while radiating with color and light. They are lovingly arranged, beautifully painted, and enthusiastically collected. A comment made by a viewer of one of Ennis’ paintings sums it up nicely: “Oh, I wish I saw the world that way!” Cary Ennis (New Mexico) Lemon Orchids Oil 28″ By 32″ Spending time in Hawaii was enhanced by access to such wonderful flowers. Orchids have such character and variety, and they last a long time, which makes them perfect for still life painting. The exquisite form of these white and yellow Cataleyas
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I’m Not Just an Artist

I’m Not Just an Artist

March 26, 2012 | by

With the Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, the vineyards of Sonoma Valley, or the Big Sur coastline as his backdrop, Kevin Courter never wearies of painting the majesty and diversity of the California landscape. Kevin Courter (California) Moonlight Oil 20″ By 16″ Nocturnes are a common theme of mine and are especially intriguing when utilizing the subtle light of a full moon. I enjoy pushing the subtle color shifts and warm hues in these scenes. Kevin Courter (California) Dance Of The Pacific Oil 12″ By 18″ Eucalyptus trees are one of my favorite trees to paint. I love their graceful lines
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Painting His Memories

Painting His Memories

March 26, 2012 | by

When asked about his favorite childhood memory, Oregon artist Jim Daly stops and thinks for a moment. Not because he can’t remember one, but because there are so many. Jim Daly (Oregon) A Sympathetic Friend Oil 18″ By 12″ We’ve all had a rock in our shoe at one time or another, or a sore toe that kept us from running at full speed. This boy is taking time out on a hot summer day to check things out. He doesn’t see his dog’s concern, but for us, the viewer, sometimes a dog can say more with just a look
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I Just Want to Paint

I Just Want to Paint

January 26, 2012 | by

Richard Thomas points to a plaque on the wall in his Montana studio that, he says, has “been with me forever.” The words on that plaque not only describe artists in general, they are a commentary on Thomas’ career. Richard Thomas (Montana) First Light Oil 30″ By 40″ This is early morning’s first light on a Blackfeet encampment in Montana. The setting for this piece is not far from what is now just outside my studio. Richard Thomas (Montana) The Day’s Mounts-Three Forks Oil 30″ By 44″ In this painting, I depicted riders picking up their mounts on the morning
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