Friday was art opening day in Anchorage, and my first opening at Upstairs Studio, where I now have studio space. (Click here for more details about this new development, I'm very excited about it!)

I celebrated the occasion by doing a painting in the gallery. I love doing demos because people are always interested, and this was no exception. Lots of people stopped to visit with me, and I got to introduce folks to what I do and how I do it. Many thanks to fellow artist Erin Osinkosky for taking this photo and the one of my hand below!

For those of you who couldn't make it, below are some photos of the work in progress.

This is what the painting looked like at the end of the evening. I'm not saying it's done, exactly, but it's pretty close.

Sometimes fingers are good brushes.

This is the first color pass.

Before the color goes on, I often do a monochrome underpainting.

Here is the first stage, the initial sketch where the basic composition takes form.

I may do another demonstration painting at the next First Friday, please come by if you can.