Blogging:
“Art Journey: My Paintings and Perspectives"
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Why Abstract Art Feels Like a Journey
Abstract art is like a journey without a map, guided by curiosity rather than a plan. It invites you to explore, as each piece—like Night's Song, where a storm meets the horizon—unfolds a new story with every glance. There are no instructions, no need for understanding—only the raw feeling that connects you to its essence.
Jim Thorpe: The Great Football Player and Athlete
Inspired by the legendary athlete Jim Thorpe, my creation is a striking 4x8 ft acrylic painting. His Olympic triumphs, football legacy, and overall extraordinary career are depicted on canvas with bold strokes and raw energy. This large-scale piece came to mind during a moment of nostalgia while watching the Super Bowl, reflecting on the resilience and talent of football greats like Thorpe. Whether you're a sports history enthusiast, a football fan, or a lover of sports art, this powerful tribute to Jim Thorpe's incredible journey is a must-have. Own a piece of history today!
1949 Mercury "Lead Sled" Car Art – A Classic Hotrod in Paint
The 1949 Mercury V8, famous from Rebel Without a Cause, is a car I’ve always admired. My painting, done in acrylic on unstretched canvas, is my way of finally owning a piece of that history—without the maintenance. This classic lead sled was a 50s hotrod legend, customized by icons like Sam Barris. The painting, at 6 feet by 10 feet, captures the power and nostalgia of an era when cars had real personality. Big, bold, and raw, this painting of a 1949 Mercury Lead Sled captures the essence of a time when cars were art.
When Painting a Landscape See the Land Differently
From the Earth strips away color to reveal the raw patterns of farmland. Black and white allow the lines, contrast, and textures to shine, capturing the rhythm of row crops, the weight of the sky, and the structure of the land in its purest form. The absence of color makes the landscape's structure more powerful, with farm fields stretching to the horizon, their lines pulling the eye forward. The sky, scraped and textured, mirrors the roughness of the land, presenting farmland through form rather than hue. Painting this piece felt like working the land itself, with a palette knife scraping and layering the paint.
“Winter Harvest”: Painting the Wind’
Nature is never finished. When I paint the fields, I'm chasing a moment that's already gone. The way the wind sculpted the clouds and drove the crops into patterns like waves. Some people see landscapes as peaceful, but I see them as alive. They are always shifting, always breathing. Winter Harvest is about motion, not stillness. I paint the wind by painting what it moves. The field crops dancing below, the thunderheads building above, the clouds rolling like ocean swells.
Exploring Emotion Through Landscape Painting
"Geometric Harvest" captures the farmland on the outskirts of where I live with vibrant blues, greens, and geometric lines. Painted on unstretched canvas, it emphasizes the raw beauty of the landscape through its rough, uneven edges, blending impressionism and expressionism. This large-scale piece reflects my connection to the land, bringing a sense of calm and immersion. The vast fields and geometric crop lines draw viewers in, making them feel as though they are standing in the middle of the farmland. The pure colors mix in the eye, reflecting the landscape’s natural harmony and creating a vibrant, living scene. "Geometric Harvest" is about finding beauty in the everyday and capturing that feeling of being part of something bigger.
Exploring Frida Kahlo Through My Painting
Painting Frida Kahlo was more than just an artistic challenge; it became a deeply personal journey to explore identity, culture, and raw emotion. Her gaze carries the weight of experience, making the process reflective and meaningful. Frida Kahlo's art resonates because she wasn't afraid to show it all, and my painting strives to capture that same honesty, balancing strength and vulnerability in every brushstroke. Art isn't always about perfection; it's about truth, and this Frida Kahlo portrait is my way of embracing the mess and beauty in both art and life.
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