2023 Year in Review

I averaged one piece a month for 2023, including 3 more box tops for AMT/Round2 Corporation's line of plastic models. Not bad for a side gig.

A Painter Passing Through

I am a lifelong admirer of the music of Gordon Lightfoot. After his passing on May 1, 2023 I wanted to create a tribute piece to him. This image is inspired by Gordon Lightfoot's 1974 album cover "Sundown". I titled it “A Painter Passing Through” as homage to his 18th album from 1998. As a nod to his memory I wanted to portray him as a travelling troubadour, incorporating some imagery that is covered in his songs, the railway tracks, the landscape and trees, the sun descending in the western sky. I think that I have achieved an impression of a timeless traveler who has left his mark on the world with this depiction.

1997 Williams-Renault FW18

An older work, the 1997 Williams-Renault FW18 of Jacques Villeneuve in which he won the 1997 F1 championship. Gouache on board. 28” x 14.5”

WIP Update Gordon Lightfoot Colour Version

An update on the colour version. This image is inspired by his 1974 album cover Sundown. I will title it “A Painter Passing Through” as homage to his 18th album from 1998. As a nod to his memory I want to portray some imagery that is covered in his songs, the railway tracks, the landscape that will be portrayed as a background, and an overall sense of a timeless traveler who has left his mark on the world.

Completed Commission

This is a commission for a client out west. Her partner owns a '72 Camaro Z-28, a 2013 Camaro ZL1 and a 2009 Mustang Shelby. He is a retired firefighter who had ties to the Torrance Fire Department in Torrance, California, and who was at 911 and the Oklahoma bombing in 1995, so he wanted a reference to that as well. Coloured pencils and chalk pastels on Strathmore paper. 20" x 13.5".

Commission WIP

Here is a WIP commission for a client in Idaho. They own a '72 Camaro Z-28, a 2013 Camaro ZL1 and a 2009 Mustang Shelby. He is a retired firefighter who had ties to the Torrance Fire Department in Torrance, California, and who was at 911 and the Oklahoma bombing in 1995, so he wanted a reference to that as well.

Paul McCartney

A pencil and charcoal rendering in preparation for an oil pastel. 11" x 14" on Strathmore Paper.

A Painter Passing Through

Here is my tribute to Gordon Lightfoot who passed away on May 1, 2023. He was the quintessential Canadian balladeer and poet. This image was inspired by his 1974 album cover Sundown. I’ve titled it “A Painter Passing Through” as homage to his 18th album from 1998. The image of him on the tracks helps to pay tribute to both his later albums and his heyday as a singer.

Fortunate Son

My pastel portrait of John Fogerty, founder and lead vocalist of Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR). An icon of the 60’s and 70’s, he is listed on Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of 100 greatest songwriters at no. 40

Dodge L-700 Box Art Completed

Here is the completed rendering and box art for another upcoming AMT kit. A Dodge L-700 with a racing trailer. The box has been altered digitally to include decals and subtle changes. I included the original gouache rendering for comparison. The artwork is sent to Round2 Corporation in Indiana where the project’s graphic design lead will scan the artwork and make digital alterations like the decals and sometimes colour correction. They usually provide reference pics of a built-up prototype to base the rendering on.

1912 Lorraine-Dietrich in Charcoal

This piece depicts a 1912 Lorraine-Dietrich as would have been driven by Victor Hémery at the 1912 French Grand Prix. It’s rendered with charcoal on Canson Mi-Teintes coloured/textured pastel paper. Paper Size: 19.5" x 12.875". Image Size: 16.5" x 10.25"

Marta Lisa

An oil pastel rendition of my wife. I entitled it “Marta Lisa” as it reminds me of the famous Mona Lisa. 16.625” x 23.875” on Canson Mi-Teintes Pastel Paper. I wanted to capture a bit of a “renaissance” feel to this one as the pose is very regal. Marta took the photo that inspired this piece herself and when I saw it I just had to depict it. Marta’s father was a gifted professional photographer and I think that Marta has inherited some of that talent.

Completed Box Art Peterbilt 352 "Coors"

Here is another completed project for AMT/Round 2 Corp. A Peterbilt 352 “Coors” rendered in gouache. The client asked for a winter scene and a specific colour scheme to show a “Rocky Mountain” backdrop to go with the “Coors” theme. This project required a side view profile rendering as well. Reference photos of a built-up model were provided.

Peterbilt 352 "Coors" More Progress

More progress on the Pete. The landscape reference is for colour scheme and setting as the client asked for a "Rocky Mountain" theme with cool colours including pinks and blues.