Pez Kermit

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

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One Down, One To Go

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 16"x20" SOLD

I was commissioned to do a painting as a Christmas gift for a local Brewery in Chicago. They are Argus Brewery and they brew the best craft beer around. If you like good craft beer, I urge you to go to their Facebook page and "like" them.

Pez Mickey

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

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Pez dispensers have been on my "to paint" list for a while.

Alone with Leaves

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

Wine Close-Up

Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

This is one of the last commissions I have. After they are through, it will be a marathon of painting until May. I need 15 larger works for 2 shows. That's a good problem to have :)

Oil Can Cityscape

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

Love these oil cans. I borrowed them from a guy a work with and I think I will be using them in a larger painting coming up. I was invited to a 4-artist show this May so there will be a lot of painting from now until then. Nose to the grindstone.

The Old Days

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

Antique Mad Mags

Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

It's been a couple of weeks since I have posted but I have been quite busy. First off, I have been painting a number of commissions. This is one of them. A small collection of Mad magazines from over 40 years ago.

Second is, our third daughter was born on December 15th. She looks just like her 2 sisters when they were new borns. Cute as a button. Photo is courtesy of Julie Ferenzi Photography. Click the link and "like" her page.

Red Pear with Books

Oil on Board. Approx 10"x10" SOLD

This is another piece that sold at Susan Powell Fine Art before I could even post it here. I really like how this one turned out. It is what I strive for in my work. A balance of warm and cool, light and dark, and tight and loose.

Outside of the Box

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

For purchase information, please email michael@mnaples.com

I fixed yesterday's auction. I was finally able to upload the photo. It was a real joy painting all the grooves in this pumpkin.

Top Cork

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

For purchase information, please email michael@mnaples.com

Three Caps

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

C is for Crayon (Lucy and Lola version)

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

This is a painting of my kids' drawings. The flower was drawn by my 3 year old, Lucy, and the drawing on the top was done by my 2 year old, Lola. Tomorrow (Monday) is my wife's birthday so I gave this painting to her. She is also due next week with our third girl who will be named Lyla. I guess I will have to redo this painting next year to show drawings from all three daughters. I'm a lucky guy.

Leaf with Droplets

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

My wife spotted this leaf and waved me over for a look. She has a good eye.

Pinot

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

A recent commission.

Cork Shot

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

Threesome

Oil on Board. Approx 10"x8"

Another painting for the Susan Powell Fine Art Holiday show. This is the second to last pear painting for a while. I am exploring some new still life objects and compositions. I have 6 more commissions before Christmas but I can't wait to get into some new work. Busy, busy! For purchase information, please contact the gallery at 203-318-0616 or visit their website at www.susanpowellfineart.com.

One of a Pear

Oil on Canvas. Approx 18"x18"

Another fresh piece for Susan Powell Fine Art. This is one of 3 NEW pieces I have hanging in her Holiday show. I am honored to have one of my paintings on the back of the promotional postcard for the event. For purchase information, please contact the gallery at 203-318-0616 or visit their website at www.susanpowellfineart.com.

Grazing

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

For purchase information, please call Randy Higbee Gallery at 714-546-2156

This is one of my painting hanging in Randy Higbee's 6" Squared Show that Opens tomorrow. I have 3 paintings accepted in this show. It should be a good one...like usual.

Daytime Moon

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

For purchase information, please email michael@mnaples.com

It's been a while since I painted this subject. I almost forgot how much I love capturing these power lines.

Two Shots

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

For purchase information, please email michael@mnaples.com

I got a new antique crate from my parents. It has all the ware and tare I love to capture. Love it.

Natalie

Charcoal on paper. Approx 11"x14"

For purchase information, please email michael@mnaples.com.

This is from a portrait night a couple weeks ago. It was about an hour of vigorous drawing. You can see 2 other progress shots on my Facebook page if you click on the photo album "2 Hour Portrait Night".

Garibaldis

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

If you grew up in the Addison area, then you know all about the North Park Mall. As a kid it was the coolest place to go and our parents loved it because there was one of every store there. They had a pizza place called Garibaldi's and the decor there hadn't changed for decades..classic. This is the exterior sign on the building. It was a commission (for someone who grew up in Addison). A pleasure to paint.

Pumpkin with Bottle

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

I'm in pumpkin mode right now. I had my first pumpkin donut of the season just yesterday...and I liked it.

B is for Bottle

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

I feel a series coming on! It may take a while to get through them because I have 14 paintings to get done before Christmas. Yikes. Just hearing that makes me nervous.

If you are looking for a cool Christmas gift for yourself or anyone else, let me suggest my newest book "SQUARED". It is available in soft or hard cover and if you order before November 30, you can use the promo code BIGTEN for $10 off your purchase.

Punkin

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

For purchase information, please email michael@mnaples.com

I showed this painting to my 2 year old, Lola. I asked if she knew what is was and she said "punkin". Hence the title. I love how kids articulate.

A is for Apple

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

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This apple was in our fruit bowl. One look at it and I had to hide it in the studio until I was ready to paint it. That's how it works. Food, silver wear, cups and booze randomly disappear.

Pomegranate with Books

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

Apple with Honeycrisp

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

I received an email from Michel Oosterhout. He has a website called "an apple a day". He asks artists to create a piece of art featuring an apple and email it to him to put on his website. As soon as I finished reading his email, I knew I wanted to include my iPhone in the painting. I really liked capturing the dark sleekness of it as well as the color shift across the Honeycrisp. Fun painting to do.

Sam No.2 (the charcoal version)

Charcoal on paper. Approx 12"x19"

For purchase information, please email michael@mnaples.com.

I did the math earlier today and it turns out I haven't used charcoal since college...which was 10 years ago!!! Yikes, that went fast! Anyway it felt great to spread the black dust around for a change.

Pumpkin Pie

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

Well, it's pumpkin season in full effect. Pumpkin everything; ice cream, coffee creamer, flavored coffee, pies, muffins, donuts...all pumpkin. And I think we ate all that in one week.

On a side note, if you are reading this via email subscription, I want to let you know I changed the design of my blog. First time in five years! Very exciting...for a geek like me.

One Down, Two Up

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

I've been in the mood for a wine themed painting lately. If you go on my Facebook page (you can find a link on my menu bar on the left of my blog) to see a 30 minute block-in of this painting. I have a few gallery paintings on the list in the near future. Stay tuned...

After

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 10"x10" SOLD

The second commission. These will find their new home in Australia.

Before

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 10"x10" SOLD

The first of 2 commissions. They will hang as a pair.

Red Pear with Books

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

Sam

Oil on Canvas Board. Approx 11"x14" SOLD

Great model tonight. I had the pleasure of meeting Janice Skivington. She is a fellow blogger and lives in my town of Wheaton. We were bound to meet up sooner or later but it took about 3 years. It's actually her son who modeled. It was a good crowd tonight.

Crated

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

Antique Remedy

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

For purchase information, please email michael@mnaples.com.

I started out with the background much warmer...you know to get that perfect gray? BUT it wasn't working with the warm amber bottle. When I cooled down the background for a better temperature balance, it started to come together. This bottle has such nice detail that I wanted to almost make it a portrait. Capturing all the interesting features including the dust on top and the peeling stickers.

Antique Bicycle

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

For purchase information, please email michael@mnaples.com.

I still have three commissions left but since I am caught up on gallery paintings for the time being, I thought I would get back to a small painting. I've been dying to paint this one for about 3 weeks. I think it's currently my favorite. I've been tinkering with gray colors lately and this back ground is right where I want to be. It is on the edge of dark tan and gray. I love it!

Pear With Books

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 10"x10" SOLD

For purchase information, please email michael@mnaples.com.

This is the demo I did last Wednesday night. Thanks to those who came out. It was great to see you. I only got about an hour and twenty minutes of paint time that night but put a little studio time in to finish it.

Peeking Pear

Oil on Board. Approx 12"x12" SOLD

This piece sold at Susan Powell Fine Art before I could even post it here. In other news, I have a live still life demo I will be doing Wednesday, Sept 28 at the Elk Grove Village Library at 7PM. Come on out and watch me work.

Pear with Stained Glass Window

Oil on Canvas. Approx 20"x20"

Another fresh piece for Susan Powell Fine Art. I aquired a couple of stained glass windows that are quite old. They have layers and layers of paint cracking off. That is what drew me to them. They have character. For purchase information, please contact the gallery at 203-318-0616 or visit their website at www.susanpowellfineart.com.

Popped Top

Oil on Cradled Board. Approx 12"x12"

I was invited to participate in a group show that opens this Friday at Mason Murer Fine Art. It is an event for the top shareholders of Coca-Cola so the artwork needed to be coke related. I borrowed this old crate from a friend. I loved all the character it had to offer. A real pleasure to paint! For purchase information, please contact info@masonmurer.com or call the gallery at 404-879-1500.

New Portrait

Oil on Board. Approx 8"x10" SOLD

This is a commission. The younger brother of a girl that I drew a couple of years ago. It's a short week this week which isn't exactly a good thing. I have a lot of things to do and less days to do them in. On that note, it's up to the studio.

I Heart NY

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

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I can't beieve it's been 10 years since 9/11. It's weird thinking back about that day and the days to follow. Do you remember where you where that morning? I can recall it like yesterday.

I made a time-lapse video of this painting which you can view HERE.

To Us

Oil on Board. Approx 8"x8" SOLD

This is a commission. It was a Christmas gift from her son. The customer took her time thinking about what specific items would represent her and her husband. It was a fun one to work on.

In other news, I have officially become apart of the twitter family so please follow me by clicking here. Thanks!

Theresa

Oil on Canvas Board. Approx 11"x14" SOLD

Loved our model tonight. About a 2 hour effort.

Books and Corks

Oil on Board. Approx 10"x8" SOLD

Another fresh piece for Susan Powell Fine Art. I bought these books at the resale shop and I gut them for the ripped up condition they were in. I felt like I was doing a portrait of them by wanting to capture the character they had.

Antique Tops No.2

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