Custom Commission

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 12.5"x14.5"

It's been a while since my last post and this painting is part of the reason. The rest of the reason is I'm building a fence around my yard and getting things ready for the baby that will be arriving in a WEEK!! Yikes, that's quick. Anyway this is a custom commission from a collector in Oregon. She requested specific items right down to the brand of crackers. This was challenging but the most fun I've had doing a painting in a while. My favorite part is how the light starts to shine through the point of the wedge of cheese. Anyway, I have a few more paintings in the works including a piece for gallery submission.

"Bartlett"

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 5"x6"

Click to bid.

What I like most about pears are all the plain changes on the skin. I love how the light wraps around the pear and shows a lot of the character through reflected light. I used this pear in a larger painting that I am in the middle of. I'll be posting that later on.

"Pineapples"

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x8" Commission

"Vine Babies"

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x4.875" AVAILABLE

"Hand-Me-Downs"

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" AVAILABLE

We got these from my wife's sister. One of several hand-me-downs we will use for the bambino. There is a slight catch, though. These are boys shoes but we are not finding out what we're having. It will be a total surprise!

"Diner Mug with Spoon"

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

Usually when I start a painting I will draw the scene with thin, light brush work. But for this one I jumped right in with crazy loose strokes. Kept on refining and love how it came out.

"Transparents"

Monday, April 7, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" AVAILABLE

I've been on a little hiatus but should be back in the groove now. I was busy doing thing around the house such as painting and decorating the nursery. It felt good to swing the brush today and I have a few more planned for this week. Also I will be posting a number of commissions I have on the easel. Stay tuned...

"PB & J No.7"

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x4.875" SOLD

You know I love this subject. It might be my favorite. I tried to pack in the color anywhere I could. Also, this is post number 300 for my Daily Painting blog. When I started, that number seemed so far away but now that it's here I can't wait to paint the next 300. Thanks to the viewers, subscribers, collectors and comment(ers). Without all of you I couldn't keep this up.

"Little Lemon"

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" AVAILABLE

This little lemon was just too cute not to paint.

"Seedless Half"

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" AVAILABLE

I love how the light hits this plum half. It's an interesting view showing the texture and color changes. This is post number 298 in my Daily Painting blog.

"Double Good Taste"

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6"

Click to bid.

"Gourmet Desert"

Monday, March 17, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x4.875" AVAILABLE

"Blood Orange"

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

I'M BACK! My wife and I are finally in our new house. We are proud residents of Wheaton, IL. I did my first painting in the new studio toady and it felt good. It's nice to have the dedicated space for this passion. I'll post a snap shot of it soon. Anyway thanks for the patience and I'll be painting regularly again.

"Floral Creamer"

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" AVAILABLE

"Imported"

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" AVAILABLE

I wasn't sure what to paint today...that is until I popped the cap on this bottle. It just looked so interesting bent up like that. I had to. Any guesses on the brand???

"Portobello Mushrooms"

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" AVAILABLE

This is the first time with this subject. As for mushrooms, I think you either love 'em or hate 'em...I love them. I also love how this painting turned out. The textures and lighting are exactly what I was going for. ALSO, I forgot to mention on my last post that there was a small article about me and my Daily Paintings. You can click here to view it. My wife actually wrote and submitted it without me knowing so it was a pleasant surprise seeing it printed. It is great having support like that. She is the best (and she's not standing right behind me telling me what to type).

"Big Red Pear"

Moday, February 25, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

Well it's been a while since I posted. My wife and I are in a transitional period with our housing situation. We are days away from selling our house and a few more days away the purchase of our new house. Anyway, in the temp house there isn't too much painting happening but I did manage to squeeze out this pear painting. I really like the skin texture and dimensional effect of this one.

"Split Avocado"

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

I really like how the background plays into the colors of the avocado. I tried to push to ultramarine blue in the background.

"Pair of Pears No.3"

Monday, February 11, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD.

"Chrome Creamer with Spoon No.2"

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 8"x4" SOLD.

At first glance this may seem like a limited palette was used but with a closer look you see blues, greens, yellows and more. Instead of using a spot light for this setup, I just let the window next to me do the trick. The sun is shining bright around here today...it's 4 degrees out but the sun is shining.

"Morning Mug with Spoon"

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD.

Here's a quick little study of some interesting back lighting. This is the morning light coming from my kitchen window. It was a soft light since the sun is hidden behind dense clouds today.

New Portrait and a Little Update

Friday, February 8, 2008

Graphite on Bristol Board. 12"x16"

I know I haven't been posting very regularly lately but I have good reasons. One reason is I was working on the above portraits. I really like how they came out and so did the client. Nice. Also, we finally sold our house and are packing everything up. We have to be out next weekend and into a temporary house for 3 weeks. I will do my best to get some painting done there but it will be a challenge. But it will all be worth it when we move into the new house in Wheaton. We can't wait. We will finally have a nursery AND a studio. That's right folks, no more painting at the kitchen table. So please bare with me and stay tuned...

"Tangerine"

Monday, January 28, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD.

Here is one of the fruits I bought at the 'market'. My jaw dropped when I saw all the leaves still attached to the tangerines. They add such character.

"Strawberry Cheesecake"

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD.

I bought this slice of delicious strawberry cheesecake at a local 'market'. They carry every fruit and vegetable around as well as a variety of ethnic foods and gourmet desserts. I was like a kid in a candy store...except it was fruits.

"Full Moon"

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 4.875"x6" SOLD.

I actually painted this one a couple of days ago, but did some finishing touches to it today. It was the perfect night and the moon was very bright (what, am I writing a poem here). Anyway, it looked good enough to paint.

"Mug & Spoon with Books"

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD.

"Fire Starters"

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x4.875" AVAILABLE.

One of my techniques to keeping a consistent color scheme throughout a painting is by not washing my brush very often, at least during the first half of the painting. I literally painted this entire painting without washing my brush once. I just kept one color flowing and mixing into the next.

"PB&J No.6"

Monday, January 21, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD.

It feels like forever since my last post. We've had some great luck come our way. We finally got a contract on selling our house. Phew. Two things I can't wait for in the new house; doing a nursery and a studio. I can envision them both now...

"Milk Chocolate"

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD.

My first chocolate bar. You know, I really don't eat too much chocolate. It needs to have peanut butter with it for me to enjoy it. So as for the rest of this bar...I won't eat it. Anyway the foil was fun and the variations of value in the actual chocolate was a good challenge.

The Bambino

We went for an ultrasound today and got some great images of the baby. My wife's at about 20 weeks and feeling good. I can't explain how amazing this process is. Oh, btw, I hope to post a painting tomorrow.

"PB & J No.5"

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD.

I love the open face composition of this PB & J. The peanut butter was so creamy. When I make my PB & J's, I use about a half inch layer of peanut butter. I love it!

"Ultimate Squeeze"

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x4.875" SOLD.

I am one of those people who squeeze the heck out of paint tubes. I don't know if I'm cheap or hate wasting but I'll squeeze them until my fingers hurt. Trust me that the Cadmium Red and Cerulean Blue have zero paint in them.

"Intimidated Cherry"

Monday, January 7, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x4.875"

Click to bid.

As simple as it is, I love how this cherry turned out. It feels like it has so much dimension and that's where I wanted the focus. You can't pass up the intense red color either.

"Coffee Collection Reflections"

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD.

I am very pleased with this painting. It was fun and satisfying capturing all the reflections.

"Light Bulb Opposites"

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

This is the challenge I have been waiting for. A subject different then my usual paintings and it forced me to be observant - not just go through the motions.

"Cherry On Top"

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" AVAILABLE.

It's frigid cold here now. Wind chill in the single digits. This painting made me feel like spring or summer time. Definitely warmth. A good feeling to help fight this major head cold I have.

"Peeking Winter Sun"

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x4.875" SOLD.

Here is the view from my kitchen this afternoon. It's been snowing since yesterday afternoon so the trees had a beautiful layer of snow on them. It was so overcast that the sun could barely peek through. Still amazing, though. Happy New Year!

"Yellow Onion"

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 4.875"x6" SOLD.

This is exactly what I was envisioning before I started. Something different and much more loose then usual. I'm quite happy with it.

"Lone Green Pear"

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 4.875"x6" SOLD.

Well I finally broke out he paints after some very nice time off. This is one of those holiday pears from one of those holiday baskets. You know the kind I'm talking about. This is post number 269 for my Daily Painting blog.

"Wine Cork Trio"

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Graphite on 4-ply Strathmore Bristol Board. Approx 4"x6.25" AVAILABLE.

I hope everyone had a great Holiday. I know I did.
When I was drawing this, I felt like I was back in college because of the strong basic shapes of this composition and the lighting wrapping around each cylinder. Oh the memories of school...good times.

"Simple Pear"

Monday, December 24, 2007

Graphite on 4-ply Strathmore Bristol Board. Approx 4.25"x6.5" AVAILABLE.

I have taken some time off to catch up for the Holidays and to also spend time with family and friends. I did have time to sneak away just long enough to do this rendering of the interesting looking pear. I love the shape of most pears they are so unique. Merry Christmas!!

Little Fuzzy Puppies

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Oil on 1/4" Board Approx. 8"x10" Commission-NFS

You are going to have to trust me that this painting looks better in person...then again most of them do. The picture didn't capture all the subtleties in the colors. Anyway, posting might be slow going until after Christmas so stay tuned.

"Dragon Roll"

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Oil on 1/4" Board Approx. 6"x6" Commission-NFS

"Sushi Line Up"

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Oil on 1/4" Board Approx. 6"x6" Commission-NFS

Website Preview

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

I still have 5 commissions to do before Christmas so I have to get crack-a-lackin'. I'm working on one now and won't be done in time to post so I'm giving a little preview to my new website. I'm in the process of designing it in Photoshop. Stay tuned for that in early '08.

Next on my list of things to cover is this whole tagging thing. I'm usually not into forwards or chain letters but his one is different. I have seen so many fantastic new artists from seeing others tagged. A great artist, Karen Appleton, tagged me so here it goes.

1. When I was five I cried when my cousin (who was older) colored better then me. Who's crying now?
2. My second year in college I was offered a tattoo apprenticeship and an internship at a design company at the same time. I wonder how things would be different if I took the tattoo route.
3. I am a paintaholic but love nothing more then laying around doing nothing with my awesome wife.
4. I have painted all 260ish paintings at my kitchen table.
5. I am a father to be.

Here are my tags. I know they've been tagged before but they are true influences on me and my paintings.Christopher Stott, Neil Hollingsworth, Julian Merrow-Smith, Karin Jurick, Alvin Richard

"Salt & Pepper"

Monday, December 10, 2007

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx. 6" x 6" SOLD.

I think this is my is my current personal favorite. I almost don't want to sell it...but I am. That's the great thing about Daily Painting is there's always tomorrow's painting.

"Morning Coffee with Leaf"

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx. 6" x 4.875" SOLD.

I love the colors in this painting. The warm browns and greens against the cool blues and purples is easy on the eye. I'm not sure where I got this leaf from. I happen to find it in my still life collection a.k.a. closet. It has a great shape and a nice color vignette going through it...and you know I love painting leaves. This is post number 261 for my Daily Painting blog.

"Red Match No.2"

Saturday, December 8, 2007

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx. 6" x 5" Commission

"Ornament"

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx. 6" x 6" SOLD

There was a very nice article on me for today's Lines and Colors. Be sure to check it out. Charley Parker did a great job on it. It's like he got inside my head.

"Balancing Act"

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx. 4.875" x 6" SOLD.

"Pink Mums"

Monday, December 3, 2007

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx. 6" x 8" SOLD.

I picked these flowers up on the way home today. I'm not much of a floral painter but I really like these. I also like the reflection around the base of the vase (that rhymes).

I am pleased to announce a new website comprised of 12 very talented Daily Painters. The site is DailyPaintworks.com so please be sure to check it out. It's great to share the same kind of dedication and artistic vision as these other great painters.

"Cork Collection"

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx. 6" x 4.75" AVAILABLE.

I'm not sure what the obsession is with saving wine corks. I think I envision doing something with them one day. I don't know what, though. I do know they're fun to paint. When I started this painting I set the goal of keeping the brushstrokes short and choppy using a larger variety of color variations. I really like the end result.

"Fate of the Lemons"

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx. 8" x 8" SOLD.

"2 O'Clock Coffee"

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx. 14" x 18" Commission

So, at my day job, we stop to make coffee every day at 2:00pm. It's great because we have Dunkin' Donuts coffee catered there. We'll the founder of 2 O'clock coffee time is retiring and the company commissioned a painting for her. We all thought this was appropriate. The mug with the logo is our company mug. I hope you will enjoy this painting, Joy. We'll miss you at the office.

"Persimmons"

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx. 6" x 6" AVAILABLE.

"Yellow Rose"

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx. 6" x 5"

click to bid

"Cheese Danish"

Friday, November 23, 2007

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx. 6" x 6" SOLD.

My alarm went off at 3:30AM. I was shopping by 4:05AM. I gathered up my sale items, stood in line for an hour, and was sleeping again by 6:15AM. I love "door busting".

"Spoonful of Coffee Beans"

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx. 8" x 3.875" SOLD.

I love coffee. And the smell of these beans was amazing. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone out there. I know I have more then ever to be thankful for this year.

"Chopstick Reflections"

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx. 8" x 3.875" SOLD.

To me, what really makes this painting interesting are the reflections. They give so much more depth to the painting. I did this one to get in the mood for a couple of sushi paintings i have coming up. I won't get to those for a week or two but they are on my radar.

"Apple Plate Plus One"

Monday, November 19, 2007

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx. 8" x 3.875" SOLD.

I have been admiring Carol Marine's apple paintings latley. Since my wife bought a bunch of apples for a pie she is going to bake, I had to paint them. This is post number 248 for my Daily Painting blog.

"Family Portrait"

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Graphite on Strathmore Bristol Board. 17" x 17"

The first commission portrait of the season. You might see a few more graphite pieces before Christmas. Until then, I have a few more commission paintings in the works.

"Wine Necks"

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Oil on 1/4" Board. 18" x 24" For purchase info email kelly@kelietza.com

Here is the third painting going to KELIETZA in Sarasota. The scale on these bottles is huge (at least for my standards). But that allowed me to get all the extra details in the reflective glass. Stay tuned for some portrait work coming up soon.

"Grandma's Chair"

Monday, November 12, 2007

Oil on 1/4" Board. 18" x 24" For purchase info email kelly@kelietza.com

Number 2 of the initial paintings going to KELIETZA in Sarasota, FL. This was new territory for