International Artist Magazine

Pink Peony 60" x 48" Acrylic on Canvas

I have always found inspiration close to home. This painting became part of a series of large-scale florals created after I was mindlessly staring at a pot of colorful petunias on my patio in the hot sun. As I zoomed in, I was thrilled to discover the myriads of amazing translucent color schemes. In that instant, I knew I had an unlimited supply of subject matter for a new series. Pink Peony became part of this new series: a close-up view of a 3” peony rendered in acrylic on a 4-by 5-foot canvas.

My design process started with reference photos. I look for amazing color combinations in random flower beds or gardens and just start taking photos from all different angles and perspectives. Then I start the process of elimination, picking the best shots to combine for the best colors and composition. Once decided on the subject and composition, the next design step is to develop the color “recipes.” Finally, for this particular series, all subjects are rendered on large-scale canvases, and as such, that design element is already decided.

As a trial lawyer and father of twin boys, my working process begins after everyone is tucked in bed. I have always painted at night. Alone in the studio, music, glass of wine, I feel I do my best work in the very late hours. As a former mechanical engineer, I am a bit overly detail oriented. At the start of every new work, I grid the canvas and pencil in the image freehand. Once drawn in, I begin the frenzy of color mixing and value  setting, through trial and error, until finished.