Introducing my latest commission — ‘The Neon Cowboy Scottsdale’, a 36″X36″, Acrylic on Belgian Linen work. Does the Neon Cowboy look familiar?

Indeed… he was invented back in 2016… and I’ve been wondering if he might find his way into another painting. It took six years.

This work began on a golf course… so I thought it fitting to share this picture. Here, you will find yours truly, Bene, Tor and Dave. Tor was Bene’s Member-Guest partner at our club…

On the course, Bene introduced us… after several in-depth conversations with Tor and Tricia, I flew out to Scottsdale to get some inspiration. We toured many beautiful places, went hiking, hit up art galleries, ate some delicious food… and plotted a visual course.

Based on our adventures in Scottsdale, we came up with a composite composition, featuring Four Peaks, the Neon Cowboy, neon saguaro cacti, and a series of signs meaningful to both Tor and Tricia. As always, the work began with a warm under-painting.

My first move? Nail down the mountains, and begin drawing the cowboy.

If you’ve ever been fortunate enough to catch a sunset in Arizona… the light is striking. So, I set out to capture that brilliant blazing gradient… and, of course, finishing drawing in the cowboy.

I’m a big fan of identifying shadows… it helps anchor the painting, and establish a solid flow. Shape after shape, the initial layout is now complete.

The foreground had a certain camo-feel… so I leaned into it. Simultaneously, I began painting the mountains, which felt like an important element to establish.

With the foreground laid-out, and the mountains painted… I dove into the tubes. This served to establish the balance between the bright tubes, and darker background. I went for a purple gradient at the base of Four Peaks, to help pick-up the blues throughout.

When it was close… I sent a photo to my collectors… and we agreed it was close enough to finish in Scottsdale. So… our entire family packed into Ruby (thank you Kurt and Debbie), and drive first to Vegas where I banged out my latest Masters painting at Circa’s Stadium Swim… then Arizona.

There, I put in the final touches… assisted by Tor and Tricia directly, at a dinner party. We had some delicious steaks, cocktails… and, by the end of the evening, the work was signed.

It was a perfect way to complete a commission. Tor and Tricia, thank you so much for choosing to work with me on this painting — here’s hoping you love and cherish it. We appreciate you, and very much look forward to seeing you soon.