Calf Creek Falls

My friend and I decided to spend the night at Escalante National Park. While there, I was inspired to paint "Calf Creek Falls". We spent some time exploring the park and discovered the hike to Calf Creek Lower Falls. We decided to hike to the falls with no expectations, but we knew it was not going to be disappointing because everything in Escalante had been remarkable so far. When I first saw the waterfall, it took my breath away. We spent a lot of time walking around, looking at the falls from different angles and taking in the scenery. We ended up lying on the sand by the pool of water, watching the waterfall cascade into the pool, while we basked in the sun.

After spending time admiring the waterfall, I felt the need to capture it on canvas. I wanted to express how massive the falls are and the different colors displayed on the walls of the canyon with the moss and sediment formations. The moss was luscious green and it contrasted with the orange and red tones of the canyon. I also wanted to show how the movement of the canyon complemented the waterfall as the water fell. It was important for me to express, through painting, how nature can create a balance of movement and color.

 I wanted to express on canvas how magnificent the waterfall is in person and paint what I saw. I was surprised to see so many colors shining through as the water fell into the pool. It was mesmerizing to watch the water run down and splash off the canyon wall, creating an array of colors. As the water fell you could see tones of blues, purples, reds, and greens through the water. It was almost like watching a falling rainbow. I have always loved it when nature creates a clash of two forces, like an oasis in the desert, and Calf Creek Falls is one of those special places.

“Calf Creek Falls” was produced and painted in the summer of 2024.

This painting is available and can be seen by appointment at my studio. The Original can be purchased through my website here or in person by appointment.

Prints are available here.

Green River Overlook

I was inspired to paint this piece during a camping trip to Canyonlands National Park. While I was there, I stopped at the Green River Overlook. As I was viewing the overlook, I noticed some washes on the canyon bed that water would run down to the main canyon. These washes seemed to rush toward you and lead your eye into the canyon. I knew that I wanted to paint this scene by emphasizing the wash to create movement in the canyon. I made a plan to return in the morning to watch the sunrise and to see what kind of effects the morning light would have on the canyon in pursuit of the perfect composition for a painting.

To my surprise, the next morning was spectacular. I stood at the canyon edge, eagerly awaiting the sun to rise. The transformation of colors as the sunlight penetrated the canyon was awe-inspiring. The washes leading to the canyon turned into deep shadow lines. The color of the canyon bed glowed silvery and hot at the same time. I stood there and took it all in, and a feeling of weightlessness came over me. After my experience, I knew I needed to go home to my studio and create a composition of weightlessness. "Green River Overlook" was completed in May 2024.

This painting is available and can be seen by appointment at my studio. The Original can be purchased through my website here or in person by appointment.

Prints are available here.

Awaiting First Light, Canyonlands

I painted "Awaiting First Light, Canyonlands" in April of 2024 after I visited Canyonlands National Park. I was standing at the Green River Overlook, waiting for sunrise, and admiring how the light was gradually entering the canyon. The sky was a beautiful salmon color, with a full moon shining over the canyon. The scene was so perfect that it took my breath away, and I knew I had to capture it on canvas.

I approached this painting intending to capture the light that illuminated the sky, with the moon appearing to be engulfed in the morning light. My goal was to portray the vastness of the canyonlands, along with the beauty of the sunrise with the light moving through the canyon. I am happy with the oranges and pinks in the light play with the blues and purple shadows. I enjoyed every step of creating this painting, from visiting Canyonlands to sketching, designing, and painting it.

This painting is available and can be seen by appointment at my studio. The Original can be purchased through my website here or in person by appointment.

Prints are available here.

Fall In Motion

"Fall in Motion" is a painting that I created in January of 2024. The inspiration for this piece came from a hike I took on a beautiful autumn day, along a creek in Zion National Park. The painting features the reflection of Fall trees in a pool of water. I was particularly inspired by the movement of the water and the vibrant colors of the leaves. It was important to me to convey a sense of motion, and to capture the energy and excitement that nature has to offer.

When I started painting "Fall in Motion", I had a clear vision in my mind. I wanted to create a painting that showcased the bright, vivid colors of fall, set against a backdrop of soft, cool colors and muted greys. I aimed to evoke the feeling of a warm fall day, so I used warm yellows and oranges throughout the composition. I was careful to control the movement in the painting by creating motion through the reflections of the trees in the pool of water, and by using the length of the tree trunks to guide the viewer's eyes up and down the composition.

When I approach a painting, I always begin by sketching out the composition in my sketchbook using an ink pen. During this stage, I embrace mistakes and edit as I go along. If I feel that a tree or rock does not contribute to the likeness of the painting, I will remove it from the final sketch. This is much easier to do at this stage of the process rather than when I’m halfway done with the painting. Sometimes, I will create multiple sketches with different compositions until I find the one that best represents what I have in mind. Sketching is an important part of the process for me because it helps me to identify what I have in mind. I know that I have found the right composition when it gives me a feeling of oneness or harmony.

Once I have finalized the composition of my painting in my sketchbook, I switch to a paintbrush and use thinned-out oil paint to sketch it onto my painting surface. I treat the paint as if it were charcoal, using the white of the canvas for my lights and the paint for the shadows. Sometimes I use charcoal instead of oil paint during this process. While I am working on the painting, I continue to edit and refine the composition to improve its likeness. It is also important to create a sense of movement in the painting by breaking everything into shapes with varying levels of light and dark, such as with rocks and trees.

Once I am satisfied with the initial sketch, I begin to paint the shadows using cool colors. I first identify the highest light value and the lowest dark value and then paint them to determine the middle values. My objective during this phase is to manage the values and eliminate all the white on the canvas. This is the foundation of the painting, and by the end of this phase, I will have completed an under-painting, meaning all the hard work is complete. I will let the under-painting dry and after it is dry, I will move on to the final layer of the painting.

During the final stage of the painting process, I add light to the painting. This is my favorite part of the process, where I feel like the painting truly comes to life. At this stage, I focus on painting the details and refining the edges of shadows, rocks, or trees. However, I need to be careful not to overwork the painting, so I take my time and paint with intention. I can tell when the painting is complete when I step back and feel a sense of harmony and satisfaction.

Prints of “Fall In Motion” are now available to order. The original painting is available here.

Reflections of Zion

I painted "Reflections of Zion" after spending a day exploring a creek in Zion National Park during the fall season. The fall colors and the reflections of the trees in the pools of water that had formed throughout the running creek inspired me. I aimed to capture the distortion of the reflections and the fall leaves moving with the rippling water. The vibrant fall colors were crucial to me, and I used vivid colors to represent the area I was inspired by. I completed the painting in December of 2023.

Below are some photos I took of the progression of Reflections of Zion.

Prints of “Reflections of Zion” are now available to order. The original painting is available here.

River Rock Art Show

I am thrilled to announce that through the month of February 2024, my art will be showcased at River Rock Roasting Company, located in Laverkin, Utah. The display will feature a mix of original paintings and prints that I have created over the last few years. I am always excited to present my art at River Rock because their space perfectly complements my artwork, which is inspired by the Southern Utah region. As an artist, it is always a rewarding experience to see your artwork displayed in one place and witness people's reactions to it as they view it for the first time.

Fall Reflections

“Fall Reflections” was inspired by a morning exploring the Santa Clara River during fall, in Southern Utah. Along the riverbank grew cottonwood trees that stretched their large branches across the river creating reflections in the water. The branches blocked light creating pockets of light that highlight parts of the grasses, leaves, and river bank.  

When I approached painting this scene, I wanted to capture the vibrant fall colors and the reflections in the water contrasting with the deep shadows of the dramatic lighting. It was important to me to capture the feeling of wonder. “Fall Reflections” was painted in the fall of 2023 and is painted with oil paint on canvas.

Below are some photos I took of the progression of Fall Reflections.

Prints of “Fall Reflections” are now available to order. The original painting has been sold.

My latest painting “Receding Night”

“Receding Night” was inspired by a morning I spent photographing a grove of bristlecone pine trees in Great Basin National Park. My family and I spent a great weekend exploring the park and had plans to summit Wheeler peak. The day before the Wheeler Peak hike we hiked to a Grove of bristlecone pine trees nestled in the mountain just under the peak. We spent that afternoon taking the trees in and at the time I was thinking how amazing it would be to photograph the trees during sunrise in the morning light.

                So I convinced my family to wake up at 2 am and hike to the grove of trees before sunrise the day after we did Wheeler peak. I was camping with my two kids, my older brother and his four kids, and my younger brother. As you would imagine it took some convincing, everyone wanted to have a lazy day in camp and not get up at 2 am. To my surprise though everyone got up with me and hiked in the dark to the grove.

 We made great time and got to the grove several hours before sunrise. After experiencing the grove in starlight, everyone but my son Henry and I hiked back to the car and headed back to camp for some much needed rest. Henry and I nestled in and spent the next hour watching the light change amongst the trees. As the sun came up and the first light hit the tops of the trees, I knew I had to do a painting of the receding night. I’ll never forget the morning I spent waiting for the sun to rise, on top of a mountain, amongst an ancient grove of bristlecone pine trees.

Below are some photos I took of the progression of painting Receding Night.

Prints of “Receding Night” are now available to order. The original painting is available and is on display at Gallery 35 in St George, UT.