Posted in My Art, My Family on August 23, 2025| Leave a Comment »
I painted this old saw way back in 1991 and gave the saw to my dad. While staying with my mother to watch over some I decided to bring the saw home with me.
Today, the saw became the property of a young man, and I have a sense of honor with him having the saw.
Detail of the saw, unfortunately with some glare.
Posted in My Art on August 23, 2025| Leave a Comment »
I just completed my latest painting of a client’s Chocolate Labrador. The dog was trained to locate elk and deer sheds. Another result from this project was I gained a new friend. Thanks Ryan.
Posted in My Art on August 1, 2025| Leave a Comment »
Recently, I became inspired to paint a couple of pieces of slate. The person requesting, thus inspiring me suggested a buck on one and one of his dogs on another, either a beagle or coonhound. Below are the results.
Posted in My Art on May 29, 2025| Leave a Comment »
I had not painted for almost a year when I suddenly became inspired to do some art. (I placed another painting of three gobblers earlier on this site.) The painting, “the Resting Post-Barn Owl” came to be because I received a notice from the Pennsylvania Game Commission of a contest for a Barn Owl. At first I let it pass for I knew my skills are professional enough with many artists, but through some encouragement from a couple of friends I decided to work on a composition.
Early sketch idea
Since I have never knowingly seen a Barn Owl, I needed to study from photos. For myself I do not use photos only for colors and patterns. I will not copy another’s work and claim the idea was mine. That is a problem for me for seeing live or even mounts of the owl would have helped my planning. During the thought process I decided to allow the wing to hang down to indicate a relaxed and resting owl. With hindsight that decision may not had been the best for Imany may not understand the resting wing.
The above two sketches were refining of the original concept.
The slapping of paint began in earnest soon and the final painting above was completed and sent via email. Unfortunately, I failed to be selected but never expecting to place makes it earlier to accept my place in the art world.
Early stage of paint slapping.
Posted in My Art on March 28, 2025| Leave a Comment »
I recently completed this acrylic painting of three gobblers I the springtime woodlands. It is 16 by 24 inches in size. This is the first painting I have done since my mother had a stroke last June of 2024. I have a fawn painting I had started just prior to her issue and will be working on it soon along with another painting I have started.
Detail of the above painting.
Posted in My Art on February 5, 2025| Leave a Comment »
Last year I painted very little. I did some art on turkey tail feathers early and began a painting of a fawn. And then it happened…mom had a stroke. With the exceptions of some ink art while I stayed with her I had not painted.
The small painting above is on a Canada Lily. I did the art for my wife at her request. The art has been framed. I am hoping to become more inspired.
NOTE: The Canada Lily is a native wildflower of our area in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, it is not very common.
Posted in My Art on November 23, 2024| Leave a Comment »
I have had some time while watching over my ma to do some ink drawings.
The buck drawing needs some more work.
Posted in My Art on March 14, 2024| Leave a Comment »
North of the Bridge by Larry A. Smail
The acrylic painting above was completed and forgotten in 2008. I recently rediscovered the art in an upstairs closet with others.
The inspiration for this art came about while fishing north of the bridge and near Lock Number 7 on the Allegheny River. The dam is upriver from this site. The site is at Kittanning, Pennsylvania. That day was a low water time of the year.
In this area I have caught many species of fish. The list includes Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Shad, Walleye, Channel, Flathead and Bullhead Catfishes, Rock Bass, Carp, Sauger, Longnose Gars, Sunfish and probably a few more species. The painting sized framed is 29 inches by 18 inches.
Posted in My Art on December 14, 2023| 4 Comments »
In a recent post I placed two photographs of turkey feathers with my art on them. I quickly was contacted by two gentlemen both, from Kentucky, wishing to have feather art created for them. These two examples are the result.
Posted in My Art on November 17, 2023| 3 Comments »
I have not done many turkey feather art projects, but I had an opportunity to do a couple recently. The process is to clean the feather of any oils or dirt. The second step is to use a fixative or flat varnish spray on the feather. This helps keep the paint stay where I put it. This process, also, works to keep the barbules stay tight and not spread open.
Once these steps are completed, I can decide on a composition image and begin to paint. These two examples were completed in acrylic paints. Once dry I spray a light coat of satin varnish to further seal.
I hope you enjoy these two images.
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