T-Rex Dinosaur by Darren Maurer

16" x 20"

As many of you that follow my blog already know, one of my many interests is hunting various types of fossils which also include dinosaurs. As a group we usually make it out in the field a few times a year for the fun and adventure of discovering fossils from several interesting animals and plants that are long ago extinct. I have put together a nice collection of fossils over the years and have become very proficient in dinosaur anatomy from the countless hours spent in the field, reading, and comparing fossils from different collections and species of creatures. Our group is invited for public speaking engagements at schools, colleges, universities, and museums several times a year to share our knowledge and adventures with anyone interested. As an artist and dinosaur enthusiast, I have always been fascinated by the many talented paleo-artists working in the field today. My goal is to begin completing some paleo related oil paintings as time allows and see where it goes. I would love to illustrate my own book someday or assist others with paleo illustration projects. This painting is one of the first I decided to share with everyone on my blog page. This is a T-Rex and I especially like the menacing look that the viewer is greeted with. Interested buyers can inquire via email.

PB&J #10 by Darren Maurer

20" x 20"

The gallery in Milwaukee requested another PB&J painting. I will be shipping this painting and the smaller one I finished recently when they are dry and varnished. I have about four additional paintings that will also make the trip. If anyone is interested in purchasing this piece contact the Katie Gingrass Gallery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

I started a painting tonight that I have had planned for about three years now. It is a cafe table booth scene with the usual kethup, mustard, salt and pepper, and napkin dispenser sitting on the table. There is a louvered window blind that is half open causing alternating stripes of sunlight and shadow to span across the table and up the back rest the vinyl booth seat. In my mind it looks really cool. I will post it when finished.

Jar of Honey

8"x8"

This is a commission painting. The jar of honey sitting on the window sill was lit up from a sun beam in an otherwise dimly lit room. I thought it was a good look. I will let it dry, apply some varnish, and ship it to my client.  

Another PB&J!!!



6x6

 

I'm not sure if I will ever get tired of painting PB&Js. Painting the jelly and making it sparkle is about as cool as it gets. This painting is is going to the Katie Gingrass Gallery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I have been showing work at the gallery for almost a year. They have been great to work with and couldn't ask for better people to help me market my work. The PB&Js have been a popular subject for me over the past few years and I am working on a few more to ship to the gallery. Contact the gallery for purchase of this piece.

Art Lessons in Sioux City

Both 8x8 

I started teaching private painting lessons a couple weeks ago. Other than teaching painting at our local Sioux City Art Center a few times I don't have any other experience teaching. The twelve year old granddaughter of some very good friends of ours is interested in drawing and has a real talent with a pencil. Her mother wanted to expand her knowledge beyond the art classes at the public school she attends. We decided to try some painting lessons for a few weeks and see where it goes. I painted a little demo of an apple the first two classes which is shown at the top of this post. Next time she will start painting. She is mature for a twelve year old and asks great questions. I am confident we will make an oil painter out of her before we are done.

The second apple was also painted as demo piece at the Sioux City Boys & Girls Home. My wife and I have donated to this facility in the past and plan to continue into the future. I offered to donate some time and teach a painting class there a couple times a week for about four weeks. The kids seem interested and also ask some great questions. There are about seven boys ranging in ages from about 12 to 15 in the class and they are going to start painting next time as well. I think it would be great if even one student here could see that they had a talent that can take them to a good place when they are older. I will keep my blog up to date on how the classes are going.

Neither painting is for sale. I gave the top one away to my friend's granddaughter and the second painting will be framed and donated to the unit on the floor where the boys live at the Boys & Girls Home.

Red Pear - by Darren Maurer

12" x 12"

The lighting on this pear was interesting. The little details made the pear real. This painting is Available. $400

Ice Cubes - by Darren Maurer

6" x 6"

Painting ice cubes is always a fun and challenging subject. This pair proves to be no different. This painting is a commission piece and is SOLD.

Peanut Butter & Jelly - by Darren Maurer

24" x 36"

A lot of people have been emailing me lately wondering why I haven't been posting any blog entries. Not to worry....I'm still around and I'm still painting. I have been working on some larger projects and haven't posted any of them. Since my last posting my entire email system crashed and I lost my list of hundreds of subscribers to my blog. If you would like to re-subscribe please send an email to me and I will start another list.

I just finished this piece and like the way it turned out when completed. This painting is going to be shipped out to the Katie Gingrass Gallery in Milwaukee, Wisconson next week. I had an exhibit there last summer and they sold all of my PB&J paintings. We decided maybe a few more paintings of that subject matter might be a good idea.

CANVAS PRINTS AVAILABLE OF THIS PAINTING
"PB&J" - 12" x 18" stretched canvas prints of this painting. Printed on the finest canvas in high detail and shipped directly.  $150 plus $20.00 shipping.

Half PB&J by Darren Maurer

12" x 12"
This is one of my all time favorite subjects to paint. When I'm out and about I am always asked several times a day, "What are you working on?" I love the look on people's faces when I respond, "I'm working on a painting of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich." They always ask me again as if they didn't hear me correctly. Painting Sold.

Sunflower by Darren Maurer

36" x 36"

I have been working on this piece for awhile. My oldest daughter repainted her bedroom this past summer and used a family of warm yellows for the color. She asked if I could paint a sunflower for her and hang above the head board of the bed? I told her that I would love to paint something for her and began thinking of ideas almost immediately. She has always been fond of sunflowers anyway so this is the perfect subject. A few years back she grew several sunflowers from seeds and ended up naming them all and giving them different personalities . Most of the names were of people we knew which made it even more fun. This will be one of the final touches on the room remodel. My younger daughter has always noticed sunsets. She was pointing out amazing sunsets almost before she could talk. I am going to paint another 36" x 36" sunset painting for her.

The gallery in Milwaukee has asked me to stay and show work full time. The still life show I participated in during July, August, and September was a success and they sold all of the large paintings which is good news for an artist. We have discussed a few ideas for subject matter and I will start painting on those pieces next.