Old Chevy Pickup

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

Recent commission.

Antique Fishing Reel

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

Today it's an old fishing reel I've had in my studio for about 10 years. This is the first time I am painting it and that is a shame. I love the look and the way the light bounces around it.

Blue Tail Fin

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

Sunday Breakfast

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

When I was growing up we would have donuts almost every Sunday. It was always a nice treat to look forward to at the end (or beginning) of the week.

Lemons with Antique Stained Glass

Oil on Canvas. Approx 20"x20" SOLD

Another recent commission. I really enjoyed painting this one.

D is for Donut

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

I think this is my favorite donut. Vanilla frosting and strawberry filling. I want another!

C is for Cookie

Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

A recent commission. I think this was the first time I've painted chocolate chip cookies. I am picking up the alphabet series and will post the next one tomorrow. Stay tuned...

Morning Glow on Mugs

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

I wanted to focus on the glow effect coming from these mugs. That and still experimenting with warm and cool grays.

Classic Pickup

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

I love this style of pickup. Not sure of the exact year but I do think it's in the 70's. I'm sure my Dad would know the exact year, make and model.

Pez Minnie

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

And here is the series all together. Love 'em!

Pez Miss Piggy

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

Pez Kermit

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

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" SOLD

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" SOLD

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" SOLD

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" SOLD

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!

One of a Pear

Oil on Canvas. Approx 18"x18" SOLD

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 information on other available pieces, 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" SOLD

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" SOLD

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"

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