The block of St Peter between Bourbon and Royal is just a terrific block. There is Pat O'Brien's which has been serving locals and tourists alike since just after Prohibition. There is Preservation Hall, keeping traditional New Orleans Jazz alive. You're just a few steps away from Cat's Meow and the Krazy Korner, along with many cool dive bars.

The beautiful and iconic St Louis Cathedral as seen on a foggy night on Chartres Street. Chartres is well-loved among people who find themselves feeling connected to the vibe of the French Quarter. This view at night is one that always stops me in my tracks.

This view on Bourbon toward Canal shows just how magnetic that street can be. Sure it’s very touristy and had its seedy elements. But when a warm rain comes in the summer, I dare you not to be stopped, if only for a moment, by the splendor. As they say, there’s still pride on Bourbon, and I agree. Prints available in shop.

This is the famous Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, one of the very oldest buildings in New Orleans, and also one of the oldest bars or pubs in the country. It’s a little bit away from the crazy part of Bourbon Street and is a wonderful stop on any ghost or vampire tour. Stop in and get a voodoo daiquiri! Available in the shop as an 18” x !8” print.

This is Chartres Street looking up toward Jackson Square and the world famous St. Louis Cathedral. For my money no street in the Quarter is as mysterious as Chartres. It feels haunted from front to back, in all the best ways. The title is a double meaning, meant to evoke liquor and ghosts, of which you will find all you want! Image courtesy of and used with permission thanks to Rose Sinister. 14” x 11” prints available in the shop.

This is the wonderful Cafe Beignet on Royal Street. It’s my favorite coffee shop in the world. Not just because of the superior beignets and cafe au lait, but also because of the employees who are so nice, and because the building itself is so special. Available as a 14” x 11” print in the shop.

This image shows St Peter Street just outside of Preservation Hall looking toward the river. Right next door is the wonderful Pat O’Brien’s bar. Stop in for a hurricane while you’re there! Or just stand there and soak in all the French Quarter goodness.

This was Lundi Gras on Bourbon Street. I love those neon signs so much. I could just keep on painting them from different angles for years to come. This one is 18 x 24 inches, acrylic on panel. The color is just like this in real life. I feel like it’s up to me not to mess it up, just observe and interpret what I see. So much fun.

This is the view down Bourbon Street just outside of the famous Absinthe House. This is one of the classic reminders of the streetcar line that used to travel Bourbon Street but is long gone. I hear the chargrilled oysters are amazing at Desire!

This is a view looking down Canal Street away from the river. Standing at just about Royal and Canal, you can see the St. Charles Streetcar getting ready to make its turn up St. Charles from Canal. This wonderful image shows a late 1950’s view of the city. From the cars to the fashions, it transports the viewer to a time long ago. I know these were racially very tumultuous times, but the visuals are fantastic.

The houses in the Marigny often have a character of their very own. They have so much charm despite their age, or perhaps because of it. Anyway, I love them.

I did this painting based on a historic photo. I was able to find the actual location on Chartres Street, and it looks almost the same, just a few changes here and there. That’s what I love so much about New Oreans. 100 years go by and it’s almost unchanged.

The Funky 544 is a music club like many others on Bourbon Street, but I just happened to fall for their neon sign so I decided to paint it. So many wonderful colors to be found on Bourbon Street. Amazing.

This shows the wonderful and magical Mahogany Jazz Hall, complete with a glowing Mardi Gras tree in the entryway. I love that place.

Chartres Street is quickly becoming one of my favorites in the city. Not only does it have Mahogany Jazz Hall, it also has an amazing assortment of restaurants like Justine, Sylvain and Doris Metropoliana. This view is down toward Esplanade on Chartres.

The Cemeteries in New Orleans are world famous for their distinctive look. I did this painting based on a photo taken by very talented photographer who goes by Lady Luna Nola, and she kindly gave me permission to paint it.

St Peter Street between Royal and Bourbon is one of my favorite single blocks in the world. It has Pat O’Briens, Preservation Hall, Cat’s Meow, and is close to the Gumbo Shop and many other great spots.

This is the beautiful St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square circa 1960. The Cabildo and Pontalba buildings complete the scene. It’s amazing to see a view when Chartres Street cut straight through from St. Peter to St. Ann and people could park right in front of the Cathedral. The horizon puts the view on the 3rd floor of the Pontalba on the North side of the Square. What a breathtaking view of a beautiful city. I wish I could have seen it in person, but this is the next best thing.

Here is Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, just after a rain. They’ve been serving drinks here longer than any other bar in the United States (so the sign says), and looking around inside you can believe it. It’s small, cozy, warm and inviting. There is also a piano in the back, and they definitely entertain. If you’re in New Orleans, you have to pop in and get a Voodoo Daiquiri.

Here is the beautiful and historic Hotel Monteleone in all its summertime glory. Located up near Canal Street on Royal, Hotel Monteleone has been welcoming guests to the Crescent City since 1886. It has undergone numerous expansions, most recently in 1964. It seemed like a fitting tribute to that era to paint it as it might have been on a beautiful day in the 1960’s. There is a 1958 Ford Fairlane and an early 1960’s Corvette in the distance. This painting is 48” x 36” acrylic on cradled panel, and is now available at Kako Gallery in New Orleans.

Located on the corner of Bourbon and St. Phillip, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop is said to be the oldest bar in America. That may or may not be strictly true, but it is still something that must not be missed. What is certain is that the building dates to the 1770’s and feels every bit a haunted house. If you go, you should try the Voodoo Daiquiri, and enjoy the parade of walkers-by on Bourbon Street.

Here is a small 10” x 8” painting of a 1956 Ford parked on Chartres near Jackson Square, probably at Madison or Dumaine. Up Chartres St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square can be seen. This is a recent photo, although I elected to remove the highrise buildings that would normally be seen up near Canal. This car was formerly owned by famed Fritzel’s piano player Richard “Piano” Scott, but now it belongs to me. How I came to purchase it is a story I’ll be glad to tell you if we meet in person!

Have a nice hot cafe au lait and beignets in the beautiful courtyard next to Cafe Beignet on Royal Street. Enjoy strolling down Royal, one of the prettiest streets in the world, especially after a light spring rain.

This is a commissioned piece done for a Texas based restaurant group called Smashin Crab. They feature New Orleans style crab boils and po’boys so it seemed fitting to put their restaurant right smack in the heart of the French Quarter circa 1940. The setting sun and music in the air invite you to slow down and enjoy life a little. Why not stop into the Smashin Crab and have dinner! This painting is not for sale but prints are available through Kako Gallery.

Located on St. Peter street between Bourbon and Royal, Preservation Hall has been playing traditional New Orleans jazz virtually every night since 1963. When you see a line of people all the way down the sidewalk and you think it’s a long line to get into Pat O’Briens, you’re really looking at a line for the Hall. They play 5 concerts a night, and each one is as unique as the musicians who play there. Do yourself a favor and book tickets online, it’s worth every penny! This is the best traditional New Orleans jazz in the world!

The musicians are, from left to right: Jim Robinson, Josiah "Cie" Frazier, James Prevost, Percy Humphrey, Willie Humphrey, Sing Miller, Narvin Kimball

September 3, 1949, the Carousel Bar opened inside the historic Hotel Monteleone, becoming New Orleans’ first and only rotating bar.

Its carousel theme and unique design is a treat for the young-at-heart, offering guests a pleasant, subtle rotation around a world-class cocktail bar every 15 minutes.

This is the fabulous Hotel Monteleone. Picture a cool spring morning, strolling up Royal toward Canal Street. Coffee and beginets (probably from Cafe Beignet right down Royal from here) in hand, ready to explore the French Quarter. This hotel is the gem of the street in all of its 19th century splendor. Be sure to pop into the Carousel Bar a little later for a drink, you’ll be glad you did!

Could there be anything more lovely than staying at the Hotel Monteleone for Christmas? I imagine eating a wonderful dinner at Antoine’s (my favorite is the soft shell crab) then strolling down Royal, perhaps picking up a few present for loved ones back home. Then once all that has been taken care of, you just stroll right back over to the wonderful 19th century gem that is the Monteleone. Perfect.

This charming scene takes place on Royal Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. My research discovered that the Bevolo gas lamp manufacturer opened operations in 1945, so this image is likely right around that date. This is the corner of Royal and St. Ann by what is now the Pere Antoine restaurant. I fell in love with the mid-century cars and feel of the whole setting, not to mention the lovely mother and daughter out window shopping. I usually insist on only using my own photos as reference material, but I made an exception in this case because I felt this is a picture too perfect to be ignored. 24” x 36” acrylic on panel.

This is a lovely mid-century scene in the French Quarter, probably from the late 1950’s. The intersection is at St. Peter and Royal Street. The trees in the distance are the giant live oak trees in Jackson Square, so this is looking towards the river. The store on the left is now Rouses Market. This is one of my favorite intersections in the world, the buildings are amazing. Plus there are lots of galleries and stores in the area. Something for everyone!

“Vieux Carre” literally means “the old square” and refers to the oldest part of the city of New Orleans, the French Quarter. It doesn’t get any more charming to me than strolling down Royal Street for brunch at the Court of Two Sisters in the 1950’s. The fact that the restaurant is still there (going strong since the late 1920’s) adds to the allure. This is actually the Bourbon Street entrance which has changed a bit, but not enough to disguise the buildings.

So here we are at Preservation Hall, the most legendary jazz venue in the country You can’t take photos while the band is playing which is just as well. The stage itself has all the character of its decades built right in. This is what it’s like to see jazz rather than hear it. But do yourself a favor and go hear it anyway! 18 x 24 acrylic on masonite.

This is the block of St. Peter street that runs between Bourbon and Royal Streets. Along this little stretch you will find Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Reverend Zombie’s Voodoo shop, the Gumbo Shop, and one of two entrances to what is billed as the “busiest bar in the world”, Pat O’Brien’s. On a slow evening, the doorman has a chance to relax a bit. This block has so much of what is wonderful about the French Quarter.

This late 1940’s scene embodies much of what captivates me about the French Quarter. It always seems to be part of another world, another place, another time. Even though I painted this picture. I still can’t quite believe it’s a real place. These people lived and worked there, which is a reality I will never know. They didn’t know how lucky they were!

Harry’s Corner is a wonderful little neighborhood bar on the corner of Chartres and Dumaine very near Jackson Square in the heart of the French Quarter. It is one of the most authentic little spots around, full of character and unique charm. It has a cigarette machine where you can still pull a handle and get a pack for only $9.50 ha ha!. I hadn’t heard of Harry’s before doing this piece, but I will make a point to return every time I’m in Nola. Just a fun and relaxing place to spend a little time. This painting was done as a commission, so it isn’t for sale.

Royal Street in New Orleans is the most beautiful and interesting street in the world to me. I could walk up and down from Canal to Esplanade over and over and never get bored. It’s filled with galleries, stores, coffee shops and restaurants, without any of the debauchery that may make one wary of Bourbon Street. This scene highlights one of my favorite brunch spots in the city, the Court of Two Sisters. The sign says they’ve been there since 1832 which is a little confusing because Antoine’s is the city’s oldest, since 1840. I’m sure there’s an interesting story. Nevertheless, it’s the best place to sit in a beautiful courtyard, have some brunch and listen to live jazz.

This place has beignets that are denser and more cake-like than Cafe Du Monde. Kind of like how regular doughnuts can be more or less dense. The line can be out the front door, but it usually moves pretty quickly. The only downside is that they aren’t open that late. But they do have an actual food menu and lots of good pastries, so pop in if you find yourself in the Vieux Carre. 12 x 18 acrylic on board. Sold.

18 x 24 acrylic on board. For sale. This is the Iberville entryway, just over from Bourbon St. Another masterpiece of neon construction, a symphony of color with the scent of chargrilled oysters in the air!

Pere Antoine is a wonderful little neighborhood bar and restaurant on the corner of Royal and St. Ann. I’ve heard it said that if a restaurant advertises Cajun Food that it’s probably a tourist trap because the food of New Orleans is Creole while Cajun comes from another region. That may be true most of the time, but Pere Antoine is well worth hitting up. After dinner, head one block over to Bourbon St. to Fritzel’s to see the world class pianist Richard “Piano” Scott.

Antoine’s is one of the oldest restaurants in the entire country, having been run by the same family since 1840. I always get the soft shell crab almondine, but you really can’t go wrong with anything. This is old world fine dining and its best. After dinner, you can wander from room to room and peruse the memorabilia from Mardi Gras passed. Also, you have to see the block long wine cellar, it must be seen to be believed! I’ve had some of the best dinners of my life here, and I hope to have many more. sold

The Funky 544 is a lively Rhythm and Blues club on Bourbon, right in the center of the action. The sign recalls the glory days of disco, although that’s not the type of music you’re likely to hear inside. There seems to be a continuously evolving crowd inside, and everyone is there to have some fun and let the cares of the world evaporate for at least a little while. Come on in and shake your groove thing!

24 x 36 acrylic on board. Sold. This is actually just a t-shirt and knick-knack shop on Bourbon St, but it encapsulates the spirit of New Orleans, and is just a masterpiece of neon design. I’m going to paint it again, I like it so well!

18 x 24 acrylic on board. For sale. The Oysters here are just as good as Acme, but without the wait. Plus the front is right on Bourbon, so there is literally no better people watching anywhere!

12 x 18 acrylic on board. For sale. This is normally considered to be the side entrance of Pat O’Brien’s on Bourbon St. but the name “Willie’s Chicken Shack” is too good not to use.

18 x 24 acrylic on board. For sale. If I had a dollar for every slice of pizza I ate here, I’d have a nice down payment on a new car! Located on St. Louis St. between Royal and Bourbon, it’s really the best pizza in the French Quarter.

Yes there are many many live music spots on Bourbon Street, and this one is much like any other. A little hole in the wall that play the blues all night long. What more could you want in a night out in the French Quarter? Plus, look at that sign! They’ve been in the business of Preserving Jazz for a long time. Right on the corner of St. Peter and Bourbon, just steps away from the Cat’s Meow and Pat O’Brien’s. Acrylic on masonite, 18’’ x 24’’

18 x 24 acrylic on board. For sale. On the left of the entry is the “Famous Door” itself, which is an incredible list of the musicians who have performed here over the years. Located on the corner of Conti St. and Bourbon St., this venue has been pumping out live music for decades.

Acme Oysters is right off of Iberville between Bourbon and Royal streets, just one block in from Canal. It’s been there for decades and is one of the most famous oyster stops in the world, justifiably so. The lines can be long, so I always go between meal-times. Sit at the bar if you want to watch the oyster shuckers do their work. The char-grilled oysters aren’t to be missed. Wash it all down with some Abita Amber, and you’re good to go. This is acrylic on masonite, 18'“ x 36”.

24 x 36 acrylic on board. For sale. I don’t even smoke, but the chunky architecture of this block up near Bourbon and St. Ann is so wonderful. The stories those stoops could tell! While you’re there, do yourself a favor and stop in to Fritzel’s to listen to Richard “Piano” Scott, you’ll be glad you did!

Located at 726 St. Peter Street, Preservation Hall has been in the business of showcasing traditional New Orleans Jazz since 1961. There is no more historic or culturally significant venue in the city, in my opinion. Be forewarned, there are no restrooms and no drinks, but it is absolutely a must-visit. Available in the shop as a 14” x 11” print.

Located at 618 Frenchmen Street, DBA is one of the great music venues on Frenchmen Street. They formerly had a fantastic beer list and absolutely wonderful bartenders. They have new ownership and some changes are underway so we will see what happens. The music is always varied and awesome! this is available as a 14” x 11” print in the shop.

Located at 125 Chartres Street, Mahogany Jazz Hall is the classiest and nicest in the city. They feature the best of the best traditional New Orleans Jazz players each and every night. They also have some of the absolute best bartenders in the city, and some amazing art on the walls if I don’t say so myself ha ha! This is available in the shop at 14” x 11”.

Located at 623 Frenchmen Street, the Spotted Cat features a range of music styles, but also highlights some of the best musicians in town. It’s a classic intimate venue that is a must-see. Available in the shop as a 14” x 11” print.

This painting is 24” x 36” , ink and acrylic with gold leaf background. Available at Sutton Galleries and Mahogany Jazz Hall.

One of the pioneers of Rock N’ Roll, Fats Domino had a huge impact on popular music, and is deservedly in the Rock and roll hall of fame. This painting is ink and acrylic with gold leaf, 36” x 24” and is available at Mahogany Jazz Hall.

This painting shows a young Louis Armstrong, just getting started in his career. The painting is ink and acrylic with gold leaf, 36” x 24”. Available at Sutton Galleries.

Uncle Lionel Batiste was a longtime member of the Treme Brass Band, and is remembered as a beloved member of the New Orleans music scene. This painting is 36” x 24”, acrylic and ink with gold leaf. Available at Mahogany Jazz Hall.

This painting features Louis Armstrong with Mardi Gras flair. 14” x 11” acrylic, ink, gold leaf and green and purple crystals. Available at Mahogany Jazz Hall.

Billie Holiday was an iconic jazz and blues singer who had a profound influence on jazz and vocal music. Her music and voice are as beautiful as her life was tragic and difficult. This painting is 36” x 24” acrylic ink and gold leaf, available at Sutton Galleries and Mahogany Jazz Hall.

I had just walked out of the AMC across the street, right into a rain storm. It was really pouring, and the reflections and colors took me by surprise. I snapped a few reference photos, and when I got home I decided to paint an homage to New York and movies by putting lots of Easter Eggs in this painting. It’s become a favorite of mine, and opened my eyes to the power of adding interest.

This is very obviously a Taxi Driver homage. It has some of the characters and settings put together in one image. It’s based on the visually splendid world of early 70’s times square. I know it was seedy and dangerous, but it just looks amazing. This was available as a print through Bottleneck Gallery in 2021.

I just fell in love with the retro advertising that’s been jammed into Times Square for the last 100 years or so. I found this image and just felt like I had to paint it. I added the Pepsi Cola sign because I felt like it needed a little something there. I may do more of this sort of thing, adding more of my own choices for ads instead of what was actually there.

I love mid-century imagery, and New York in particular. This is almost an homage to Mad Men without being quite that obvious about it. But it’s got all the elements. Ads, cars and a pretty girl in vintage clothing. I love all that stuff.

This is the theater across the street from the Regal on 42nd. It’s a symphony of colors in its own right, maybe even more due to all the lightbulbs in the marquee. At first I wasn’t sure if I should include the construction scaffolding, but now I really like how lights bounce in between the bars. I wouldn’t change it.

Astute observers will recognize this as the Ghostbusters building in New York, but it’s formally known as the Hook & Ladder 8 building. I wanted to paint it and hint at its ghostbusters connection without including specific things created just for the movie. This was available as a print through Bottleneck Gallery in 2021.

I decided to paint my own full version of a Taxi Driver poster. So this has several characters included, although I used a photo of the city that isn’t found in the movie. I kind of used some creative license to build the whole scene, but then that’s what artists are supposed to do.

Juniors is a relatively small, but very cool, chain of mid—century themed coffee/ cheesecake shops. There are two near Times Square, and this is the one up on 56th. It’s so amazing from the outside, all the neon and lightbulbs give it a warm and friendly glow. The food is also really good, and the cheesecake? Amazing. I included a poster of King Kong instead of whatever ad was there before because why not?

This is an even more Mad Men type of image, with the businessman, the taxi, and the ads. For a while there they had taxis with red roofs. I kind of like those, they seem like they belong to a very specific time. Restored taxis like these are not easy to find, and expensive to buy. I always thought it would be a lot of fun to drive around my neighborhood in an old New York City taxi.

Right off of 42nd is this wonderfully decorate subway terminal. I love the fact that they took the time to make it interesting rather than just functional. The way those lights glow and bounce off the wet pavement in between the pedestrians really caught my eye. I also upgraded the billboard above into the Wonder City poster because it really says how I feel about the city.

Winter is such a beautiful time to be in Paris. There is something about the chill that brings out the warmth in the scenery. This carousel was set up for the holidays in the middle of an open plaza in the le Marais area of Paris. A more charming scene could scarcely be conceived, a bit of joy placed nicely against the timelessness and stoicism of the surrounding architecture. 18” x 24” acrylic on board.

No landmarks. No Eiffel Tower. No Louvre. No Arc De Triomphe. Even without these things Paris is instantly recognized. Its architecture unique and wonderful, its streetlamps evocative of a simpler yet grander time. If you go to Paris, do go see those famous sights; they are justly remembered. But do yourself a favor and spend some time just walking with a loved one and try to soak in the special thing it is to be in Paris. You won’t be sorry.

Although this looks like it should be the entrance to the Paris Royal Opera, this is actually a cafe nearby to the Opera House. It’s also just a few short blocks away from the Louvre and the Tuileries Gardens, which is where we stayed. The streets were lively and colorful, and a winter rain only enhanced the beauty by giving a shine to it all. This cafe is typical of a busy city cafe with a great selection of standards, but it will always stick out in my mind as the first place I got my daughter to try escargot!

This bookstore is situated at 37 rue de la Bûcherie, in the 5th arrondissement, and is still in operation today. Opened in 1951 by American George Whitman, it was originally called "Le Mistral," but was renamed to "Shakespeare and Company" in 1964 in tribute to Sylvia Beach's store and on the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's birth. Today, it continues to serve as a purveyor of new and second-hand books, as an antiquarian bookseller, and as a free reading library open to the public. Additionally, the shop houses aspiring writers and artists in exchange for their helping out around the bookstore. Since the shop opened in 1951, more than 30,000 people have slept in the beds found tucked between bookshelves. The shop's motto, "Be Not Inhospitable to Strangers Lest They Be Angels in Disguise," is written above the entrance to the reading library. Prints are available for $85 in my shop.

Three Greyhounds is a beautiful pub in the Westminster part of London. Located at 25 Greek Street, it has been in operation since 1847, although the building has been there since the 1670’s. How can you resist that kind of historic ambiance? Plus, as you can see, there is a lively night scene in the area. Just a great pub to hang out in.

Paris is so full of interesting visual, an artist hardly knows where to even start. When I look around at my local neighborhood, it’s easy to forget that everyday places can be charming, can be interesting, can be beautiful. This is just a Metro entrance and small cafe in the 4th Arr. of Paris, just a short walk from Notre Dame Cathedral. It’s not meant to be anything other than what it is, and yet visions like these captivate me because they are so unlike what I see everyday in Lakewood, CO.

This is a wonderful little restaurant right next to Notre Dame. We were there on Christmas Eve, and could not have had more fun. We listened to the bells ring and ate giant meringues! Of course this place, being called the “Quasimodo of Notre Dame”, is definitely a tourist trap in the making, but the colors and liveliness of the place simply had to be painted. This is 18x24 glazed acrylic on masonite.

This is a view up the street from the famous Shakespeare and Co. bookstore in Paris. It’s right across the street from Notre Dame actually, which is partly why I painted it. Christmas Eve in Paris was every bit as beautiful as one would hope. Just to wander around the City of Lights during that time of year was a treat. The bookstore itself wasn’t open due to it being Christmas Eve, but the Latin Quarter itself is absolutely worth visiting, with or without a destination in mind. Prints are available for $85 in my shop.

This charming scene was found on the Ile Saint-Louis in Paris on Christmas Eve. The architecture is beautiful and chunky, the lighting is warm and festive, and the overall character is just right for Paris in winter. This is 14 x 18 glazed acrylic on masonite panel. Prints are available for $85 in my shop.

This charming street scene is right off the Champs Elysees. We had just eaten dinner at one of the many wonderful Creperies in Paris and we were strolling back toward our Metro stop. The color and light of the city is so pretty. I feel like I could be walking around on a movie set. The sign that reads “Bar Gustation de Vins” translates as “Wine Tasting Bar”. This painting is 16 x 20 inches.

This is a beautiful little Macaroon Shop right down the street from our hotel. We stayed across the street from the Tuileries Garden, right next to the Louvre. Of course you can get good macaroons almost anywhere in Paris, but this little shop has one of the most charming storefronts I have ever seen. And the macaroons were fantastic! Acrylic on masonite, 12’’ x 18’’. sold

This is my current Paris in Christmas painting in progress, untitled as of yet. This is just brushed on India ink with transparent glazes of acrylic gloss medium over top to establish relative values. 14 x 18 inches on masonite. This will be for sale for $1,200 when complete

This portrait was done with india ink on masonite, with highlights of white acrylic. I’ve been trying to learn goldleafing, so the background is true 24 k gold leaf. I’m getting better at it, and it’s fun to have something new to master. If you’re interested in a portrait please contact me or Kako Gallery to arrange details. I love doing them!

I’m doing a series of Jazz musicians, and who better to start with than the most famous one of all, the great Louis Armstrong. My research reveals that he more often referred to himself as “Loo-is” than “loo-ee”, so that’s how I pronounce it, and I invite you to do the same!

Here is Jascha with a cool color-change paint. It’s pearlescent and bring out the hazel in her eyes. This is 18” x !4'“ acrylic on masonite.

This is a small 8” x 8” piece for the Annual Chinese New Year show at Valkarie Gallery. This year is the year of the rat, which is also my Chinese Zodiac sign, so I was happy to paint this cute little picture. It will be on display soon, but if you would like to pre-purchase, the price is $195. Acrylic on cradled masonite panel.

This is the second in my series of Mardi Gras Queens. This one uses the traditional colors and also has a ton of detail with the pattern on the dress. Mardi Gras kind of ushers in the spring, so the whole flower thing makes sense.

Simple, classy and beautiful. Just the act of putting on shoes can be a charming and feminine scene.

This is a straight portrait of the lovely Lily Drew. She is super talented as a performer and writer, much more than just a pretty face. But she is also the quintessential blonde which works very well for my series here. The background is a color shifting paint that looks blue or purple depending on where you stand.

This is a portrait of a friend and wonderful comic book artist named Laura Braga. She lives in Italy, and this is her cat, Smoothie. The blacks are all india ink, but the background is metallic acrylic. It’s 14 x 18 inches on masonite panel. Sold

You catch her eye and she catches yours. Do you look away? Do you maintain eye contact? Do you go talk to her? Decisions. decisions… 18” x 14” acrylic on masonite.

This is a drapery study disguised as figure drawing. Actually I guess there’s a little bit of both. The background is metal flake purple which is almost impossible to capture in a photo. 18” x 24” acrylic and india ink on masonite. panel.

Here is the second painting featuring Lily. She is just a stunner, obviously, and her look fits my style to a “T”. I feel honored that she allowed me to paint her.

This is the first in a series I’m working on featuring the lovely Jascha. She has the most amazing eye color and I’m enjoying figuring out ways to organize pictures around it. Photography by David Lipman used with permission.

I’m interesting in working with the human figure, but nudes often are too intense for the general public. I’m trying to find the line between what is still tasteful and what displays true feminine beauty and strength. I will keep trying! This is 18” x 14” acrylic and india ink on masonite board. For sale.

Indigo is a beautiful Siamese mix, here being held by her equally lovely human companion. The blue in her eyes is stunning, and the chemistry between the two was wonderful. Indigo is quite the chatterbox, and absolutely fun to work with! The only cat I have ever met who follows commands for treats. For sale. 18” x 14” acrylic on masonite panel.

Part of my Cat series, exploring femininity and felinity at the same time, and also trying out some new paints and techniques on something fun to work with. One of my favorite and most versatile models, just a pleasure to work with. For sale. 18” x 14” glazed acrylic over India ink on masonite panel.

This was one of my favorite models, but then she moved away. It happens. I got 4 good pieces during our time working together, so that’s a plus.

This is an adorable ferret names Noodles with his equally charming friend. I’m really enjoying exploring the dynamic between people and their pets. There is such an innocence and charm to their interactions and friendship. It’s just a joy to paint!

This is the Heart piece. Metallic acrylics on masonite panel. This model is so graceful, she just flows. Sold.

The relationship between people and their animal friends always charms why. Why these creatures choose to bond with us is one of those mysteries. I’m glad they do because they bring something special to our lives.

This is the Soul piece. Glazed acrylics on masonite. This model is a joy to work with, and always takes striking poses.

This is the Mind piece. Metallic acrylics on masonite. This model has a grace and poise that is absolutely lovely, and a thrill to try to capture. Sold

8 x 10 acrylic on board. For sale. 2018 Art of the State exhibition piece at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities.

8 x 10 acrylic on board. For sale.

8 x 10 acrylic on board. For sale. 2018 Art of the State exhibition piece at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities.

8 x 10 Acrylic on board. For sale.

8 x 10 Acrylic on board. For sale.

8 x 10 Acrylic on board. For sale.

This is the first stage, where the drawing has been transferred to a panel of masonite. I use architects transfer paper, basically a big sheet of carbon paper. This piece is 18” x 24” and shows a scene in London at the Three Greyhounds pub. Sometimes an assistant is hired to transfer a complicated image like this one to save lots of time on my end, and to help me save my energy for the true creative work of the piece-the glazing and painting.

At this point I’m just starting to render the picture in India Ink. I use a number 0 and number 4 rounds brush exclusively. I”m not only spotting blacks, I’m also concerned with texture, adding detail, and giving the piece a good value structure. This stage can be a little scary because the ink won’t erase or wash off so diligence and accuracy are very important. The progress here took me about 4 hours.

Here is the completed inking stage. I used round synthetics, sizes 0-4 which isn’t a big range, but it seems about right for me. The underdrawing is completely mechanical and can be performed by most artists given sufficient time. This stage is much more intuitive and requires significant forethought of value, brush handling, and willingness to go with the flow. Remember, there is no way to erase brushed on India ink so slow and steady is the way to go.

At this stage I’ve used several layers of sepia toned glaze to build up values and forms. The glaze is fairly transparent so it takes a while to build up values. It makes the board darker but also tends to make blacks lighter, which can be a good thing though not always. I use filberts sizes 4-10 for everything at this stage, it keeps me from getting too fussy or from being too loose. I’m keeping a careful eye on cast shadows, and I prefer to go too dark at this point because I can always use opaque lights. I’m almost ready for color but not quite.

The last step before beginning with color is to deepen the value range with a dark gray glaze. This still can require several layers of glazing, and what I’m shooting for is to get the darks dark enough. Also, the sepia toned glaze from the previous step lightens blacks, so this will bring those back down again. It also adds an overall grayness which can be great for textures and atmosphere. If you’ve done your job the painting could almost be considered done at this stage, if you don’t want to add color.

Here I have started to add the first layers of color, which happens to be purple in this case. I am using transparent layers at first, mixing the purple paint with glazing medium and building up density. After that I start the opaque layers of light color. Some parts almost look white, but it’s all just layers of purple at this point.

And there you have it. Sure I skipped a few steps, but why ruin all the magic ha ha!