Grateful Notices: View through the Orange and Red Woods, oil on canvas, 40 x 40 inches

View through the Orange and Red Woods, oil on canvas, 40 x 40 inches
Private collection

This is a simple concept really, bands of trees with a small foreground and glowing background. At least that is what I thought when I began this work. The foreground was kept simple but a number of decisions had to be made as the painting progressed. The tree trunks are not smooth but the ones in the background are. The foreground and background glow but the middle trees do not.

A number of color combinations were tried. I was insisting on the orange / reds, but I couldn't get the primary trees to work to that idea. After many sessions in the studio, I allowed the greens and suddenly, it all began to come together. The dark blues went in, giving interest to the dark areas. That being done, I could finally tune up the yellows and add the rose reds for additional interest.

Finally, I was back working with the original idea of the light coming in behind the trees, adjusting the color and brightness until everything came together as one complex, appealing chord.

My many thanks to the couple that purchased the painting and to Mirada Gallery, CO for your kind help.

Exhibition: Total Arts Gallery, Taos NM Opening

Here are some photos from the opening of my Two-Man Exhibition with Kim English at the Total Arts Gallery, Taos, NM in May 2015. It was a great evening. Thanks to all that came and to everyone at Total Arts for the great show!

The exhibition is up through the month of June.
view the exhibit here

Kim English, left

Ken Elliott, left

Kim and Ken outside the gallery on opening day

My oils in the exhibition:

Grateful Notices: April 23, 2014

Orange and Green Radiance

Oil on canvas, 48 x 84 inches

Commission for a private residence, Houston

This large commission was thrilling to do. The concept was clear - to have the trees go from bright to dark, moving left to right and to use these colors with heat coming in from the back. The couple followed the process from start to finish, watching the development and sharing in the rush that comes with the creation.

The husband made a statement that was a big help to the concept. The oil was pretty far along and he wanted to give me more guidance. His vision was this, "I have a very demanding and stressful job. I think of the trees as being very peaceful but behind them is this hot red-orange place that represents my work." With those instructions, I was off and running. The rest was making the oil something striking, sophisticated and interesting across the surface.

Thank you Houston!

Grateful Notices: August 18, 2013

BRIGHT ENCOUNTER
oil on canvas, 60 x 60 inches
Purchased by the Denver Art Company
Exhibited at the Madden Museum of Fine Art, 2012

Thank you Debbrah!

Giclee: 20% off sale through Dec 24, 2012

First ever 20% off Giclee Print Sale!

I'm celebrating a good year in advance. Pick any of my limited edition giclees, any size, on paper or canvas and take 20% off through Dec. 24.

In some cities, participating dealers are also offering 20% off on the custom framing with your purchase. Contact me by phone or email to select your image and make framing arrangements. You can see all of the images and prices here. 

(Custom sizes and images on canvas / prices are not listed on the website - please contact me for pricing)