Commissioned Work
"Fox Farm"
12"X12"
Acrylic on Woodpanel
Two notable sites at Fox family farm property in Cabot, Pennsylvania. The Fox family has worked, resided, and cultivated this land since the 1800s and continues its legacy to this day.
The first is a striking sign built many years ago by a Fox that sits right at the corner amoungst the rolling plains of Bear Creek and Leasureville roads. The time at which this was painted was when the sun was at its brightest before setting; the golden light releasing powerful energy for this small piece while highlighting the enchanting nature of the crossroads.
The second subject is the family's landmark barn where every year the family expertly hangs a large flag banner to face the road. The intimate view through the cornfield was captured just as the sun was setting.
The first is a striking sign built many years ago by a Fox that sits right at the corner amoungst the rolling plains of Bear Creek and Leasureville roads. The time at which this was painted was when the sun was at its brightest before setting; the golden light releasing powerful energy for this small piece while highlighting the enchanting nature of the crossroads.
The second subject is the family's landmark barn where every year the family expertly hangs a large flag banner to face the road. The intimate view through the cornfield was captured just as the sun was setting.
"Edwin Garnet Riley, Essayist And Poet"
22"X28"
Acrylic on wood panel
A depiction of acclaimed poet and painter Edwin Garnet Riley. To be presentd on historical site in the town of Titusville Pennsylvania.
A little history, found through the impeccable research in this incredible writing by Jessica Hilburn linked here:
https://nwpastories.com/2019/04/16/edwin-garnet-riley/
Edwin's father, Ephraim Riley was born in Macon, Georgia in 1856. The Civil War had not yet been fought and slavery was still rampant south of the Mason-Dixon line. In 1875, he moved to Titusville from Cleveland with his family to start a new life. He worked as an oil peddler and later a plasterer and bricklayer in the booming city. His marriage to Anna Burch produced four children. Edwin was the youngest of those children and grew to great fame in Titusville and beyond due to his immense talent as a poet, essayist, and painter. Riley graduated first from Titusville High School and then from Howard University. He traveled around the United States on fund drives for the Negro Education Institution in an effort to help African Americans achieve the equality, education, and respect they deserve.
Despite being well-traveled, Riley always considered Titusville his home. At the age of twenty-five he married Sarah Newsome, in Pittsburgh on August 2, 1906. The couple settled in Titusville at the northeast corner of South Brown and East Spring Streets where they lived for more than fifty years. They had seven children. Edwin quickly earned a reputation for his detailed memory, excellent writing, straightforward style, and earnest craft. He was named the first and only poet laureate of Titusville and was the only poet permitted to have his work printed in The Titusville Herald. Riley not only wrote for the paper, but also produced his own essay books and poetry pamphlets that Titusville’s elite citizens sponsored and purchased. The release of a new Edwin Garnet Riley work was cause for excitement in the Titusville community and copies sold out fast. Riley’s work gained such popularity that he was not only a local celebrity but a renowned national figure. He could count suffragist Susan B. Anthony and National Association of Negro Women founder Mary Church Terrell among his acquaintances. Riley's articles were published regularly in the Pittsburgh Press.
Beyond his written works, Riley was also talented with the paintbrush. Most of Riley's literary work was abolitionist in nature, and he self-published several pamphlets and books, including A Tribute to John Brown, a book included with this painting. At the time John Brown was an extremely influential American abolitionist who advocated the use of armed insurrection to overthrow the institution of slavery in the United States.
The background of my piece is a replication of the background in Riley's portrait of Brown. Though instead of Brown, I desired to place the portrait of the artist himself within his own creation; giving memorial to his vision. I was also inspired to echo this time as one of my favorite writings I found of Edwin's was actually within an excerpt from A Tribute, stating, "Men have called him a fanatic and perhaps he was. Any individual who scorns the hypocrisy of his age and follows in the path of truth - who rears his temple in the unclouded clime of the ideal, is usually thought to be a fanatic. Yet, the fruits of any civilization and the progress of mankind, are but the result of fanatical intent." This powerful statement stands strongly throughout time right up to today.
Edwin was a lifelong member of the Trinity AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Church in Titusville and the church was decorated with many of his paintings. Later in life, he also became a minister and served as assistant minister there for many years.
A little history, found through the impeccable research in this incredible writing by Jessica Hilburn linked here:
https://nwpastories.com/2019/04/16/edwin-garnet-riley/
Edwin's father, Ephraim Riley was born in Macon, Georgia in 1856. The Civil War had not yet been fought and slavery was still rampant south of the Mason-Dixon line. In 1875, he moved to Titusville from Cleveland with his family to start a new life. He worked as an oil peddler and later a plasterer and bricklayer in the booming city. His marriage to Anna Burch produced four children. Edwin was the youngest of those children and grew to great fame in Titusville and beyond due to his immense talent as a poet, essayist, and painter. Riley graduated first from Titusville High School and then from Howard University. He traveled around the United States on fund drives for the Negro Education Institution in an effort to help African Americans achieve the equality, education, and respect they deserve.
Despite being well-traveled, Riley always considered Titusville his home. At the age of twenty-five he married Sarah Newsome, in Pittsburgh on August 2, 1906. The couple settled in Titusville at the northeast corner of South Brown and East Spring Streets where they lived for more than fifty years. They had seven children. Edwin quickly earned a reputation for his detailed memory, excellent writing, straightforward style, and earnest craft. He was named the first and only poet laureate of Titusville and was the only poet permitted to have his work printed in The Titusville Herald. Riley not only wrote for the paper, but also produced his own essay books and poetry pamphlets that Titusville’s elite citizens sponsored and purchased. The release of a new Edwin Garnet Riley work was cause for excitement in the Titusville community and copies sold out fast. Riley’s work gained such popularity that he was not only a local celebrity but a renowned national figure. He could count suffragist Susan B. Anthony and National Association of Negro Women founder Mary Church Terrell among his acquaintances. Riley's articles were published regularly in the Pittsburgh Press.
Beyond his written works, Riley was also talented with the paintbrush. Most of Riley's literary work was abolitionist in nature, and he self-published several pamphlets and books, including A Tribute to John Brown, a book included with this painting. At the time John Brown was an extremely influential American abolitionist who advocated the use of armed insurrection to overthrow the institution of slavery in the United States.
The background of my piece is a replication of the background in Riley's portrait of Brown. Though instead of Brown, I desired to place the portrait of the artist himself within his own creation; giving memorial to his vision. I was also inspired to echo this time as one of my favorite writings I found of Edwin's was actually within an excerpt from A Tribute, stating, "Men have called him a fanatic and perhaps he was. Any individual who scorns the hypocrisy of his age and follows in the path of truth - who rears his temple in the unclouded clime of the ideal, is usually thought to be a fanatic. Yet, the fruits of any civilization and the progress of mankind, are but the result of fanatical intent." This powerful statement stands strongly throughout time right up to today.
Edwin was a lifelong member of the Trinity AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Church in Titusville and the church was decorated with many of his paintings. Later in life, he also became a minister and served as assistant minister there for many years.
"Father And Daughter"
24"X24"
Acrylic on canvas
A moment captured of a father and daughter fishing. The richly saturated color scheme enhances the intense sunlight of a summertime memory.
"...I'm gonna watch you shine
Gonna watch you grow
Gonna paint a sign
So you always know
As long as one and one is two
Ooh ooh
There could never be a father
Love his daughter more than I love you
Trust your intuition
It's just like going fishin'
You cast your line and
Hope you get a bite..."
-Paul Simon, Father Daughter Song
"...I'm gonna watch you shine
Gonna watch you grow
Gonna paint a sign
So you always know
As long as one and one is two
Ooh ooh
There could never be a father
Love his daughter more than I love you
Trust your intuition
It's just like going fishin'
You cast your line and
Hope you get a bite..."
-Paul Simon, Father Daughter Song
"Light In Darkness"
20"X24"
Acrylic on canvas
A fresh commission capturing a romantic sunset during a surpise vacation in Cancun Mexico at the Valentin imperial Rivera Maya. The image is a special memory of the client's; made while recovering from a very rough surgury.
"Lady"
20"X24"
Acrylic on canvas
Commission of a very happy Lady, who is a poodle with a big personality that emits a lot of joy.
"Thoughts Of A Dog"
20"X24"
Acrylic on canvas
Commission of Maple, a supposed bichon poodle mix that is most loved by his family. The abstracted background is inspired by an out of focus effect, echoing thoughts, as Maple's expression seemed to resonate a state of peaceful ponder. The bubbling and undulating shapes were inspired from Russian abstract painter, Wassily Kandinsky. Kandinsky developed a theory of geometric figures and their relationships; claiming, for example, that the circle is the most peaceful shape and represents the soul. He did not analyze these shapes objectively, but from the point of view of their inner effect on the observer. The muted tertiary color scheme of the background works to quiet its own beautiful activity to giver focus on the bright fluffy subject.
"Milo and Franky"
20"X24"
Acrylic on canvas
Commission of two French bulldogs. The dark coat is named Milo and his defining feature is his pink birthmark under his lip. Franky is known to like to stick the tip of his tongue out when he's happy. Best friends.
"Gary"
20"X30"
Acrylic on canvas
Commissioned piece of a feline that passed away. The elongated surface and emphasized perspective play on the intimate character of the cat in its own vulnerable space.
"Wings Over Pittsburgh"
36"X48"
Acrylic on canvas
Commission for Mr. Adam Danenberg. Being a commercial pilot, Adam requeested the image of an Embraer-175 with the signature paint job of US Airways soaring above the expanse of the Steel City of Pittsburgh to complete his gorgeous living room and pair well with his original and rare Burton Morris print.
"I love US Airways over every other airline and I am really passionate about my city and my profession, so I wanted to incorporate both of those in one painting". This piece finds itself in a home on the historic Southside of the city; which is completely remodeled from an old school house.
"I love US Airways over every other airline and I am really passionate about my city and my profession, so I wanted to incorporate both of those in one painting". This piece finds itself in a home on the historic Southside of the city; which is completely remodeled from an old school house.
"With All Due Respect"
30"X48"
Acrylic on Woodpanel
Portrait of none other than Tony Soprano.
Murphey"
36"X70"
Acrylic on canvas
Large commission piece of Murphey, the very furry and energetic member or the Hoerster family. Here the Wheaton Terrier is in his element by the creek off the Montour Trail. This trail has special meaning with the family as Mr. Doug Hoerster's mother was a part of the original committee in establishing the community rail trail and park. The subject was captured on a crisp cold day right after a light rain shower. This was the impetus of the painting's color scheme; driving blue tones and it's tertiaries. The meaning of these hues were taken a step further pointing towards the fact that dogs can perceive blues and yellows far better than any other color; hence why this pup always chooses his blue toys out of the many piled in his basket.
"Smile"
30"X40"
Acrylic on canvas
After hanging the last commissioned piece at 412 Dental, the team decided the walls demanded a complimentary painting to complete the entrance. This beautiful smile is none other than Dr. Elijah Ed's; the artist behind the teeth! No matter what day, anyone who ever encounters Elijah will have the pleasure to experience his big radient grin; he never fails to find the joy in the moment, and that's what makes his signature smile so special and meaningful. To capture this in paint was a delight in itself.
"Lip"
30"X48"
Acrylic on canvas
Observation of the mouth hung as centerpiece in the main office for Dr. Elijah Ed and team at 412 Dental, located in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.
"Dippy The Dinosaur"
36"X48"
Acrylic on canvas
Subject is none other than Pittsburgh and world famous Dippy the dinosaur. Dippy is a life-size fiberglass public sculpture of a Diplodocus dinosaur on the grounds of the Carnegie Institute and Library complex in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The model depicts Diplodocus carnegii, a species named after Andrew Carnegie. The dark, grayish brown sculpture weighs 3,000 pounds, stands 22 feet, and measures 84 feet in length. A Miss Lauren Buches is the incredible individual who requested this piece. She had previously worked at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and managed Dippy's Twitter account for years. Commemorating her past and beginning a new life chapter, this painting will be hanging as the centerpiece in her new office at the Latrobe Art Center where she holds the position as Executive Director.
"Petunia"
24"X24"
Acrylic on canvas
Say hello to Petunia, she is a twelve year old French bulldog that has enough energy to get any puppy tired out including her mommy Miss Shannon Cerra. A tertiary color palette was used to couple with another painting in the house. Though the subject is delicately rendered and the environment is bold and obscured, the entire piece strives to blend together to create a camouflage effect; illustrating how a dog might perceive things.
"For Thou Art With Me"
36"X36"
Oil on canvas
Commission depicts a prayer that has become familiar throughout the generations: Psalm 23. The essence of this entire psalm is the reverence that God is living, present, and interwoven in the sinews of each and every reality. It praises the realization of God's unlimited love. The center face in the sky is depicted as God the Son, the white cloud to the left is God the Father, and the sky on the right side emanates flowing characteristics to parallel oil as the anointing of God the Holy Spirit. This moving arc continues throughout the light hitting the mountain and within the water. In this way too there is a desire to express God's complete presence even in the reflection; dissolving the distortions of fear before anyone who prays this prayer
"A King and his Queen"
24"X30"
Acrylic on wood panel
Portrait of couple. Gift given by husband to wife for anniversary.
"Little Man"
18"X24"
Acrylic on wood panel
Portrait commission encapsulating the innocence and fresh beginnings of childhood. The adorable subject's name is Oaklee and his grandfather wished to capture his little man in a big world.
"Just For The Mystery"
12"X40"
Acrylic and colored pencil on illustration board
Album wrap for St. Louis musician Jackson Howard for his newest work titled, "Just for the Mystery". Jackson's music is grounded on the Introspective. His lyrics touch regret, hope, self-deception, and love; both vacuous and real. Opening with a bouncy, pop-inspired set, the tone of the album is set with a metaphorical exhale-letting go of romanticized memories and acknowledging how easily our minds can deceive us with a “What if?” The album works to lift hurting friends, evokes the pain of betrayal to an existential dilemma, and finally returns to an optimistic hope for truer love which laments our consumer dating culture; finding realization that true love is not selfish but giving. Returning from Iceland a week after finishing this project, Jackson was enamored with the remote beauty and colors of the country; from Iceland's landscapes to the iconic aurora borealis. With such poignant psychological undertones throughout the album, there is an expression of internal angst through this strikingly beautiful yet dormant environment.
Hand painted Louisville Sluggers
Authentic wooden Louisville sluggers painted for a family collection.
"Tracy"
24"X36"
Acrylic on canvas
Commission as a gift from a wife to her husband. The subject is of the husband's father, Tracy Anderson, who passed away. The reference was from a photo taken years ago of the father working in construction in Pittsburgh's Strip District. The aged photo left a characteristic washed out appearance; lacking definition yet inspiring a stylistic approach that propelled a stylistic melding of the the figure with the background. The looser hand and soft light allows for the clear sensation of a special memory.
"Double Black Lab Portrait"
16"X20"
Oil on canvas
Portrait of two black labs.
"Black Lab Puppy Portrait"
16"X20"
Acrylic on canvas
Portrait of a three month old black lab.
"You Are My Sunshine"
24"X30"
Acrylic on canvas
Portrait of a mother and her daughter.
The Flats"
30"X40"
Oil on canvas
Commission of the Cleveland Skyline with the characteristic Industrial flats in the foreground. There is a distinct sense of kinetic energy the layered effect of the palatte knife evokes; giving a sensation of life and movement to this piece as if the painting itself were breathing. Historically, the city of Cleveland has a rich and colorful past concerning its development and adaptation during key points of the industrial revolution. This painting hints towards experiences of an era past while simultaneously illustrating the constant change and prospects of an evolving future.
"Safe And Sound"
20"X24"
Acrylic on canvas
Portrait of a black lab that surrounds himself with his favorite toys. The composition of the teddy bear and rubber squeaky duck works to illustrate a sense of protection and tranquility through a comfort zone.
"In The Midst"
30"X40"
Oil on canvas
A moment in time captured of the Andy Warhol Bridge on a cool misty morning. Painted for Ms. Katie Gafner, a resident of downtown Pittsburgh, this picture will hang in a building adjacent to the bridge itself.
This painting is all about subtlety and how very strange the nature of light can be. The mist was utilized to not only slightly obscure the subject, but to also create that psychologically nostalgic dream like appeal.
This painting is all about subtlety and how very strange the nature of light can be. The mist was utilized to not only slightly obscure the subject, but to also create that psychologically nostalgic dream like appeal.
Lord Of The Bat"
24"X36"
Oil on canvas
A portrait for a Mr. Prakach Rangaraju of Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin Tendulkar is a former Indian Cricketer widely acknowledged as the greatest batsmen in history. He popularly holds the title "God of Cricket" as well as "The greatest cricketer of all time" among his fans. The image is capturing his last moment walking off the field before his retirement after a victorious match against the Wast Indies.
"You Are Loved In Every Way"
14"X18"
Oil on canvas
A depiction of a cherished memory of a mother and her daughter; given as a gift from a Mr. David Farbacher to the daughter in her mother's passing. This piece deviates from a definitive light source as the flash of the camera from the original photo is embraced within the painting; highlighting a single beautiful moment in time.
"Spalding''s Porsche, Behind"
12"X12"
Oil on canvas
Rear image of a Porsche 911 S4 series. The dynamic of fractured light is used to invoke a prism effect; the reflected light becoming all-encompassing throughout the composition.
"Spalding's Porsche, Fully Frontal"
12"X12"
Oil on canvas
Frontal perspective of a Porsche 911 4s.
"Spalding's Porche, Interior"
12"X16"
Oil on canvas
Interior of a Porche 911 4s.
"A Game With Poapou"
18"X24"
Oil on canvas
Oil painting for a Mr. Jonathan Winkler in the sentiment of a very personal and nostalgic memory of himself as a boy playing chess with his grandfather. Painting heavily with only with a knife, piece works toward utilizing physical paint and subtle color to create an image that hits the observer with a powerful surge of both looking back at a cherished memory and reliving the moment.
"Caeli"
18"X24"
Oil on canvas
Painting as a gift from a mother to her daughter and granddaughter. Keeping low to the ground, the composition captures that sensation of being a small child in a world that was once so big and hard to reach; where objects such as measuring cups and pots and pans were removed from their intended use and seen only as a new imaginative play thing.
"Piece By Piece"
18"X24"
Oil on Canvas
Portrait involving the figure and its relation to water. Capturing the "rain on the windshield effect", this dynamic is used as an obstructive force against the subject. There is unusual space and an undertone of emblematic perspective. Through the reflection of each droplet, the composition builds towards the larger picture both visually and conceptually. The body is composed of water. From liquid, to solid, to vapor, water in its many forms is the symbol for metamorphosis. Water also seems to reflect a lot of human traits as it feels the need to bend, change shape, and flow around things to create its own pathway.
Painting for a father as a gift for his fourteen-year-old daughter, Tarae, who recently developed acute paraneoplastic syndrome. This disease is the consequence of the presence of cancer in the body, where hormones trigger an immune response against the tumor. The hormonal imbalance battling the tumor can create a particularly devastating form of paraneoplastic syndromes classified as paraneoplastic neurological disorders (PNDs). These specific disorders affect the central or peripheral nervous system; some are degenerative. In this very case, especially anomalous to occur for a subject her age, Tarae's disease had taken to her eyesight.; especially affecting the cones in her eyes, where color is absorbed. Her father asked to capture her on a large scale so she can easily see the work; to do something special for her before she could no longer see. This painting strives to create a kaleidoscope effect and steal every vibrant color in one moment. The strong, flat colors were also used as a device to enhance the figure. Utilizing the Palette Knife, a point was made to lay the paint on thick, so when Tarae completely loses her eyesight, she can feel the physical paint to help stimulate the memory of the colors in the image and her father's Love for her.
Art can be used in a very abstract way to show love and promote healing. It can transcend the physical into the abstract and have meaning that surpasses the physical.
Art can be used in a very abstract way to show love and promote healing. It can transcend the physical into the abstract and have meaning that surpasses the physical.
"Lola"
18"X24"
Oil on canvas
Portrait of a dog in her home. The background was handled completely with a palette knife in order to amplify the subject visually while illustrating how a dog might perceive the world.
Sleeping Cat"
16"X24"
Oil on canvas
Painting of a sleeping cat recapturing life and memories.
"His Devil's night" cover art
9"X12"
Oil paint and colored pencil on bristol paper
Front and back covers for, "His Devil's Night", starred and directed by Michael MagGot of MagGot films stationed in Pittsburgh.
"Antique Saw"
Oil paint on restored and primed steel blade
This saw is over one hundred years old. Only using a palette knife, this modern approach embraces and embellishes upon the coarse texture and age of the saw. The handle had to be carefully sanded and stained because of the deteriorated wood. After being cleaned and polished, the shining brass seals anchor together the exposed nature of the handle and the vibrant scenery on the blade.
"The Crawfords"
8"X10"
Oil on Canvas
These small oil paintings were for a lady by the name of Mrs. Crawford whose husband had passed. She wanted a couple portrait for each of her closest friends who were connected with them throughout their marriage. To more adequately convey the concept that this was a cherished memory passed, each painting was approached loosely, working wet on wet.