City Skier Acrylic 5 x 7 Urban Snow Scene

SOLD

It is finally snowing in Denver today! It's the first snow of the whole year and I was out celebrating by taking pictures and getting a Chi latte. This fella was already taking advantage of the powder on the streets!

John K. Harrell Fine Art

Wally Acrylic 6 x 6 Dog Portrait

Wally is such a great subject for a painting. I couldn't ask for more character in a pet portrait. His portrait was commissioned as a Christmas gift for some special friends who love their dog more than life. I can totally relate to those feelings!

John K. Harrell Fine Art

SOLD

Stella Acrylic 6 x 6 Dog Portrait

Stella is a very special dog. She is the hound bundle of joy of my next door neighbors Scott and Jackie. A beautiful miniature dachshund that is most likely the most spoiled dog I have ever know except for maybe my own of course. That prize is always up for grabs any given day of the week. All joking aside we are lucky to have such awesome companions in our lives. Merry Christmas Scott and Jackie!

SOLD

John K. Harrell Fine Art

Oggie Acrylic 6x 6 Dog Portrait

Oggie is Bonnie's best friend. Bonnie is my neighbor's mother and is one hell of a woman. I've had the pleasure of getting to know Bonnie over the past year and find her to be just as much fun to hang with as our neighbors! Oggie, is Bonnie's constant companion and I am honored to capture his lovable mug in a painting for her Christmas present this year. Enjoy, Bonnie!

John K. Harrell Fine Art

SOLD

Bella 5 x 7 Acrylic Dog Portrait

This portrait of Bella was commissioned by a Bob Boland as a Christmas present for some family friends. I haven't met Bella personally but when Bob saw the painting of her he said that I captured her essence! That is music to my ears and hope the recipients of the Christmas present think the same.


John K. Harrell Fine Art



SOLD

Winky The One Eyed Kitty Acrylic 12 x 12 Pet Portrait

Winky has had a very eventful life. Darren, Winky's owner doesn't know how he came to lose his eye but, adopted him a couple of years ago from a cat rescue here in Denver. Winky has been in several homes over his long life of 13 years and has found himself the best of owners. Darren is totally in love with him and had his portrait commissioned for his wife's Christmas present. He is all personality and having only one eye only adds to his persona!

John K. Harrell Fine Art

SOLD

Hot Williows Cold Waters 6 x 6 Acrylic Winter Colorado Landscape

SOLD

Colorado can have some very intense Winter weather. In the harshest of winters the fiery orange of the willow branches slice through the cold barren landscape with the promise of life despite mother nature's strong grip.

John K. Harrell Fine Art

Urban Stance Acrylic 6 x 6 Impressionistic Urban Scene

SOLD


It's that time of year again for wintery days of shopping. This was a very wet snow and not very cold. In Colorado
This is good shopping weather.

John K. Harrell Fine Art

Winter Stream 5 x 7 Acrylic Winter Colorado Landscape

$125.00 + $10.00 S/H

It's that time of year again for the mountain streams to begin to freeze over and hide the wonderful sounds they make as they wind down the mountain side.

John K.Harrell Fine Art

Sunlights Pathway 7 x 5 Acrylic Mountain Landscape Painting in Colorado

$125.00 + $10.00 S/H

I enjoyed capturing the way the sunlight filtered through the forest onto the clear mountain stream near Steamboat Colorado.

John K. Harrell Fine Art

The Gift of Christmas 7 x 5 Acrylic Christmas Painting

SOLD



I'm having fun painting a few Christmas images to get me in the Christmas spirit. This little painting had that effect on me and I hope it inspires the spirit in you!

John K. Harrell Fine Art

Saint Nick 7 x 5 Acrylic Christmas Painting

SOLD

Who better to represent Christmas but Saint Nick. I hope you like my interpretation.

John K. Harrell Fine Art

Christmas Sleigh Ride 5 x 7 Acrylic Christmas Painting

SOLD

I was asked to do a few more Christmas images. So, I have tried to paint images that evoke a favorite Christmas memory for me. I remember being on a horse driven sleigh ride through the mountains of Durango Colorado when I was about eight years old. I still remember it like it was yesterday. The horse's breathing and the sounds of the sleigh bells and the smell of smoke promising a warm fire and hot chocolate when the ride was over.

John K.Harrell Fine Art

A Cozy Night Acrylic 6 x 6 Winter Urban Landscape

SOLD

Winter and an early evening seem to be a constant in our world, so I thought painting a snowy night scene seemed appropriate. This is in down town Denver on the 16th Street mall with all its wonderful night life. I was attracted to all the lights in the trees and how everything was blanketed with a fresh layer of the fluffy white stuff.

John K. Harrell Fine Art

Fall Perspective 5 x 7 Acrylic Impressionistic Fall River Landscape

SOLD

There is some pretty country up near Idaho Springs Colorado. This creek was nestled into the valley amongst the aspen trees and willow bushes.

John K. Harrell Fine Art

Imbued Mood 7 x 5 Acrylic Urban Landscape in the Rain

$125.00 + $10.00 S/H

An urban scene shrouded in mist and overflowing in a comforting moody atmosphere.

John K. Harrell Fine Art

Sassy Red 7 x 5 Acrylic Urban Scene

SOLD

I'm particularly excited by the challenge of capturing a mood in the landscape. On this day it was snowing, but it hadn't started sticking to the ground yet, so I had good reflections to work with. Between the low clouds and the slushy snow fall I had a lot of atmosphere to choose from. I'm pleased with the result of today's painting effort.

John K. Harrell Fine Art

Lucy Acrylic Dog Portrait of a Golden Retriver

SOLD

I was commissioned to do this portrait of Lucy for a client's husbands 65th birthday present. Denise was extremely pleased with the outcome and said I captured Lucy's essence. If you would like to have your pet's portrait commissioned just write me an email or call Brushstrokes Gallery 303-871-0800 to set it up. If a portrait is scheduled before the first week in December I can have it completed in time for Christmas.

John K.Harrell Fine Art

Christmas is Coming 6 x 6 Acrylic Christmas Teddy Bear Painting

SOLD

I have a collection of teddy bears given to me by special friends and thought I would use them in a series of Christmas themed paintings. I know its early for this kind of subject matter but when the mood strikes I just have to take advantage of it.

John K. Harrell Fine Art

A Time For Reflection Acrylic 7 x 5 Urban Impressionistic Painting

SOLD


Fall is beautiful here in Denver and when it rains the colors reflected on the street are spectacular!


John K. Harrell Fine Art

Just Plain Cute 5 x 7 Acrylic Puppy Painting

$100.00 + $10.00 S/H

I was visiting a good friend, Brad in Atlanta this spring. He took me to a wonderful park in the heart of the city and I saw this wonderful little puppy. She was only two pounds and the size of my hand. I had to paint her. Her proud parents named her Betty after Betty White. Those are some big shoes to fill but I don't think she will have a hard time doing it.

John K. Harrell Fine Art

Afternoon Pearch 5 x 7 Acrylic Bird Painting

SOLD

I have a wonderful back yard full of trees and bushes with a spectacular water feature. It's a perfect environment for a variety of feathered friends and this was one of them. Thought it was a little late for this little fella to still be in Colorado, but I am glad he stuck around long enough to pose for me none the less.

John K. Harrell Fine Art

A Denver Landmark 7 x 5 Acrylic Urban Landscape of Downtown Denver

SOLD





I was out taking pictures a week ago in the rain. We haven't had much rain this fall so I had to take advantage of the opportunity when I had it. There wasn't much fall color on the mall yet which surprised me but the images I captured were fantastic none the less. The late time of day coupled with the rain made for some moody compositions.

John K. Harrell Fine Art

Capital Snow 6 x 6 Acrylic Urban Landscape of Denver Capital in Winter

SOLD

I'm out taking pictures of Denver it seems like on a daily basis and last winter I was walking to the bank when I captured this scene. I tend to be very attracted to the common place situation becoming the uncommon in the painted form. I hope you agree!

John K. Harrell Fine Art

Yellow Finch 7 x 5 Acrylic Flower and Bird Painting

SOLD



This little guy was a perfect match for the flower he was resting on. I can't believe I actually got the picture. Finches are a welcomed and beloved Colorado resident.

John K. Harrell Fine Art

Fall Pheasant 6 x 6 Acrylic Original Bird Painting

SOLD

Pushing my subject matter comfort zone lately. Yesterday a chipmunk and today a pheasant!

John K. Harrell Fine Art

Chip Off The Old Block 7 x 5 Acrylic Wildlife Painting

SOLD



This is a cheerful resident in the Colorado mountains. Chipmunks don't usually stay still very long so, when I successfully photographed this fella I couldn't wait to get to the studio and paint him.

John K. Harrell Fine Art

An Evening Prayer 6 x 6 Acrylic Urban Landscape in Winter

SOLD

A snowy night with the muffled melody of church bells ringing attracted me to this spot when I was out taking pictures. The warm glow of the light as it hit the falling snow made the neighborhood chapel incredibly picturesque.


John K. Harrell Fine Art

Free Range Acryic 5 x 7 Landscape Painting with Cattle

SOLD

A grassy meadow with two great specimens to paint. Who could ask for more? I'm not a country boy by any means and I don't know what kind of cattle these are but they were sure fun to paint!

John K. Harrell Fine Art

Summer in Colorado Acrylic 48 x 36 Colorado Impressionistic Landscape

I am very excited to be chosen for the cover of the October 2010 Southwest Art Magazine. The painting featured is an Acrylic landscape Summer in Colorado 48 x 36 and is available at Brushstrokes Studio Gallery. The article entitled " Focus on Rocky Mountain Artists also features some of my landscape work.
I know this blog is usually a venue for my daily paintings but I thought it would be nice to let everyone know what is happening in my day to day art life.
I'm in partnership with two incredible Denver artists Kit Hevron Mahoney and Anita Mosher. Collectively we own and operate Brushstrokes Studio Gallery. It's a working studio gallery located in Denver Colorado. We have had the good fortune of creating and showcasing our work at the gallery for the past eight years and plan to continue our artistic destiny. We are having a show entitled The Landscape Personified and will open Friday October 1, 2010. Check out our web site to see the paintings for the show.

Enough for now and back to daily paintings next week!


John K. Harrell Fine Art

Joe in Paris 7 x 5 Acrylic Urban Landscape of Paris France

$100.00 $10.00 S/H

I don't usually know the people that are in my urban paintings but this time my good friend Joe was contemplating getting a cup of American coffee in this little cafe. I can still remember him saying that all he was craving from America was a big cup of coffee with cream. We went inside the cafe and were treated to a wonderful late but alas we would have to wait until we got home for that large cup of Joe.

John K. Harrell Fine Art

Where to now? 7 x 5 Acrylic Urban Paris Landscape

$100.00 + $10.00 S/H

Another scene from my travels to Paris. I was enjoying a day of picture taking and caught this woman coming out of a boutique. She stopped momentarily and looked both ways before deciding which shop to visit next.

John K. Harrell Fine Art

In Good Company Acrylic 7 x 5 Winter Urban Landscape Original Painting

SOLD

Nothing like a cold blustery day in the city. I have implimented my palette knife once again on this piece and used subtle values to create atmosphere with the paint. With a chill in the morning air I know that my subject matter is going to be more like this piece in the near future.

John K. Harrell Fine Art

Late Day Market 7 x 5 Acrylic Urban Landscape of Southern France

SOLD

I was in the South of France just about dusk. There was a street market taking place where the light was filtering through the narrow streets creating a warm back light for the pedestrians shopping at the market. The allure of an open air market excites me to paint every time I experience one.

John K. Harrell Fine Art

Stopping for Lunch Acrylic 10 x 8 Paris Urban Street Scape

SOLD

This is another painting in my pallet knife series. It's a bit larger than my normal daily painting sizes but thought I would shake it up a bit. These ladies were walking in the rain in Paris looking for a restaurant to eat lunch. I watched as they read menus and finally picked a little coffee shop to continue their conversations.

John K. Harrell Fine Art

Illumination 7 x 5 Acrylic Winter Urban Landscape

SOLD



There was a chill in the air this morning that made me think of fall and even the blanket of snow that follows it. When I went to choose what to paint this morning this scene reflected that mood.

John K. Harrell Fine Art

Misty Way 7 x 5 Acrylic Urban Rain Scene

SOLD

I have been working in pallet knife for the last few weeks in my larger pieces but haven't tried the technique in my small daily's. It's a challenge to work that small with a knife but I think my attempt was very successful. I will do more and hope you like them.

John K. Harrell Fine Art

Family Outing 7 x 5 Acrylic Urban Rain Scene

>
$100.00 + $10.00 S/H




This young mother was trying to keep her children and her shopping bags under the umbrella during this short powerful rain storm. Their plight made for a wonderful painting.


John K. Harrell Fine Art

An Early Start 5 x 7 Acrylic Sun Rise Painting

$100.00 + $10.00 S/H


I wake every morning to a sunrise just outside my bedroom window. As I sit in bed sipping my hot aromatic cup of coffee I just admire how each day they differ in intensity and volume but are always beautiful. All to soon my coffee cup dwindles as fast as the sunrise slips into a healthy morning sky but catching their essence in a painting is deceptively easy. I usually paint from my photographs but this daily painting was strictly from memory and beautiful memory.

John K. Harrell Fine Art

Simpatico 6 x 6 Acrylic Abstraction

SOLD

This is the next piece in the my abstraction series. I think all the colors and shapes meld nicely to bring an excitement to the composition!

John K. Harrell Fine Art

Today's Menu 7 x 5 Arylic urban landscape of Caan France

SOLD

This painting is of a street in Caan France. I had stopped to take a break from picture taking to have a glass of wine and a bite of cheese. The menu from the restaurant was displayed on an easel and back dropped with the beautiful red door bathed in the late afternoon light of the South of France.

John K. Harrell Fine Art

Early Delivery 7 x 5 Acrylic Urban Paris Landscape Painting

SOLD

I'm typically a early bird and in Paris I was true to form. I happened to get some of my best photographs then and the light was fantastic. There was humidity in the air so the light was a bit hazy which gave this scene a wonderful glow. The shapes of the delivery trucks are so different than here in the states. All of these are just observations but none the less bits of information that makes an adventure just that an ADVENTURE!

John K. Harrell Fine Art