About Me

My photo
I began drawing and painting at a very young age and knew early on that I would choose art for my life. I achieved success early on in high school and college in the arts, but after college, I felt compelled to a career in ministry and have spent many fulfilling years helping others find their purpose in life. Through the years, I continued to paint mostly for enjoyment and as an outlet, but in 2007, I realized that an important part of my own life-purpose was creating and painting. The internet, which of course was not available 25 years ago, is such a useful tool for artist, opening doors and providing exposure that would otherwise not be possible. With this new opportunity, I have been pursuing painting and marketing my art whole heartily, usually painting on a daily basis. I live in Tucson, love to jeep, love to paint and study art, and my paintings are often inspired from some remote mountain location in the high desert.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

New Small Barn Paintings

I have so many barn photos from my summer trip and as I was going through them, I picked a few of my favorites to do some small study paintings.  I may do large versions of these in the future.  They are great size if you are just wanting a small collection size, and they are priced accordingly.  I will be listing these in my ebay store in the next few days, as well as others. 
What am I working on now and into the next few months?  I have a few contest/show entries that I am working on.  It is that time of year when the art world gets going again. -Jeff

Friday, August 27, 2010

The Wait is Over


I own a 5 acre parcel of raw desert land north of Tucson - It is secluded, saguaro studded and the view is amazing!  The land is dry and you would not think that anything but snakes and scorpions could live out there, but one very special time of year, there is a bit of a surprise.  During the brief summer monsoon season,  thousands of tiny newly hatched desert frogs swarm the ground, having just hatched from the seasonal pond and stream that is on the property.  I love to take my son out to see this phenomenon.  It is the most amazing thing to see! The whole process of hatching, growing, reproduction, and once again laying of eggs that will stay dormant until the following year during the monsoon season takes a few short weeks - Then as the water dries up, they are gone again, without a trace - no sign that they were ever there.  But they are there - just waiting for the right time, when once again the wait will be over.  This oil painting is 18X36" and the title is - "The Wait is Over" 
It is newly painted and is available in my ebay store

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Saturday, August 21, 2010

Her Majesty

12X16"
The Grand Teton Mountains - Title: Her Majesty
I am looking forward to painting with Jim Wilcox in November.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Where is Kadi?

Deep down, I really would like for my children to somehow follow in my footsteps to some degree, although if they choose other paths, my love for them in no less, nor am I any less proud.  Kadi, my daughter, has chosen paths that are very close to my own.   I love to paint - I can not express that enough!  But the call on my life to help others through the ministry has taken first place throughout my life.  I have always tried to live by the wisdom to "seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you", wondering if a career in art would ever be part of the things that would be "added unto me".  If I have learned anything with my walk with God, it is that he is faithful and so I have retired the wondering and am enjoying what success I am experiencing with my art.  So, what does this have to do with Kadi?  Kadi plunged head long into painting during her early teen years and went right ahead and completed 2 years of her art degree.  But all along, she too has felt a call on her own life to ministry.  So where is Kadi now?  Kadi is 2/3 of the way through a three year mission school with an organization called YWAM (Youth with a Mission).  Kadi has been to nearly every corner of the globe but has spent the last 6 months of this trip on the continent of Africa, doing what Kadi does best -  loving whoever it is that she comes in contact with and growing ever stronger in her faith.  I have sold quite a few of her paintings on ebay and all proceeds have gone to fund her mission trip, but I am down to only one plein air and the above Rhino painting, quite fitting given that her heart has been deeply touched by her ministry to Africa.  Kadi will be back home in September and she will be painting again for couple of months, getting ready once again for the last 1/3 of her 3 year mission school to yet another part of the world.  I am looking forward to what she will be painting given that her eyes and her heart have been insired in so many new ways! Watch for her new work this fall where once again 100% of her proceeds will go toward her mission trip. This painting is dedicated to the memory of Zibulo, the white rhino, who died in July at the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Azizona.  It is available on ebay. SOLD

Saturday, August 14, 2010

On Sale Now - 15% Off Plein Air Oil Paintings

The Above Painting is one of the Plein Air Pieces that is on sale today till the end of the month on ebay.  I am offering 15% off.  There are about 12 different paintings to choose from.  If you don't see what you want,  please keep checking back.  I list new work every week.  Thanks - Jeff

Scheduled Workshop with Jim Wilcox



Other than keeping at the painting nearly daily, I have a couple of scheduled events coming up - I have once again recieved an invitation to submit to the The Mountain Oyster Club Show and Sale. I am working on my submissions - and while traveling through Jackson, Wyoming last month, I visited and was deeply inspired by the beauty of the Tetons and the works of Jim Wilcox. In November, I am scheduled to do a week-long workshop with him and am looking forward to this.  Jim is the master of the Jackson area. The above painting was painted from a photo I took last month on my long road trip.  The Tetons are at the top of my list for all time favorites - Majestic!    Dressed in Summer's Best - 24X30" available on EBay.

Friday, August 13, 2010

New Painting - "On the Sloping Side"


While in Colorado earlier this month, I took a photo of this interesting barn.  I really liked the a roof lines and just how peaceful the whole scene felt.  Hidden back behind the barn was an old farm truck.  I finished it today and have it listed on EBay.  There are more photos and some close-ups if you would like a better look. - It is titled: "On the Sloping Side".

School, Routine and Purpose

I don’t know about you, but I am glad my kids are back in school and life is getting back to some sort of normal routine. While I love spending extra time with the family during the summer and doing family vacation, I love getting back in the saddle so to speak and doing what God has me doing in my life.  Even as I write this I realize there are many people who don’t feel that way and feel that life has no purpose. So often we look at our lives and feel that we can only be happy if we have certain things, careers or relationships. Let me encourage you that God has a much greater purpose for your life.  Many people spend their lives searching for a greater purpose. Yet we cannot discover the purpose we were created for outside of God. He is the one who made us with our passions, gifts, talents and skills with His purpose in mind. Everything about our fulfillment, our peace and our lives being lived for a greater purpose stems from the fact that we have a creator and He has created for His purpose.  I want to encourage you as we get back to the routine of life that if you have never read Rick Warren’s book “The Purpose Driven Life” that you take 40 days and do so. Or if you are like me, and have read it before, this is a great time to re-read it. God will use it in your life to change you forever.  I have one Purpose Driven Life book available in my EBay store today.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

"Family Values" - Teach them to Fly

New on EBay today is a painting that I have named Family Values. Family truly is important to me. I have a married daughter in Indiana, a college daughter on a mission trip throughout Africa, a third daughter that is maneuvering through 8th grade and following in last, a son. I remember some wise soul giving a young couple words of wisdom after the birth of their first daughter. It went something like this: "Don't assume that she is yours to keep - You are just taking care of her for awhile. She really belongs to God." Yes, sure - In my naive kind of way, I understood perfectly! We were just taking care of her for awhile. Of course I did know that... But somewhere along this incredible journey, my wife and I maybe forgot or just didn't quite understand the implications of this wisdom. Even with the best intentions and even with the noble thought of being a temporary care-giver, we just got to thinking that she was "ours" as were each that came along. Years later after we dropped our oldest off at college and waved good-bye, my wife, through tearful eyes and a sincere mother's heart, whispered out loud, "fly away little birdie" only to many times since retract the command.Less than a year later came my "fly away" moment as a married off my baby girl. My wife and I really don't want our brood to return after they leave - we want to give them wings to fly to be all God intended them to be - but sometimes we wonder why someone didn't tell us a long time ago to prepare our hearts because one day they would take wing.   Then I remember... oh yes, someone did ...  Enjoy your kids today and give them wings to fly.   - Jeff

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

"Summer's Yield" - Florence Oregon

I took a trip in July - more than 4000 miles throughout the Western states.  I am always amazed at how much diversity there is in the landscape from state to state.  I found many farms on the Oregon Coast - This one was inland a bit from Florence, Oregon.  It is listed in my ebay store - Title: Summer's Yield
 

Monday, August 9, 2010

Studio Space Complete






Since November, I have been having work done for a better studio set up that would meet the needs for painting and office. The space is completed and I thought I would post a few shots of the new studio. I have 2 easel stations so I am able to work on different pieces or work with another artist. I have branched out a bit in offering lessons to a few students who have been very patient to put up with construction. I have lots of shelving, keeping all of my canvas and plein air boxes organized and within quick reach. A sink was installed for washing brushes and track lighting gives me the opportunity to set the lights where I need them. As you can see, Hubble, my golden retriever, likes the newly carpeted studio, too. The offfice space across from the painting space gives quick access for listing. Kathy ships my paintings for me, so her favorite space is the packing table with all her supplies shelved close by. No excuses for not painting now! Hope you enjoyed this tour - Jeff

El Morro - "Written In Stone"


Sales on Ebay are holding steady for me. Summer usually slows down a bit, giving me a chance to increase my inventory. I sold this large commission piece on ebay last week. It is 24X36" - Inscription Rock - El Morro in New Mexico.  If you don't see what you want on ebay, or just have some ideas about a painting you would like to have, please let me know.  I have had good success in working on customs.  I worked off a photo provided by the buyer on this one, and took some artistic freedom to come up with a composition we were both happy with.  My sales are through private auctions through my EBay store.  Prices vary depending on size - Keep in mind that it takes about 10-14 days to dry after painting is complete. Just email if you are interested in working with me and I will see what you have and give you my price quotes.
Other than keeping at the painting nearly daily, I have a couple of scheduled events coming up - I have once again recieved an invitation to submit to the The Mountain Oyster Club Show and Sale. I am working on my submissions - and while traveling through Jackson, Wyoming last month, I visited and was deeply inspired by the beauty of the Tetons and the works of Jim Wilcox. In November, I am scheduled to do a week-long workshop with him and am looking forward to this. The title of this piece is Written in Stone. SOLD

South Fork Colorado
















In July, I ended up in South Fork, Colorado, to do a little painting and a little fishing - Both were great. Painting in the mornings and fishing in the evenings, my daughter went out sketching with me one morning and Kathy accompanied me on another - Beautiful mornings with rain in the afternoons followed by fantastic fishing later in the day. I caught the biggest river trout I think I hae ever gotten out of a Colorado River. Mostly catch and release (my son wanted to watch them swim away), we ended up cooking up only 3 of the many fish we landed. I painted "South Fork Morning" while the clouds broke. Please check out my listings on ebay - Seems to be the place for me to sell my work right now. Thanks Jeff Sold