Playing with Toby

Playing with Toby

12" x 16"
oil on sandeply panel


This whimsical painting was done while I was studying the composition for a larger work.

I ran across some photographs that sparked an idea that I wanted to paint.

A young boy and a lively puppy make a happy combination. Liam and Toby enjoyed playing and teasing about who had the red ball.

Technically it is too small for very much definition on Liam's face and outdoor scenes with that much green are a challenge. Toby makes a good subject in any size. This was also a new experience in that the panel does not have canvas over the surface, gesso was directly applied to the panel and the panel was then given a color undercoat.

Summer Baptism

Summer Baptism
Emery

16" x 20"
oil on linen canvas

This painting tries to project the purity of this precious young girl, who has prepared for her baptism.

Without reminders she faithfully read the Book of Mormon. That was a commitment she had made in the year prior to her baptism. Not as easy task for anyone but especially a seven year old. She was and is a good example for her sisters and brother.


White is a good symbol of purity and the new life after baptism. It also represents the celestial kingdom - appropriate since baptism is the entry ordinance.

The background is cheerful and light infused. I like the fresh feeling when combined with Emery.

 

Framed with a linen insert.

Dawn Perch

Barn Owl

16" x 20"
oil on canvas
[click on the image to enlarge]

Barn Owls are fairly common and widespread although not seen nearly as often as other less common birds. However they do tend to start hunting at dusk and stay active into the early morning after dawn, especially during the summer when they are feeding young and their choice of nesting sites is sometimes not very private.
So finding one hunting in the open after dawn is not too rare.

They are highly desired in many areas because their diet is primarily rodents. A nesting pair can dispatch more than a thousand rodents in a year.

They do not hoot. And they are not part of the typical or 'true' owl family. The owl pellets they produce consisting of the remnants of fur, bones, etc. from their meals are widely dissected in high school biology classes.

The model for this Barn Owl was from a great photo taken by Steve Stump - http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevestump/9233102080/
[used with permission]


Slightly different camera settings for this photograph.