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“Art Journey: My Paintings and Perspectives On Art"
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Finding Reality in Abstract Painting
I’m not painting exact scenes or locations – it's more like closing my eyes and feeling the ocean, imagining that wild surf crashing, the water swirling, the waves pulling back and then charging forward again. To me, it’s about capturing that raw, alive feeling of being in that moment – like standing chest-deep in the ocean, completely lost in it
A Cat's Critique: Finding Art in the Everyday
When your toughest art critic is a cat with opinions about mountains, you know you're in for an interesting day in the studio. Living on the edge of urban and rural life gives me a unique perspective; one day I'm painting cityscapes, the next I'm capturing the gentle roll of farmland that stretches just beyond our neighborhood. These solo painting trips are my form of meditation. It's just me, my easel, and the landscape—no phone notifications, no deadlines, just the quiet conversation between artist and nature, while my cat casts judgmental glances at my canvases.
Fight Against Propaganda: “Too Much Bullshit” in Art
Art should be real, but these days, it’s often dressed up to look like something it’s not, and in my painting "Too Much Bullshit," A person is holding up a sign as a stand against the nonsense we’re constantly fed online. I’m searching for real art beneath all the fluff, glitter, and gloss—an attempt to break through the surface and get to something honest. People think they’re seeing the truth on social media, but most of the time, it’s filtered, so with "Too Much Bullshit," I’m calling out these empty visuals to keep authenticity alive.
Artists Inspire Each Other in a Creative Loop
Gillian and I got to talking about how artists inspire each other. And that I had inspired some of her art students. It’s like this never-ending cycle of creativity. One artist creates something, and it sparks an idea in another artist, who then creates something new. It’s a beautiful, contagious process.
Painting Autumn: the Season’s Changing Beauty
Painting fall outdoors feels like capturing a fleeting moment in motion. Each brushstroke brings the unpredictability of the season to life, reflecting that hesitant quality—the unsure, unfolding beauty that makes autumn feel alive. With thick, impasto strokes, I let the deep, warm colors of fall spill across the canvas. It’s more than copying nature; it’s celebrating the bold arrival of amber and gold against the memory of summer’s green, each stroke a burst of change. Embracing fall’s tentative nature, my paintings capture its quiet start and the energy in every fading leaf. It’s raw, a bit messy, and all about bringing autumn’s hesitant hand to life.
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.