After this young lady modelled for me, it took about a year before I came up with the idea for the painting. Initially I wanted the painting to be vertical, but nothing seemed to work. When i finally decided to try the concept in a horizontal fashion, the idea evolved rather quickly.

A little Birdie Told Me

18”X 24” Oil on Panel

~ Private Collection ~

While in Mexico, I attended a small town parade, and saw this young girl on a horse. Her skirt was so colourful, and with the quick glance over her shoulder, I wanted to try to capture the moment in paint. The picture of the painting doesn’t really show it, but the background is bright white- I used crystal white, by Rublev colours. It is made with lead carbonate and glass, which makes the white very bright. Her white blouse is painted pale grey/blue, which puts her into the shadow of the tree. I wanted a very old western frame, so I made it myself.

Oil on Board; image size 19” X 15”

During the wet summer of 2025 here in Alberta,Canada; a friend of mine was at Spruce Meadows, Calgary’s equestrian centre. There was a booth featuring wares from Mongolia; and so my friend took a picture of this lady wearing authentic Mongolian attire. She had a very proud and stoic look that I just couldn’t resist trying to capture. I cropped the shot, and placed her in front of an old silk painting that was painted by a Chinese painter long ago during the Yuan Dynasty that ruled over China from 1271-1368.

Oil on Board; image size 18” X 14”

I was at a market in Mexico, and there were a couple of elderly ladies there begging. They make their living this way, and It is hard to fathom coming from Canada, but there is little to no social net for the people in Mexico. On the edge of town there’s a cardboard city where many poor people live with virtually nothing. The big consolation is the weather- Mexico is a beautiful place with pretty constant weather especially in the more inland places. Guatalajara is said to have one of the most constant year long temperatures in the world. But any way you look at it, poverty is a hard way to spend a life, and i can’t help but feel for people in this situation, as they are still beautiful souls whom we should not ignore.

18"X24"  Oil on Linen

~ Private Collection ~

11"X14"  Oil on board

~ Private Collection ~

While I was down south in Arizona a few years ago, I went to the Grand canyon, and I saw some first nations people dancing. Their regalia is spectacular, and I watched for part of the afternoon. This young lady was up from Albuquerque, New Mexico with her family. In late winter after my return, I had just begun blocking in this painting and had an accident where I broke my right wrist and elbow. I kept working on the painting using my left hand and managed to finish it. I was developing a tremor in my right hand, so forcing myself to work with my left hand served as a blessing, as I use both hands now when painting.

20"X24"  Oil on Linen

~ Private Collection ~

This lady wears turquoise that is mined in the southwest U.S..  She also wears cowry shells which signify trade - these shells were once used as currency around the time during the African slave trade. Although there is great debate on just how they got so far inland in the U.S., the Native American tribes admired them immensely and used them as decoration for their finest wear.

22"X30"   Oil on Canvas

~ Private Collection ~

GicleesAvailable

24"X36"   Oil on Linen

This is a re-enactor in Nevada who was part of an old western themed street.  He had a very unique look that was so intriguing that I felt he needed to be painted

.11'X14"  Oil on Board

~Private collection~

I met this lady while walking the streets in Rome, Italy one evening.  She was sitting on a step with a suitcase by her side and I asked if I could take her picture, to which she agreed. The way the light fell over half of her face and her glance away from me was a moment I found to be intriguing - a proud lady who has had a hard life.

11"X14"  Oil on Aluminum

~ Private Collection ~

I met this lady while travelling in Italy. She was a bit destitute and disheveled looking, but she had the kindest looking eyes; a softness in them that spoke volumes about her gentle nature.

16"X20"  Oil on Board

This is a scene that I observed on a trip to Italy. The old plaster wall seems to have a map of Italy on it, while the writings on the wall tell the viewer where these people are.  The rich texture of the marble and the peeling paint from the old door are typical things that you see in and around Italy. The painting also signifies the rich cultural heritage that these young musicians are part of.  

36"X48"  Oil on Canvas

~ Private Collection ~

~Giclees Available~

24"X36"  Oil on Board

11"X14"  Oil on Board

Portrait of Chris

oil on Board; 11”x 14”

Portrait of Bruce

oil on board; 11”x 14”

~ Private Collection ~

Oil on birch 36" x 24"

While in Mexico, I came across this little girl playing on some church steps. She had Downs syndrome and didn’t speak any English, but when she saw me, she came over and greeted me with the biggest smile! A smile transcends the barriers of oral language and disabilities; and in a world with so much strife and uncertainty, a smile if even for a moment connects us as humans.

Oil on Board: 20”x 32”

11"X14"  Oil on Linen

~ Private Collection ~

oil on canvas; 16”x 20”

~ Private Collection ~

11X14” Oil on Panel

~ Private Collection ~

During the Calgary Stampede , this little girl would not put a hat until Bruce did, then it was okay, and then blowing the whistle was a blast!!

oil on board; 16”X 12”

11"X14"  Oil on Linen

 Collection of the Artist

This is a painted study of a photo of a Mexican boy I took on one of my trips to Mexico. 

11"X14'  Oil on Board

collection of the Artist