"Comfy"

12 x 9"
oil on masonite

There are times when I can't seem to paint anything right - and I know it's because something is distracting my attention - laundry, errands, puppies and the like usually. So I just gave in for a few days and focused on my upcoming workshop in San Francisco. I made all my arrangements, worked on my hand-outs, did my laundry, ran my errands and played with the pups. Nothing like a clear head to get painting again.

This new painting feels so warm and comfy - a big chair, a hot cup of coffee and a good book. So nice.

Please click here for a larger view and purchase information.

Just want to mention - there are 4 openings remaining for that upcoming workshop - info is on the right hand column.

"Boat People"

5 x 7"
oil on masonite

A new addition to my ongoing series GA to NYC & Back - a group of students riding on a chartered boat down the East River. Of course I just l-u-r-v-e the shadows.

Please click here to the auction page.

"Bench Warmer"

5 x 7"
oil on masonite
sold

Here's a little guy I spotted on the outskirts of Central Park - an addition to my ongoing series GA to NYC & Back. I hope to do a larger painting of him, wanted to do a small study first.

"200 Faces, No. 107"

4 x 4"
oil on masonite
sold

I can't read without glasses and I've always been against wearing them when painting. Aside from squinting the entire time I'm working, the extra blur keeps me loose. But.... recently, there came a point when I caved. Just too much strain I guess. Then, the trick was NOT to get nit-pickyitis and just focus on the strokes. Not the details. I'm getting used to it day by day.

My warm-up this morning, an addition to my ongoing series BUST-ED.

"Train Spotting"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite

This new painting includes Rene Magritte's 'Time Transfixed' - which hangs in the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago and is so perfectly placed between two floor-to-ceiling windows where you can look out onto Millennium Park. An evening visit to the museum has such an elegant feel, especially in the Modern Wing. If you haven't been lately, go.

Please click here for a larger view and purchase information.

"200 Faces, No. 106"

4 x 4"
oil on masonite
sold

My warm up today.

"Warm Front"

8 x 8"
oil on masonite

For those in need of remembering warmer days.....

Please click here for a larger view and purchase information.

while I'm here..... I get a lot of emails saying 'I'd love to sign up for your San Francisco workshop, but it's too far and too costly'. I agree, it's far for me and it is a pricey week in the city. But I want you to think about my field expedition/workshops in a different way. In fact, if you're a painter, think of all travel plans in a different way. Think of it as an investment.

If you take your camera and a handful of memory cards, you can take hundreds of photographs, wherever you are, and return home with images that will keep you painting for months and months. Those paintings can end up sold and pay for your expenses - soon enough, you'll be planning your next trip.

"Mr. Cool"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

As I walked around the Upper East Side, looking for lunch, I spotted this gentleman outside, waiting for the bustle to begin. This painting will be included in my ongoing series GA to NYC & Back.

Workshop in San Francisco

You may know I'm holding a workshop in San Francisco this spring the week of April 9th - 13th, at the San Francisco Friends School. As of today, I've got 4 openings left, if you're interested, please contact Vince Fazio, the arts director at the Sedona Arts Center asap. His phone number is on the right hand column - if you want to read more about the workshop, click here. I'd love to have you join me.

"Higher Up"

5 x 7"
oil on masonite
sold

Never fails, when I start painting a cityscape like this, I question my sanity. The trick is to remember when you're standing there, on a high-floor balcony, looking out at this scene, everything is somewhat of a blur, a series of little blips, daubs of color and light. I look at my photograph and proceed to squint for several hours, hoping it all makes sense in the end. I'm pretty happy and honestly surprised that it turned out as I imagined.

This lofty view was compliments of one of my workshop students who had an evening get-together at her home. Basically you're looking at the East River, Hellgate Park and the Triborough Bridge - just an outstanding spot to see the city in a whole different way.

This painting is included in my ongoing series GA to NYC & Back.

"200 Faces, No. 105"

4 x 4"

oil on masonite
sold

Ya know...... since I'm warming up with mugshots, I'm going to continue my ongoing series BUST-ED and get another 100 done by the end of the year. And I'm going to offer them on auction, twice a week, starting at $49. It's a great way to keep loose and I enjoy painting them in between other work.

"Old Guard"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

When I got back to painting a couple of days ago, I realized I was suffering from nitpickyitis - a result of taking some time off. So I warmed up with several mugshots until I loosened up again.
My goal is to complete my series GA to NYC & Back, continuing on with my walk up 5th Avenue, on the Upper East Side where I spotted an adorable, old Golden Lab loyally waiting at the front door of a townhouse.

The Paint On Tabletop Easel Got an Award!

I always look forward to Katherine Tyrrell's 'Making a Mark' Awards at the end of the year - art bloggers, world-wide, voted on their favorites for Best Picture of the Year on an Art Blog 2011, including Best Portraits/Figures, Best Landscape/Place, Best Still Life, Best Nature and more. Bravo to all who participated and congratulations to the artists.

This year Katherine's new award, the Art Innovation of the Year, highlights those artist bloggers who experiment and/or create and/or share innovations which help the practice of other artists. This year's award was shared between Ester Roi's Icarus Art Drawing Board and Brett's Paint On Tabletop Easel!! How cool is that? Nice way to end the year - thanks to the voters and Katherine, Brett and I appreciate the recognition.

Speaking of the Tabletop Easel, I currently have 1 that is brand-new and ready to ship in the New Year - please click here to purchase yours.

An added note..... we've really enjoyed our holiday time including a road trip to have Christmas with the family, something we couldn't do for years, being in retail. Zac and Joey had their first long drive, their first hotel stay and new experiences all around. It was great fun - we hope you had a wonderful time as well.

The painting starts again tomorrow, I've got a lot of catching up to do. I want to thank all of you who take the time to visit my blog and website and leave your encouraging comments and emails throughout the year. It really, really does mean a lot to me.

~ Happy New Year
and Paint On!

Have a Happy Holiday

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole."

~ Roger Caras

Wishing you and yours a beautiful holiday time.
~Karin, Brett, Zac & Joey

"Front Office"

16 x 16"
oil on masonite

I had mentioned a few weeks ago I was painting a larger piece - most wouldn't consider 16" large, but in my world, it's double the width of my usual. A little daunting for me, as silly as that sounds. Add to that, the painting is a commissioned piece of sorts, for the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts in Alabama - for an upcoming event in February. Another painting of mine had caught the eye of the organizers of the event - it featured one of the museum's prized possessions, Edward Hopper's 'New York Office' - one of my personal favorites in their collection. What an honor for me. When I know more about the dates of the museum's event, I'll be sure to fill you in.

What I learned about painting larger....

It took a lot of time to be happy with the composition, in fact, I changed it six times. The fifth time, I sketched it out on the panel and immediately hated it. The larger it is, the more it matters. It seems to come easier for me on a smaller format or maybe I was stuck over-thinking the whole thing.

When I started putting the paint down, I found myself working slow and tight. Then Brett came into the room and took the small brush out of my hand and replaced it with a big one and told me to loosen up. After that subtle reminder, it flowed. Took me four days, but there was no wiping areas off, no corrections to the composition, and I really enjoyed those four days of work.

Painting smaller pieces is my thing - no doubt. The main reason, I don't have that kind of time. I want to wake up in the morning, figure out what I want to paint that day and get it done before I go to bed. I don't like thinking about what I should do or should change the next morning - I like the feeling of accomplishment at the end of a day. Makes for a good night's sleep.

As for now - this is the first Christmas & New Year's Holiday, in 32 years, that I am no longer in retail. It is w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l. I loved my job as a picture framer, but holidays really were tough. Be nice to those folks behind the counter, a kind word or two goes a long way.

Cheers and Wishes for a Happy Holiday time ~

Brand New Easels Available

If you paint smaller works, treat yourself to a brand-new, custom-built Paint On Easel. My guy, Brett, has 1 Tabletop Easel ready - if you like to sit and paint like I do. Read about it, you'll love it, I promise. He also has 2 AlterEasels ready - if you prefer to use your stand-up easel, this fits comfortably onto the shelf. Read about it, lots of artists love it too.

The artist Pattie Wall just emailed me about how much she is pleased with her Tabletop Easel - here's a photo she sent of her paintings in the easel....

Read more about what she said here.

To purchase your Tabletop Easel now, please click here.

To purchase your AlterEasel now, please click here.

Thank you ~

"Walking the Walk"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

Part of my ongoing series GA to NYC & Back - a morning walk to Central Park on the Upper East Side of the city.

100% of the sale of this painting was donated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home - a cancer hospice, here in Atlanta. The hospice depends of private donations to care for terminally ill patients - the Sisters cared for my dad 21 years ago. Thanks to all who participated in the auction, I am grateful.

More of the Hilton Head Gang

4 x 4"
oil on masonite

And a happy December to you. I've been working on a larger painting, I can't say much about it yet, when it's official I surely will. I put it away for the day, thought I'd warm up with another mugshot of our infamous Hilton Head Gang.

Our third gang member is Linda 'the Joker' Popple - Linda disarms her victims with humor and then shoots with reckless abandon. Yes, Linda thinks she is funny, but her crimes are very serious. Please approach her with with caution. Linda was last seen driving off Hilton Head Island wearing a teal sweatshirt and a blue baseball cap driving a red convertible sports car as she was laughing and shaking her camera at the wind. Authorities followed her until she left them in the dust....

For more information or clues to her whereabouts, check out her blog.

"Gatto"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

Adding to my ongoing series GA to NYC & Back - another charming resident I met up with in Little Italy. Come to think of it, he's the only outdoor cat I saw during my stay in New York City.

San Francisco - the Perfect Gift Idea

I have a Black Friday promotion - picture yourself in San Francisco in the spring, painting with a group of artists in the early part of the day then roaming the city with your camera and capturing images that will inspire you to paint for months after you return home.




Join me at my upcoming workshop at the San Francisco Friends School, April 9-13, 2012 - there is 1 opening remaining and you can put yourself on a waiting list if you still need time to think about it. You'll find more information here - the workshop is arranged by the Sedona Arts Center - the director, Vince Fazio, can assist you with any questions and registration - his contact info can be found on the right hand column of this blog or register online.

San Francisco is an incredible city for an artist - filled with streetscapes and people watching spots - I am so excited about this location and the workshop, please consider joining me and others next spring.

"Happy Hour"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

Included in my ongoing series GA to NYC & Back - a charming gentleman I spotted sitting in front of the Mulberry Street Bar, who invited us in for happy hour.


~ Happy Thanksgiving to All

AlterEasel Available

A quick shout out that 1 brand-new AlterEasel is available to purchase thru my eBay store.
For details and testimonials on the AlterEasel, click here.

To purchase yours, click here.

The Tabletop Easels are temporarily sold out, more will be available soon.

~ thank you

More of the Hilton Head Gang

4 x 4"
oil on masonite

"The second member of the Hilton Head Gang is Regula 'Babyface' Scheifele. Don't let her youthful appearance fool you..... she is as devious as the rest of the gang when it comes to shooting covertly and then leaving the scene of the crime.

After terrorizing the island shooting her way through beaches and galleries, she escaped to the back roads of North Carolina. She was last seen boarding a plane to Europe... her current whereabouts unknown."

~ Maria Hock, fellow member of the HHG

Check out Regula's blog for any clues as to her whereabouts.

"A Lull"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

There was a lull. I got back to painting and found the mess around me unsettling. So I did a long-overdue cleanup of my studio which lead to a long-overdue cleanup of my distribution center (formally my dining room) which lead to pulling out my winter clothes and cleaning them. Back to work.

This new painting is part of my ongoing series GA to NYC & Back - a couple of waiters during a lull, spotted in Little Italy.

The Hilton Head Gang Mugshots

4 x 4"
oil on masonite

"On October 31st, 2011, disaster struck the tiny island of Hilton Head, South Carolina. Twenty-one notorious characters descended upon Hilton Head and went wild shooting everything in sight.

The purpose of this challenge is to reveal the identities of the Hilton Head Gang by painting their portraits. The first mug to be painted is the leader of this notorious gang - Karin 'Quickdraw' Jurick (that would be me). Karin can visit a beach and shoot everyone in sight before they even know she is there. Her covert activity is known worldwide."

~ Maria Hock, artist and member of the Hilton Head Gang

Those who joined me in my recent workshop will be participating weekly, please click here to see their paintings.