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“My Art Journey: Painting and Perspectives"
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Monkey-ing Around with Self-Portraits: A Creative Take
Creating a self-portrait is not just about achieving an accurate likeness; it's about capturing a deeper essence that a photograph cannot convey. Inspired by Frida Kahlo's work, I decided to infuse my self-portrait with a twist of humor and a touch of whimsy by adding monkeys. This experience of painting myself allowed me to take a profound look at who I am, both inside and out.
Wide Sweep: A Reflection on Art, Nature, and Chaos
Living by the ocean, with farmland just outside the city, gave me unique inspiration. Here is a stormy blur where land and sky collide. Blue is usually calm, but not here. This blue is restless and full of movement, capturing the chaos of storms across the fields. At 95 inches wide, this painting is like standing in the middle of a storm. It’s bold, alive.
Capturing the Spirit of Agriculture in Paint
"Facing West" captures the essence of farmland life, honoring the connection between land and people with textured layers and bold colors that pulse with the same energy that drives the fields. More than a landscape, "Facing West" is a tribute to the farmers and the resilient relationship they hold with the land—every stroke is a thank-you to their labor and love. This painting is about more than what the fields look like; it’s about how they feel—alive, enduring, and tied to the heartbeat of the land, honoring both the beauty and hard work behind it.
The Challenge and Joy of Painting Big
Painting large isn’t just about the art. it’s about the experience. It pulls you in, makes you move, and demands your attention. My 5 x 8-foot football player painting was a real challenge, but that’s the joy of it. I saw a TV commercial and thought, “What if I paint that guy in my studio?” That’s how this 5 x 8 -foot football player piece began. It’s about strength, presence, and being bold. Large-scale paintings are statements. They stop you in your tracks. This football player in shoulder pads commands attention with its sheer size and emotional intensity.
My Sports Art In US Bank Stadium Art Collection
Sports artist John Robertson's 8x12 ft painting of the 'Purple People Eaters,' featured at US Bank Stadium, vividly captures the grit and energy of the legendary Vikings defensive line. This remarkable piece of art not only pays tribute to the famed defensive line but also brings the iconic Purple People Eaters to life through emotion, movement, and color. Discover the captivating story behind Robertson's painting and explore how he masterfully reflects the essence of these legendary players in his work at US Bank Stadium.
The Vintage RV Trailer Painting at Transmission Brewing
Transmission Brewing in Ventura commissioned a large-scale painting of their vintage RV trailer to bring the spirit of adventure and wanderlust to their brewery’s open-beamed space. The artwork, which captures the dreams and stories of its travelers, combines nostalgia with the endless possibilities of the open road. Now part of Transmission Brewing’s unique atmosphere, the painting embodies more than just details, it represents the freedom that the trailer symbolizes.
A Brush with the Green Bay Packers: Painting Football History
Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, isn’t just a stadium, it’s a living football history lesson, blending the game’s artistry with its passion. Green Bay breathes football; from the retro charm of Lambeau Field to the art displayed inside, it’s a must-visit for sports fans. My painting of a Packers sweep play against the Rams is part of the Lambeau Field suites, capturing the rhythm and flow of football on canvas.
Painting for the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium
Painting for the Minnesota Vikings was a surreal experience, especially seeing one of my works projected onto the Jumbotron—a massive moment for an artist. Art and football share a unique power: they let us lose ourselves in a moment and find connection, whether it’s on the field or in front of a canvas. My wife’s Minnesota roots keep us visiting often, and the state’s landscapes inspire my work. The connection between art and place is always alive for me.
Sports Art: More Than Just a Play
I created this painting during the NFL playoffs to capture the energy and movement of the game, focusing on Torrey Smith during the NFC Championship for the Eagles. It's not just a scene; it's about emotion. Sports art isn’t about stories—it’s about feeling. This painting channels the intensity of the Eagles’ game through lines, colors, and movement, capturing the raw emotion of the moment and making it come alive. Combining football and art was a challenge, but this piece truly embodies the passion and excitement of the game.
Boxing Day? A Knockout Moment in Paint
Like a boxer in the ring, life demands grit, resilience, and the willingness to show up even when it's tough. It's not just about throwing punches; it's about enduring the physical and emotional battle, absorbing the blows, and continuing to fight. This painting captures that raw tension, the struggle etched on the faces of two fighters locked in a contest, mirroring the challenges we all face: giving our best shot and taking whatever comes back, just like in a boxing match.
Reflecting on "Faith Serves" Painting and Its Christmas Spirit
“Faith Serves” painting reminds us that faith isn’t just about belief—it’s about action. It captures the true essence of Christmas, emphasizing giving, humility, and the quiet moments of serving others. This message calls us to embrace faith through community and selfless service, beautifully illustrating the spirit of the season beyond the glitz.
A Snowman’s Painting: Unexpected Commentary on Modern Life
This quirky snowman painting yells about cell phones, blending humor and holiday vibes with bold strokes and raw energy. It presents a funny, messy take on modern life, breaking the holiday mold by calling out our phone addiction with humor and bold strokes. Through a snowman’s eyes, the painting offers a chaotic yet humorous reminder to step away from screens, urging us to look up and laugh, all wrapped up in "Seasons Greetings."
"Who’ll Stop the Snow? A Holiday Painting with a Message"
This isn’t just holiday art—it’s a protest, a conversation starter, and maybe even a little bit of therapy for me. The reindeer’s human-like expression really hits you, almost like it’s asking, 'Hey, who will stop the snow?' The relentless snow could be a metaphor for how overwhelming the holidays, or even life, can feel
The Chaos of Christmas: A Painting and a Question
Every year, someone stares at my painting and asks about the text, ‘What does it mean?’ Honestly, that’s my favorite part—leaving people to figure it out like they’re cracking a code. Christmas has turned into this wild mix of sacred and commercial, where somewhere in the chaos, the original meaning seems to have slipped out the back door. My painting isn’t a lecture; it’s a messy, loud celebration where the sacred and the absurd shake hands awkwardly.
The Studio Christmas Tree: A Holiday Tradition on Canvas
This year, I didn’t just want a Christmas tree in my studio, I needed one. Instead of hauling in a real or fake tree, I painted a 4-foot by 7-foot tree on canvas, capturing the festive spirit in an efficient, creative way. Forget needles on the floor, tangled lights, and curious pets; a painted Christmas tree is a pet-friendly, space-saving solution that you can roll up and reuse every year. It’s messy, vibrant, and totally unique. Just like the holidays. Every brushstroke of my painted tree tells a story, celebrating the messy, joyful spirit of the season. It’s imperfect in the best way, making it a cherished holiday tradition in my studio.
The Perfect Baby Gift – Why a Landscape Painting is Just Right
A landscape painting makes a unique and timeless baby gift, offering a personal and sentimental touch that a child can grow into. Imagine giving a baby their very first oil painting. It is a piece that evolves from nursery décor to a lifelong keepsake. Landscapes are calming, universal, and abstract enough to spark creativity. As a daily painter, I love creating textured, impressionistic pieces with palette knives that feel both meaningful and fun. Art is more than decoration, it is a connection, a gift that stands the test of time and grows with the child, sharing something meaningful beyond mere aesthetics.
Painting for the Green Bay Packers: My Art at Lambeau Field
One of the most rewarding experiences of my career was seeing my work displayed in Lambeau Field, a legendary stadium that embodies the passion, dedication, and creativity of football. Football, like art, is about emotion and movement, visible in every play on the field and every brushstroke on the canvas. Creating art for Lambeau Field allowed me to capture not just the history of the Packers but also the essence of what makes football so beautiful and inspiring. My love for the Packers goes way back to the 1960s, when I had a friend from Green Bay, and we spent a couple of weeks one summer hanging out at the practice field. Back then, you could sit on the bench with the players, chatting with legends like Ray Nitschke and Fuzzy Thurston.
What a Tiny Painting Taught Me About Scale
I've always leaned toward painting large. Most of my landscapes measure at least 5 by 6 feet, with some stretching to 4 by 8 feet. Enter my new obsession: small-scale impressionistic landscapes. These pieces are tiny compared to what I’m used to—think 5 by 7 inches instead of feet. Despite its size, that painting felt enormous and practically dominated his living room. How did the artist pull that off? I still don’t know.
Why I Painted a Lifeguard
California State Parks lifeguard tryouts aren’t just a test—they’re a proving ground for grit and skill. Six-foot waves, rip currents, and a 1,000-yard swim push people to their limits, and I was there to document the resilience of these heroes. My painting captures one lifeguard’s quiet strength amid the chaos. This 8.5-foot acrylic painting celebrates the courage and determination of California’s State Parks lifeguards, who train to keep us safe against the odds.
Sports Art Brings Personality to Home Décor
Sports art isn’t just for man caves or offices anymore; a photo of my black-and-white baseball piece hung in a bedroom taught me how versatile and personal sports-themed décor can be. Seeing how people use my sports art in their homes always surprises me, and in this case, it was a perfectly balanced bedroom design that quietly celebrated baseball. A designer used my sports art to create a bedroom that felt calm but personal, not loud or distracting—just a reflection of the homeowner’s passion.