Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD
Here's the milk. This is one of a few commissions I have in the studio. You'll see the others shortly. Also, I have a little surprise coming up this week (hopefully). Definitely stay tuned for that news. Below is a composite of how the two paintings work together...or individually if chosen.
Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD
Where's the milk, you say. Good question. That painting will come tomorrow. It's a diptych and was a customer's request.
Oil on Board. Approx 4"x8" SOLD
I found this leaf outside of my work and it stood out to me. I thought it looked figurative when it sits on end like this. I like it a lot. Well, I'm off to northern Wisconsin to go white water rafting with a bunch of friends. Can't wait to sit in all the construction traffic...but it'll be worth it.
Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD
I found these two old milk bottles at the resale shop I patron frequently. I have seen the clear one for months but couldn't justify buying it until I found the cream colored one. They were meant for each other and I love how they look against the gray background.
Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD
I haven't used a baseball as a still life since I was doing daily drawing (as opposed to daily paintings) back in August of 2006. I am quickly approaching my 2 year anniversary of this blog.
In other news I would like to officially launch my new website. It's a few months late but better late then never. The site is www.mnaples.com. I also have a new email connected to that site which is michael@mnaples.com.
Oil on Board. Approx 11"x14" SOLD
The Blue Moon Art Show was last Thursday and it was a great event. It really felt like a real gallery show. It was held at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Downtown Chicago and had gourmet food and Blue Moon beer flowing all night long. Unfortunately I didn't receive any further awards that evening but there was still a lot of great support from friends and family that came out. I think the judges were very contemporary and, of course, I am all about traditional realism. Here are a few photos from the show.
Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD
If you look back on my blog, you'll notice I don't paint many flowers. Truthfully, I have a hard time with 'em. I feel I can paint fruit 'til the cows come home but flowers give me quite a challenge. Although lately I have enjoyed painting flowers. I'm developing a technique, I think. I have one more flower painting (at least) so stay tuned...
btw, I noticed my last blog post didn't go out to my subscribers. My apologizes.
Oil on Board. Approx 4.5"x6.5" SOLD
I first did this rendering back in December (along with the wine cork rendering). I felt it needed some more attention. Graphite is truly my roots...and you can't forget your roots.
Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD
I went to the Wheaton Art Fair this past weekend. After I walked through the show I took a stroll down the prairie path and shot a few great photos of some wild flowers. I have a couple more on deck.
Graphite on Bristol Board. Approx 8"x11" SOLD
Commissioned portrait. I just got word that my Blue Moon painting was chosen as a top 40 finalist and will hang at the show on July 31. The show is at the Museum of Contemporary Art. That night first through third places will be announced. Keep your fingers crossed.
Oil on Board. Approx 4.5"x7" SOLD
I did this drawing back in December and felt it needed some reworking. I think it's much more dramatic and more accurate with the value structure. I am getting into the groove of some graphite work again. I have a few portraits in the works...and paintings too so stay tuned.
Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD
About a year ago, I wrote about how I hard trouble mixing greens. Since that time I have attempted that challenge many times and now feel comfortable with green shades. Now I can say the same thing with oranges. It really isn't a color that I mix that often. I don't take it straight from a tube. All my oranges are mixed with a combination of 2 yellows (Light and Med.) and 2 reds (Cadmium and Aliz.). I really liked how the light illuminated this slice of orange.
Oil on Board. Approx 8"x4" SOLD
The whole time I was painting this it looked like the greenish pear was the leader and the other two pears were left in the background...less important. So that's how I emphasized them.
Oil on Board. Approx 8"x4" SOLD
I tried to be a lot more brushy with this one. I think that added to the thickness of the peanut butter. It was weird, when I built up the peanut butter color it kinda felt like I was smearing the real thing. I think I'm starting to crack up, maybe? It's the lack of sleep with the new born. Lucy is almost 6 weeks old and looking more cute then ever.
Oil on Board. Approx 8"x4" SOLD
Have I mentioned lately that this is my favorite subject? Well it is. I may even have a couple more compositions in the next month or so.
Oil on Board. Approx 4"x8.375" For purchase info, please email michael@mnaples.com
Oil on Board. Approx 3.5"x8" SOLD
When I first laid this painting out I figured it to be horizontal. After about half way through it, I felt it should vertical. I think it looks more dramatic that way. More interest. What really drew me to this composition and subject were the swirl ridges in these cookies. They were a pleasant challenge.
Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD
This is a door at my house...the new house in Wheaton that is. It's new to us but is over 40 years old. It has some nice touches to it. Anyway this subject is totally unlike my usual Daily Paintings but it's good to stray from the norm.
Oil on Board. Approx 8"x8" SOLD
This is a my dog...one of them actually. This little guy will melt in your arms. He will fall asleep upside down while your holding him. He's a cutie. BUT not nearly as cute as my newborn Lucy. She takes the cake.
Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD
This composition just kind of happened. I love how the green apple stands out from the red fabric.
Oil on Fredrix Canvas Board. 6"x8" SOLD
Alright, I have some catching up to do. I haven't had much time to paint lately but should be back on track now. Last Thursday my wife and I had our first baby. Her name is Lucy Naples and was a healthy 6lb14oz. The most gorgeous thing I've ever seen. Anyway I have some paintings in the works so stay tuned...
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.
Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 5"x6" SOLD.
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.
Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD
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!
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.
Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" For purchase info, please email michael@mnaples.com
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...
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.
Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD
This little lemon was just too cute not to paint.
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.
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.
Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" For purchase info, please email michael@mnaples.com
Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" For purchase info, please email michael@mnaples.com
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???
Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD
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).
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.
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.
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.
Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" For purchase info, please email michael@mnaples.com
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.
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...
