"Flower Girls"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

I've imposed some much-needed, happy, cheerful acts on myself lately.  Baking cookies, Crock-Pot stew, the Muppets Christmas Carol and painting this colorful, soul-enriching piece featuring Diego Rivera's Flower Festival: Feast of Santa Anita. 

A couple of things I need to mention here - you don't see much progress on my blog because I'm working on paintings for a solo show held in early March.  It kills me not to reveal them as I go.

And... for those who've asked?  I have a calendar not quite ready, I know it's late in the year, but it's coming and I'll shout from the mountain top when it is.

Now for the artist Diego Rivera.  Born in 1886 in Guanajuato, Mexico - a large, colorful, overbearing, talented painter best known for his depictions of the working class and native Mexicans.  At the age of 35, through a government program, he painted a series of murals in public buildings about the country's people and its history, some controversial and all very powerful.

Rivera was a lady's man, married twice before marrying the artist Frida Kahlo who was 20 years younger - both known for their interest in radical politics and Marxism.  They fought often and divorced and remarried in 1940 - Kahlo died in 1954 and Rivera married again, to his art dealer.  He died several years later from cancer and heart failure in 1957.

Rivera's Flower Festival was painted in 1931 depicting a flower festival held on Good Friday in Santa Anita, included in a solo exhibition at MoMA the same year.  

"First Class Male"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

First, I am hard at work with the paints.  Binge-painting while binge-watching Breaking Bad.  I know I'm late to the party but the show finally clicked with me.   It's most excellent.

I'm working on a grouping of 10, for a small solo show opening late February.  You'll see the paintings sometime close to the opening, which drives me nuts, but that's the deal.

Meanwhile, this new piece features one of my personal favorite paintings by Matisse, the 'Male Nude', which hangs in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Upcoming Hilton Head Auction

Happy November and Hello to All ~

My beloved Mac was returned to my studio today and I'm whole again.

First thing this week, I wanted to let you know about the details of the upcoming Hilton Head Auction taking place this Saturday, November 8th, starting at 2 pm.

I have three paintings in the auction. If you're interested in participating in the bidding you can do it three different ways.

- You can be present at the auction taking place at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, in Hilton Head.

- If you can't attend the auction, you can place an absentee bid with the gallery. 

- Not able to make it to Hilton Head for the auction?  Watch it through a live streaming webcam and bid online!  How cool is that? 

So..... here are my three paintings.

'Savior'

7 x 10"

oil on panel

sold

'The Boys of Summer'

10 x 10"

oil on panel

sold

 'True Grit'

10 x 10"

oil on panel

sold

I do hope all of this helps for those who are interested in my paintings and love the thrill of an auction. 

I'm excited and thank you all.

"Bare Market"

11 x 11"

oil on panel
sold

I spent all weekend and today on a couple of paintings that had a deadline date - including this new piece that may be included in the Hilton Head Auction in November, unless it sells before.  I wouldn't argue that.

Inside the Museum of Modern Art in New York City - women admire Picasso's masterpiece 'Les Demoiselles d'Avignon'.   In case you didn't know, his title is a reference to a street in Barcelona famous for its brothel.

Please click here for a larger view.

 4 x 6"

oil on panel

sold 

This is a smaller painting I am donating to a charity auction taking place in Connecticut in October.

Now I move on to more Chicago scenes and a start on an upcoming solo show in Atlanta sometime in November.

"Starry Eyed"

9-1/2 x 14"
oil on masonite
sold

I am one of the trillions of people who marvel over Van Gogh's paintings - you're lucky to see them in person really. You can almost trace each deliberate brushstroke made from start to finish - lots of movement and animation, thick layers of multitudes of colors - absolutely stunning how he handled paint. 'Starry Night' needs it's own room, bleacher seats would be nice - it's almost impossible to stand before it without a dozen or more people fighting for that glimpse.

From the Museum of Modern Art, a patron gets a rare, dedicated view of the most popular, most reproduced, most recognizable painting by Van Gogh, 'Starry Night'.

"Facing the Music"

8 x 12"
oil on masonite

With a lot of abstract expressionism, I see or feel music. Especially with large paintings. This woman was viewing Cy Twombly's 'Winter', part of his 'Four Seasons' series in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Please click here for a larger view and purchase information.

"So In Love"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

I had read this comment, about Marc Chagall's painting 'Birthday' - and it kinda stuck with me. It's one person's interpretation and I fell for it hook, line and sinker. Well that painting came to mind this morning and I ended up getting lost in it for the day. I needed to paint something sweet. And again, thank you all for your warm wishes. It means a lot to me.

The quote I'm speaking of :
"When I see this picture I can imagine a couple that have been separated for long time because of his death. Now on her birthday he comes to give her flowers and pick her up and take her away to heaven, so they can be together again.

They used to live together in this house, but when he passed away, her life never was the same, because she missed a lot. She was sad living as a widow, she always wore black clothes, and was alone. For her birthday she wants to die to be with her husband again. And he came as a ghost.

The painter probably, with this dark colors, wants to express the sadness about missing somebody beloved, like a husband. And the red carpet gives the loving touch, because this color is known worldwide as a color of love."

Please click here for a larger view.

"Big Hair"

8 x 10"

oil on masonite

sold

Here is another painting I manage to complete - no warming up today - I just jumped right in. These two young women were intrigued with Andy Warhol's "Gold Marilyn Monroe", which hangs in the MOMA in New York.

Click here if you'd like a larger view.