"SPRING APPROACHES" New Original Oil Painting by Mike Callahan

"Spring Approaches"

24" x 30"

Oil on Canvas

Here's another painting in my Tahoe series...it's of the mouth of the Truckee River right where it leaves Lake Tahoe. I believe I shot the reference for this painting in March and while we got snow after that this year, at the time I shot this reference, the snow was rapidly diminishing...enjoy!

"ENCHANTRESS" - New Original Oil Painting by Mike Callahan

"Enchantress"

24" x 30"

Oil on Canvas

In sharing my latest painting with you, I thought I'd show you a little about how I conceived of it. First, I'm a fortunate man in that I have two of the most beautiful daughters in the world! Of course they don't get their good looks from me, but from their mother, so that makes me triple lucky...of course, from a father's perspective there have been many a time that I haven't been sure if having beautiful daughter's is a blessing or a curse! Well, enough of my rambling, on to the painting.

My younger daughter Alissa has a friend who is a very talented photographer, her name is Charissa Booher and you can check out her work here. One day, she did a photo shoot with Alissa and got some really great shots! It was suggested that do a painting or two from them, but I usually don't use other people's work for reference. I had to admit it was an intriguing shot so I told Alissa to ask her friend how she'd feel about me using her photo for a painting. Fortunately Charissa thought that would be cool, so I picked one that I felt held particular qualities that would translate well into a painting. While I really liked the shot shown here, I felt I'd like to do a little something special with the background. Last fall, on our way home from a trip to Apple Hill, Alissa could see that there was some great light on the American River from Highway 50 late in the day. She kept bugging me to stop and take some photos, but I was kind of like the horse headed to the barn at the end of the day. Finally, I saw a decent spot to pull over so I stopped, handed Alissa the camera and told her to go for it...but to hurry up, I would keep the car running. She climbed over the guard rail and descended to the river's edge and shot up about half a memory card! When she came back to the car she kept exclaiming that "it's just magical down there!" It looked pretty from my perspective, but when I got home and reviewed her shots, I had to agree, "magical".

So, naturally, I felt this was the perfect pairing just waiting to be painted, a great shot of her backed by the great shot she took!

"SECRET COVE 3"- New Original Oil Painting By Mike Callahan

"Secret Cove 3"

Oil on Canvas 20" x 38"

Here's another Tahoe piece. I shot this reference about this time of year two or three years ago. I'm still qute taken by the beauty of the lake here, so I just had to paint it again. Enjoy!

"OVERLOOK" New Original Oil Painting by Mike Callahan

"Overlook"

Oil on Canvas 20" x 38"

Hello Friends, Here's a new Tahoe piece I recently completed from an overlook descending to the eastern shore of the lake. Enjoy!

"LILLY POND" - New Original Oil Painting by Mike Callahan

"Lilly Pond" - Tryptich

20" x 10" (each panel)

Oil on Panel

I know it's been a while since I sent out a new piece, but I have been working on a series that I want to show all at once. These shown above aren't part of that series, but instead are from the same lilly pond up by the Blue Lakes that I just love! This is my first attempt at painting a tryptich and I hope to build a custom frame for it soon. I will try to get painting updates out a bit more frequently, but with the holidays approaching, bear with me!

'YUBA RIVER STUDY' - Brand New Original Oil Painting by Mike Callahan

"Yuba River Study"

9" x 12"

Oil on Canvas Panel

I recently had the opportunity to get out and paint on a simply gorgeous day down along th Yuba river with a friend of mine. This is the first of two little paintings I did that day...I'll post the other one next week.

This is how I began, just sketching in my composition...

It can really help your concentration if you hang your mouth open like this (as long as there aren't too many bugs buzzing around!)

...and here we are just about done...

"TAHOE ROCKS" - Brand New Original Oil Painting by Mike Callahan

"Tahoe Rocks"

9" x 12"

Oil on Canvas Panel

I recently did a studio demo showing how I approach painting rocks and water. What a better way to demonstrate that than with Tahoe, its great rocks and clear water?...Enjoy!

"SECRET COVE #2" New Oil Painting by Mike Callahan

"Secret Cove #2"
Oil on Canvas 24" x 30"
Here's another painting of the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe...it's the second new Tahoe painting that is currently featured in a 'Tahoe' show at the Truckee River Gallery thru December 21st. If you get a chance stop by and see the show; I was at the reception Saturday night and there's a lot of great work in this show!

"SPARKLIING SHORE" - New Original Oil Painting by Mike Callahan

"Sparkling Shore"
Oil on Canvas 24" x 30"
Here's my latest painting of the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe...it's one of two new Tahoe paintings that will be featured in a "Tahoe" show at the Truckee River Gallery from December 3rd thru December 21st. If you live nearby, please mark your calenders for the reception on Saturday, December 6th, from 4-7p.m.