This is a commission for the Oklahoma State Capitol that I have been working on for the past 5 months while teaching full time. In the image below I'm preparing the canvas, with the preliminary 2'x3' painting on the canvas. For a painting this complex I spent quite a bit of time sketching out the many elements while working out the finished composition. 

I have been painting my children's portrait since they have been born as a documentary of their childhoods. Now I continue that tradition with my grandchildren. This is a portrait of my granddaughter Eilee. Here we see little Eilee picking out the one that she will take home with her. Below are some images of the painting in progress. This is "pure pleasure". I just start painting with no preparation "All Prima". I lay in the composition with a thin transparent Imprimatura and then build up the values and color on Eilee. I work from the focal point outward. Afterwards I think needs Eilee needs a little help so I quickly lay in a scarecrow. Pure bliss!

I had the distinct honor of being commissioned to paint the family portrait for the Love Country Stores Headquarters. Below are some of the process pictures of the painting.  

And there is nothing more rewarding than seeing the smile of a happy customer. 

My portrait for James C. Day was dedicated for his induction into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame on November 21, 2019. Mr. Day is a retired oilman who has served, or is currently serving, on a number of public company's board of directors, including EOG Resources, Inc., Noble Energy, Inc., Tidewater, Inc., Global Industries, the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the Society of Petroleum Engineers, and is a member of the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy Board of Visitors at the University of Oklahoma. He is an honorary board member of the American Petroleum Institute, where he previously served on the Policy Committee and as chairman of the General Membership Committee.
In 2007, Day established the James C. and Teresa K. Day Foundation with a focus on education. Through the foundation and personally, he has been a strong supporter of many Oklahoma endeavors and entities, including the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, Charles B. Goddard Center for Visual and Performing Arts, Inc., Arcadia Trails, Pond Creek-Hunter High School, and the University of Oklahoma. Day also served as co-chair for the 125th Live On University Campaign for the University of Oklahoma.

Below are some images of the painting in progress. I first create a charcoal study to better inform myself of the structure and personality of Mr. Day. I then create a small color study of the composition, which you see in the last image, as a guide for the final painting.