Ice Cream. You Scream.

Sometimes I just like to paint food because it's so pretty. I'm pretty sure that ice cream covered in chocolate syrup and sprinkles could be the happiest food in the world.

When I was younger and people would ask me what my favorite food was, I just told them anything in a shiny wrapper made with high fructose corn syrup. These days I'm trying to eat things that come from a plant or grow in the ground so I limit my shiny wrapped sugary treats and paint my empty calories.

Sprinkle that on to your afternoon.
With a cherry on top.

;)

2015 Masters Painting

There's something so romantic about leaving parts of yourself behind - little footprints of yourself in a busy world. When I think about my paintings hanging on the walls all over the country and some parts of the world, I get a little smile inside just knowing that I'm there; I made an imprint or impression in someone's life. Maybe my painting was the topic of a conversation or an ice breaker for someone's first date, maybe it brought up a memory at a family dinner.

Last weekend it was the Masters. I watched as Jordan Spieth @JordanSpieth broke records in the golf world. I watched in amazement as his score continued to go down. On the 18th green, during the final round, he found himself surrounded by a sea of people.

I noticed the colors, the people, the course, and something about it grabbed the artist in me. So I set up a canvas, got my paints out, and went to town.

I got lost in the piece and didn't know until I was finished that I painted until 5a. I had work that morning (in just a few short hours) but I didn't care. It felt amazing to get lost in it.

Sometimes it's an image that inspires me to paint. Sometimes it's a feeling. Sometimes I force myself to paint when I really am not feeling it and then 1/2 way through, I connect with the piece.

Mostly, I just paint because I love creating something with my hands, that I can leave behind, and make imprints in the lives of others. When I am long gone, my work will still be here and I guess that makes me feel like a part of me will still be here too.

Here is the time lapse of "18 Under on 18 - The Masters".

Mount Timpanogos LDS Temple Painting

I dusted off the paints and it felt so good to be back in the studio getting all rowdy with some paint and some palette knives. Yee-haw!

First I got myself a bunch of this stuff...

*Props to Mike Doyle for this beautiful work of art. http://michaeldoyle.com/

...then I threw some paint down on a canvas. I have several commissions to get completed and it was uber nice to finish this bad boy.

It turned out pretty great. I'm happy with it. I really love the muted colors and I enjoy LDS art that isn't so cookie-cutter. Deseret Book style is great for some but for me I want some texture. I know - I know, I'm always on my soapbox about texture but I just can't help myself. :)

Cheers.

-T