Pêcheur à Marée Basse — 24×36, oil on Belgian linen

A couple years ago, my wife and I traveled to Zegama, Spain to be used in some short term mission work with the Bonikowski’s—missionaries to the Basque region. Some of our time there included an excursion just over the border into Biarritz, France, where I encountered real french crepes like my wife makes and this weathered fisherman on the Atlantic coast. At low tide, these pools were full of fish and other sea creatures, hiding in the shadows and clefts.

A little about the process:

I began first by giving attention to the composition and design of the painting. While it is based on a photograph, it is heavily edited and altered for color, lighting, and compositional interest.  Next, I concentrate on solid form and drawing before any paint is applied. When the drawing is correct, i move into the painting, always attempting to paint with as much speed as accuracy will allow. Brushwork techniques range from thin scumbling to wet, alla prima brushwork. I aim to keep the edges and brushwork loose, then, around the center of interest, tighten up details. The materials are a range of oil paints of various brand and color, brushes ranging from medum and large bristle flats to langnickels and sable rounds for details.

Christiana  |  16×20  |  oil on linen

detail

This painting was recently accepted into the Oil Painter’s of America 2009 Eastern Regional Juried Exhibition. It will be available through Corse Gallery in Jacksonville, FL from November 20th through December 23rd. If you live the Jacksonville area, be sure to check out this show – there’s a lot of great artists represented including my good friend Kevin Beilfuss and nashville area plein-air-extraordinaire Kevin Menck.

Ryan Mellody in Southwest Art

Hey everyone. Just a quick note to tip my hat to one of my best friends and fellow artist, Ryan Mellody. His work has recently been selected to appear in the September issue of Southwest Art magazine’s “21 under 31″, on newsstands now. It is an annual feature that, as the name describes, showcases art from the top 21 artists under the age of 31. His portion of the article nicely displays a recent work Katie, seen here. He’s a phenomenal painter, yet he gets better with each new work. Check out his sites.

Ryan Mellody – official website

Ryan Mellody – blog.

In other news, I’m working on a new painting in preparation for the Oil Painter’s of America 2009 Eastern Regional Juried Exhibition. I’ve recently become a member of the OPA and am looking forward to entering the contest. Wish me well. Enough writing. I must paint…

…it’s because I am. My wife and I have moved from our humble appartment, which we will always have a warm fuzzy place for in our hearts…deep, deep in the under-the-fingernail-like crevices of our hearts. Seriously, though, we are extremely grateful and blessed to have had such a nice apartment and ministry there. But we’re also grateful for the blessing of our new home in Gallatin, Tennessee.

These blessings are not worthy to be compared to the greatest blessing we’ve ever experienced save the grace of Jesus Christ – our new baby girl! On July 13th, we welcomed Addison Jane Parsons into this world, and that, I am quite sure, makes us happier than we can say. God is good.