"Two Lemons"

Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

Here's a quick lemon study. I focused mainly on contrast of value and capturing the direct light coming from the right.

"Reclining Leaf"

Oil on Board. Approx 8"x4 SOLD

I painted this leaf a few months ago. It was such a cool leaf to me that I kept it on my still live shelves. When on it's side, it looks like it's reclining.

"Creamer"

Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

"Mary Janes"

Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

When I saw this pair of shoes at the store, I had to get them. Lucy looks so cute in them. They have such a classic look to them.

"Fly Away"

Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

Last weekend my wife and a couple friends went apple picking. She came home with a bag of the best apples I've eaten in while. This particular apple had some great leaves still attached. I love that part.

"Wayne"

Graphite on Bristol Board. Approx 8"x11"

This is my wife's father, Wayne. I did this portrait for her Mom. It is a bit overdue, but then again, I have a number of portraits in my 'to do' pile that have been sitting a while. This is a great photo of him. It really conveys that glimmer he had. Stay tuned this week, as I will have a number of small paintings coming up.

"Popped"

Oil on Board. Approx 6"x3.75" SOLD

"PB and J No.11"

Oil on 2" thick cradled hardboard. Approx 12"x12" SOLD

This painting is not huge but it's significantly bigger then my usual Daily Paintings. It's painted on a 2" thick cradled hardboard with the edges painted black. This way it is ready to hang without framing. Much more convenient then spending the extra $ on a frame. I will get a few small paintings posted soon and plan on completing another large piece this month.

"Split Avocado #2" (the large version)

Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas. Approx 24"x24" SOLD

This is the reason there has been such a gap in between postings. I've put some time into this one. I usually paint small daily paintings but want to get into larger works. This painting will soon be on it's way to Kelietza Boutique and Gallery in Sarasota, FL.

"Avocado Half Part 2"

Oil on Board. Approx 4"x8" SOLD

Here is part 2. It was interesting capturing the convex properties of this one versus the concave properties of yesterday's. And how can I forget that trademark lime color of the avocado. This is one of the most amazing fruits in my opinion.

"Avocado Half Part 1"

Oil on Board. Approx 4"x8" SOLD

This is part 1 of a 2 part painting. maybe you can guess what the second part is...but maybe you can't. You will just have to sty tuned until tomorrow. I have a larger avocado painting in the works that will go to the Kelietza Boutique Gallery in Sarasota when complete. Stay tuned for that as well.

"Corra Cork"

Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

Here is the second of the 2 commissions. I will have some new auction paintings coming up this week...and some larger pieces that are in the works right now.

"Hollywood & Vine"

Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

Here is the first of 2 commission from a recent repeat collector. I believe he owns a winery or something. I will say that I love the Hollywood & Vine logo. It was a nice challenge to paint.

"Bubbly"

Oil on Board. Approx 4"x8" SOLD

Back to the indoors. Pop the top on the ol' bubbly.

"Cloud Study Over Trees"

Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" For purchase info, email michael@mnaples.com

It's like an outdoor theme lately. A nice change of pace but I'll get back to some interior still life setups. Coming right up...

"Dual Steeples"

Oil on Board. Approx 4"x8" For purchase info, email michael@mnaples.com

I took this snap shot from the highway doing 65mph. I was going through milwaukee last month. They have a number of great looking churches in that area.

On another note, Dan from EmptyEasel.com wrote a very nice article about me. You can read it here.

"Chicago Sunset"

Oil on Board. Approx 4"x8" SOLD

I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago but was never really a city person. I even commuted to school downtown for 4 years. It was nice and fun but still would not want to live there. I'm a burbs guy for life. With that said, I don't paint many cityscapes but i really liked how the sun was setting and peaking through the buildings.

"High Heel"

Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

Here is a tighter, more technical painting today. It was my goal to capture that interesting shape of the shoe.

"Paper Bag with Tomatoes"

Oil on Board. Approx 8"x4" SOLD

Today is Tomato Tuesday for some of the Daily Paintworks members. This would be my contribution to that theme. My wife bought these from a veggie stand down the block from us. It's really just a table out front of a guy's house but he has the best (and most fresh) produce around.

My Book "THE FIRST 300"

Click to purchase.

So here is my surprise. I am proud to present my book called "The First 300". It's a 56 page, full color book that features 300 of my Daily Paintings. I put in a lot of work paintings each one of these paintings as well as the layout of this book so i am happy to offer it for sale to the public.

"Birthday Commission"

Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

When I read the email listing all the items to be featured in this still life, my jaw dropped. I was actually worried about fitting it all in a pleasing composition. So these are specific items requested to represent the client's girlfriend. The snickers bar (with a bite taken out of it), purple book, small bottle of water (representing rain), Diet Mountain Dew can, and a baseball. Yikes! I feel like I need to wipe the sweat from my brow. Anyway, happy birthday!

On another note, I spoke of a surprise I hoped to reveal this week but it turns out it will be next week. As early as Monday. Stay tuned...

"Wedged Apple No.3"

Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

"PB and J with Milk" (2 of 2)

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.

"PB and J with Milk" (1 of 2)

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.

"Figurative Leaf"

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.

"Antique Milk Bottles"

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.

"Baseball with Book"

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.

"Blue Moon with Blue Moon"

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.

"Wild Flowers No.2"

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.

"Simple Pear" (revisited)

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.

"Wild Flowers"

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.

New Portrait and a Little Update

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.

"Wine Cork Trio" (revisited)

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.

"Wedge of Brie"

Oil on Board. Approx 4"x8" SOLD

"Orange Slice"

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.

"Leading Pear"

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.

"PB and J No.10"

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.

"PB and J No.9

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.

"Twelve After Twelve"

Oil on Board. Approx 4"x8.375" For purchase info, please email michael@mnaples.com

"PB and J No.8"

Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

"Cookie Line Up"

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.

"Antique Door"

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.

"Dachshund Profile"

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.

"Cracked Egg No.8"

Oil on Board. Approx 3.875"x8" SOLD

"Chocolate Cupcake"

Oil on Board. Approx 5.75"x6" SOLD

"Diner Dessert"

Oil on Board. Approx 3.875"x8" SOLD

"Wrapped in Red"

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.