Caleb!

This was a painting project I decided to do for a good friend of the family. She is one of the best people I've ever met and never thinks twice about doing huge favors for others (as in, she mailed my KitchenAid mixer from Massachusetts to Texas, refused compensation, and included a card with $20). Since attempting to pay her back by any conventional means would pretty much be a wash, I decided to say thank you the best way I know how: painting a portrait of her beloved Labrador Caleb.

Riders on the Storm

Jim Morrison for my mom. She had a huge crush on him. Also her office doesn't have a window so I figured this would be a much nicer thing to look at than an empty wall.

Ball and Chain

Janis Joplin. If you want to make your day better go watch Janis singing "Ball and Chain" at the Monterey Pop festival. Especially the part where Mama Cass is visibly freaking out in the audience.

Who Are You?

Roger Daltrey at Woodstock, that's who! Fringe upon fringe upon fringe.

Blue

If there's anything more haunting and beautiful than Joni Mitchell's Blue, I haven't heard it yet. This was probably the fastest painting I've ever done, and I would very much like to think that it's because somehow this album has imprinted on my soul or something.

Derek Trucks

I've found that if you're really missing someone one way to feel a bit closer to them is to make them something. So a couple of days ago I made this little portrait of Derek Trucks, one of Peter's favorite guitarists. Derek Trucks is not only an awesome musician but also looks like he could easily moonlight as a Dungeonmaster. Win-win in my book.

Voodoo Child

Jimi Hendrix for my rock god buddy Spencer.

What Did I Do to be So Black and Blue?

My friend Tim loves Louis Armstrong and for a slender white dude he can do a pretty solid impression. So, naturally, this painting resulted.

Schooner Alabama

This is a painting of the Black Dog Tall Ship Alabama. Every year I've been lucky enough to go sailing on Alabama's sister ship, Shenandoah. The old adages are true; there's something about the sea that sparks the imagination. Sailing on those boats has given rise to songs, poetry, a bunch of fun costumes and a number of paintings. This one may be my favorite.

Just Kids

I read Patti Smith's memoir Just Kids the summer I traveled through Europe right before moving to Portland. You know how sometimes you read something that is just perfect for who you are and where you are at a certain time? That was this book. I can't begin to describe how much of a profound impact it had. I read this book in a day, sitting on a park bench in Prague and later over a beer at Cross Club. Patti's words somehow got me out of the blue funk that New York had sunk me into and I came to Portland with my mind clearer and my heart more optimistic than it had been in a very long time. This painting is my tribute to Patti and Robert.

Texas Flood

I love Stevie Ray Vaughan. He has been the subject of many, many paintings. I still remember the first time my dad called me in to the living room to watch him play on Austin City Limits. The man can rock a cowboy hat, a kimono and a Fender. He was the best.

Santa Fe Dreaming...

Santa Fe, New Mexico, has always held a very special place in my heart. It comes of having spent a relatively large amount of time there when I was very young and not as much as an adult. My great-grandparents lived there in the twilight of their lives, and we used to visit every few years. The memories I have aren't really memories...more impressions of color and texture and tastes. Bright turquoise, brilliant burnt reds and yellows, dust and sand and adobe, turquoise, sticky sweet syrup poured over fresh sopapillas.

Portrait of a Lady

As a present for my dad last Christmas, my sister and I decided to collaborate on a portrait project, where we'd watercolor portraits of one another! We got our friend Andrew to do the photos, which led to some considerable silliness:

Dodger podger!

A portrait of Dodger for me Mum.

The Right Companion

This is an old project, but I thought it turned out nicely. My sister loves Doctor Who and since she is entertaining, adorable and a bit eccentric, there's no doubt in my mind that she'd be the perfect companion for the Doctor. IF you know what I mean. Heh, heh. Companion.

A Boy's Best Friend is His...Dog?

Here's the scenario: Christmas is approaching (okay, fine, it was September, but Christmas was still approaching). You're dating a wonderful young man. You're spending Christmas with his family in Wyoming. You want to give him something meaningful, unique. What do you do? Give him a beer hat? Another University of Oregon sweatshirt (go Ducks)? A certificate of appreciation? No. The trick is to make him a picture of the one thing he might like even more than you: his dogs.