"Bare Necessities"

6 x 8"

oil on panel
sold

The brave artist Alice Neel, who lived to the age of 84, was largely unknown in the art world until the early 1970's, when she was in two retrospective exhibitions.  "Life begins at seventy!" she said of her new found recognition at the age of 72.

In 1975, Neel began, what took five years, to complete her Self-Portrait, one of only two.  Referring to this unconventional and somewhat shocking portrait, Neel said "the reason my cheeks got so pink was that it was so hard for me to paint that I almost killed myself painting it."

Alice Neel painted dozens of portraits of her lovers, friends, family, artists, poets and even strangers. They are all delightful.  Her total acceptance of her own aging body and laying it out there for all the world to see is most admirable.

"Aspirations"

6 x 8"

oil on panel
sold

One thing I love in museums is witnessing people really connecting with art, like this young man who sat directly in front of this inspiring 1944 portrait of William A."Bill" Campbell by Betsy Graves Reyneau in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC.

William Campbell served as one of the famed Tuskegee Airmen during WWII.  The Portrait Gallery's plaque reads:

"A decorated fighter pilot who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, William A. "Bill" Campbell joined the military in 1942, when all branches of the U.S. armed forces were rigidly segregated. Shortly after America's entry into World War II, Campbell enrolled in flight training at special facilities established for African American pilots and technicians at Alabama's Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University). Earning his wings in July 1942, Second Lieutenant Campbell was assigned to the U.S. Army Air Corps's Ninety-Ninth Pursuit Squadron. On June 2, 1943, he saw action as a wingman on the inaugural combat mission carried out by the Tuskegee Airmen. The first African American pilot to bomb an enemy target, Campbell flew 106 missions and ended the war as commander of the Ninety-Ninth Fighter Squadron. Awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit, and thirteen Air Medals, he retired from the service as a full colonel in 1970."

It is one of my personal favorites in the National Portrait Gallery.

"Dignity"

6 x 8"

oil on panel
sold

Believe it or not, I'm planning out a solo show taking place next March and this is one of the studies of one that I will do larger.  The artworks that will be featured are 'extra-large' - examples are (this) Barack Obama 'Hope' by Shepard Fairey, Guernica by Picasso, etc.

Shepard Fairey's large, mixed-media portrait is based on Fairey's Barack Obama 'Hope' poster, which came to represent Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.  Fairey created the large portrait after Obama won the election and the Smithsonian Institution acquired it for its National Portrait Gallery. 

"Divine"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

A man of the cloth viewing Healy's portrait of President James Buchanan, in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.

"Out Break"

5 x 7"
oil on masonite
sold

From the sunny front steps of the National Portrait Museum in Washington DC.

"Penny For Your Thoughts"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

When the National Portrait Gallery reopened, after seven years of renovation, I was thrilled to return. Truth is, I usually bypassed the presidential portraits for more contemporary work - but the new home made me take notice for the first time in years. When browsing the portraits, you will see art history married to political history - John Kennedy painted by Leroy Neiman, Nixon painted by Norman Rockwell, George Washington painted by Gilbert Stuart - and Abraham Lincoln painted by George Healy - an iconic portrait included in my new painting 'Penny For Your Thoughts', now on exhibit at the Morris & Whiteside Galleries.

Please click here for a larger view.

"By George"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

When I was asked to do a painting for an upcoming show at 16 Patton, titled 'Contemporary Visions: Portraits & Still Lifes', I knew I would sway to the subject of portraits rather than the latter. And whether I was persuaded by watching the 'John Adams' series (which is incredible) or my reverence for Gilbert Stuart's portrait of George Washington, (formally known as the Landsdowne Portrait) - it seemed like a great opportunity to paint this piece.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Capitol Domes"

8 x 10"

oil on masonite

sold

I really like this piece - it's loose, dark and, to quote someone else, "buttery". I think all that is better appreciated in person. These two bald gentlemen were in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.

"Ladies' Man"

9 x 12"

oil on masonite

sold

Inside the National Portrait Gallery hangs a large, striking painting of Bill Clinton - people really do gravitate to it more so than others. Perhaps it's the size, perhaps it's who we are most familiar with. I think it is one of the most "presidential" portraits in the collection, with the head-to-toe, larger-than-life figure, the royal blues and touch of red.

Click here if you'd like a larger view.