Where did the time go?

I can't believe it has been a year (actually a bit longer) since I last posted anything.  WOW - where did the time go?  To make a long story, short.  I have been painting.  I have not been blogging but I have been painting.

Today we celebrated the life of a good friend who suddenly passed away last week.  Death is always hard.  Knowing that someone is no longer physically with us is especially difficult.  I wanted to find a way to help his wife through these hard times and what else could I do but try and capture Steve in a painting.

This is an 11x14 oil of Steve

Here is another one I did this week.

Inspiration

I'm often asked where I get my inspiration from.  The answer is simple - everywhere.  I live in a beautiful mountain valley in northern Utah so just looking out my window can be inspiring but actually inspiration comes from within.  What I mean is we can get inspired by a garbage can or a torn piece of paper if we are in the frame of mind where we see beauty wherever we look.  The opposite is also true.  Our mental frame of mind influences how we react to the world around us and also how it responds to us.  Or better yet, how we think it responds to us.

Portrait studies

This 8x10" life portrait study was done last night with finishing touches put on in my studio today.

8x10" oil on linen

These past few weeks I've also done studies of my brother-in-law, sister-in-law, husband and a friend.

I want to paint it all!!

The past few paintings that I've posted are not done but I'm too impatient to totally finish one painting before beginning another and another and another.  These are not finished yet either but often it helps me to see them on the computer to notice what changes need to be made.  I'm already seeing where I need to deepen some shadows.

I have really been enjoying painting especially portraits.  It blows my mind that in spite of the billions of people on earth, no two people, even identical twins, look exactly alike.

Girl in blue scarf

I love when I have the opportunity to work from a model.  This is a 2 hour study I did the other evening.

"Girl in Blue Scarf"

11x14" oil on linen

My Muse

My muse has been keeping me busy.  I wonder what my muse looks like?  Maybe this?