Frequently Asked Questions:
Where do you get the ideas for your paintings?
Most of my paintings are based on photos I take while traveling. I love the outdoors and the beauty of nature. I particularly like garden scenes. I'm only a very mediocre gardener, so I decided my time and effort would be better spent painting beautiful gardens that wouldn't wilt.
How did you learn to paint?
I started when I was just old enough to hold a brush. When I was about nine, my parents were kind enough to give me private oil painting lessons, and I've never stopped loving it. During my early teen years I took art at the Kirkpatrick Center in Oklahoma City from Diane Jones and Nick Kyle, who were both very influential in my development as an artist. Since then, I've also taken a number of art classes at almost every college and university in Oklahoma, and also private classes from other painters whose work I admire, including Dennis Parker and Scott Christensen. I've also learned a lot from books and from looking at art in galleries and museums. Oh, and lots of trial and error.
Do you sell prints of your paintings?
No, I'm sorry. I've stopped selling prints in order to retain the value of the originals for my collectors.
Do you take students?
No, I'm sorry. I've stopped teaching in order to focus more on my own painting and on advocating for arts education. Pretty much everything I used to teach my students is included in my textbook, The Mechanics of Art.
Do you take commissions?
Yes, I gladly accept commissions. To learn more, please go to: commissioned work
Do you have work in a gallery?
Not currently. Over the years, my work has been represented by several very good galleries and a few lousy ones. Right now, I keep a few paintings at a lovely store in Warsaw, Missouri (a resort town on the Lake of the Ozarks) called "Cottage Expressions" that is owned by some friends of mine. I do have a painting in the Omniplex Museum in Oklahoma City. I am open to the idea of gallery representation again, but not actively looking. Part of the reason for this is that my work tends to sell as it is produced, and therefore I don't have a big body of work on hand.
Can we see your studio?
My studio is really a workshop and not a gallery. The paintings I have there are not finished, and I don't like to show them to people until they are. For that reason --and the dust bunnies-- I discourage visitors, although on occasion I invite special collectors or classes of students for a tour. If you are serious about buying a painting, let me know and we can arrange something :)
Are you famous?
Artists I met in France asked me this a lot. 'Famous' is a matter of degree, I suppose. In certain circles I am well-known, but I am still waiting for my invitation to be on the "Tonight Show."
Why do you make such a big deal out of using archival materials? What are they, anyway?
Archival materials are paints, canvases, and other ingredients that make a painting last. I make it a point to use only the finest available materials, even though they can be very costly. I do this because I really appreciate the people who buy my paintings and want to give them the very best value for their investment.
I have always liked art, but I can't paint. Do you think I could learn?
Yes, yes, yes! Painting is a learned skill, just like making an omelette or playing the piano. It takes time and effort, but anyone with the desire can learn. Get my book, The Mechanics of Art, and get started!
I am interested in buying one of your paintings. What is the process?
If you would be so kind as to give me a call or an email, I will reserve it for you (assuming it is still available). I try to keep my "available paintings" section on this website as up-to-date as possible, but naturally there is a bit of lag-time. Then you can send me a check or a money order for the full amount of the painting, or you can use PayPal. When your payment has been received and cleared your bank, I will ship the painting to you.
Via PayPal, payments can be made in US Dollars, Canadian Dollars, Australian Dollars, Euros, Pounds Sterling, Yen, New Zealand Dollar, Swiss Franc, Hong Kong Dollar, Singapore Dollar, Swedish Krona, Danish Krone, Polish Zloty, Norwegian Krone, Hungarian Forint, and Czech Koruna.
How much does shipping cost?
It depends on several things, such as whether or not the painting is framed. Framed paintings are heavier than unframed and cost more to ship. Pastels that are framed under glass require special shipping. It also depends on where you live and the method of shipping and carrier we use. Unframed oil paintings can be shipped in custom-made cardboard or foamcore containers, while heavier pieces and very large paintings may require having a crate built. I prefer to ship FedEx, but if you prefer another carrier just let me know. Generally speaking, the shipping costs anywhere from about $25 to $175 plus the cost of the crate (if any) and insurance. You are responsible for the cost of the shipping. We will sort all those details beforehand so the cost can be included in the same payment as the price of the painting. Alternately, if you have an account with a carrier, we can arrange the charges to be billed directly to you. Should there ever arise a claim resulting from damages during shipping, we will work together to get satisfactory settlement from the insurer. I have never had a problem with this, by the way.
I am interested in commissioning a painting. What is the process?
I usually work from photographs, and the copyright to the photo must belong to you, to me, or to someone who is willing to assign me the rights to reproduce it. That is, I cannot make you a painting from a photo from a book or a magazine (unless we materially change it) or from a photograph taken by someone else, such as a professional photographer. So, while I could turn one of your favorite vacation photos into a lasting work of art, I can't use your child's school photo as the basis for a portrait. The copyright laws are quite clear about this, while they are not very clear about what a 'material change' is. An intellectual property attorney tells me that just changing it from a photo to a painting would be sufficient, but I don't want to get embroiled in a lot of lawsuits in order to find out!
I am glad to take suitable reference photos or the subject can pose for me in person. Any travel costs involved are in addition to the cost of the painting. Half of the total cost of the commission must be paid in advance. While I strive to provide excellent results, please understand that the finished painting will never look exactly like you might have imagined, and you will still be responsible for full payment. I can provide references from other, satisfied customers.