In the studio with artist, photographer and instructor Robert Louis Caldwell

This was a nice little surprise. I found out this morning that I have been awarded the Evelyn and Peter Haller Distinguished Young Artist Award from The Society of Animal Artists. Evelyn and Peter Haller were notable sculptors and longtime members of the Society. The Haller award is an award sponsored by the Hallers' friends Isabel and Sheldon Sklar. Thank you to the Society. I will try my best to continue to be distinguished and I will certainly try to stay young.

Wow! Did that go by fast. I returned back from the 38th annual Waterfowl festival late yesterday night. What an excellent show. This was my first year exhibiting at the show and it was a lot of fun. Even though the economy is in the toilet a lot of people came out to the show and purchased some art. Thank you to all of you who stoped by to talk to me and to those of you who purchased some of my work - ENJOY! I got to visit some of my artist friends and had the joy of meeting some new ones. Please note a new link to Julie Bender's website. When you get a chance please check it out she does some amazing work. Julie was my neighbor at this years festival and we had a lot of fun. Well back to work and to get ready for my upcoming show at the Judy Newcomb gallery here in Richmond.

The 38th annual Waterfowl Festival November 14-16, 2008 in Easton, Maryland Well it's off to the Waterfowl Festival. I will be in the Tidewater gallery which is in the downtown part of Easton. Please come by by and say hi and see some of my new work. Now in its 38th year, the Waterfowl Festival is dedicated to wildlife conservation, the promotion of wildlife art and the celebration of life on Maryland's Eastern Shore. The festival has become a leader in the conservation of waterfowl and wildlife habitat, raising more than $4.8 million for projects throughout the Atlantic Flyway and, in particular, the Chesapeake Bay. In addition to world-class art, the Waterfowl Festival offers diverse exhibits and events in venues throughout the town of Easton. Hope to see you there! (Link to festival Map)

I finished these guys over the weekend, just in time for them to dry and to take to the Waterfowl festival on wednesday. "Morning Flight (Great Blue Heron)" Oil on board, 5 x 12 "Mud flat (Killdeer)" Oil on board, 4 x 6

Here's an update on several pieces that I am currently working on. The First one "Reeds at Rice" has be on the easel for awhile now but slowly it's making progress. I have actually found it challenging to work on this one because of the reeds, I keep getting lost on which one I am working on. The next two pieces are small ones, I am trying to get these finished for the Waterfowl Festival next week. "Reeds at Rice" all color is blocked in Heron in flight, Color is blocked in on the background, still need to paint the bird. When finished this one will measure 5 x 12. "Killdeer," Penciled in on the canvas. When this one is finished it will only measure 4 x 6.