Madeline Town Park
Painted at Town Park on Madeline Island, this study captures the winding waterway as it drifts quietly through the marshland.
The muted light softened the distant horizon while subtle greens and ochres shaped the shoreline. I was drawn to the gentle rhythm of the curves, where water and land weave together in a calm, timeless flow.
Stormlight Over the Badlands
On my way to the Plein Air Convention, I stopped at Badlands National Park, drawn to its dramatic landscape.
As I set up to paint, the wind rose and a sudden storm swept through, forcing me to find shelter. When the clouds finally broke and the sun returned, the Badlands ignited in glowing color — a fleeting brilliance that transformed the storm’s aftermath into pure inspiration.
Molton Barn
This painting depicts the historic T.A. Moulton Barn, part of the homestead settlement known as Mormon Row in Grand Teton National Park. Built in the early 1900s, the barn has weathered more than a century of harsh Wyoming winters, standing as a symbol of resilience and determination.
With the jagged Teton Range rising behind it, the structure embodies both the strength of human endeavor and the enduring beauty of the American West.
Harbor at Madeline
After watching a morning demonstration by Don Demers—perhaps the finest living painter of seascapes and harbor scenes—I was both eager to apply his lessons and admittedly a bit intimidated.
The day was mostly overcast, with the sun breaking through in fleeting moments, casting brief highlights across the harbor. A gentle breeze drifted in from the lake, and the warmth of the sand beneath my feet made this study not only a challenge, but a joy to paint.
The Waiting Season
Painted en plein air on a cold March day in Vernon Marsh, Mukwonago, Wisconsin. The skeletal tree, scarred and bent, rises from the marsh grasses as winter lingers, embodying both endurance and the quiet anticipation of spring.
Whispers in Rust and Green
Painted at the lagoon in Town Park, this study focuses on a single rock resting just beneath the water’s surface.
Sunlight catches its form while the surrounding water, stained with tannins, glows with deep rust and amber tones. The quiet reflection of the trees above adds a sense of calm, while the rock serves as a steadfast focal point in the shifting play of light and color.
Journeys End
This piece marks the final painting of my two-week adventure through National Parks and monuments, traveling to and from the Plein Air Convention and Expo (PACE25).
Standing at this overlook, I was struck by the layers of color and texture in the canyon walls and the winding river below, each echoing the countless landscapes I had painted along the way. Journey’s End reflects not only the view before me, but also the sense of fulfillment and gratitude that came from closing this chapter of exploration and painting.
Great American Bison
This painting was inspired by a bison I photographed in Custer State Park, one of the few places where these magnificent animals still roam freely.
Standing in the quiet grassland, the bison’s immense strength and calm presence seemed to embody the enduring spirit of the American West.
In painting this moment, I sought to honor not only the creature itself, but also the wild landscapes that continue to shelter it.
Three Spires
Painted during the Plein Air Convention and Expo (PACE) at Lake Tahoe, this piece captures a trio of pines rising like sentinels above the rocky shoreline.
Their slender forms reach skyward, shaped by wind, weather, and time, yet they stand resilient against the vast expanse of water and mountain beyond.
In their presence, I felt both the strength of endurance and the quiet poetry of solitude, qualities that define the Tahoe landscape itself.
MorningInAntelopeFlats
I set out early in the Grand Tetons hoping to spot wildlife. While I glimpsed two bears moving through tall grasses and even a moose near the roadside, it was the pronghorn who lingered just long enough for a plein air study.
On this overcast, chilly morning, I aimed to capture not only their presence but also the timeless spirit of this sacred landscape - a place that has drawn people to its beauty for centuries.
Artists Point
How could I not paint Artist’s Point in Yellowstone National Park?
Standing before the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River, the sheer power of the water contrasts with the warm hues of the canyon walls and the dark pines that frame the view.
This place has inspired generations of artists, and in painting it, I sought to capture both its grandeur and its timeless invitation to pause and marvel.
Reflections In Tahoe
Painted along the shores of Lake Tahoe, this study captures the play of light and water as it dances across the rocks beneath the surface.
Shifting reflections and translucent greens reveal both depth and clarity, while the rounded stones anchor the scene with a sense of permanence.
In this moment, the lake becomes both mirror and window — reflecting the sky above while offering a glimpse into its hidden world below.