"Baby Steps"

5 x 7"
oil on masonite
sold

Unlike the norm, I've labored over another painting for 3 days. At some point, my stubborn side turns into exhaustion and I think the next day will magically take care of my failures. Most days have flow - few don't. It comes with the job. A lesson I learned a while back was to check on the rest of my life, see what's out of sorts - like a house that needs cleaning or laundry that needs washing. Simple things like that can preoccupy the mind and clog up the creative process. And most importantly, I shelved the 3-day failure, squeezed out a new palette of oils and I'm moving on.

This painterly piece was taken from the beaches of Hilton Head Island - a new mother introducing her child to the best playground, the beach.

New York City Workshop 2010

My first workshop is now official and open for registration - a field expedition held at the National Academy of Design in New York City and organized by Vince Fazio, the director of the Sedona Arts Center.

This 5-day workshop will take place May 24-28, 2010, details can be found here.

To inquire or register, please call Vince Fazio at 928-282-3809 or 888-954-4442.

Update - This workshop is full. Please add your name to the waiting list if you are interested in filling in cancellations or future workshops. Thank you.

"St. Philip's"

4 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

The St. Philip's Church, in Charleston, is a thing of beauty, resembling a tiered wedding cake reaching into the sky. Established in 1680, there's incredible history to this building - surviving through 300+ years and several hurricanes and tornados.

This is taken from an early evening stroll, with the warm, summer sun bathing onto the earthy brick.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Cruise Control"

8 x 8"
oil on masonite
sold

I'm back in the studio - relaxing from a few days on the road. The lecture by Dan McCaw was inspiring. If you're an artist, and you find yourself stumped or bored or stuck - surround yourself with art for a couple of days. It's good for you. Talking with other painters will enforce the many things we all go through - and looking at art will sometimes fill in the gaps of a creative brain. I usually go off somewhere and see new images and ideas and can't wait to get back to painting.

This scene is taken from an early evening walk on the beach of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

"Perry Man"

8 x 10"
oil on masonite
sold

Some of my favorite paintings have that element of disappearing lines - more emphasis on the face and the hands. Notably, the studies by Degas of dancers and musicians. It gives me great pleasure painting this way.

A gentleman I spotted at a state fair in Perry, Georgia.

"Claire"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
nfs

Occasionally, I play with this technique - flooding a white gessoed board with a rich wash of brown - then subtracting from that layer. It's completely opposite of applying color onto color. It's fascinating what occurs - each and every stroke will matter - and there's no planning the outcome. It is a great exercise in getting values right, but more important, it teaches you how to handle the brush with direct, intentional strokes. It's great fun too.

"Farmer"

4 x 4"
oil on masonite
sold

A new painting - adding to a series of glimpses into the Lancaster countryside in Pennsylvania.

"Guide"

4 x 4"
oil on masonite
sold

A very quintessential scene from Lancaster, Pennsylvania - an Amish horse and buggy trotting through the countryside.

"Mother"

4 x 4"
oil on masonite
sold

In the next few days, you'll see several new paintings inspired from my road trip thru Lancaster, Pennsylvania - where the Amish call home. This young mother and her children stand beside their new spring garden.

"Tiny Dancers"

12 x 12"

oil on masonite
sold

Degas' 'Little Dancer' is always a chick magnet in any museum - the Philadelphia Museum of Art has an unobstructed view of the sculpture, which is quite pleasing. The painting behind the little patron is Monet's 'The Sheltered Path'.

Please click here for a larger view.

Have a great holiday -