" Sri Lankan Girl "

I saw this cute little girl at a Hindu Festival in London.

" Bongo in the Bush "

A recent sketch of a Bongo. I was after the atmosphere in this one. I liked the contrast of the bright backround and the sort of shady foreground.

" My Materials "

I've been asked a few times what I sketch with. I use Daler and Rowney sketch pads that I got on a trip to London. They're black hardcover and stichbound. I love the paper, it's great for pencil and heavy enough for paint and comes in different sizes like this one 11 3/4 x 16 1/2. I also use all types and brands of acrylic paint, mostly Liquitex and Golden.

A little sketch of Marabou and Painted storks. I got to observe these amazing birds down in the Okavango Delta along with many other animals. The Marabou in particular is a huge bird standing 4.9 ft with a wingspan of 10.5 ft. In flight reminds me more of a Pterodactyl.

This is a sketch of a male white-throated sparrow. I enjoy painting simple sketches like the goldfinch and more involved ones such as this.

" Goldfinch Sketch "

" Hailey "

This is a little portrait of my niece Hailey. My sister adopted her when she was about a year old from China. I was inspired to paint her because she sometimes reminds me of a little American Indian princess, minus the designer jacket of course. She's a very sweet little girl. Because my family is Irish, when people ask what she is, she says " Chirish".

" Lenny's Castle"

The finished painting.

" Castle Sketch"

I recently finished a painting in the trompe l'oeil (literally, "fool the eye") style. The client wanted a large stone window overlooking a European style landscape with a castle. It is a very large painting for me about 40"x60". I did a few thumbnails and he picked this one.