outdoors Artwork

February 26, 2025

February 26th, 2020. The snowfall to me is such a funny thing. Its tranquility is something I’ve grown to love. In adolescence, it became my medium for meditation. To escape the busyness of the world with the flutter of falling flakes. Yet, I’ve realized it’s what’s responsible for troubling my heart. I lost the love of my life only due to the icy weather. With the snow, only did that violent cluster of twisted automobile came into existence. Many years later, waiting for snowfall for my last moments became an obsession. I found a place to spectate that last snowfall, where water falls in the forest to carve stone. As I lean against an old maple’s trunk, I lay watching guard of a stone grotto temple at the base of the falling stream. This temple has no worshipers but only prayers from the whistling branches. There is a sacredness I find in this place’s beauty. A sacredness I myself no longer share. The lone guard of this temple has grown old and tired. Complacent with the agonies of life. The frozen flakes drift down to smother most sounds. Blanketing me with its comfort. The wind kisses my neck, running it’s chilling fingers down my spine. My dulled and greyed eyes grow heavy. From the little light left from the winter night sky, glistens the landscape to reveal a faint figure in the dark’s thickness. It’s my love greeting me to a long-awaited reunion. Reaching her hands out for mine, closer and closer as her figure enclosed in on my restful state. Until her spirit wraps around me. Her warm embrace only cools. First my skin, then the fibers of my being. Now finally the cold creeping into my slowing heart.

February 2, 2025

A few years ago I had accomplished a dream of mine and won my way with my beloved team to the United States Tennis Association National Championships. I had spent many years prior, captaining and building teams just to fall short of winning districts each year. Finally winning our season, sectionals, districts, state, and then winning the Midwest championship; we finally did it. This painting isn’t about the feeling of defeat on the court, as that’s always a chance to improve and grow. I didn’t lose in that aspect, because I was nearly undefeated that year and was almost a guaranteed win on doubles. This painting represents the agony, disappointment, disgust, and deceit, I felt when I learned I could not go to play alongside my friends in the championship in Scottsdale Arizona. I had let my team down and missed out on a once in a lifetime accomplishment.

January 24, 2025

Just Out Of Reach is a watercolor painting beautifully capturing the essence of a peaceful winter night. At its heart is a quaint log cabin, softly illuminated by a warm, golden light emanating from its windows, contrasting against the cool blues and whites of the snowy landscape. Towering evergreen trees, heavily dusted with snow, create a dense and textured forest backdrop, adding depth and a sense of quiet isolation to the scene. The faint tracks in the snow leading to the cabin hint at human presence, while the figure kneeling in the foreground adds a touch of mystery and humanity. The overall composition blends warmth and cold, light and shadow, evoking both the stillness of winter and the comfort of a welcoming home.

November 21, 2024

I knew an old wise woman once. She told me to make my way back to Strasbourg, so I did. From her pine framed window, she bid farewell, “Okay now. I’ll be seeing you.” With her gaze and expression of both endearment and concern, but excitement for me. Looking on in to the day’s sun. This painting perfectly captures those feelings and experiences with my dear old friend.

November 11, 2024

One Last Walk With Izzy is a exquisite watercolor painting depicting a peaceful countryside scene, where a man walks alongside his faithful Border Collie dog companion across gently rolling hills bathed in golden sunlight. The vibrant hues of green and yellow fields blend harmoniously with the rich textures of the trees, creating a sense of depth and tranquility. A cozy house sits nestled on the distant hill, framed by soft clouds drifting through a serene sky. This artwork beautifully captures the simplicity and charm of rural life, making it a perfect piece for adding warmth and a touch of nature to any space.

October 29, 2024

Fruitcake Delivery is just in time for the upcoming holidays, this quaint winter scene showcases a Fruitcake delivery truck and it’s driver preparing to drop off it’s abundant order of 30 fruitcakes to the anxiously awaiting recipient in the blue snow covered house. A wasteful purchase that would later go on to be donated to the local food bank, with an absurd and humorous smile. The package handler’s confident movements inferring that him and homeowner inside are intertwined in scandalous love affair. The glow of light from the windows adds to the charm of the painting. The neighbor’s house seems set in but yet still glowing with life. As is with the main focus of the blue house with white trim, with it’s windows inviting a sense of warmness away from the cold wind. The calmness of the winter night should be heard in mind. It’s left up to the viewer to form their own opinions of what the delivery figure may be thinking or what will transpire when the door bell rings.

October 26, 2024

Blue Bells features a single, gracefully arched bellflower stem, delicately balanced against a soft, neutral background. Each bell-shaped bloom hangs naturally from the stem, painted in a rich, muted purple that exudes quiet elegance. The artist has used soft strokes and subtle shading to create a realistic, almost three-dimensional effect, emphasizing the organic curve and texture of the flower.

The simplicity of the composition and restrained color palette give the piece a meditative quality, inviting viewers to pause and appreciate the gentle beauty found in nature’s details.

October 12, 2024

Standoff portrays a poignant scene of two dark, silhouetted figures standing at a distance from each other in a sprawling, golden field of tall grass. The figure on the left is a woman, her form graceful but motionless, while the man on the right stands rigidly, facing away. The muted, overcast sky adds a somber tone to the setting, as the distant hills fade into the horizon. The vastness of the landscape, combined with the physical separation between the figures, evokes a powerful sense of emotional distance and quiet tension, as if they are connected yet worlds apart. The earthy colors and subtle textures enhance the painting’s contemplative, melancholic atmosphere.

September 29, 2024

Tawny Lily is a quick and easy graphite pencil sketch painted in with watercolor. This simple small artwork is a nice little decoration to hang in your room. The Tiger Lily or Tawny Lily, is my favorite flower. Even though I normally decorate my home with either orchids or white lilies, the orange flower is one that grew wild in the valley I grew up in along the ponds and creek sides.

September 21, 2024

Todd’s Sunflowers is a quick and easy graphite pencil sketch painted in with watercolor. This simple small artwork is a nice little decoration to hang in your room. Sunflowers being the favorite flower of one of my favorite painters, Van Gogh, and the added bonus of being a vibrant yellow to attract a summer time feel. My reference was my cousin’s yard, so these are Todd’s Sunflowers.

September 20, 2024

Pink Orchid is a quick and easy graphite pencil sketch painted in with watercolor. This simple small artwork is a nice little decoration to hang in your room. Orchids being one of my favorite flowers, usually white though, I decided to go with a pink one instead to avoid having to paint a background.

September 10, 2024

Howard’s Hills is a watercolor painting that was done after so many people have noted my favorite watercolor paintings reminded them of the great Andrew Wyeth’s work. So I took the time to study a lot of technique and incorporated it heavily in to this narrative and architectural landscape painting I created. Especially a lot of his dry brushing technique and using lots of layers/details until the form in perfect to how I want it to flow. Diverting slightly where I feel more natural to my own organic techniques.

August 24, 2024

This watercolor painting captures the delicate beauty of a blue butterfly perched on a cluster of green and yellow leaves. The butterfly’s wings are depicted in vivid shades of blue, with intricate black and white patterns along the edges, adding depth and contrast to the piece. The artist skillfully uses the dark, textured background to make the butterfly’s bright colors pop, creating a striking visual effect. The leaves beneath the butterfly are painted with a mix of green and yellow tones, which add a natural, organic feel to the composition. Overall, the painting evokes a sense of tranquility and appreciation for the subtle details found in nature.

August 18, 2024

This watercolor painting captures a striking and serene scene of a solitary rock formation rising from the shallow waters. The rock, dark and textured, is crowned by a small group of slender trees, their delicate branches reaching skyward. The surrounding water is a soft, muted green, gently reflecting the rock’s rugged base. The sky above is overcast, with layers of pale gray clouds stretching across the horizon, adding a contemplative mood to the piece. The overall composition evokes a sense of isolation and resilience, as the rock and trees stand alone, enduring the passage of time in a tranquil, almost ethereal landscape.

August 14, 2024

This evocative watercolor painting features a single red rose, captured in a moment of quiet beauty as it stands against a dark, rain-soaked background. The petals, rendered with delicate brushstrokes, are adorned with glistening raindrops that reflect light, adding a touch of realism and tenderness to the scene. The contrast between the vibrant red of the rose and the deep, almost black, background highlights the flower’s resilience and elegance, making it a powerful symbol of love and endurance. The soft, muted colors of the stem and leaves further enhance the focus on the rose, making this painting a striking piece that conveys emotion and depth.

July 9, 2024

Irish Coast is a oil pastel artwork of a beautiful landscape somewhere off an Ireland coastline. Featuring a wave crashing against two standing rocks, finally kissing a pebbled beach. The sky is mostly clear except a few faint clouds, bright and cool feeling. As you can almost feel the nice cool wind blown against your face, to balance out the warmth of the sun as it hits you and the rolling green cliffs standing against the sea.

June 16, 2024

This exquisite watercolor painting captures the tranquil beauty of a pond scene, in Lily Pad. Dominated by lush, green lily pads that float serenely on the water’s surface, the composition is centered around a single, vibrant pink water lily in full bloom. The delicate petals of the lily showcase a gradient of pink hues, leading to a bright yellow core, contrasting beautifully with the dark, reflective water below. The intricate details of the lily pads, including the subtle veins and slight imperfections, add a touch of realism to the scene. I have used a combination of light and shadow to create depth, making the lily and its surrounding pads appear almost three-dimensional. This painting evokes a sense of peace and natural harmony.

June 7, 2024

This watercolor painting, Sailing Away Schoon, depicts a solitary schooner boat navigating through misty waters. The scene is serene and atmospheric, with soft, muted colors creating a sense of calm and tranquility. The sailboat, with its sails billowing gently, is positioned towards the right side of the painting, moving forward through the slightly choppy, dark blue waves. The background features indistinct, hazy mountains that blend seamlessly with the overcast sky, enhancing the overall misty ambiance. The use of watercolor techniques adds a fluid and ethereal quality to the painting, capturing the essence of a quiet journey through a tranquil seascape.

June 6, 2024

This watercolor painting, titled “Silent Reflections,” captures a serene and contemplative scene of two individuals in a small boat on a vast, calm body of water. The palette consists primarily of muted blues and grays, creating a tranquil and misty atmosphere. Light touches of yellow kiss the finer details to show the dancing of light. The reflections on the water’s surface are subtly rendered, blending seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. In the background, the faint outlines of forested hills fade into the horizon, shrouded in a gentle haze. This watercolor painting is a peaceful and introspective work of art.

May 14, 2024

Blue Jay depicts a blue jay perched on a snowy surface, delicately pecking at a cluster of red berries on a nearby branch. The bird’s vivid blue plumage, accented with black and white markings, contrasts beautifully with the soft, white snow. I captured the texture of the bird’s feathers and the intricate details of the berries and branches. The overall scene exudes a serene winter atmosphere, with the red berries adding a touch of color and life to the otherwise muted background.

April 26, 2024

The Massillon 52 is a vibrant watercolor painting, showcasing two Massillon Football players. Both in a moment of intense celebration. On the left, player 52 is rendered with a fierce expression. To the right, an unknown teammate engages in clapping, hands blurred to add to the effect. Behind them, the stadium is alive with spectators in the stands, out of focus. Backset all to autumn trees and vibrant green turf. I managed to infuse the scene with movement and excitement, creating a palpable sense of the game’s high stakes and the players’ raw emotion.

March 23, 2024

Gehen Heim is a watercolor painting that depicts a somber, expansive landscape under a heavy, overcast sky. The sky is a tapestry of grays and muted blues, seemingly thick with the weight of a passing snow storm. The horizon is a dark, solid band, suggesting a distant forest or line of trees that separates the sky from the land. Below, there’s a vast expanse of a body of frozen water, its surface rendered in pale whites and light grays that capture the reflective quality of the ice. A solitary figure stands in the lower third of the composition, adding a poignant note of isolation or introspection to the scene. The figure’s presence is dwarfed by the enormity of the surroundings, emphasizing the scale and of the emotional theme of man versus nature or solitude. To the right, there appears to be a long, narrow structure, a pier or boardwalk, leading off into the distance, its purpose and destination left ambiguous. The use of watercolor is masterful, with the fluidity of the medium perfectly suited to convey the atmosphere and mood of the scene. The textures are soft and the edges blurred, contributing to the overall ethereal and introspective quality of the painting.

March 13, 2024

In the midst of a serene, snow-covered landscape, a solitary figure captures our attention in this evocative painting, titled Back To. Striding the lone figure once again, across the snow covered Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail.

February 18, 2024

This evocative painting captures a unique and striking rock formation located along the shores of Lake Erie, near Cleveland, Ohio, portraying a natural monument that stands as a silent guardian amidst the lapping waves. The overcast sky suggests a typical Great Lakes ambiance, while the resilient trees on the rock’s summit are a testament to nature’s adaptability in the face of the elements. The artwork invites contemplation on the enduring beauty of Lake Erie’s coastal landscape, subtly colored by the artist to reflect the area’s serene yet dynamic character.

February 10, 2024

This Young Farmhouse painting portrays a rustic, rural scene. Dominating the left foreground is a large, dark brown walnut tree, its detailed bark texture suggesting an old and sturdy presence. From one of its branches, a swing with a wooden seat dangles, its ropes hanging limply, waiting for a visitor and adding balance to the painting. Further back, the scene opens to a golden field, which could be a harvested crop, bordered by a dense tree line that marks the edge of a forest. The trees are evergreens, standing tall and dark green against the horizon.

February 9, 2024

Escape is a painting that depicts a tranquil winter scene, including a solitary figure is shown walking away from the viewer, journeying along a curved path that has been carved through the snow from what may have been a vehicle. With overcast skies, soft grays and cobalts that blend seamlessly with the snowy ground, tire tracks that are visible in the snow, all reinforcing the sense that the figure has journeyed alone. The overall mood of this watercolor painting is one of solitude and silence, evoking a sense of introspection or the quiet beauty of nature in winter.

January 25, 2024

Northern Cardinal is a colored pencil drawing of a Northern Cardinal perched on a branch. The bird is depicted with a vibrant red plumage, which is characteristic of the male of the species. Its beak is orange-yellow, and the facial mask is black, extending from the beak around the eyes. The drawing captures the distinct crest of the cardinal, which is a pointy tuft of feathers on top of its head. The branch is rendered with a muted gray tone, contrasting with the bright red of the bird. The background is a soft, textured gray, allowing the cardinal to stand out prominently. The pencil strokes have created a sense of softness and detail, particularly in the feathers and the blending of colors.

January 20, 2024

The painting titled “Ms. Cezanne” features a woman reclined in a state of repose, stretching her arms above her head. Inspired by Paul Cezanne’s work. Rendered with loose, expressive pastel stroke, suggestive of an interest in capturing movement and form rather than strict realism. The color palette is rich and warm. With earthy tones of brown and ochre for the background and vibrant yellow and green highlighting what appears to be a natural setting. The woman’s skin is painted in naturalistic tones, with highlights and shadows adding to the three-dimensional effect. Using bold outlines in places to define the figure’s form. With an impressionistic feel, focusing on light and color to convey a mood rather than detailed precision. This painting exudes a sense of relaxation and connection with nature.

January 19, 2024

Fry’s Tree portrays a solitary, robust tree standing prominently in the center against a twilight or pre-dawn sky. Set in the Fry Family Park, of East Sparta Ohio. The leaves and branches creates a lace-like pattern against the sky, which shifts from a dark blue at the top to lighter hues near the horizon, indicating dusk or the approach of nightfall. There’s a sense of tranquility and solitude in this scene, as the tree stands alone in the quiet moments of transition between day and night.