"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.

Solitaire Pear

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...

Custom Commission

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.

"Bartlett"

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.

"Pineapples"

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x8" Commission

"Vine Babies"

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x4.875" SOLD

"Hand-Me-Downs"

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!

"Diner Mug with Spoon"

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.

"Transparents"

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...

"PB & J No.7"

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.

"Little Lemon"

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

This little lemon was just too cute not to paint.

"Seedless Half"

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.

"Double Good Taste"

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

"Gourmet Desert"

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x4.875" SOLD

"Blood Orange"

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.

"Floral Creamer"

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" For purchase info, please email michael@mnaples.com

"Imported"

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???

"Portobello Mushrooms"

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).

"Big Red Pear"

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.

"Split Avocado"

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.

"Pair of Pears No.3"

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

"Chrome Creamer with Spoon No.2"

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.

"Morning Mug with Spoon"

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.

New Portrait and a Little Update

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...

"Tangerine"

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

Here is one of the fruits I bought at the 'market'. My jaw dropped when I saw all the leaves still attached to the tangerines. They add such character.

"Strawberry Cheesecake"

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

I bought this slice of delicious strawberry cheesecake at a local 'market'. They carry every fruit and vegetable around as well as a variety of ethnic foods and gourmet desserts. I was like a kid in a candy store...except it was fruits.

"Full Moon"

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 4.875"x6" SOLD.

I actually painted this one a couple of days ago, but did some finishing touches to it today. It was the perfect night and the moon was very bright (what, am I writing a poem here). Anyway, it looked good enough to paint.

"Mug & Spoon with Books"

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

"Fire Starters"

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x4.875" SOLD

One of my techniques to keeping a consistent color scheme throughout a painting is by not washing my brush very often, at least during the first half of the painting. I literally painted this entire painting without washing my brush once. I just kept one color flowing and mixing into the next.

"PB&J No.6"

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

It feels like forever since my last post. We've had some great luck come our way. We finally got a contract on selling our house. Phew. Two things I can't wait for in the new house; doing a nursery and a studio. I can envision them both now...

"Milk Chocolate"

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

My first chocolate bar. You know, I really don't eat too much chocolate. It needs to have peanut butter with it for me to enjoy it. So as for the rest of this bar...I won't eat it. Anyway the foil was fun and the variations of value in the actual chocolate was a good challenge.

The Bambino

We went for an ultrasound today and got some great images of the baby. My wife's at about 20 weeks and feeling good. I can't explain how amazing this process is. Oh, btw, I hope to post a painting tomorrow.

"PB & J No.5"

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

I love the open face composition of this PB & J. The peanut butter was so creamy. When I make my PB & J's, I use about a half inch layer of peanut butter. I love it!

"Ultimate Squeeze"

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x4.875" SOLD.

I am one of those people who squeeze the heck out of paint tubes. I don't know if I'm cheap or hate wasting but I'll squeeze them until my fingers hurt. Trust me that the Cadmium Red and Cerulean Blue have zero paint in them.

"Intimidated Cherry"

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x4.875" SOLD

As simple as it is, I love how this cherry turned out. It feels like it has so much dimension and that's where I wanted the focus. You can't pass up the intense red color either.

"Coffee Collection Reflections"

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

I am very pleased with this painting. It was fun and satisfying capturing all the reflections.

"Light Bulb Opposites"

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

This is the challenge I have been waiting for. A subject different then my usual paintings and it forced me to be observant - not just go through the motions.

"Cherry On Top"

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

It's frigid cold here now. Wind chill in the single digits. This painting made me feel like spring or summer time. Definitely warmth. A good feeling to help fight this major head cold I have.

"Peeking Winter Sun"

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x4.875" SOLD.

Here is the view from my kitchen this afternoon. It's been snowing since yesterday afternoon so the trees had a beautiful layer of snow on them. It was so overcast that the sun could barely peek through. Still amazing, though. Happy New Year!

"Yellow Onion"

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 4.875"x6" SOLD.

This is exactly what I was envisioning before I started. Something different and much more loose then usual. I'm quite happy with it.

"Lone Green Pear"

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 4.875"x6" SOLD.

Well I finally broke out he paints after some very nice time off. This is one of those holiday pears from one of those holiday baskets. You know the kind I'm talking about. This is post number 269 for my Daily Painting blog.

"Wine Cork Trio"

Graphite on 4-ply Strathmore Bristol Board. Approx 4"x6.25" N/A

I hope everyone had a great Holiday. I know I did.
When I was drawing this, I felt like I was back in college because of the strong basic shapes of this composition and the lighting wrapping around each cylinder. Oh the memories of school...good times.

"Simple Pear"

Graphite on 4-ply Strathmore Bristol Board. Approx 4.25"x6.5" N/A.

I have taken some time off to catch up for the Holidays and to also spend time with family and friends. I did have time to sneak away just long enough to do this rendering of the interesting looking pear. I love the shape of most pears they are so unique. Merry Christmas!!

Little Fuzzy Puppies

Oil on 1/4" Board Approx. 8"x10" Commission-NFS

You are going to have to trust me that this painting looks better in person...then again most of them do. The picture didn't capture all the subtleties in the colors. Anyway, posting might be slow going until after Christmas so stay tuned.

"Dragon Roll"

Oil on 1/4" Board Approx. 6"x6" Commission-NFS

"Sushi Line Up"

Oil on 1/4" Board Approx. 6"x6" Commission-NFS

Website Preview

I still have 5 commissions to do before Christmas so I have to get crack-a-lackin'. I'm working on one now and won't be done in time to post so I'm giving a little preview to my new website. I'm in the process of designing it in Photoshop. Stay tuned for that in early '08.

Next on my list of things to cover is this whole tagging thing. I'm usually not into forwards or chain letters but his one is different. I have seen so many fantastic new artists from seeing others tagged. A great artist, Karen Appleton, tagged me so here it goes.

1. When I was five I cried when my cousin (who was older) colored better then me. Who's crying now?
2. My second year in college I was offered a tattoo apprenticeship and an internship at a design company at the same time. I wonder how things would be different if I took the tattoo route.
3. I am a paintaholic but love nothing more then laying around doing nothing with my awesome wife.
4. I have painted all 260ish paintings at my kitchen table.
5. I am a father to be.

Here are my tags. I know they've been tagged before but they are true influences on me and my paintings.Christopher Stott, Neil Hollingsworth, Julian Merrow-Smith, Karin Jurick, Alvin Richard

"Salt & Pepper"

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

I think this is my is my current personal favorite. I almost don't want to sell it...but I am. That's the great thing about Daily Painting is there's always tomorrow's painting.

"Morning Coffee with Leaf"

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx. 6" x 4.875" SOLD.

I love the colors in this painting. The warm browns and greens against the cool blues and purples is easy on the eye. I'm not sure where I got this leaf from. I happen to find it in my still life collection a.k.a. closet. It has a great shape and a nice color vignette going through it...and you know I love painting leaves. This is post number 261 for my Daily Painting blog.