Commissioned Portrait

In Progress Portrait

In Progress Portrait

In Progress Portrait

I don't know why these images are posting so tiny. I made them the same size I always have, but they're appearing tiny when you click on them. I have no idea what's going on. It's the same on Facebook. If the final image is tiny, I'll see if I need to do something different. 

In Progress Portrait

Falling Springs

I just realized I never posted a pic of the completed painting. The painting is not that large. It's 16x20, oil, and prints are available.

Robert E. Lee Commission.

Robert E. Lee - In Progress

Robert E. Lee Commission In Progress

Falling Springs - in progress

Falling Springs, VA

Davell

In Progress

Davell outline

Quote from a friend

Millions of men have lived to fight, build palaces and boundaries, shape destinies and societies; but the compelling force of all time has been the force of originality and creation profoundly affecting the roots of human spirit - Ansel Adams

Brewer Children - updated

This is an updated pic of a portrait I was commissioned to do awhile back.

Commissioned Portrait

Paint Nite Events

Paint Nite is a national franchise where people gather and "Drink Creatively." Basically, they drink, or eat, and paint along with the instructor. I lead these classes a few days every week, and it's a great way to socialize, meet new people, and of course, do some art. There are no expectations in these classes. We have a lot of fun, and in a little less than two hours, create a wonderful display or gift for a friend.

Hilton Head

Painting outdoors is my absolute favorite thing to do. This was at Hilton Head in South Carolina last weekend. I had the opportunity to get out on the beach shortly after a job interview and get some painting done.

In Progress Painting

In Progress Painting

My Book

This morning, at approximately 7:05 a.m. I finished writing my book. I had originally given myself until June/July to have it completed, but I was able to put aside time every single day and make it happen. 250 pages of something I wrote well over a decade ago and put aside because of my religious beliefs at the time, now rewritten and worded.

Some days I'd do 15 minutes, other days, I'd do an entire hour, but I made myself do it. There is some editing I need to do on it, and I'll give myself until June 1 to have that done. In the meantime, I'll most likely begin working on a book cover and deciding if I'd like to self publish or publish traditionally. That's going to be the hardest part - self publishing over traditional publishing.

In the traditional publishing market, the publisher keeps 85-92% of the money, and the author gets between 8-15%. So if a book sells at $10 and a thousand books are sold, if the amount agreed on is 10%, the author gets $100. They don't handle all of your marketing either, and when it comes to e-books, the publisher still retains 70% of the sales, even though it costs virtually nothing - no paper costs, etc. There's a greater possibility of fame with traditional publishing, and usually the author will generate more sales.

However, with self publishing, the author keeps 70-90% of the money, so if a book sells at $10 and 1000 are sold, if the the author keeps 85% of the money, he will get $850. The problem with self publishing is that unless the author has a marketing plan - which I do not - the most he or she will probably make is around $500. Many authors have obtained fame from self publishing (something I care absolutely nothing about) one of the most famous being L. Frank Baum, the author of The Wizard of Oz.

Regardless, 50% of my earnings have to go to my best friend, who co-authored the book. He and I have about 10 story lines written out. We've been thinking about doing traditional publishing for the first book, just to see how things work out, and then take it from there and self publish after that. Who knows? We have until June 1 to figure it out - I'm torn on the whole thing. Quite frankly, I'd almost prefer to self publish and keep most of the money, than give it to a publisher who will only do 30% of the work on it.

In Progress Painting

Commissioned Triptych

Commissioned Triptych - In Progress

Commissioned Triptych - In Progress

Commissioned Triptych - In Progress

The background

Selfie Art - Bryan

Selfie Art - Mari

Selfie Art

https://www.facebook.com/yourbestselfie

Your Best Selfie

This was an idea given to me from my best friend. Send me a selfie, and I'll turn it into a work of art.

Harmless

This little piece is 11x14.
The handgun has been painted to scale, in oil, and has a plain white background.
Why is this piece called 'Harmless'?
It's simple.
A handgun, in and of itself, poses no real danger or threat to anyone. As a handgun rights advocate, I personally believe that an individual who is armed, is safer than someone with a cell phone who can call the cops.
Yes, I do political artwork from time to time, and this is no different. Chicago has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation, and yet, as of 2012, the murder rate was 17% higher than it was the previous year. Chicago has been called the deadliest global city. The city of Chicago alone had about the same number of murders in 2012 as there was in the entire nation of Japan.
Coincidentally, Kennesaw, Georgia passed a law requiring every home to have a gun. Crime dropped by 50% and it has one of the lowest crime rates in the nation.

Basically, until an idiot gets a handgun, it, like this painting, is a harmless object.

In Progress Painting

Just a few more details to go.

In Progress Painting

Started laying in the basic dark tones with a little shading.