Giclee prints on canvas are now available of my painting "Evolution of Earth Moving Equipment". Image size is 24x30, same size as the original painting. The price is $350 unframed and $600 framed in a dark walnut 3" wide frame. Price does not include tax or shipping. Please contact me through my website, or call me at (402) 592-6552, if you would like more information or to order. Thanks!

The National Academy of Professional Plein Air Painters (NAPPAP) is pleased to announce the publication of "A Year in Review: National Academy of Professional Plein Air Painters 2007" by Deborah Chapin. The book highlights the accomplishments of NAPPAP and it's members. I am pleased to be a signature member of NAPPAP, which was begun in 1995. Please visit www.nappap.org for more information about the book, the members and to view the members' portfolios.

I'm thrilled to post this update on the painting above, "Evolution of Earthmoving Equipment." As mentioned on my previous blog entry, this piece was commissioned by the Associated General Contractors of Nebraska in Lincoln and was auctioned off at their convention two weeks ago. The painting sold at auction for a whopping $21,000 (no that's not a misprint!)! I want to thank the AGC so much for their support of my work. Giclee prints are in the works...stay tuned for further updates.

This is a commissioned oil painting I just completed for the Nebraska Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America. It depicts the evolution of road grading/earth moving equipment over the years. In the center you see the modern version, in full color. Around the center image are five images of earlier versions, painted in sepia tones to look like historical photos.

This was a very interesting project. Several people have said, "you painted what??" when I told them about the painting. But, whether you are painting a landscape, a figure, a still life, a portrait or a road grader, the basics are all the same. You work out your composition. You look for shapes, value patterns, color. You look for your darkest dark and your lightest light, and gauge your values accordingly. Compare, compare, compare. I think the parts I enjoyed the most were the historical photos...painting them as really value studies, with almost no "color" at all...a good exercise for all artists.

The painting measures 24x30 and was painted on double primed Claussens linen, my favorite. The painting itself took about a week to complete, not including the preparatory sketches.

Lesson learned: it can be a lot of fun to stretch beyond your comfort zone and paint subjects you are not familiar with. It really helps you grow!