Sleeping man, latex paint on canvas, 30 x 48", 2019

Samson and the Philistines, latex paint on canvas, 43 x 55", 2019

Taken from a biblical account in Judges, the theme of this painting features the Nazirite hero, Samson. The character, often compared to the Greek hero Hercules, is said to have slain an entire army of 1,000 Philistine soldiers, armed with only the jawbone of an ass.

Hercules and Cerberus by Peter Paul Rubens, oil on panel, 1636

Tasked with yet another seemingly impossible labor, the hero Hercules descended into the murk of Hades. His job - to wrest the 3-headed dog Cerberus from the domain of the dead. With preternatural strength, the demigod brought the beast up from the Underworld and delivered it to this tormentor, Eurystheus

Hercules dragging Cerberus from the Underworld, latex paint on canvas, 55 x 60", 2019

Figure with crossed arms, latex paint on canvas, 30 x 48", 2019

Portrait of a dissident, latex paint on canvas, 48 x 36", 2019

Red Figure, latex paint on canvas, 30 x 48, 2019, private collection, Victoria, BC

After the death of Patroclus, the dear companion of the great hero Achilles, other Greek heroes fought hard to protect his body from the Trojan forces. Seen as a great moral victory for both sides, the body was furiously fought for and over. "So Ajax stood his ground over brave Patroclus now - the fighting Atrides right beside him, standing fast". But the Trojans would not give up,their "hearts fired with hopes of dragging Patroclus' body out from under Ajax... but the Argives faced them, standing fast in a ring around Patroclus, one fury seizing their hearts." - The Iliad, Homer

Fight over the body of Patroclus, latex paint on canvas, 55 x 60", 2018

Man felling a tree, latex paint on canvas, 36 x 48", 2018

Decree, latex paint on canvas, 30 x 48", 2018

Patroclus, charcoal and pastel on paper, 11 x 14", 2018, private collection, Sherwood,AR

Lauren and I were able to make a recent trip to the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, PA. While we were there, we did some studies some of our favorites at the museum - including these casts of classical pieces in their Hall of Architecture. 

"Icarus descensu", latex paint on canvas, 55 x 60", 2018

Man, captive, latex paint on canvas, 30 x 48", 2018

​This 4-piece series, which draws it's inspiration from Michelangelo's "Rebellious Slave" sculpture, wasn't wholly intentional. I set out to only paint a single figure in this particular pose. Once painted however, I was so struck by the pose that I decided to paint 3 more at different angles with slight variation. This allowed me to fully capture the tension that I found so captivating, and the "in the round" treatment pays homage to the sculpture from which it was inspired.

Figure, captive, latex paint on canvas, 30 x 48", 2018

My 2010 mixed-media painting,  "Man with infant", is a piece that has gotten many comments in the years since it was painted. The piece now permanently resides in the West Virginia State Museum. However, I don't believe I've ever described the inspiration behind the piece. 

Man with Infant, graphite, latex/acrylic paint and photo transfer on canvas, 26" x 30", 2010, West Virginia State Museum Collections

At the time, I was focusing on a series of mixed-media paintings, combining a minimal figure with photo transfers of my own digitally manipulated hands.  The hands, being so different in application to the rest of the figure, were intended to convey the intent, actions or character of the figure. 

Coincidentally, I came across this ancient sculpture that I had always admired, but the prominence of the hands thrust forward in a cradling position, spoke perfectly to the poses I was working to achieve.  The piece (a Roman copy after an original by Lyssipos) depicts Silenus, the tutor and caregiver of the young Dionysos, who would grow to become the Olympian god of wine.

​This 4-piece series, which draws it's inspiration from Michelangelo's "Rebellious Slave" sculpture, wasn't wholly intentional. I set out to only paint a single figure in this particular pose. Once painted however, I was so struck by the pose that I decided to paint 3 more at different angles with slight variation. This allowed me to fully capture the tension that I found so captivating, and the "in the round" treatment pays homage to the sculpture from which it was inspired.

Captive man, acrylic paint on canvas, 36 x 48", 2018