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

I started back on the Nuthatch painting this week. I have it all blocked in with the first layer of color and will know let it dry. I had some difficulties getting back in the groove with this one since it has been so long since I've worked on it.

I am pround to announce that two of my pieces have been seleted for the 2008 Kentucky National Art Exhibit in Henderson, Kentucky. "Sewanee Barn (Feral Pigeons)" and "Out of the Darkness (Saw-whet Owl)" are two of seventy-six pieces selected from 26 states that are to be displayed in this exhibition.The Exhibition runs from September 27th through November 7th. "Sewanee Barn ( Feral Pigeons )" Oil, 13 x 30 "Out of the Darkness ( Saw-whet Owl )" Graphite Pencil, 5 x 11

I finished this up over the weekend, it is a nice little piece measuring 4" x 8". The contrast of the ruffled dark wing feathers and the smooth almost pure white tail feathers are what inspired me to do this particular drawing. Below is the finished drawing and below that is a progress drawing. The reason I am showing this progress drawing is to show the point at which the piece becomes exciting to work on, I refer to this point as the "hook". Even with a composition sketch completed I will have allot of decisions to make and until the drawing or painting reaches the "hook" point I am in doubt if the piece is working or not. As you can see when the piece reaches the "hook" point all the foundations have been laid down and its just basically pure enjoyment to finish. "Barnyard Goose ( Graylag Goose )" Graphite Pencil, 4 x 8 The "hook" point

Below are two images in progress of the current piece on the drafting table.

Below is a composition sketch for my next drawing and I am going back to the paper I am used too, Arches 300 lb. cold press water color paper. You may note that on my last drawing "Cobblestones" I used a bristol board which I found challenging to work with.

I am happy to announce that two of my pencil drawings have been chosen to be included in the book titled Strokes of Genius: The Best of Drawing Light and Shadow. The book is slated for publication in October of 2009 and is published by North Light Books and edited by Rachel Wolf. Other than show catalogs this will be my first time having my work printed in a book for the masses. It is really kind of rewarding to have my work excepted for this because of the fact that not too many years ago when I was going through art school and got frustrated with not being able to paint or draw something the way I wanted, I would go to the book store and buy art books. Allot of those books where published by North Light Books and the two books that I looked at the most, "Best of Wildlife Art" and "Best of Wildlife Art 2" where edited by Rachel Wolf. Below are the two pieces that where selected for the book. "Lookout," Graphite Pencil, 4" x 8" "Your Majesty...

Well this one took allot longer than other drawings but it is finished. This piece is a clear example of why you should do a composition sketch before starting. Although in my defense I did do a composition line drawing with the original plan being that the background would be all white. So I thought why bother with doing a value sketch, if I had I would have realized that the back light fur on the edge of the raccoon would not work unless it had a value behind it too push it out. Well after allot of scrambling for a background and working out the composition as I went... I finished! "Cobblestones (Raccoon)" Graphite Pencil, 10" x 16"