"Abraham Lincoln"

5 x 7"
oil on masonite
sold

After a long day of painting, I guess I had a little juice left in me - so I joined in on the current Daily Paintworks challenge to paint Abraham Lincoln, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I know you haven't seen much current work - I'm painting new pieces for an upcoming solo show. And for a little while, it's under wraps. Drives me nuts.

"Divine"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

A man of the cloth viewing Healy's portrait of President James Buchanan, in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.

"Penny For Your Thoughts"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

When the National Portrait Gallery reopened, after seven years of renovation, I was thrilled to return. Truth is, I usually bypassed the presidential portraits for more contemporary work - but the new home made me take notice for the first time in years. When browsing the portraits, you will see art history married to political history - John Kennedy painted by Leroy Neiman, Nixon painted by Norman Rockwell, George Washington painted by Gilbert Stuart - and Abraham Lincoln painted by George Healy - an iconic portrait included in my new painting 'Penny For Your Thoughts', now on exhibit at the Morris & Whiteside Galleries.

Please click here for a larger view.

"By George"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

When I was asked to do a painting for an upcoming show at 16 Patton, titled 'Contemporary Visions: Portraits & Still Lifes', I knew I would sway to the subject of portraits rather than the latter. And whether I was persuaded by watching the 'John Adams' series (which is incredible) or my reverence for Gilbert Stuart's portrait of George Washington, (formally known as the Landsdowne Portrait) - it seemed like a great opportunity to paint this piece.

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"Ladies' Man"

9 x 12"

oil on masonite

sold

Inside the National Portrait Gallery hangs a large, striking painting of Bill Clinton - people really do gravitate to it more so than others. Perhaps it's the size, perhaps it's who we are most familiar with. I think it is one of the most "presidential" portraits in the collection, with the head-to-toe, larger-than-life figure, the royal blues and touch of red.

Click here if you'd like a larger view.