"Under The Dome"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

The sculpture 'Cloud Gate' in Millennium Park reflecting the Chicago skyline, visitors and the clouds above.

As I was going thru earlier photos of Chicago, back in 2004, on Halloween, Brett and I were at the new 'Cloud Gate' when about 50+ Star Wars fanatics descended on the scene.  People loved it, the guards, not so much.

Just thought you'd get a kick out of that.

"Reflections"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

One of the pleasures of painting is that it's an escape.  And that's what I needed, to concentrate on something else.   This is the sculpture "Cloud Gate" in Millennium Park in Chicago, locals call it 'The Bean'.  It was where I would meet up with my brother, Mike, whenever I was back in the city.  We marveled at it together many times in the past years.  It will always bring back good memories for me.

I also wanted to say to all who emailed and commented on my posting last week, about my brother's passing - every word meant something profound.  It lifted me up.  And I thank you all.  Mike's cat, Gizzmo, will be going home with a generous man who jumped at the chance.  A very meaningful ending to a difficult situation and I thank those who extended their help.

"Cloud Gate"

11 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

I've painted Cloud Gate several times in different perspectives - it's a subject that is somewhat daunting to paint or draw but I've learned to tackle it in steps. I don't always approach a painting that way - in this case you almost have to. Your head is spinning at first, too many things to render and on top of that, shapes are warped, which goes against the logic. That's why I chose this as my weekly challenge on my Different Strokes From Different Folks Blog. If you're game, I urge you to take your time - but persevere (by definition - to persist in or remain constant to a purpose, idea, or task in the face of obstacles or discouragement). You'll be surprised at what you can do.

Cloud Gate, also known as 'The Bean', resides in Millennium Park in Chicago.

Speaking of challenges, last week's miniature white pumpkins reaped 93 different versions. I am really proud of all the participants - please visit the blog to see all the wonderful works of art.

"Sun Times"

5 x 7"
oil on masonite
sold

Walk through Millennium Park in Chicago - and I'll bet you'll not be bored. On a bright, sunny day - people are everywhere - and in my eyes, I see many possibilities for paintings. Simple settings, with light and color giving me what I desire.


also....... Week 2's challenge is wrapping up tonight for my Different Strokes From Different Folks blog with 68 different versions of a photograph I post for reference. I am thrilled with the response and all of the unique, personal interpretations. Thanks to all the artists who took on this week's project - let's do it again with this photo for Week 3.

New Year's Resolutions

12 x 9"

ink & gouache on paper
sold

One of my New Year's resolutions is to add more drawing time to my day. A warm-up to something more involved or sketching something out in the real world, I just want more drawing time. I miss it.

Which brings me to another resolution - to travel more. This year I spent more time painting and less getting out in the world, mostly because of work and my bum knee. I have resolved to dealing with it - maybe a Segway is the answer. I want more exposure to the world out there. I miss it.

One more resolution.... to teach a little. I will do more painting movies and I'm making plans with Carol Marine to hold a 3-day workshop, some time in the spring, which I'm really psyched about. I don't know if I can teach anyone anything ....... I've never tried, but it's something I would like to do more of.

Besides all of that, I'd like to keep on track with what I've been doing - painting small pieces for auctions and larger, more realized work for the three galleries. I really enjoy all of it.

Time to say Happy New Year and wish you all the best. Dream on and Paint on, my friends.

"Spit and Image"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

This is one of those moments captured - where I wonder if I can pull it off and how would it come across as brush strokes. Such a fun painting to do. A kid laying under the reflective sculpture "Cloudgate", a major attraction in Chicago's Millennium Park.

This new painting will be included in my July show at 16 Patton, in Asheville.

Please click here for a larger view.

"The Bean IV"

6 x 6"

oil on masonite

sold

Chicago's my favorite city, no doubt, and "The Bean" is my favorite stop. And one of my all-time favorite subjects to paint. Officially titled "Cloudgate", it sits in Millennium Park and draws in people like honey to a bee.

This subject is great to paint for a couple of reasons - certainly it's fun and challenging, in that it's made up of shapes and colors, warped and unreal - so the challenge is to rely on your eyes to make all the shapes and curves and colors make sense in the end. Which, I guess, is what the challenge of painting is, no matter what you're depicting.