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“My Art Journey: Painting and Perspectives"
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Turning Maps into Art: A Commission to Remember
Maps are like art—they show more than just geography; they capture how a place feels. In this commission, the colors and shapes of counties felt like pieces of a bigger story. Seeing my client hang California’s map in his Florida home (and vice versa!) made me realize that maps can create new ways of seeing home. Each place carries its own poetry, and that’s what I wanted to capture
Plein Air: Painting Feelings, Not Scenes
andscape; I’m in it, reacting to it. The sound of wind through the trees, the smell of the earth, or the way the sky shifts color as the sun drops—it all filters into my work. Even though the result might not resemble what’s in front of me, it feels like I’ve captured something real.
World Series, Baseball Art, and October Reflections
Painting baseball isn’t just about a game; it’s capturing moments we don’t want to let go of. Each piece is a small tribute, a way of keeping the thrill of game day alive. For me, it’s like the season never ends—I get to relive it every time I pick up a brush.
The Silent Confidence of a Hockey Goalie
Watching her play is wild; she moves like a cat, snagging pucks and making impossible saves with no flair—just quiet confidence, and there’s something reassuring about knowing your goalie is steady, not arrogant, but confident without needing to show off, so when teams in my son-in-law’s league are picking players, it’s no surprise—they pick the girl because she’s got grit and no complaints.
Painting Jeff Ho: A Look Behind the Legend of the Z-Boys
Painting Jeff Ho was an experience I didn’t fully appreciate until later. At first, it was just about his interesting face and those surfboards hanging on his car. But learning about his legacy in the surf and skate world made me realize I’d captured more than just a portrait—I’d connected with a piece of history, one that still shapes Venice Beach culture. Jeff was one of the original Z-Boys, a group that revolutionized skateboarding and surfing culture in the '70s.
The Human Side of Painting Farmland in Impressionistic Style
What really touches me most is the human side of farmland. Winter and fall expose the bone structure of the land, and that’s what I love to capture in my art—the feeling of raw honesty that comes through those bare fields. When I paint a landscape, it’s not about copying the scene exactly. I want to capture the emotion, the meaning behind it.
Motorcycles: Painting Them Is Safer Than Riding Them!
Transmission Brewing, just steps from my studio, recently hung one of my largest pieces—a vintage motorcycle painting measuring 5 feet by 7 feet, prominently displayed across from a 10-foot painting of a travel trailer. As a teen, a single terrifying ride on my friend's 250cc motorcycle deterred me from becoming a rider. Instead, I express my love for motorcycles through my art, capturing their essence of freedom, adventure, and a hint of recklessness.
The Farmer and the Artist: Creating Something from Nothing
Living in a big farming community in Ventura means I’m surrounded by agricultural fields, where farmers and artists share a special bond, both creating something from nothing. Standing in those fields and staring at the endless rows of crops, I can’t help but feel that connection. While farmers plant seeds and watch them grow, I’m over here trying to mix the right colors to bring a scene to life.
From Ringside to Canvas: My Journey with Boxing Art
Friday nights were all about watching boxing with my stepdad. Our old black and white TV brought us together. The ring is like a canvas. Every boxer is an artist, painting with resilience and strength. This painting of boxing gloves? It's not just about boxing. It's about my journey and the bond with my stepdad.
A Break from the Studio: Painting Landscapes in the Open Air
Explore the transformative experience of painting outdoors, where the freedom of nature inspires creativity. Step away from the studio to embrace the alla prima technique, capturing fleeting moments in a single sitting. This refreshing break fosters mindfulness, allowing for a deeper connection to the surroundings. Each painting is a testament to the beauty and imperfection found in nature.
My Not-So-Perfect Jump Shot: Basketball, Art, and Expression
Basketball and art share a common thread—both are forms of expression. Stepping onto the court or in front of a canvas allows for a release of creativity and emotion. However, when it comes to basketball, my expression is less about finesse and more about humor. Unlike the Golden State Warriors, I can’t claim to sink jump shots or perform smooth moves. In fact, my best jump shot resembles a frog leaping from a lily pad!
Why Dick Butkus Remains My Favorite NFL Player to Paint
This ink and acrylic painting of NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus captures the grit and power that defined his career with the Chicago Bears. Featuring a unique newsprint collage background, the artwork pays homage to one of football’s most iconic linebackers. Discover more sports-inspired paintings by visiting the collection of works available for sale.
The Game That Lasts a Lifetime: Baseball and Art
In my painting The Game, I sought to capture baseball’s magic. The 6-by-10-foot painting immerses you in the batter’s box, moments before the pitch. It’s the tension, anticipation, and fleeting seconds that make baseball so iconic, and I wanted to freeze that feeling, placing the viewer right at the heart of the action.
Trusting the Process: My Journey Through Doubt and Creativity
Sometimes when I’m in front of the canvas, I don’t have a solid plan; I just show up and let things unfold, trusting my gut even when the vision isn’t clear, which often leads me to unexpected places. I’ve learned to embrace the uncertainty in my process, realizing that while there’s pressure to be perfect, it’s more about the journey than getting it "right." The work becomes less about the end product and more about expressing what’s inside me, and though doubt and criticism will always be there, they can’t stop me from creating
The Emotional Power of Sports Art:
John Robertson’s “Timeout” basketball art is a representation of the stillness before the storm. The player, gripping the basketball, embodies the anticipation and emotion of a pause in the game. This sports art piece taps into the cultural significance of basketball, elevating the sport through artistry. As a genre, sports art has a place in the art world, connecting us to moments of triumph, identity, and skill. Robertson’s work explores the emotional impact of a game in motion, emphasizing the player’s control and intensity with each brushstroke. The painting offers a window into the personal moments of athletes, resonating with the anticipation before action. Through its vibrant colors and technical skill, “Timeout l” combines cultural meaning with artistic expression.
Turning Junk into Assemblage Art
Real life is made up of the everyday stuff.Who relates to some perfect, shiny object on a museum pedestal? We’re all just a bunch of Homer Simpsons, stumbling through life. Sometimes, you don’t have to overthink it. Art doesn’t need a thesis statement. It’s more about throwing a bunch of stuff together and seeing how it hits you in the gut. My assemblage is more than just a bunch of stuff glued together. It’s a story—a messy, imperfect one, just like life. I guess that’s why people connect with it
Magic Johnson: The Art of Teamwork on the Court
Magic Johnson wasn't just a player on the Lakers; he was the "quarterback" on the court, the maestro who made the whole operation run smoothly. Dubbed the "Point God," he eschewed individual glory for the greater good, elevating his teammates' performance. Painting Magic isn't merely about capturing his likeness; it's about immortalizing his unique style of play. He didn't just dribble past defenders or sink shots; he created opportunities for everyone around him, much like an artist carefully composing their work. Sports, like art, are about collaboration. Magic Johnson exemplifies this principle, making those around him better, just as a great piece of art enhances its surroundings. It's not about individual brilliance, but about creating a harmonious whole.
Painting Dogs: Capturing Loyalty and Spirit
Painting dogs isn’t just about getting the details right; it’s about capturing the spirit they bring into your life, and this Australian Shepherd, with his calm and loyal energy, really stood out to me. Unlike other dogs I’ve painted, he didn’t jump all over me but gently guided me, herding me through the backyard with his quiet, watchful presence. When I started the painting, I wasn’t just focused on his likeness—I wanted to capture how he made me feel: calm, protected, and always looked after.
How Two Artists See the Same Scene Differently
It's amusing how my wife and I, despite being in the same place, viewing the same landscape, always seem to have different focal points. I find myself gazing at the horizon, while she's pointing out a bird nestled in a tree. This difference is reflected in our art—her paintings are meticulously detailed, while mine focus on the broader picture. When I paint, I'm not aiming for a precise representation of what I saw. Instead, I'm capturing the emotions evoked by the scene—the colors, shapes, and lines. My wife paints what she observes, every tiny detail, while I paint my interpretation of the vast, open landscape. It's intriguing how we can both look at the same thing and arrive at entirely different perspectives. That's what I appreciate about art—there's no definitive right or wrong approach. It's about capturing what you see and how it affects you.
My Paintings at Green Bay’s Austin Straubel Airport
I was going about my day when I got a text from a client saying they had spotted a couple of my paintings at Austin Straubel Airport in Green Bay, WI. It turns out, they were part of a remodeling project at the airport’s Terminal B restaurant. This was a pleasant surprise, as there’s something special about knowing your work is displayed in places where people pass through daily. To me, this whole experience highlights the unexpected ways art finds its place. You do a project, and then suddenly, it’s part of something bigger than you ever planned.