local artists

New Year, New Creations

by

Hello everyone! It’s 2025! This year is going to be a year of change for me, with lots going on in my life. Art wise, I’ll still be going strong, though I must admit I took some time to invest in a series of books I’m writing. I’m also actively writing poetry, and journeying into music creation.

My rock and muse, Jessica is by my side, supporting my shenanigans, so expect a lot of creativity!

Here’s a 2024 in review, in case you missed any of the art.

A vibrant underwater scene with diverse marine life including fish, a clownfish, a lionfish, and stingrays swimming around a sunken ship. Bright corals and plants frame the scene under a luminous blue ocean surface.
A painting of a wooden ship with white sails navigating through choppy waves. Two dolphins leap alongside, emerging from the vibrant blue ocean, with a sky painted in soft pastel hues in the background.
A painting of a red fox sitting in a lush green forest clearing. Tall trees surround the fox, and the sky is a mix of green, blue, and white, creating a serene atmosphere.
A painting of a red fox sitting in a lush green forest clearing. Tall trees surround the fox, and the sky is a mix of green, blue, and white, creating a serene atmosphere.
A colorful painting of a snail with a green shell and a bright blue bow. The snail is on a red surface, set against a green, starry background.
A colorful painting of a snail with a green shell and a bright blue bow. The snail is on a red surface, set against a green, starry background.
A whimsical painting of an otter wearing a Santa hat. It stands in water, holding a purple sea urchin, next to a decorated underwater Christmas tree adorned with various colorful ornaments. The background features swirling blue waves.
A whimsical painting of an otter wearing a Santa hat. It stands in water, holding a purple sea urchin, next to a decorated underwater Christmas tree adorned with various colorful ornaments. The background features swirling blue waves.
A fluffy white cat with blue eyes sits beside a large mushroom with holly decorations. The background features a red and brown abstract pattern, resembling part of a Santa suit. The cat appears curious, near a small green dish.
A fluffy white cat with blue eyes sits beside a large mushroom with holly decorations. The background features a red and brown abstract pattern, resembling part of a Santa suit. The cat appears curious, near a small green dish.
A winter night scene features a large, glowing full moon in the background. Silhouetted against it is a sleigh pulled by eight reindeer flying over a snowy village with evergreen trees and a clock tower.
A winter night scene features a large, glowing full moon in the background. Silhouetted against it is a sleigh pulled by eight reindeer flying over a snowy village with evergreen trees and a clock tower.
A painting of a blue bird perched inside a festive wreath adorned with pine cones, red berries, and greenery, against a dark wooden background.
A painting of a blue bird perched inside a festive wreath adorned with pine cones, red berries, and greenery, against a dark wooden background.
A painting of a woman with long, flowing hair, wearing a red dress and gold jewelry. A black raven perches on her shoulder. The background is an abstract swirl of earth tones.
A painting of a majestic sailing ship with illuminated windows on a starry night sea. The sky is filled with sparkling stars, and waves gently lap against the vessel's hull. The ship sails through a mystical, glowing seascape.
A painting of a majestic sailing ship with illuminated windows on a starry night sea. The sky is filled with sparkling stars, and waves gently lap against the vessel’s hull. The ship sails through a mystical, glowing seascape.
A traveler holding a torch stands before a large, mystical stone face with glowing eyes. The mouth serves as a tunnel entrance, surrounded by lush, glowing vegetation. The scene is illuminated in blue and green hues.
A traveler holding a torch stands before a large, mystical stone face with glowing eyes. The mouth serves as a tunnel entrance, surrounded by lush, glowing vegetation. The scene is illuminated in blue and green hues.
Triptych painting titled 'The Morrigan' depicting a mythological figure with dark, expansive wings in shades of blue and purple. The central figure sits on a rocky surface, surrounded by a cloudy, stormy sky. Bare tree branches extend behind her, with crows perched among them, adding a sense of foreboding to the scene. Her expression is calm yet intense, embodying the mysterious and powerful presence of the Morrigan, a goddess of fate and transformation in Irish mythology.
Triptych painting titled ‘The Morrigan’ depicting a mythological figure with dark, expansive wings in shades of blue and purple. The central figure sits on a rocky surface, surrounded by a cloudy, stormy sky. Bare tree branches extend behind her, with crows perched among them, adding a sense of foreboding to the scene. Her expression is calm yet intense, embodying the mysterious and powerful presence of the Morrigan, a goddess of fate and transformation in Irish mythology.
A mystical figure in a green robe, adorned with a floral crown, stands in a snowy, moonlit forest. They hold a staff and a pouch, as Christmas magic swirls among the snow and bare trees under the glowing full moon.
A cute raccoon wearing a Santa hat is holding a half-eaten cookie. It stands behind a green plate with more cookie pieces on it, against a colorful background with stars and circles. The setting is festive and whimsical.
A haunting scene of three deteriorating pirate ships anchored in a swamp, surrounded by twisted, leafless trees with hanging moss. The sky is a moody, pale green, and a weathered, wooden dock leads to the ships through the foggy water.
A haunting scene of three deteriorating pirate ships anchored in a swamp, surrounded by twisted, leafless trees with hanging moss. The sky is a moody, pale green, and a weathered, wooden dock leads to the ships through the foggy water.
Digital artwork depicts a surreal underwater scene with a glowing jellyfish, a large blue skull partially submerged in sand, an angler fish, and colorful, plant-like structures in the background. Small white fish swim around the elements, adding to the ethereal atmosphere.
Digital artwork depicts a surreal underwater scene with a glowing jellyfish, a large blue skull partially submerged in sand, an angler fish, and colorful, plant-like structures in the background. Small white fish swim around the elements, adding to the ethereal atmosphere.
An adventurer holding a torch stands before a massive, ancient stone face with a tunnel-like mouth. The figure is framed by lush, dark greenery, and the stone face emits an eerie glow from its eyes, highlighting the mysterious atmosphere of the scene.
An adventurer holding a torch stands before a massive, ancient stone face with a tunnel-like mouth. The figure is framed by lush, dark greenery, and the stone face emits an eerie glow from its eyes, highlighting the mysterious atmosphere of the scene.
A dark, gothic painting of a somber figure with large, black wings and long, dark hair. The figure sits curled up on a rocky outcrop under a cloudy sky, surrounded by leafless tree branches. The background includes distant flying birds, evoking the mystical essence of Morrigan.
A dark, gothic painting of a somber figure with large, black wings and long, dark hair. The figure sits curled up on a rocky outcrop under a cloudy sky, surrounded by leafless tree branches. The background includes distant flying birds, evoking the mystical essence of Morrigan.
A spooky Halloween-themed painting featuring a large pumpkin, a black cat with glowing yellow eyes, and four crows, one of which is holding a green bucket. Dark, eerie tones and shadows add to the mysterious atmosphere.
A black cat with bright yellow eyes sits in front of a glowing orange pumpkin, adding a touch of spice to the scene. Surrounding the cat are three blackbirds, one of which holds a green bucket in its beak. The scene is illuminated with warm, eerie light, creating a mystical atmosphere.
A painting of a woman in a hooded cloak standing in a snowy landscape near a river. She holds an owl on her gloved hand. The background features bare trees and a soft, muted color palette of blues, greens, and whites.
Painting of a mysterious hooded woman in a long dress standing beside a blue lake in a wintery landscape. She holds a white owl on her left arm. The background is filled with bare trees and frosted ground. The scene has a mystical, serene atmosphere, reminiscent of Christmas mythology and the legend of Pertcha.
A surreal painting depicts a raccoon’s face formed by vibrant, flowing aurora borealis lights against a starry night sky. The colorful streaks in hues of green, pink, and blue create a mystical atmosphere, blending seamlessly with the dark, grassy landscape below.
A surreal painting depicts a raccoon’s face formed by vibrant, flowing aurora borealis lights against a starry night sky. The colorful streaks in hues of green, pink, and blue create a mystical atmosphere, blending seamlessly with the dark, grassy landscape below.
A detailed painting of a black crow perched on a snowy rock in a winter forest. The background features tall evergreen trees against a colorful sky with hues of pink, purple, and blue, suggesting a sunrise or sunset. Snow blankets the ground and tree branches.
A painted depiction of a historic longship at sea with a blue sky and scattered clouds in the background. The wooden structure has ropes, a carved figurehead, and a shield on its side. The water appears calm with a distant land formation visible on the horizon.
A surreal painting depicts a hooded figure with a dark, skeletal face partially obscured by green, tentacle-like appendages under a crimson sky. Leafless trees frame the background, creating an eerie and mystical atmosphere.
A surreal painting shows a dark, ghostly figure with a skull face and antlers. It has long, flowing green and yellow tendrils reminiscent of Lovecraftian horrors. The background features a barren, twisted tree and a red, ominously colored sky.
A vivid painting depicts three mermaids watching a ship sail into a colorful sunset. The sea glistens with shades of blue, reflecting the vibrant, cloud-streaked sky in hues of pink, orange, and purple. The mermaids sit on rocks, their tails shimmering in the light.
A mosaic-style painting depicts a woman with curly brown hair and multi-colored butterfly wings. She is wearing a blue top and holding a vibrant bouquet of red flowers. The background features shades of yellow, purple, and pink.
A mosaic-style painting depicts a woman with curly brown hair and multi-colored butterfly wings. She is wearing a blue top and holding a vibrant bouquet of red flowers. The background features shades of yellow, purple, and pink.
A painting of a spooky, old house in a snowy landscape. The house has a tall, pointed tower and a wrap-around porch. A leafless tree stands to the right, with a human face subtly carved in the trunk. Three birds sit on its branch. A snow-covered path leads to the house.
A painting of a spooky, old house with gothic Victorian architecture under a night sky. The house has turrets and pointed roofs, surrounded by winter snow. A bare tree with an eerie face carved into its trunk stands in the foreground, with crows perched on its branch and the ghost of a shadow lingering near.
A vibrant painting depicts a lush jungle scene with ancient, temple-like structures in the background. The foreground features detailed greenery with a chameleon perched on a leaf, while various jungle animals, including an elephant and a peacock, blend into the surroundings.
An underwater scene featuring a glowing blue jellyfish, small fish, an eerie skull, and a small sunken structure in the background. The background is dark, and colorful seaweed and other aquatic plants add to the mysterious ambiance.
The Perfect Gift," a Christmas-themed painting, features a fluffy brown dog wearing a Santa hat, sitting on a red rug next to a decorated tree adorned with ornaments. The background is purple with gold garland, and the artist's signature, @robmedleyart, is visible near the tree.
The Perfect Gift,” a Christmas-themed painting, features a fluffy brown dog wearing a Santa hat, sitting on a red rug next to a decorated tree adorned with ornaments. The background is purple with gold garland, and the artist’s signature, @robmedleyart, is visible near the tree.
A dramatic painting depicts three pirates in a small rowboat facing a large, ornate pirate ship on the open sea at sunset. The pirate in the back is pointing toward the ship, suggesting a plan or direction. The waters reflect the colorful sky.
Pirates in a small boat approach a large, ornate, and menacing galleon named “R. P. S. Shadow” on the open sea. One pirate points towards the ship while another with a colorful headscarf and wide-eyed expression looks back. The sky glows with sunset colors as they continue sailing forward.
The Summering" depicts a surreal scene where a figure with angelic wings and long hair stands by a lake, holding a small object. Two smaller winged figures, possibly children, sit on the ground nearby. An eerie gazebo entwined with snake-like tentacles stands beside them.
The Waiting Shore painting features a peaceful scene: a woman sitting under a large tree, gazing at a calm blue lake. In the backdrop, a boat sails between two verdant hills, while the sky is painted with pink and orange clouds, indicating either sunrise or sunset.
Painting of a mystical forest at night with a glowing full moon. An Ancestral Warden, humanoid with antlers, greenish skin, and glowing eyes leans against a tree. Silhouetted trees and a misty luminescent stream enhance the eerie, enchanted atmosphere.
Painting of a mystical forest at night with a glowing full moon. An Ancestral Warden, humanoid with antlers, greenish skin, and glowing eyes leans against a tree. Silhouetted trees and a misty luminescent stream enhance the eerie, enchanted atmosphere.
A painting depicts a stone castle with a tall, round tower situated on a rocky cliff overlooking a body of water. The sky is filled with soft, colorful clouds at sunset or sunrise, casting an Arcadian Echoes glow on the scene. Lush vegetation surrounds the castle.
A painting depicts a stone castle with a tall, round tower situated on a rocky cliff overlooking a body of water. The sky is filled with soft, colorful clouds at sunset or sunrise, casting an Arcadian Echoes glow on the scene. Lush vegetation surrounds the castle.
A sea turtle on the beach
A colorful painting depicts a woman with her cat sitting by a roaring campfire in a forest. The scene is illuminated by the fire's glow and a starry night sky overhead. Trees surround them, and foliage is visible on the ground, adding an enchanting touch to this forest pagan setting.
A colorful painting depicts a woman with her cat sitting by a roaring campfire in a forest. The scene is illuminated by the fire’s glow and a starry night sky overhead. Trees surround them, and foliage is visible on the ground, adding an enchanting touch to this forest pagan setting.
A painting depicts a lush landscape with a large, leafy tree at the center. A small, white cat peeks out from a hollow log in the foreground, surrounded by tall green grass. In the background, there are ancient, weathered stone columns under a bright blue sky with wispy clouds.
Whispers of the Ancients
A painting of a Viking ship with a dragon figurehead and red-and-white striped sail, navigating through a turbulent sea. In the background, there are waterfalls and a dramatic, stormy sky with hints of green and purple light.
Waves of Fortune

Nature – Victim

by

So I throw all these words out to explain my #art but really, it comes down to mood as the #artwork progresses. This was first focused on #hair – I am not apologetic for objectifying luscious locks – then it moved into the #goth #vampire realm ( #notsorry ) and then setting back into #nature (which I love) – I’ll let you figure out how vampires are #victims and apply that to the damage humans are doing to our madre de #nature. I really shouldn’t even bother with trying to explain it, but for my three fans I will sacrifice :). I mean, it’s not like an influencer like Waagen is going to come along in 250 years and hawk my stuff to wealthy Parisians, while calling it emblematic of the American Golden Age to make a buck. But I digress. Hope you enjoy it.

A Bird in Hand

by

It’s a silly title but I can’t think of another, except untitled, so I’m going with it. It’s yet another portrait of a fantasy beauty. Yawn, right? Okay, but created artwork is worth two in the artists head. Besides, maybe it’s not about the girl at all? Maybe it’s about camera settings, what you can see but can’t see. Maybe it’s a technical exercise. Or maybe it’s art and unapologetically about the girl. That’s the beauty of art.

The Morning Star

by

“Her reputation preceded her, judging by the gasps of the people on the way to the castle. She was synonymous with evil, and had adopted the nickname of the light bringer, Lucifer. There was irony in that it was the same as the weapon she used to dispatch justice on those who had wronged her as she made her way back to the root of the problem. As she crested the hill, the familiar ramparts greeted her, and she smiled, in her unsmiling way, a most wicked smile; for she was home.”

Some hot off the render digital art I ginned up over the last couple days (and a backstory). The castle you can barely see in her eyes, which were the focus of all of this. Actually, it was reflections therein I was working on.

Reflections

by

This was a doodle. I didn’t particularly have any goal in mind besides playing with lights off reflective surfaces, ye old, reflection in a reflection. It feeds into my love of light; and it turned out cool, so, I’m happy. Otherwise, tomorrow is another day in the work (to feed my body), art (to feed my soul), and sleep (to feed my mind), then repeat, routine.

Girl with a Clever Hat

by
Girl with a Hat

Yep, it started as yet another take on my favorite painting Twee tronijnen geschildert op sijn Turx by Vermeer aka Girl with a Turban aka Girl with a Pearl Earring.

My original idea was to do something along the lines of “Call Girl with a Pearl Earring” but abandoned that idea early on.

I also decided against doing a copy of a girl who’s been dead for three hundred years and change. I needed to bring her to the 21st century to stand on her own.

Closeup

Fun facts: I learned that during the restoration of the #painting, they discovered the background was emerald green, instead of black, so I threw that in there. I also kept the lack of eyebrows, the long lashes that had faded over time, and of course the timeless expression.

Crying Game Version Aged 300 Years.

Earlier I did a version where she was crying, but looked at it later, didn’t like it, pulled up the skin box and realized that once again, despite religious saving, the program decided to muck it up and not save past a certain point – so I redid it.

Like the Anya Taylor-Joy painting yesterday, this artwork was hours of eyeballing the features and tweaking settings on her face.

The original

I also decided to do a final exam of sorts – e.g. put the original over a screenshot of my work to see if I hit the mark, and I think I got fairly close. What do you think?

Midnight in the Tavern

by

Rollo hated when the elf made him pose for the soul-stealer gem. For some reason, she liked hanging out with ogres, he in particular. He just wanted to drink, the tavern was good for that, even though it was full of dwarves and humans. “Smile!,” she chided, snapping him out of his musings. Her hair smelled good, he thought, as he tried to pull the corners of his mouth upward.

It’s Been a Minute

by
A woman with dark hair tied up in a bun is crouched on the ground, holding a long sword over her shoulder. With intense makeup and bold red lipstick, she wears a serious expression. It’s been a minute since she trained here, in an outdoor concrete area with walls, clad in her sleeveless outfit.

I just looked at my site and saw my last article was published in April of 2018, almost a year ago. For those that held on, thank you!

Where did I go? The short answer is ‘nowhere’; which is both true and ironic. I’ve been working a lot. Since being mortal is part of the human condition, I had to eat, pay rent, etc., and as we all know, art doesn’t a living make, unless you know people, have rich parents, or are talented enough to rise above the noise of the global art market – a billion artists souls vying for your eyeball time.

I haven’t been painting on canvas, per se. Like her musical sister in 2013, that Muse packed her bags and left me for brighter pigments. I’ve had a canvas on by easel since April, but all I’ve managed to do is hit it now and then with a duster and compressed air.

I have been exploring the other arts, like digital illustration, writing, and painting miniatures (which I did as a teenager). I’ve also been taking the aforesaid miniatures and composing photographic scenes, which is fun in itself.

Here’s some of the work I’ve been doing. I usually post to Instagram first, but since I’m paying for this site, I might as well use it, eh?

So, have I been productive? That depends on what one considers art. I’ll leave that for you to decide. Some day, canvas muse may come back, or rekindle as the musical muse did briefly, but I’ll always be doing something creative.

The Calm Before the Heresy

by

“The Calm Before the Heresy.” 18×24 #acrylic #painting on #canvas. $300 if interested, which is, mmm, $0.70 per square inch, plus $20 shipping CONUS. That’s a great deal. Prices are sure to shoot up the moment I’m discovered 🙂


I had the idea a couple weeks back, but it really wanted out of my head today. It’s part of my ramp up to #Halloween, the season of #magic – where the boundaries between our world and the #supernatural are at their weakest. 
The setting is #Colonial #America, or Europe, suit yourself (as Marty Feldman used to say). A man, walking through the woods, comes upon a scene of #occult #witchcraft, or worship as the old religions call it. You get the rest, burnings, hangings, people succumbing to their basest instincts.

The Watcher

by

My favorite time of the year is here, Fall/Halloween. I’ve geared up the darker art to celebrate. This one I call “the Watcher”. I love gargoyles, so I painted one. The bushes are a combination of fantasy and berries I encounter on my daily walks. 

Techniques used include spray paint, acrylic paint, brushwork, finger-painting,  and the use of these styrofoam balls one can find in a craft store.

I wanted to do rain, but you can’t have a full moon in view with rain falling, apparently. I wanted to keep that accuracy.

Flight of the Raven

by
A vibrant painting depicts a large, luminous moon surrounded by colorful clouds against a pink and orange sky. In the foreground, a dark blue bird with bright, reflective eyes appears to gaze toward the moon, an enchanting moment in the Flight of the Raven, framed by abstract, swirling shapes and colors.

My first finger-painting since the third grade.  I’ve always wondered how effective it would be. The answer? For a guy with big fingers, I can’t get any detail.  I’m going back to brushes for the next one, but it was fun to ‘roll around in the mud’, if you will, and stretch my wings.

As I’ve said, no brush touched this canvas.  It looks like it, right? The story, a raven soars in the evening sky, trees below and a gibbous moon riding high in the sky, illuminating it’s coat as it searches for a throne upon which to perch… or something like that.

Acrylic finger-painting on canvas (good thing its not the Middle Ages, where this stuff was not cheap). Comments welcome, I have mostly thick-skin 🙂

dsc_0451-edit