Praise Be to Thee

1 Peter 1:6-9

“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season , if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing , ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith , even the salvation of your souls. ”

For more information on this piece, please click HERE.

Size: 22″x30″ Price: $3,500 which includes an ornate silver frame and UV plexi

Prints Available

11”x14”: $85

16”x20”: $125

22”x30”: $250

नहाने का समय (Bath Time)

What I love about this painting is the sweetness of mother and child, but also simplicity of needs. There is no bath tub, no shower, no fresh white towels, no rubber ducky, no brand-name baby shampoo, no sink, no bathroom even! There is only the open air, water in a basin, and concrete beneath the child and mother. Grass sprigs are growing out of the cracks, and there is some sort of graffiti in the background. But still this little one comes forth clean reguardless, and the primitive surroundings matter not when it comes to his bath.

For more information on this piece, please click HERE.

Original is sold, but prints are available:

11×14: $85

16×20: $125

10% of all profits of this painting goes to Rising Star Outreach in India.

Remission

“Remission” depicts a man who when He meets Jesus, realizes He indeed exists, and is overcome with remorse. He falls to the floor and sobs at Christ’s feet and tells his Lord “Had I known this was all true, I would have been a different person in my lifetime!” To have such guilt of not living the life this man should have lived…It is almost unbearable to know that person could have chosen a better path. Jesus is surrounding this man in his arms, and offering his grace to him, trying to lift the intense sadness that this man feels.

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

You can read more about this piece by clicking HERE.

Size: 22″x30″ Price: $3,500 which includes an ornate silver frame and UV plexi

Prints Available

11”x14”: $85

16”x20”: $125

22”x30”: $250

Love’s Reunion

This painting is called “Love’s Reunion.” It is of a couple that are reunited in heaven, after death had previously separated them. I love the sweetness of their faces, how devoted they are to each other. This couple is an example to me of what forever love looks like.

You can read more about this piece by clicking HERE.

1 John 4:7 “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”

Size: 22″x30″ Price: $3,500 which includes an ornate silver frame and UV plexi

Prints Available: 22”x30”- $250, 16”x20”- $125, 11”x14”- $85

Winter Red

Many people love red barns. It is a classic symbol of Americana. But why are barns always painted red? In the 1700’s farmers painted barns not for the beauty, but for necessity. The first barn-red color was created using Skimmed milk, linseed oil, lime, and red iron oxide. In the wintertime, the red color would absorb the sunlight, keeping the inside warm for the animals. Talk about resourceful! This particular barn can be found on Laurel Road in New Canaan, CT. It’s a lovely sight to see as you round the bend.

To read more about this particular painting’s story, please go to http://lauradonofrio.com/wintersred/

Size: 16”x20” Price for original: SOLD

Prints Available: 11”x14”- $85 16”x20”- $125

どなたでしょうか (Who Art Thou?)

What would happen if someone who does not believe in a God, passed on and got to meet Jesus Christ? What would be that man’s reaction? In heaven the word “atheist” would cease to exist, for there in front of him is the king of all creations, and on his hands and feet are markings. “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”- John 14:6. The man’s reaction would most likely be confusion and shock. He obviously can feel a power and tender love radiating from this eternal being who calls him by name, and we as human beings are drawn toward that kind of love.

The title of this piece is called “どなたでしょうか (Who Art Thou?)” I made the title this way because this man would be speaking his own language to the Savior. The model is a friend of mine now living in Japan, and he represents the Japanese and Chinese cultures in Asia. Around 1% of the Japanese are Christian, and so are about 2.4% of the Chinese.

I personally believe that God looks directly at our hearts. He doesn’t look at what particular church we go to, exactly how much we tithed, or what positions we held. We can all choose to be a good person no matter what background we come from, and God loves us ALL. If I did not have an atheist in my series, the series would be incomplete, for I feel they are so important and so loved by Him.

For more detail on this particular piece, click HERE

Size: 22″x30″ Price: $3,500 which includes an ornate silver frame and UV plexi

Prints Available: 22”x30”- $250, 16”x20”- $125, 11”x14”- $85

Child of Light

The boy’s expression is a slight, peaceful smile, and his eyes look back at you and say “It’s ok, you are safe, you’ll make it through.” We are all children of light, and we find profound peace in our soul when we surround ourselves in places and people of light. Things that are uplifting and kind, places that are bright and peaceful. We are all children of a God in Heaven who loves us, and His love for us is so deep. He offers us many gifts to give us, if only we humbly ask of them: Of grace. Of forgiveness. Of strength. Of love, Of hope. Of healing, Of peace. Each of those words I deeply felt in my heart these past six months, and a little child led me through it.

To read more about this particular painting’s story, please click HERE.

1 Thessalonians 5:5 “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.”

John 12:36 “While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.”

Size: 22″x30″ Price: $3,500 which includes an ornate silver frame and UV plexi

Prints Available: 22”x30”- $250, 16”x20”- $125,  11”x14”- $85

The Old Plymouth, “Eloquent Eugene”

My car paintings take on characters to me, like little old men. This was painted from a photo I took in an antique junk yard in Rexburg, Idaho. I call him “Eloquent Eugene.” He has a way with words. Come close, he’ll tell you all about it.

To read more about this particular painting’s story, please click HERE.

Size: 15”x22” Price: $800

Brotherly Love

These two cuties are brother and sister. Even though this is technically black and white, I made the daughter’s eyes a bit more blue, making them pop. Also to keep it a little fun I tinted the background a bluish purple. A black and white painting doesn’t have to be completely colorless, does it?

To read more about this particular painting’s story, please click HERE.

Size: 16”x20”  Price: $1,600, which includes a simple black frame and UV plexi.

Prints Available:

16”x20”  Price: $125

11”x14”  Price: $85

Rose

A white rose is never truly white. White actually contains all of the colors of the spectrum put together. And pure white can only be used sparingly in art as highlights. Otherwise if you painted the rose all white, you’d have a white canvas. What colors are the shadows? What colors are the tips?

To read more about this particular painting’s story, please click HERE.

Size: 18”x24”   Price: $800 which includes a white wooden frame.

Giclee Prints Available: 18”x24”- $160   12”x16”- $95

Old Chevy Bus, “Mild Melvin”

My car paintings take on characters to me, like little old men. This was painted from a photo I took in an antique junk yard in Rexburg, Idaho. I call him “Mild Melvin.” He’s a little timid, yet very sweet with the ladies.

To read more about this particular painting’s story, please click HERE.

Size: 8.5”x11”  Price: $400, which comes framed in a simple silver frame.

New Canaan Chapel

Someone asked if I could paint for them a church – the New Canaan, Connecticut LDS Chapel, so they could give the painting as a gift to a former bishop who served at the church. If you look close, you can see that there’s a light on in one of the windows. That is the bishop’s office. It gives a little nod to him and all the hard work that he had done in serving the people in New Canaan.

To read more about this particular painting’s story, please click HERE.

Size: 16”x20” Price: Sold

Prints Available: 16”x20” – $125

Megan in January

A painting of my daughter, Megan, when she was 1 year old. This painting won the “Esther Fay Memorial Award” at the Connecticut Watercolor Society in 2011.

To read more about this particular painting’s story, please click HERE.

Size: 14”x18” Price: Not For Sale

Mailboxes

Good luck to the postman for figuring out which address goes into which mailbox!

(Oil on canvas)

To read more about this particular painting’s story, please click HERE.

Size: 20”x24”  Price: $1000, which comes with a barnwood frame.

Prints Available: 20”x24”- $180    11”x13.2”- $85

Letting Go

We were on a canoeing adventure at Camp Liahona in New York State. It was a beautiful, warm summer morning with an overcast to keep the heat at bay. This painting was done with only two colors: Payne’s Grey, and Alizarian Crimson.

To read more about this particular painting’s story, please click HERE.

Size: 14”x18”  Price: Not For Sale

Grandpa and Me

My grandfather died of cancer when I was in 1st grade. The photograph was taken shortly after I had been stitched up from a cat that scratched my face. It is a beautiful memory of bubbles, my Pop Pop, and sweet, innocent times.

(oil on canvas)

To read more about this particular painting’s story, please click HERE.

Size: 8”x10”   Price: Not For Sale

Sabrina and Csoki

A client asked for a painting of her daughter, Sabrina. Their dog, Csoki, is another name for “Chocolate/ hugs” in Hungarian.

To read more about this particular painting’s story, please click HERE.

Size: 11”x14”  Price: Not For Sale

Familiar Grace

The story of this piece came to my mind one night. I saw an image of a woman who had always tried to be faithful in her life. She stumbled and made many mistakes, just like all of us. But she always tried her best to be a Christlike person every day. When she got to heaven and came face to face with the Savior, she was surprised to find that she recognized Him. She knew His voice, His hands, His face, His whole presence was familiar to her. She felt so comfortable next to Him, it was almost as if He were an extension of herself…

I know that Christ will dwell with any soul who seeks after Him, and when they find Him they will find peace and comfort in their own hearts, as He has greatly comforted mine.

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. ”

To read more about this particular painting’s story, please click HERE.

Size: 22”x30”  Price: $3,500,  which includes an ornate silver frame and UV plexi

Prints Available: 22”x30”- $250  16”x20”- $125  11”x14”- $85

Daughter of a King

Proverbs 31:25 “Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.”

This little girl is Colombian, and I wanted to find God’s love for the Latino culture through painting this piece. She is a very special girl, and I have always loved her enthusiasm for life and for others. It was an interesting experience when we brought her to the photo shoot. She was a little nervous at first about someone she did not know personally hugging her, wouldn’t anyone? When she came home and her mother asked her how it went, she said that she wished it was her dad that was hugging her, because then she could feel a little more comfortable. Her mother saw a teaching opportunity, and asked her if she met Jesus in heaven tomorrow, would she know who He is? Will she have lived her life with love and compassion, so that when she does meet Him she will be comfortable in His presence? Will YOU be comfortable too?

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

To read more about this particular painting’s story, please click HERE.

Size: 22”x30”  Price: Sold

Prints Available: 22”x30”- $250  16”x20”- $125  11”x14”- $85

Darold Dreamboat

And introducing “Darold Dreamboat.” Isn’t he a beauty? Competed against a Ford in his prime.

in case you all didn’t know…

Young is out.

Experienced, mature and old are IN!

To read more about this particular painting’s story, please click HERE.

Size: 16×20  Price: $1,600, which includes a black frame.

Two Wolves

This is a new illustration made for a lovely friend of mine. She wanted a picture of a wolf, ideally a white wolf. These wolves were pieced together by looking at several different pictures and sketching it all out. I found this really great poem called “Two Wolves,” and decided to make an illustration for her around that poem.  This is the original poem:

TWO WOLVES

An old Cherokee
Is teaching his grandson about life.

“A fight is going on inside me, ” he said to the boy,
“It is a terrible fight between two wolves,
One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret,
Greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment,
Integrant, lies false pride, superiority, and ego, ”

He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace,
Love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence,
Empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith,
The same fight is going on inside you –
And inside every other person, too, ”

The grandson then asked his grandfather,
“Which wolf will win? ”

The old Cherokee simple replied,
“The one you feed”

To read more about this particular painting’s story, please click HERE.

Size: 5”x7”  Price: Not For Sale

Chickens

My good friend, Annie, loves to raise chickens as pets. She can feed them by hand and take their eggs while they are roaming around her yard. Their names are always interesting: Geegeet, Peaches, Henny Penny, and Bonnie.

To read more about this particular painting’s story, please click HERE.

Size: 18”x24”  Price: $2,160, comes framed with UV glass.

Prints Available: 18”x24”- $125,  16”x20”- $125,  12”x16”- $95

Celtic Angel

Made for a friend of mine who had done a kind deed. She is an angel to me.

Size: 5”x7”  Price: Not For Sale

1946 Chevrolet “Bucket Bob”

My car paintings take on characters to me, like little old men. This was painted from a photo I took in an antique junk yard in Rexburg, Idaho. His name is “Bucket Bob.” He kicked the bucket far too soon.

To read more about this particular painting’s story, please click HERE.

Size: 15”x22”  Price: $1650, which includes a thin brushed silver frame and black matting, behind glass.

Thatched Roof

This was a practice painting, but I thought it turned out quite nicely. The picture is set somewhere in England’s countryside.

To read more about this particular painting’s story, please click HERE.

Size: 8”x10”  Price: $400

The Most Precious

“The Most Precious” received the “Nancy Greene Memorial Award” in the 74th Connecticut Watercolor Society exhibition in 2014

This painting symbolizes the little ones that could not be in our own arms here on earth. The children who were lost to us through miscarriage, abortion, stillborn or infants, this is the painting that represents them all. Most mothers wish that they could keep their little baby and watch them grow, but sometimes it doesn’t happen, and they cannot always stay with us.

I wanted to paint a portrait of peace for those parents who lost their most precious souls in the world. A painting that when they look at it, especially the mothers that carried them, will know that their child is safe, loved, and protected forever in heaven in our Savior’s arms…Hopefully I was able to express those feelings in this work.

To read more about this particular painting’s story, please click HERE.

Size: 22”x30”  Price: $3,500,  which includes an ornate silver frame with UV plexi

Prints Available: 22”x30”- $250  16”x20”- $125  11”x14”- $85

Turned Away

Isaiah 49:14-16 “But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.”

Sometimes we feel like God is not with us, and we become angry and blame Him for his absence. But though we can’t feel Him, Christ was never the one who turned away from us. It was us that turned from Him. If we ever decided to come back to the light, it would be then that we realize through our darkest and loneliest hours Christ was not only right beside us, He carried us through it.

Christ is our constant companion. No matter what you do, no matter what you say, His love is still stretched out to you. The marks on His hands are an emblem that He felt every pain, including yours. Including mine. Every single soul on this earth. He knows you, and being the shepherd that He is, He only wishes you to allow Him to heal, and come and return to the Fold.

Psalm 55:22 “”Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”

To read more about this particular painting’s story, please click HERE.

Size: 22”x30”  Price: $3,500,  which includes an ornate silver frame and UV plexi

Prints Available: 22”x30”- $250  16”x20”- $125  11”x14”- $85

Under An Umbrella

I had a friend who recently got married. This friend had been one of my bridesmaids for my wedding, and I wanted to do something special for her. The snow that you see was a result of “misket,” a liquid rubber that was flicked onto the paper with a toothbrush. Once it was dry I could paint over it. When my paint was dry and the painting was finished, I could wipe the misket off, revealing the original white canvas. They look so beautiful in the snow.

Size: 8”x10”  Price: Not For Sale

Wedding Samples

This is a watercolor I actually did in 2006, when I first began to paint watercolors. It was for a woman who owns a bridal shop. She was interested in my work, so I found a wedding picture in a magazine and painted it. Have any of you seen this advertisement?

Size: two 8.5”x11”  Price: Not For Sale