Sketcharts

“Livelihood”

sketcharts — Sun, 19 May 2013 21:30:31 +0000

Many times I’m asked to do farm inspired paintings since most of my clients are from the midwest. And since I’m from Iowa, I happen to have a soft spot for the scenes as well. This painting is a 20×30 for a college friend and his mother to give to their father, Steve.

Out of the Gates

sketcharts — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 01:37:32 +0000

I’ve been getting a lot of western style painting commissions lately and I’m completely fine with it; they’re really great to paint and I can showcase the brightest of my oil pastel colors. This painting was commissioned by a long time friend; 20×30 Oil Pastel on Black Foam Board

Cityscape: Des Moines, Iowa

sketcharts — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 02:03:01 +0000

I had started this painting quite awhile ago, but just finished it this weekend for a good friend of mine that lives in Iowa. It’s a 20×30 Oil Pastel on Black Museum Board.

Short Stack

sketcharts — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 19:45:28 +0000

I’m kind of obsessed with painting old machinery, cars, trucks, cranes, etc. I found this image awhile ago and thought it would make a great painting. The different positions of the stacked cares, some showing the underbellies of the vehicles made for a great composition. This one is 30×40 and is an oil pastel.

The Late Night Shift

sketcharts — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 15:26:32 +0000

I found this image online a few weeks ago and really loved the angle of the shot, looking up the underbelly of massive bins, with tangled steel supports. The grayed out sky added a bit of mystery to the setting. I decided to modify the original quite a bit by downplaying the bin on the right and focusing the attention to the bin on the opposite side, illuminating the outside with warmer colors, light blue, white and yellow. This painting is 20×30 Oil Pastel on Black Museum Board.

Bernardo Family Portrait

sketcharts — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 01:16:44 +0000

It’s really flattering to get portrait work; they’re always challenging, but rewarding when they’re done. I’m always a bit daunted when I first start them because there’s always the chance the painting doesn’t resemble the people at all. This one is 20×30 Oil Pastel on Black Museum Board

Iowa Skyscrapers

sketcharts — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 14:04:55 +0000

A friend commissioned me to do this for her husband for Christmas. It’s an image from their farm in Iowa. There is limited subject matter, but the simplicity of the image really makes the image more dynamic.

Broken and Busted

sketcharts — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 04:31:07 +0000

I’ve recently adopted a looser painting style as evidenced in the last two paintings I’ve posted. This is another I really enjoyed painting with a more “painterly” style. I think the broader strokes give the paintings more texture and life. What do you think?

Overcome

sketcharts — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 01:53:42 +0000

I never tire of painting farm machinery, being from Iowa. This tractor sits alone in a field abandoned, slowly becoming consumed with branches and weeds.

Holiday Art Auction

sketcharts — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 18:48:53 +0000

The company I work for puts together an Art Auction every year to raise money for a charity. This year it’s benefiting The Alzheimers Association. The auction is open to anyone, click on the link to view the sixteen pieces from my fellow co-workers

http://secplanning.com/index.php/6th-annual-holiday-art-auction/