Figures

Please click on the images below to view them larger.

Jordan

The painting below, “Jordan,” is of the same girl that is in the wonderful story below. Jordan is an amazing person, she is twelve and she was at the Masters! Click here to be inspired!

: Jordan
Jordan

How I painted The Smell of Sugarcane Art Work

Painting progression of the “Ladies in White”

The composition for the painting that is on the cover of The Smell of Sugarcane, is a compilation of the same event, taken over a couple of years. By that I mean, that the image is unique and there is nowhere to be found a picture with this same sequence anywhere. The painting is an oil on canvas that sits four feet high and six feet wide. Painted entirely with a palette knife it didn’t take me long to complete. I am a fast painter and once I begin, I don’t take much time off. Three days after the canvas was prepped the painting was hung to dry. Below you can see the painting in different stages.

: “Ladies in White”
The painting of the Ladies in White is aptly described in the first chapter of "The Smell of Sugarcane." The total canvas is covered in a cad yellow ground with the intentions of staying true to the tropics and providing warmth.

: Oil on canvas
The upper reaches of the canvas, as noted, were completed first. The cerulean blue sky with palm trees soaring into it, appear friendly, and inviting. With the scene taking on the prevalent tropical warmth, horses with riders begin to appear.

: Dimensions: 4' X 6'
The painting is complete with riders looking confident and comfortable. The blaring sun is caught in the stark lines found between shadows and asphalt. The red flowers in the hair of the Ladies in White, is found on each lady but one. That one has the brightest smile as a substitute. Upon suggesting to my publishers that we place the image on the cover of "The Smell of Sugarcane," they immediately approved, requesting I secure permission from the artist. I replied, “Not a problem, not a problem at all."

These two early paintings mean so much to me.

: “Inquisitive Lines”
9” X 7” – Oil on canvas – This painting was a test, my first ever. I wanted to paint this man’s interesting face and after the attempt I was compelled to make another with him.

: “What’s There?”
22” X 28” – Oil on canvas – My second painting ever pleased me. It still does today. Of course now, I see areas that are flat and could use attention but I will never touch it. This painting made me smile as it opened doors to dreams of painting all kinds of things. It gave me confidence.

My family are irresistible subjects for me!

: “My Blondie Blue”
18” X 14” - Oil on canvas

: ”Chip”
40” X 30” – Oil on Canvas

: “Colleen”
18” x 14” – Oil on canvas

: “Tommy”
36” X 18” – Oil on canvas

: “Alison”
“18 X 14” – Oil on canvas

I love to paint big! The following paintings are all sized at 4 X 5 feet.

: "The Girls, Sun and Shadow”
48” x 60” – Oil on canvas

: “The Artist sleeps at Donner Ranch”
48” X 60” – Oil on Canvas

: “Growing Up on Lake Windward”
60” x 48” – Oil on canvas

: “Allegorical Colleen”
60” x 48” – Oil on canvas – Purely imaginary, this composition depicts Colleen’s early trek. While elegantly emerging from the warm tropics she gracefully transitions onto ice.

: “The Spanish Lady”
60” X 48” – Oil on canvas – This painting of my imagination was originally a nude. She was something! Every day when my children came home from school, my little girl would ask “Mommy when are you going to put her clothes on?” I went ahead and draped her and have always regretted that. Nevertheless her endowments are still noticeable and I am highly flattered when I have been asked if she is a self portrait!

Here are a few more of my favorites.

: “Chip Kayaking”
18” X 24” – Oil on canvas

: “Ali the Cowgirl”
34” x 84” – Oil on canvas – Standing at seven feet this fun painting brings a corner to life, and my Ali is always home.

: "Grace”
48” X 36 – Oil on canvas