Art Classes Cleveland, TN

I will be offering art classes for students in and around Cleveland, TN with an interests and propensity for fine art. I am offering private and group classes for youth to adult in oils, acrylics, colored pencil and pencil. I will offer basic drawing to advanced portrait help and will also help students with projects they are working on. You can see samples of my art at http://www.mikeiveyart.com and contact me at mikeiveyart@aol.com.

Four Dogs & a Squirrel

I recently finished this commission. I received six photos and some idea of what they wanted. The two dogs on the ground were looking up at Thanksgiving turkey about to be served in the photo I used and the two dogs in the ovals are faithful companions they recently lost. I decided to use the ovals as I have seen in old art work. The squirrel in the tree and the back ground were from photos of their back yard. Sometimes the composition is the biggest challenge of a commission because there are several things that the client wants in the drawing or painting. I always ask a lot of questions in hopes that I can let the drawing tell a story.  They wanted it in oil but there was no way to have it done for a Christmas this year.

She loved it. Within an hour after delivery I received this email:   “Mike, when I returned to the apartment I looked at the drawing more closely. The amount of detail is phenomenal! Every time I look at it I see something that I didn’t see before. It is truly exceptional. Thanks again for getting it done before Christmas. I couldn’t give my daughter a better gift. I would be happy for you to use my name as a very satisfied customer! Merry Christmas to you and your family. — Nancy” 

One of the joys of being an artist!

New Portrait – Kevin Daniel Yates

Kevin Daniel “Sunshine” Yates was killed by an intoxicated driver August 1, 2011. I have the honor of serving with his mother and father as chaplains at the Harris County Jail. I gave the original 16″X20″ carbon pencil drawing to them as a gift.

Why? Because I have two sons.

 

Portrait of Nancy and Zuri

6/26/2010 – Finished this 20″x28″ oil on canvas of my wife, Nancy and Zuri, one of our granddaughters September 2010. Nancy saw it for the first time tonight! Zuri is almost two now but the photo from which I painted them was taken at Zuri’s birth in Waco, Texas. The background was from photos in our bedroom. I noticed the light pattern on the wall one morning. The light patterns through the blinds were perfect for the photo taken in Waco. The lamp belonged to my mother and has been in the family for some time. The picture on the wall is Nancy’s wedding picture.

This is only the second portrait of my wife I have ever done. The first on was a pastel you can find on the family portrait page at this site. Nancy loved it!

THE WEST FAMILY PORTRAIT

THE WEST FAMILY

This is a 16″X20″ carbon pencil I finished March 2010, for my chiropractor Dr. Hinds.

The gentleman on the bottom left is her father.

Cora Spoonemore

I finished this 18″X24″ oil on canvas early Jan 2010.

12/09 – New Charcoal Pencil Drawing

  

This is a Charcoal Pencil that I just finished for Mandy to give to her father for Christmas.

Her father is standing next to his dad’s tractor that he rebuilt. His father, Mandy’s grandfather is looking on form the sky. It was one those pieces that was fun to do. The tractor made it fun!

(16″X20″ charcoal & carbon on paper)

RYAN PAUL WHITAKER

   A commisioned work for Paula Whitaker.

THE RYAN PAUL WHITAKER MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

 The Ryan Paul Whitaker Memorial Foundation was established in 2007 by Ryan’s loving mother, Paula H. Whitaker after his death on January 29, 2007.  Ryan was 25 years old when he passed away and Ryan was Paula’s only child and the center of her life. The foundation was established with the Mission of showing Jesus’ Christ’s love to others in continuing Ryan’s mission in life “to help hurting people and those in need.”  Ryan’s mother, Paula Whitaker, a Christian Counselor, felt in her heart that Ryan would be in the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ , but little did she know that it would come after his death.  The goal of The Foundation is to leave a legacy of Ryan’s short lived life and to bring Glory to God in everything that is done.

 Ryan Whitaker had a heart as big as Texas.  He loved people and he wanted to help people where ever he went.  Twelve days before his death, Ryan told his Mother that he wanted to go back to school at Lone Star College, Tomball and study to become a nurse. When his mother asked him why, he stated: “I want to help people, Mom.” This has given his Mother and their whole family direction, to honor God and honoring Ryan’s memory and his last wishes.  Paula Whitaker, Ryan’s mother has also established the Ryan Paul Whitaker Nursing Scholarship Endowment at Lone Star College-Tomball to provide nursing and medical scholarships to those who want to “help others” as Ryan did.   Also in keeping with Ryan’s last wishes,  TOMAGWA Ministries was chosen  as one way to carry on Ryan’s last wishes and to show the Love of Jesus though helping people who need medical care and healing, physically, emotionally, and spiritually though excellent medical care and Ministry.  

 In honor of God and in Memory of Ryan Paul Whitaker, the New TOMAGWA Medical Clinic will be named  The Ryan Paul Whitaker Memorial Medical Center to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ,  in Matthew 25.  In helping, caring, and ministering to others we are directly and indirectly doing those things to and for the Lord.  

PVT. Paul Thomas Hampton

   UNITED STATES ARMY 101st ARIBORNE  1-187 LEADER RAKKASANS

FORWARD OBSERVER (His Truck) BAYJI, IRAQ

I finished this painting May 11, ’09. It was commision by our next door neighbor for their anniversary.

Cory Kosters Commission

   On March 30, 2009 Cory’s mother Senta, left a comment about this painting. Be sure and read it under ‘Coments’ below. 

  This oil painting was commissioned by a good friend, John Downs. His son and Cory were friends from childhood and both served in Iraq.  I believe the best way to understand this painting is to share with you the words of Cory’s mother.

     On August 9, 2006, my oldest son, Cory Christian Kosters, left for Iraq as an E-2 Private in the Army’s 82nd Airborne. Young, adventurous, and terribly confident, Cory couldn’t wait to get to Iraq where he genuinely longed to be a part of the action; not because of political convictions, nor to avenge those wrongs committed on Sept 11, but rather, in my opinion, because of the training and handling he would receive in special weapons.

     As long as I can remember Cory has always brandished a weapon of some kind. In the early days, all sticks, Tinker Toys, Lego’s and bananas quickly became a gun or sword. This eventually progressed to Cory carving his own walking sticks, homemade spears, and eventually to homemade bows and arrows. But, all the weapons need a target and that’s where the younger brother, Kevin, often came into the picture!

    Now as I look through old photographs, I am amazed that I totally missed all the cues God was sending my direction. From a mother’s perspective, I simply watched my two boys head to the wood to play “Castles” or work on their clubhouse.. I witnessed a doctor stitch up Cory’s knee when his knife slipped while carving on his walking stick and  refereed many a sword or stick fight. I watched in amazement as Cory repelled the tallest tree in our backyard and hollered when I’d find backyard plants shot full of holes from his pellet gun, or an air soft gun, or from throwing knives. However, in the midst of this could it be that God was training up a soldier? I like to think so.

    On January 13, 1996, Cory asked Jesus Christ into his heart to be his Lord and Savior, officially joining the Lord’s army. On March 5, 2007, the Lord promoted Cory to his eternal post.

“Train up a child in the way he should go…” Proverbs 22:6

In loving memory of our beloved son and brother Pfc. Cory Kosters, 82nd Airborne Division United States Army – June 16, 1987-March 5, 2007.