Apples with Books

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 12"x9" SOLD

This was a commission through Susan Powell Fine Art. It was a pleasure to do! I'm currently painting like a madman for a November 2 show at that gallery. Stay tuned for more new work!

Found Ball

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

I found this baseball while raising the canopy of my evergreen tree. Tree is huge and old so there is no way of telling how old this ball is. All I know is it was dirty and I was compelled to try to capture that grit.

Lit Up Lemon Wedge

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

It's been a while since I offered a small painting. That will change. Stay tuned for more.

In The Light

Oil on Canvas. Approx 24"x12" SOLD

I was informed to day that it has been exactly 2 months since my last blog post. That is my longest break in the past 6 years. Anyway, I have been painting, doing portraits, planning for TWO upcoming shows and vacationing with friends...so I have been busy. I promise to post more regularly now since my productivity will be high for the next few months. This painting sold the first week it was at Susan Powell Fine Art. For information on my other available work in the show, please contact the gallery at 203-318-0616 or visit their website at www.susanpowellfineart.com.

New Portrait

Graphite on Bristol Board. Approx 8"x11"

I don't do too many portraits anymore but this was a request from a friend for a Father's Day gift. It felt good to use something other than paint for a change.

Suspended

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

Something different to change things up a bit.

Inside View

Oil on Board. Approx 12"x6" SOLD

I loved painting this one. I spent extra time getting the peaks and valleys believable on the inside of the pomegranate. It was a daunting task but well worth it in the end. For information on my other work available at the gallery, please contact Susan Powell Fine Art 203-318-0616 or visit their website at www.susanpowellfineart.com.

Illuminated Eggs

Oil on Canvas. Approx 10"x10" SOLD

I was fortunate to have this painting sell at the opening reception. For information on my other available work in the show, please contact the gallery at 203-318-0616 or visit their website at www.susanpowellfineart.com.

Vanilla Cupcake

Oil on Canvas. Approx 8"x8" SOLD

The third and final cupcake!

Chocolate Cupcake

Oil on Canvas. Approx 8"x8" SOLD

The second in the series of 3 available at Susan Powell Fine Art. For information on other available pieces, please contact the gallery at 203-318-0616 or visit their website at www.susanpowellfineart.com.

Vanilla with Sprinkles

Oil on Canvas. Approx 8"x8" SOLD

This is the first of a series of 3 available at Susan Powell Fine Art.

Wine with Cheese and Bread

Oil on Canvas. Approx 18"x18" SOLD

Another larger piece for the realism show at Susan Powell Fine Art. I loved painting this one because of the challenge of setting the glass and bottle back into the darkness to allow the localized light on the foreground objects. This is one of my favorites. I'm very happy with the outcome.

Church at Late Afternoon

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

For purchase information, please email michael@mnaples.com

I just love the sunlight on this church.

Pear on Shelf No.3

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

The third of the series. On to the next subject tomorrow.

Pear on Shelf No. 2

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

This is the second of 3 in this series. I hope to post the third tomorrow. Then another break from pears for some new subjects. I can't wait for those.

Pear on Shelf No. 1

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

This is the first on a series of three. It's been a months since I painted green pears so I will be enjoying these few.

Behind the Canvas

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

I acquired this old small canvas. The edges of the canvas are a little tattered and the stretchers are a bit beat up. I find the back of it way more interesting than the front and will probably never paint on it...just paint it.

Bowl of Apples

Oil on Canvas. Approx 18"x18" SOLD

Since the Bowl of Clementines sold so quickly, I wanted to have another similar feeling, larger piece for this show. There was a lot of buzz around this painting as it was one of the anchoring pieces on my wall. For purchase information, please contact the gallery at 203-318-0616 or visit their website at www.susanpowellfineart.com.

Antique Collection

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 8"x14" SOLD

Last night was the opening reception for the realism show I was in a Susan Powell Fine Art. I Flew out for the night and came back today. A lot of traveling but well worth it. The reception was great. I got to meet number of people who are collecting my work and talk "shop" with the 3 other painters in the show. Besides the great time chatting it up, the red dots I got were icing on the cake. This is one that sold.

Looking to the Leader

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

Broken Bread with Corks

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

Broken Bread with Brie

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

Still Life with Knife and Cork

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

Bread, Corks and Cheese

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

I really loved capturing all the different textures in this painting.

Clementine Bowl

Oil on Canvas. Approx 18"x18" SOLD

This is the fourth and last for the Still Life Invitational at Susan Powell Fine Art. I think this is currently my favorite painting. The photo doesn't do it justice. There is such a nice texture to the layered paint, I am very happy with the outcome.

For purchase information, please contact the gallery at 203-318-0616 or visit their website at www.susanpowellfineart.com.

Bottle Tops

Oil on Board. Approx 15"x8" SOLD

I posted the "first layer block-in" of this painting on my facebook page a few months ago. It came a long way to get to this stage. This one is at the Susan Powell Fine Art Still Life Invitational which opened last Friday. Only 3 more paintings until all are complete for the 4-artist show opening May 18th. I will be attending that reception.

For purchase information, please contact the gallery at 203-318-0616 or visit their website at www.susanpowellfineart.com.

Blue Frosting

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

I am kind of on a cupcake kick these days. I am painting 3 for the Susan Powell show in May and figured I work a small one in. I really enjoy painting cupcakes. They may be one of my all-time favorite subjects...and believe it or not I usually don't eat them. Weird, huh?

Three Tangerines

Oil on Board. Approx 24"x12" SOLD

Another for the Susan Powell Fine Art Still Life Invitational which opens April 11th. I am happy to say this one sold before I could even post it here. I hope that is the first of many.

For information about my other work in the show, please contact the gallery at 203-318-0616 or visit their website at www.susanpowellfineart.com.

Complimentary Tulips

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 8"x8"

For purchase information, please email michael@mnaples.com (I am offering this framed or unframed). Since the weather in Chicagoland has been so warm and sunny, we have tulips starting to pop up already....along with all the other flowers. I am loving it.

The Boss

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

Before we had kids, this dog was our life. His name is Schnitz Zel Naples and he is almost 10 years old. We have nicknames for him such as Nit, Nitzel, Sir, Boss, Stink Mouth, Nitster, Long Nose, Foot Stool, Mister Nit, Nitty, Frito Foot...and I'm sure I missed a few. Anyway, enjoy the painting.

Sunlit Lemons

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

For purchase information, please email michael@mnaples.com (I am offering this framed or unframed)

Black and Red

Oil on Board. Approx 9"x13" SOLD

I haven't been posting much lately but I have been painting my tail off. I'm working on 15 new pieces for two upcoming shows. The first is the Susan Powell Fine Art Still Life Invitational which opens April 6th.

For purchase information, please contact the gallery at 203-318-0616 or visit their website at www.susanpowellfineart.com.

Intersecting Wires

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

It's been almost a year since I painted these wires. I feel there are so many ways to look at them. In my backyard, when I swing on the swing set with my kids, I always look up at these and see them in a new way. That's how my artist brain works.

Lucy's Sandwich

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

Most days my kids are great eaters, but sometimes if they get distracted during lunch, this is what is left. A sandwich with one little bite taken out of it.

Bosc on an Antique Box

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

I really like the temperatures going on in this painting. The warms and cools really seem to work together. I think this is the second Bosc I've ever painted and that's a shame because I really like their shape and colors.

I am still painting like a mad man for the upcoming shows. The first is April 6 and the second is the larger 4-artist show on May 11. I can't wait to see the whole body of work hanging together...but that's a lot of paintings away so back to work.

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.