In The Studio 16x20 Acrylic

I have had a hankering to work on a larger scale. So I am feeding my hankering.

Max 18x24 Acrylic

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This is the finished version of the preliminary study posted earlier.

Out Of The Darkness 11x14 Acrylic

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When I was seventeen 22x28 Oil

As I was going through my mother's belongings, I found this painting tucked away. I painted it when I was seventeen, in the infancy stages of my painting. I think all artists evolve pretty much the same. We begin as cameras, reproducing every leaf, every rock, every tiny detail. As we progress, we realize we are not cameras, but poets. Then the artistic journey really begins.

Funny, I remember exactly where I painted this and the silly high school tramas that were going on at the time. I was painting with oils here. The allergies didn't hit me until years later.

Peace 8x10 Acrylic

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I was driving through the small town of Port Byron, when, there they were, in public, on top of a fountain a few steps from the Mississippi River, kissing each other right on the lips. Shocking! Seriously, it was a gray day, so I added some notes of pure color here and there.

Afternoon Nap 11x14 Acrylic

This is a quick study from life.

Sand Bar 8x10 Acrylic

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I traveled upriver yesterday and stood on the banks of the Mississippi River. There was this strange looking sand bar just off the pier. I don't know what caused this design, but I was taken by the abstract quality. Nature is a great teacher.

Fields Of Gold 9x12 Acrylic

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I want to continue to explore landscape painting. Many, many paintings are required in any particular genre to discover your likes and dislikes. All painting is an exploration, a search to find what is meaningful on the painting surface.

Andy 11x14 Acrylic

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This is the final painting. After blocking in the color, I work throughout the painting refining drawing, values, color and edges. There is a lot going on in the background here, so the challenge was to make sure the figure was not overpowered. I think it works because of a few strong horizontals and the kind of an X composition.

Sunset Marina 8x10 Acrylic

I was drawn to this scene because of the overall abstract design. When painting plein-aire, there is so much to take in. It can be dizzying. But that is the challenge of painting. To make comprehensible all that we see before us. Actually, this is the purpose of painting for me.

Approaching Storm 11x14 Acrylic

 As I was painting this view, the Mississippi River was just a few feet behind me. I was so intent on working, I was startled three times by people looking over my shoulder. Maybe people should wear bells so they can't sneak up on you.

Dusk 8x10 Acrylic

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I really enjoyed working quickly in the challenge of the changing light as the sun was going down. The necessity of simplicity and sponaneity. The energy is embedded into the canvas.

Michelle 2 (Sketch) Acrylic 16 x 20

Another quick study of Michelle.

Charity

Charity has been my beloved companion for the last 15 years. Last night, she passed away in my arms after a short illness. My brother always said she acts more like a dog than a cat. Always running to greet me when I came in the door. Never far when working in the studio. I don't believe we know one half of one per cent about anything, but I know God is love and He loves His creation. In the end, I think that is really all we need to know.

Michelle (Sketch) Acrylic 16 x 20

I did this sketch of Michelle during an hour pose at an acrylic class I teach at Bucktown in Davenport, Iowa. I like the spontanaity of having to complete a painting so rapidly, especially when working on a larger canvas. Just let go and paint.

Jennifer 9x12 Acrylic

This is from a portrait workshop I recently began teaching at Bucktown, an old turn of the century saloon that is now home to many artist galleries in Davenport, Iowa. Jennifer is a wonderful model who wears colorful Indian type clothing. 

Roberta 16x20 Acrylic

Life is a series of expectations. Many are fulfilled. Many are not. I recently read where we have very selective memories of past events. And we have very inadequate visions of our future circumstances. When the future circumstances showed up for me, it was entirely different than I expected it to be. Of course, some circumstances you can see coming, others you just don't see coming at all.

I owe many Thank You's to so many of you who wrote and offered you heartfelt condolences and support earlier this year. I cannot say in words how much each note means to me. Thank you all so much. I am honored to be in the company of the Daily Painters. Simply the best! I haven't posted since last March because of the circumstances I didn't see coming. My apologies for dropping out of sight for so long. Please note: My address has never changed, but my email address has. Please contact me at bradbisbey@yahoo.com.

This is Roberta, a very beautiful lady who also happens to be a 5 degree blackbelt. I asked to paint her portrait to get myself back to the painting process. She graciously agreed. This painting also brought several commissions from others who saw it. 'Roberta' is painted on 16x20 stretched canvas. Not For Sale.

Peace 12x16 Acrylic

For all the outpouring of care and support from so many during this time, words cannot express how deeply grateful I am to each and every one of you. I will reach you all individually, but until then, please accept my heartfelt Thank You at this time. A finer group of people I have never met. Daily Painters are simply the best.

I was just beginning to adjust to living in this big house by myself. Then. My brother called at 10pm 2 evenings ago to say his house was flooded. He lives along the banks of the Rock River in Illinois and found himself in the middle of a record flood. He waded out with a few clothes and the rest is a total loss. What a terrible winter! Now I am adjusting to living in this big house with my new roommate. My brother calls us a couple of old maids. I am at long last taking refuge in my art!

I did a smaller painting last year using this same photo as a reference. I wanted to paint it larger with a more finished quality. It is painted on Windberg Art Panel. Available on ebay.

My Mother

February 01 1918 - February 12 2008

What a remarkable lady. Love of God, gentleness, unselfishness, strength of character are not just words that described her traits. They are words which descibed her. Through times of great joy and times of great sorrow, she didn't tell you how to live, she showed you how to live. I am so blessed that she was and will always be my mother.

Lost In Thought 6x8 Acrylic

Questioning 6x8 Acrylic

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A Walk In The Clouds 9x12 Acrylic

The Room 6x8 Acrylic

This painting has kind of a comic book flavor to it. It tells its own story, like one frame from a movie. Acrylic on canvas panel. 

Jenny 8x10 Acrylic

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Jenny is a great model. Almost every time I see her, her hair is a different color. Blonde, brunette, redhead, she wears them all well.

White Dress 8x10 Acrylic

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I posted this subject about 2 months ago. The first version was painted on matte board. This one is painted on canvas. The painting sold yesterday. When I was packing it, I noticed the matte board had a spot on it. The more I tried to fix it, the worse it got, so I repainted it on canvas. I may not paint on matte board anymore.

Triathlon 18x24 Acrylic

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This was a commissioned portrait. I worked from a photo taken at the Chicago triathlon, so I haven't met this gentleman yet, but look forward to meeting him soon.

Sideward Glance 6x8 Acrylic

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Charcoal Drawing

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This was a 30 minute pose done with Wolffe Pencil and charcoal. I have been experimenting with water-soluable oils the past week or so. They have a strong odor which gave me a headache. So I am an acrylic painter. 

Drawing By Kate Skaloud

It's good to start the new year with good art. This is the latest drawing by Galva, Illinois artist Kate Skaloud. This is a commissioned portrait and her best work to date, in my opinion.