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Paintings
Five Feet Six Feet Seven Feet
"Five Feet Six Feet Seven Feet"
oil on board 36 x 36 inches 2020
oil on board 36 x 36 inches 2020
Sisyphus Calls It a Day
"Sisyphus Calls it a Day "
oil on canvas
2023
oil on canvas
2023
Mercy and Justice
"Mercy and Justice"
oil on canvas
48 x 52
2018
oil on canvas
48 x 52
2018
Wilford Woodruff Baptism
"I Did Not Feel the Cold: The Baptism of Wilford Woodruff, December 31, 1833" Commissioned painting for The Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation, 2023.
oil on canvas, 30 x 40
oil on canvas, 30 x 40
Wilford Woodruff Baptism (Detail)
Detail of "I Did Not Feel the Cold: The Baptism of Wilford Woodruff, December 31, 1833"
Americans,
oil on linen, 42 x 52 inches, 2020
'Americans' is a painting about heritage and migration. It asserts that all Americans are a product of migration, whether recent or ancient.
The central figures are two sisters, whose American and Mexican lineages intertwine, shown by the grafting of a Mexican oak and an American oak. The older girl wears a traditional dress for her quinceañera.
Portraits delineate their genealogy. On the left, their mother’s ancestry is shown as far back as their third great grandparents, the grandfather in his uniform of the Union Army in the American Civil War, then on to the Revolutionary war ancestor, about whom they know only oral tradition. A wagon pulled by oxen refers to their parentage who traversed the Oregon Trail and the Mormon Trail. A locket in the shape of the Star of David holds portraits of their maternal grandmother’s Russian Jewish forebears, who escaped pogroms in Ukraine to thrive in New York City.
On the right side, their abuelos (grandparents) hand down their heritage of the Mixtec natives of the Mexican state of Oaxaca, who, as their father says, “have always been here.” Along the way there is the legendary Spanish grandmother, and another reference to a personal story of separation and tragedy.
All these family stories show a grafting of genes and cultures, and a migration of aspirations bringing with them the value of place. Old places, new places, old peoples, new populations, all joined together by marriage and family.
On the low horizon of the painting are two ships. The one on the left is the Mayflower, and on the right is Columbus’ Santa Maria. They remind us that America, both North and South, are constructs of centuries of European migration, interbred with those who were here before. It is likewise true of today’s generation, and the next.
The central figures are two sisters, whose American and Mexican lineages intertwine, shown by the grafting of a Mexican oak and an American oak. The older girl wears a traditional dress for her quinceañera.
Portraits delineate their genealogy. On the left, their mother’s ancestry is shown as far back as their third great grandparents, the grandfather in his uniform of the Union Army in the American Civil War, then on to the Revolutionary war ancestor, about whom they know only oral tradition. A wagon pulled by oxen refers to their parentage who traversed the Oregon Trail and the Mormon Trail. A locket in the shape of the Star of David holds portraits of their maternal grandmother’s Russian Jewish forebears, who escaped pogroms in Ukraine to thrive in New York City.
On the right side, their abuelos (grandparents) hand down their heritage of the Mixtec natives of the Mexican state of Oaxaca, who, as their father says, “have always been here.” Along the way there is the legendary Spanish grandmother, and another reference to a personal story of separation and tragedy.
All these family stories show a grafting of genes and cultures, and a migration of aspirations bringing with them the value of place. Old places, new places, old peoples, new populations, all joined together by marriage and family.
On the low horizon of the painting are two ships. The one on the left is the Mayflower, and on the right is Columbus’ Santa Maria. They remind us that America, both North and South, are constructs of centuries of European migration, interbred with those who were here before. It is likewise true of today’s generation, and the next.
Will and the Whale
Commissioned painting a portrait of Dr. William Washington, an open water swimming enthusiast. Oil on canvas, 24 x 30
Valdichiana
Valdichiana, oil on linen, 36 x 48 inches 2019. The Chiana Valley is in southern Tuscany, Italy. This self- portrait looks south from Cortona to the Lago (Lake ) Trasimeno. That is our cat, but he did not travel with us.
Lighthouse With Cross
Lighthouse with Cross, oil on canvas, 2021
West Seattle Lighthouse. The driftwood cross was informally erected by the U.S. Coast Guard Admiral and his wife who live on the property.
West Seattle Lighthouse. The driftwood cross was informally erected by the U.S. Coast Guard Admiral and his wife who live on the property.
Come What May
"Come What May," Oil on linen, 52 x 40 inches, 2018.
Are these American ideals— Lady Liberty, Lady Justice, and Uncle Sam— united in the optimism of a sunrise. ©Sam Day 2018
Are these American ideals— Lady Liberty, Lady Justice, and Uncle Sam— united in the optimism of a sunrise. ©Sam Day 2018
American Uncertainty
"American Uncertainty", Oil on canvas, 24 x 30, 2018.
Recognizing Jesus
"Recognizing Jesus," oil on canvas, 48 x 60 inches.
Mama's Bear
Oil on Canvas 24 x 30 inches
Tidelands at ALki Light
Tidelands at Alki, oil on canvas, 2016. Painted en plein air on the beach. Private collection.
Lightening over Kitsap Peninsula
Lightening over Kitsap Peninsula, oil on canvas, 2016.
Man with Heart on Sleeve, oil on canvas, 2005
Self pity can be performative.
The Celibate: Portrait of the Artist Awaiting Divorce
The Celibate: Portrait of the Artist Awaiting Divorce, 2005
Lady Justice
Lady Justice, Oil on canvas, 12 x 16 inches, 2002. Private collection.
BearDreams
Bear Dreams,
oil on canvas 40 x 54 inches
2020
When I was nine, I saw a bear in the woods. The interaction was harmless , but produced nightmares. This painting is about confronting fear with the knowledge that the nightmare is not real. The dog knows.
oil on canvas 40 x 54 inches
2020
When I was nine, I saw a bear in the woods. The interaction was harmless , but produced nightmares. This painting is about confronting fear with the knowledge that the nightmare is not real. The dog knows.
Low Tide at ALki Beach
Low Tide at Alki Beach oil on canvas 24 x 60 inches 2024
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