Dan Smith Workshop

I just returned from an incredible workshop at a ski lodge in the mountains near Penticton BC with Dan Smith and his son Adam. I had hoped for many many years to take a workshop from Dan but never had the opportunity. I was not disappointed, I learned so much and soaked in tons of inspiration from his original paintings there not to mention Adams that is one TALENTED kid! The group was limited to 35 students and everyone was wonderful, it was a very inspiring and informative week. I started a painting of a bighorn sheep while I was there and will be posting it when I get it done. I am really enjoying painting it in the new methods I learned. Dan rarely does workshops but if you ever get a chance to go to one, I'd highly recommend it. We got an extra bonus one evening with a visit from Terry Isaac, he lives there in Penticton and is old friends with Dan so he came over and helped on student critique night. Awesome.

The workshop was run by Denise Soule and her husband Jamie with "Wild Streak" who puts on great workshops and reference gathering trips for artists.

Miniature Raccoon

Just finished this little raccoon. He is 4" x 6" acrylic on hot press watercolor paper. I plan to enter him in the Parklane Gallery miniatures show that I just heard about 3 days ago. Which means I have been working like crazy on this to get it done in time. I am delivering it tomorrow but just read about the framing and I have the wrong kind of frame. So here's hopin' some framer in the area tomorrow will take pity on me and help me get it framed right! :)

Terry Isaac Workshop

I just returned from a 3 day workshop with one of my all time favorite artists, Terry Isaac. It was awesome! I learned a ton and we worked on an eagle in class. Here is as far as I got with mine, I have more to do with the feathers and to put a background in yet. If you ever get the chance to take a workshop from Terry, I highly recommend it, he is an great teacher, an incredible artist and a really nice guy!

Great Gray Owl Finished

I have just finished the Great Gray Owl, which I titled "Great Gray Hunter". (spoof off of "Great White Hunter".) It was a lot of long tedious hours to get all those feathers and grass blades but also a lot of fun to do my first owl. As usual I am both relieved to have it done and also going to miss working on it!

Great Gray Owl WIP 3

Another update. Lots of feathers! I still have a lot to do on everything below his neck.

Great Gray Owl WIP 2

Here is an update on the owl. Mapping in all those feathers took ages but now back to the fun part of painting in details. This photo is showing it more red than it actually is.

Great Gray Owl 1

I have been working on this Great Gray Owl. It is acrylic, 18 x 24 on Gessobord. Still a lot of work to do on the face, and once the owl is done there will be a lot more grass all around him. I have been wanting to paint an owl for a long time, and finally have the chance. Great Grays have such interesting dinner plate faces!