Beneath the Golden Canopy

 

"Beneath the Golden Canopy" is a work that invites quiet reflection on the sacredness found in everyday rural life. In this 15"x15" oil on panel inspired on Mackinac Island, I aimed to capture a moment where nature and stillness intersect, revealing a deeper presence beneath the surface. The scene centers on a single horse resting beside a simple white fence, a humble sentinel within the landscape. Above, a large maple tree spreads its vibrant autumn leaves - greens and golds mingling in textured layers that catch shifting light and shadow.

I wanted the painting to convey more than a season or setting. The interplay between the calm horse and expansive tree is a reminder of the subtle, often unnoticed ways the divine appears in our surroundings. A pale blue historic house peeking in from the side grounds the composition with a quiet steadiness, contrasting gently with warm colors and emphasizing a sense of home and belonging.

The process of creating this piece was attentiveness to light, texture and color established through layering of values through color intensity. It is important to me that the viewer falls in love with the colors and that the painting feels open and inviting, encouraging a moment of pause.

"Beneath the Golden Canopy" reflects my ongoing exploration of the sacred woven into natural and rural landscapes. Its about developing a sensitivity to the quiet guardianship present in the world around us where God's grace can be found.

Good Friends

 

Good Friends

This painting "Good Friends" measures 24" x 24" and is rendered in oil on panel. In this work, I focus on a simple yet meaningful scene: two saddle mules standing quietly together on a soft patch of grass. One mule is black, the other a warm sorrel, and their heads incline gently toward each other-a subtle gesture that speaks to companionship and calm connection.

I arranged the composition to highlight their relationship, framed by a tall tree whose delicate leaves blend into a muted, blue-grey forest in the background. The mules catch the light, standing out clearly from the subdued backdrop. This contrast is intentional; it guides the eye to the stillness shared between these animals, inviting the viewer into a moment of peaceful presence.

My motivation for creating "Good Friends" stems from an ongoing desire to reveal the abundance of grace embedded in the natural world. There is an unmistakable sense of God's presence intertwined with these quiet, everyday experiences. The mules pause to simply exist side by side - a reminder of the gentle , sustaining relationships that often go unnoticed.

During the painting process, I focused on building a rich, textured surface that lends a timeless quality to the scene. This texture invites both close attention and wide contemplation, encouraging an appreciation for the subtle details. 

"Good Friends" is an invitation to pause and recognize the quiet bonds and steady divine presence found in nature. It speaks to the universal grace that connects us all, seen in the intimate moments shared between living beings. My hope is that the painting offers a space for reflection and calm.

Through this work, I want to celebrate the quiet strength in companionship and the sustaining power of grace that quietly supports us, much like the partnership of these two friends standing together in the light.

On the Easel...

24"x 24" oil for a series titled "Backcountry of the Middle West". Also known as Americas Heartland, is a region many of us have fallen in love with. To me its the perfect blend of beauty year round and temperatures that offer outdoor enthusiasts a variety of opportunities.  

It’s Been Busy!

 A few recent commissions. 8 x 10” acrylic. 

Pastel

A Special Christmas Gift

 … for a special brother! 8x10” acrylic. 

Fall Dreams

 Pushing some color for a different aesthetic  8x8” oil  

Pet Commissions

 It is really a joy to work on people’s beloved pets and to bring out their personalities with brush work, color and design. Introducing Kash, Rooke, Binz and Stewart.