"Trees in Watson Park"

An array of trees at the top of a bank over the Souhegan Rive in downtown Merrimack, NH. I love to capture the wildness of nature and leave some of the view to the imagination. I enjoy using charcoal for different effects on the paper surface. So many varieties of shapes and aesthetics. Thanks for visiting!

 "Mine Falls Above Oxbow Lake"

A quick sketch done on site (en plein air) with charcoal pencil. It's a beautiful park in a town nearby my home town. Always enjoy visiting Mine Falls  Park. This piece has got quite a sketchy feel but captures the true scene where you can cross the bridge or continue onward... Thanks for visiting!

"Tami"

I tried a different method when I started this portrait. I drew directly onto a piece of Bristol vellum without using a grid. It was a challenge but I was successful in the end. I purposefully rendered the torso and hand less detailed because they aren't the focal point. The face has all the attention. Thanks for visiting!

"Matthew"

Another commission finished.  Charcoal on bristol vellum. This one had tough values because it was from a studio picture with multiple light sources. Very subtle changes all over. It turned out quite well. Thanks for visiting!

SOLD

"Dusk by the River"

Another plein air sketch along the Merrimack river Now I am looking the other way downstream. There were people on the rocks fishing and children running around. It was later in the day  so the sun was starting to set. Note the sunshine on the far shore. Vine charcoal on sketch paper. Thanks for visiting!

"Curiosity"

This is a charming piece of three children apparently mesmerized by something in the sand. It's a bright, sunny day at the beach and the curiosity of the children led them to this cameo pose. This was a tough one getting the figures accurate and the values correct. Thanks for visiting!

"Afternoon Stroll"

This area isn't far from my home and I walk this trail all the time. It runs along the Merrimack River in Bedford NH. It's a beautiful place. There are many views to enjoy along the trail and this is one of them. This was sketched mainly with charcoal pencils and a little graphite too. The two figures give just a hint of human presence in the vast scenery. This kind of scenery reminds me of times gone by. I think I'll be doing more sketches from this area. Thanks for visiting!

"Self Portrait 2015"

This is my first self portrait. I have sketched a few other portraits in the recent past though. I think it's a pretty good likeness. It's a new endeavor so I'm in the experimental phase right now. I'm just getting a feel for the mediums too. This is mostly vine charcoal with some compressed charcoal and a lot of kneaded eraser. I may try a self portrait every year for practice and to see how well I improve in my art skills and perhaps how well I age too! Thanks for visiting!

Not For Sale

"The Matriarch"

A portrait of the matriarch in my family. I put a lot of care into this piece and it seems to have come out very well. I did the whole piece in vine charcoal which is a little lighter and softer than regular charcoal.  Vine charcoal is very forgiving when it comes to erasing and making changes but it smudges very easily so one must be careful throughout the whole drawing process. Thanks for visiting!

"Trees in Mine Falls Park"

A plein air sketch of a group of trees in Mine Falls Park. It was an overcast day with even light the whole time - no significant shadows. Just enjoyed a nice afternoon sketching out in nature. Enjoy. Thanks for visiting!

"Watson Park"

A sketch of a river bank in a local park in Merrimack NH. I did this on site and kept a loose feel the whole time. I really enjoyed the experience. Thanks for visiting!

"Tory, 1985 Oldsmobile Toronado"

This is "Tory", my old 1985 Oldsmobile Toronado. I bought this car in 1989 and just sold it a few years ago in 2012. I kept it up pretty well over the years but it was a money pit and I ended up selling it for a song. I had it 23 years! I thought I'd challenge myself and see if I could do it justice in a charcoal drawing. It came out pretty nice. The car was tan with a cream landau roof - very elegant looking at the time! Enjoy!