Red On Red

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

Tomato On Sill

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

I love this painting. It is almost exactly what I was envisioning before I put down a single stroke.

Hidden Heart

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

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

Can you find the heart?

Nathalie's Cupcake

Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6"

My niece, Nathalie, made this cupcake. Once I saw it, I knew I had to paint it. I worked hard to keep an overall soft feel to it. Once it's dried and framed, it will go to Susan Powell Fine Art in Madison, CT. For purchase information, please contact the gallery at 203-318-0616 or visit their website at www.susanpowellfineart.com.

Clementini

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

Pair of Pears

Oil on Canvas. Approx 18"x18" SOLD

This painting is currently hanging at Susan Powell Fine Art in Madison, CT. For purchase information, please contact the gallery at 203-318-0616 or visit their website at www.susanpowellfineart.com.

Cork Glass

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

I wanted to really focus the light on the actual corks. Create the strong lighting and achieve a certain glow.

"1982"

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

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

I love this bottle so much I had to paint it again. The last painting it was featured in was "Leisure Time" which just won Honorable Mention at the 6" Squared show at the Randy Higbee Gallery. I am excited to shared the award with many of the top painters that I currently follow.

Two Dollar Bill

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

Single Cupcake

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

My favorite part about painting cupcakes is the wrapper. It's a sweet challenge :)

Sunset

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

Saw these clouds during a sunset in Plainfield one evening. It was so dramatic that I had to try to capture it.

6" Squared Exhibition

Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

These are my three paintings that were accepted into the 6" Squared juried exhibition at the Randy Higbee Gallery in Costa Mesa, CA. I'm honored to hang with many, many top painters that I follow all the time. I truly wish I could make it to the opening to see the 300+ paintings in the show. The show will hang from December 4-23.

Abigail

Oil on Canvas Board. Approx 11"x14"

For purchase information, please email michael@mnaples.com

Last night I went to a head study session at my local art league. There were only 4 people there including the model but it was open media and, of course, I chose oils. I haven't painted a live model in about 10 years but it felt really good. Rusty but good. I hope to make it more often.

Apple Top

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

When I got this apple I loved the shape of it. I knew I had to paint it. I tried to push the color and temperature shifts and am really pleased with the result.

Top View

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6"

For purchase information, please contact michael@mnaples.com

I truly love the transition of the red to the yellow-green in this pear. It's what attracts me to it.

Stacked

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

I love mugs. I even kept my wife from sending one of my white mugs to goodwill this past week. I still need to paint that one.

Pumpkin Top

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

I got this idea while I was shopping for pumpkins for my family. I bought mine based on how the stem looked.

Clear Wrap

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

Leaning Left

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

Pomegranates. Sheesh. The most challenging fruit to paint. At least the outside of them. While painting this, I kept thinking about a master at painting poms. Abbey Ryan, I'm looking in your direction. I'm jealous.

Cork Tower

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

I especially love the cork in the front with the two R's on it. Love, love, love it. As I was painting this one, I kept thinking this was an ode to how imperfect corks are. I really enjoyed capturing the imperfections.

Apple with Antique Crate

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

Two Antique Keys

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 3.375"x7.5" SOLD

Leaning Leaf

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

My two year old picked up this leaf for me to paint.

Partially Peeled

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

I love this lemon.

Fallen Slice

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

As I was painting this I kept thinking how this slice looks like it had fallen from the rest of the apple. My main goal was trying to achieve the impression that the high key background was wrapping around the apple. A bit of a challenge but I think it works...I hope so anyway.

Spilled Corks

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

This painting was a bit tedious. BUT I will say that I am very happy with the outcome. It's my new favorite.

Coastline

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

For purchase information, please email michael@mnaples.com

The Connection

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

The leaves are starting to fall around here. I can't believe it's fall already.

Mary Janes No.3

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

Three Pears

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

Dusk

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 12"x7" SOLD

You know me and the utility poles. This one stood out with the sunset behind it. And what's with sunsets, by the way. For me, they have the most challenging color transitions out of any subject.

Wrapped Pears

Oil on Canvas. Approx 20"x20" SOLD

A different version of the 3 pears.

The Classic Profile

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 12"x8.75" SOLD

I snapped a photo of this Deusenberg (sp?) at a nice car show last Father's Day. What attracts me to this classic was the exhaust coming out of the engine compartment and being exposed. I love that look.

Morning Cup

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

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

I love the lighting coming through the blinds in the composition.

Lily In The Light

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

I don't consider myself a floral painter and look up to ones who can capture the essence of flowers. They are so delicate, soft and translucent. Those were the 3 traits I focused on in this painting.

Taking the Lead

Oil on Board. Approx 12"x12"

Cupcakes. What more should I say? I'm hooked on this subject matter. Love the different frostings and love capturing the ridges in the paper cups. For purchase information, please contact michael@mnaples.com

Reclining Nude

Graphite on Strathmore Bristol Board. Approx 4"x10" SOLD

A few weeks ago I went to Lisa Gloria's live model session at her studio space in Downtown Aurora. It was about 10 years since I had worked from a live model and wish I could do it more. It's good practice. This pose was about an hour. I would have liked to turn this one into a painting.

Ol' Blue

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

Every time I go to a car show or cruise night, I take a slew of photos in hopes of painting them. Usually only a few turn out worthy of a painting. I felt this one was one of those. I have another that I hope to complete this week.

Cupcake Pedestal

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 12"x12" SOLD

This is currently my favorite painting. That title changes with almost every new painting I do but this one really stuck with me. I think it's the balance of warm and cool going on.

Hanging Peel

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 12"x24" SOLD

Tonight (Saturday) was the opening reception at the "40 & Under" group show at the Elliot Fouts Gallery in Sacramento, CA. This is the first of 4 paintings I have hanging in that show.

Two Cracked

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

Love the top view of the egg carton. A new perspective on those interesting brown eggs.

Wrapped In Silver

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

I finally found some good red pears. I have been seeing the "red pears" that are more brown than red. I'm glad I held out for the real ones.

Leaning Pear

Oil on Board. Approx 12"x12"

I enjoyed the color combination in this painting. It's late and I'm kind of at a loss for words so I will leave it at that.

Cracked

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

I think I was about due for a cracked egg painting. The last one I did was a year ago. This is only the second time I painted brown eggs but I think they are my favorite. So much more character in them.

ALSO, correction to yesterday's post where I mentioned an opening at the Elliot Fouts Gallery. The correct date of the opening is next Saturday, August 14th. I hope some of you can make it!

Cut Avocado

Oil on Board. Approx 16"x8" SOLD

Another painting sold at Crow Valley Pottery. I have 4 paintings in a group show at Elliot Fouts Gallery in Sacramento, CA on August 7th. I wish I could make it out there but that won't be possible. bummer.

PB & J Prep

Oil on Board. Approx 8"x8" SOLD

I was fortunate to have this painting sell during the opening at Crow Valley Pottery in Washington State. More to come...stay tuned.

Carrot Cake

Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

Another that was available at Crow Valley Pottery in Washington State. Another one of my favorites from the show.