Christmas Sequoias

High in the Sierra Nevada mountains, snow falls across a landscape of ancient giant sequoias, bringing needed water to this fragile ecosystem. In the valleys below, humanity prepares to celebrate Christmas and other holidays near the winter solstice; here, in the mountains, the years tick by far slower amid towering trees that stand strong for millennia.

Acrylic painting: 14" x 17" (SOLD)

Autumn Aspen Climb

Aspen trees are a symbol of the mountain west in America; these beautiful pioneer trees form massive groves across middle elevations and cooler climates. The root systems can live for centuries, and they turn a distinctive golden color in the fall. Aspens are also rather challenging to paint. Their bright golden leaves risk disappearing against the sky, hence the need for strong blues and darker mountains, and the pale bark of the trees offers little contrast against the yellow foliage. Finally, the bark patterns are distinctive and the technically white bark really reflects colors around it and should never be painted stark white. In all, they are beautiful, symbolic, and tough trees to paint well; I hope this painting has captured their majesty accurately.

Acrylic painting: 14" x 17"

Autumn Cinders

This isn't the prettiest or happiest of paintings, but not everything in life is beautiful, as we all know. This painting is one of quiet persistence; a scattered few maple trees turning their usual crimson colors, as they do every year. Despite the endless rain and clouds, amid the mud and brown-leaved trees everywhere, these few cinders spark and glow, reminding us of better times and the endless cycles of nature. I know it has been a rough year for many people, and for everyone who needs a sunnier tomorrow, I hope it arrives soon.

Acrylic painting: 14" x 17"

Death Valley at Night

On my trip to the West in June, the first national park we saw was Death Valley. At first, one would think there would be nothing of beauty in a barren desert, but that was not the case. Death Valley is an alien inferno for much of the year, and yet its stark landscapes, vast views, and craggy rocks provide a wonder of their own. The most astounding aspect of the park isn't seen until nightfall, however. Then, as the sun slowly sets, you stand beneath one of the darkest skies in the nation, and indeed the world. Above you, the Milky Way fades into view, clearly cut through by dark clouds and rifts, and countless stars glimmer and shine. Indeed, the stars themselves feel within reach, as if there is nothing between you and infinity. This is only a painting, and nocturnes are notoriously difficult to create and photograph - one must see the night sky as it truly is to understand.

Acrylic painting: 14" x 17"

Yosemite Tunnel View - OLD

This is another painting of the stunning landscapes I saw out west early this summer as I toured the national parks of California. The Tunnel View Overlook is one of the most famous overlooks in Yosemite National Park, a classic scene for painters and photographers alike. There is no way to capture the overwhelming scale and beauty of Yosemite, or really any of the mountainous west. All I can do is to try and depict the immense spaces, towering cliffs, and stunning light as I saw them, but to truly understand this place, you must go there yourself and see it.

Acrylic painting: 14" x 17"

Sequoia Trio

In early June, I went on a fun, guided tour through gAdventures and the National Geographic (their "Natural Highlights of California" tour), and one of the amazing places our little group visited was Sequoia National Park. These huge, ancient trees are magnificent and awe-inspiring - it has been said that no one has ever successfully painted or photographed a redwood tree (or giant sequoia) because the feeling they produce is not transferable, and that is accurate. You have to see their staggering size and understand their age by visiting them in person. Still, I have tried to capture their incredible size in a painting, doing the best I can. I took special care to accurately render this well-known trio, from the fire scars to the subtle change in bark texture and color higher up on the trees. Nonetheless, it is only a painting - I recommend one see the trees in person to truly experience them.

Acrylic painting: 14" x 17" (framed, SOLD)

Rain every night

It has rained every day and night here in the Mid-Atlantic states for the past week, with only today finally offering the return of sunlight. While I can't change the weather, I can at least turn it into art! Here, we are somewhere out in the hilly country west of the I-95 corridor as another night of rain sweeps across the land, with the glistening lights of a town visible in the distance.

Acrylic painting: 14" x 17"

Dark Clouds and Waters

Spring is finally here, bringing clouds and rain to a land weary of winter. Here, storm clouds roll over the dark water of a lake or bay in the afternoon.

Acrylic painting: 14" x 17"

Forsythias and Snowmelt

It has been a long winter this year, with the largest snowstorm happening in late March, after the technical start of spring. Here, at the edge of a field and in the shade of an old row of pine trees, we see the snow still linger in the shadows as blazing yellow forsythia flowers illuminate the cold air.

Acrylic painting: 14" x 17"

Light Without Heat

In early February, many ancient northern cultures celebrated holidays marking the middle of winter with spring on the horizon. Examples range from the legends that produced Groundhog Day, to Imbolc, an ancient Gaelic mid-winter festival. A common theme is that of light without heat, for although the days are growing noticeably longer, the air is still cold and snow is often still on the ground. Here, we see that the horizon is pink with dusk even as a local streetlight is already on, marking the slow return of light; and yet, snow covers the ground and the air is frigid. Spring is slowly on its way.

Acrylic painting: 14" x 17"

January River Thaw

The weather in much of the US for the past two weeks has been extremely cold, with everything freezing solid. Amid the snow and ice, we look ahead to the next week, when the first thaw is predicted. Here, the ice melts in a few places on a frozen river beneath a towering sycamore tree.

Acrylic paintings: 14" x 17"