Welcome!!!

Welcome to my little corner of the universe.



My journey into the world of art began by watching Mom. She could work magic with a bit of paint and a brush. I was fascinated by how she could transform a flat blank canvas into a beautiful work of art. Now, several years later, I'm continuing in the footsteps I followed as a child watching Mom. Thanks for your inspiration and guidance!!!!



"If you don't try - you won't know you can...." Marie (Mom) Janssen






Sunday, February 28, 2010

Panning for Gold - WIP

Nearing completion.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Panning for Gold - WIP (18" x 24")

I started this a couple weeks ago. I've been asking myself - What is the secret to painting a good likeness? What is it about a portrait that jumps out at you and your brain says, "aha - that's Sam". It is that illusive reconizable factor that I am striving for.



Tuesday, February 23, 2010

First Attempts at Oil Painting (30" x 24")

My journey into the relm of oil painting began by watching Mom. She was a self-taught artist and created many fantastic works. She could work magic with a bit of paint and a brush. I remember going along with her to the banks of the Missouri River where she found a cool bluff she wanted to paint en plein air. I was facinated by how she could look at something and transfer what she saw to a flat canvas. Now, several years later, I'm continuing in the footsteps I followed as a child watching Mom..........Thanks for your inspiration and guidance!!!!

I found several works on the 'net and used them as references to get me started.

Based on painting "There's Always Tomorrow" by Betsy Cameron.


I learned a lot about not overworking areas, having a plan before beginning, and sometimes you have to just let a painting sit for awhile and come back to it. I was really nervous to try oils, but like Mom said "If you don't try - you won't know you can".

Based on a painting by James Daley.



I Wonder what those girls are looking at? I was compelled to paint these two because I believe that inside all of us is that need to find out "What's beyond what I can see?"