"Tim Finnigan" original oil painting by Mike Callahan

"Tim Finnigan"
8" x 10" oil on canvas

This is a fun little portrait I painted of my daughter-in-law's little brother Tim.

"Snowpile" Original Oil Painting by Mike Callahan

"Snowpile"
10" x 8" oil on canvas

This is piece was done as a challenge that I gave to the critique group I'm in. The challenge was to paint something "ugly", but paint it well...this is my effort toward that end!

"Sierra Buttes Ridge" - original oil painting by Mike Callahan

"Sierra Buttes Ridge"
8" x 12" oil on canvas
Study

This is the second study I did for a proposal for a larger painting...the clients chose this view and I'll be painting it much larger (40" x 60") in the following months...stay tuned for my progress in here and on my site.

"The Shore of Long Lake" - original oil painting by Mike Callahan

"The Shore of Long Lake"
8" x 12" oil on canvas
Study

This piece I did as a study for a proposal for a commission. It's a similar view to the view I painted in the piece title "Long Lake Ice"...the clients did not choose it; they chose the one posted above this one.

"The Mayor's Cup" - Original Oil Painting by Mike Callahan

"The Mayor's Cup"
24" x 36" oil on canvas
Commission

This pieces was commissioned by the City of Sparks through their artist of the month program.

Slide Mountain - Original Oil Painting by Mike Callahan

"Slide Mountain"

Oil on Canvas 16" x 28"

This is a piece I was commissioned to do for a Christmas gift. I'm just sharing it now because I didn't want to ruin the surprise. I'm told the recipient loves it! It's a scene of Slide Mountain as seen from Washoe Valley in Nevada. The area on the mountain that looks light gray is actually the part of the mountain that has slid off in years prior, the most recent and most devastating being in 1983.

"Early Snow" - original oil painting by Mike Callahan

"Early Snow"

Oil on Canvas 7" x 5"

Merry Christmas! Wishing You and Your's All the Blessings of Christmas this Holiday Season and a Peaceful and Prosperous New Year!

"Ornaments" - Original Oil Painting by Mike Callahan

"Ornaments"

Oil on Canvas 5" x 7"

As the Christmas season rapidly approaches, I find myself busy as ever. I've finished the commission I've been working on and will post it after Christmas. In the meantime, here's a little piece I did for the Tubac Center of the Arts Little Treasures show. I'll try to post once more before Christmas, but if I don't make it, Merry Christmas!

"Tule Peak" original oil painting by Mike Callahan

"Tule Peak"

Oil on Canvas 11" x 14"

This is the only remaining piece that's still available from the Winnemucca Ranch / Citizens for Sensible Growth Benefit show! The show was a near sell out for me! You have one last chance to see this piece as the show is coming down on Dec. 6th. Erik Holland will be at the Patagonia Service Center from 3-6:30 pm tomorrow, December 5th, so if you want to see it or the other great art in the show, hurry over there! The directions are below!
You can see a larger version of this painting by clicking here.


Patagonia, 8550 White Fir, November 29th, 5 to 8:30 pm.

Directions: Take 4th street west of Reno to Woodland ( just beyond Mayberry intersection). Turn left on Woodland and cross the RR tracks. The first right is White Fir. Take White Fir around to just before the Truckee River Bridge, and turn left into the parking lot.

"Winnemucca Ranch Road" - New Original Oil Painting by Mike Callahan

"Winnemucca Ranch Road"

Oil on Canvas 12" x 16"

I've been busy working on a commission recently, so I probably won't be posting too regularly till after I'm done and on to something else (the commission is a present and I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise!)
The painting shown above however, will be featured in a show and you are all invited to the opening reception this Thursday, the 29th from 5-8:30 PM! I'm sorry for the short notice, the show kind of crept up on me...the announcement with directions follows below -
You can see a larger version of this painting by clicking here.

Press release:

Winnemucca Ranch Art Show
AT PATAGONIA, NOVEMBER 29TH 5 TO 8:30 PM

On a sunny day in October, 16 artists gathered to paint the beauty of yet another area slated for sprawling development. The Winnemucca Ranch and the adjacent Marshall Ranch, thirty miles north of Reno, are soon to be covered with 14,000 homes. This is just the tip of the iceberg of sprawling development schemes that include the Ballardini Ranch, central Storey County, the east Truckee River canyon, the hills above south Reno, and incursions into Washoe Valley. Someday we’ll have to add an extra “D” to those trucks that drive around the area emblazoned with the slogan,” We love(d) this place”.


The “paint in” includes Jean LeGassick, Pat Wallis, Craig Mitchell, Patti Christensen Woodard, Chad Sorg, Tyler Sorg, Ann O’Lear, Ray Freeman, Crystal Harling, Karen Kreyeski, Erik Holland, Carol Foldvary Anderson, Renate Neumann, Brian Amme and Shawna Baker, and Mike Callahan.

Paintings produced ranged from intimate scenes of cottonwoods in full October glory to sweeping views of the valley looking down towards Sparks. Fifty percent of sales will benefit Citizens for Sensible Growth to support efforts in concert with other groups to promote a more sustainable growth pattern. We look forward to making this a yearly event, with a focus on a different threatened area every year.

An opening is scheduled at Patagonia, 8550 White Fir, November 29th, 5 to 8:30 pm.

Take 4th street west of Reno to Woodland ( just beyond Mayberry intersection). Turn left on Woodland and cross the RR tracks. The first right is White Fir. Take White Fir around to just before the Truckee River Bridge, and turn left into the parking lot.

"Glance" - New Oil Painting By Mike Callahan

"Glance"
Oil on Canvas 8" x 10"
This has turned out to be a breakthrough piece for me. I've discovered what for me is a way to get great luminosity in skin...I've posted the details in a step-by-step of the painting as well as a larger picture that you can see by clicking here.

"Sunflowers" - new oil painting still life by Mike Callahan

"Sunflowers"
Oil on Canvas 10" x 8"
I set up and painted this little still life of some sunflowers in my grandmothers pewter coffee pot...I've posted a short, one page step by step of the painting as well as a larger picture of it, you can see it by clicking here.

"Trickle" - New Oil Painting by Mike Callahan

"Trickle"
Oil on Canvas 10" x 8"
I went on a hike earlier this year in the desert and we came across this little stream early in the morning...a little trickle really, but it was the only water we crossed the whole trip...If you would like to see a larger posting of it, along with a step-by-step of the painting of it, click here.

Along The Colorado - new plein air oil painting by Mike Callahan

"Along The Colorado"
Oil on Canvas 12" x 16"
Here's another one from my recent painting trip to Moab. Painting this was absolutely blissful, standing there in perfect 75 degree weather in the shade with the Colorado River gently flowing by!...If you would like to see a larger posting of it, click here.

"Canyon View" new plein air landscape by Mike Callahan

"Canyon View"
Oil on Canvas 12" x 16"
I just recently went on a trip to Moab and was able to paint this plein air piece up in the Arches National Park ...You can see a larger posting of it by clicking here.

"Tenacity", brand new oil painting by Mike Callahan

"Tenacity"
Oil on Canvas 14" x 11"
I was out on my lunch break taking a walk a couple of weeks ago and I was struck by the light raking down over these rocks and a tenacious little bit of rabbit brush growing up out of the smallest crack blooming like it was a big bush, so I just thought it would make a great painting. What do you think? ...You can see a larger posting and a step-by-step demo of how I painted it by clicking here.

Plein Air Paintout - Seasons of Martis

Last weekend I had the privilege of painting in the Season's of Martis Plein Air paintout...For the most part, the weather was gorgeous, but Friday was brutal...here's a shot of me painting "en colde air"! You can read more details and see more photos by clicking here.

"Distant Thunderheads" Original Oil Painting by Mike Callahan

"Distant Thunderheads"
Oil on Canvas 16" x 12"
Here's another one fresh off the easel. I've been taking a little break getting ready for my show, but now I'm ready to get back at it. I painted this one alla prima in the studio...you can see a larger posting of it by clicking here.

Solo Show - Special Announcement

Greetings friends, below is an announcement for my upcoming show at
the Truckeee River Gallery...there's a reception this Saturday, Sept.
22 from 4p.m. - 8p.m....please stop by and say "hi" if you are able!
Thanks, Mike

Mike Callahan - Solo Show
September 19th through October 14th
Reception - September 22nd

Our next show is going to be a solo show by renowned Reno artist, Mike Callahan. Mike paints traditionally in oils using a limited palette of three colors plus white resulting in paintings of rich harmonious color and realism. His subject matter includes the American west and a predominant amount of the high Sierras. Mike's skilled technique and vision yields stunning paintings, if you have a love and appreciation for this area you will be drawn to these spectacular images.

We will be having a reception for Mike on September 22nd, this is a great opportunity to meet Mike Callahan and talk to him about his work and technique. It is fascinating to hear how he creates these amazing pieces. His technique of limited palette and thick over thin produce amazing results and Mike will be here to explain his approach. Please come and have some food and wine and enjoy this evening with the artist.

11 N. Sierra St. #100, Reno NV 89501
(775) 324-1105
www.TruckeeRiverGallery.com

Abandoned - original oil painting by Mike Callahan

"Abandoned"
Oil on Canvas 20" x 20"
This is a painting I just finished. It's of an old building out by Winnemucca Ranch Road which will probably be torn down very soon to make way for some major housing development...who's going to live there, I'm not sure...you can see a larger posting of it and follow along with the painting of it by clicking here.