"Peanut Gallery"

 

 

10 x 10"

oil on panel

Showcased in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam hangs the extraordinary painting by Rembrandt, Syndics of the Drapers' Guild painted in 1662.

The "drapers" were elected to rate the quality of cloth that weavers offered for sale to the members of their guild.  These dudes accessed the textiles three times a week and had a 1-year term in office. They commissioned Rembrandt's group portrait, which hung in their hall for nearly 100 years.

You may recognize the painting used on the packaging of Dutch Masters cigars.

 

 

My painting is included in the upcoming group show Looking Forward opening July 2nd at Robert Lange Studios.

Please click here for a larger view and purchase/contact information.

"Going Dutch"

9 x 12"

oil on panel
sold

So right after I finished the smaller study Go Dutch, I started on a more-realized composition along the same lines - featuring Rembrandt's Self-Portrait, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Go Dutch"

6 x 8"

oil on panel
sold

I know I've been quiet on this blog but I've finished two larger paintings during my absence - one for a group show coming up titled Perfectionists - a painting that took me 5 days to complete.  Yikes.  That rarely happens.  The other for a show of mine coming up.

So... I needed to get small.  Loosen up.  And I had just read about the famous Dutch artist, Rembrandt, who's work is on exhibit "like never seen before" and thought of his Self-Portrait at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.  Rembrandt did roughly forty self-portraits during his lifetime - this done in 1660 at the age of fifty-four.  This self-portrait admits his age with a furrowed brow, double chin, wrinkles and pouches under his eyes - it's beautiful and honest.

"Swept Away"

6 x 8"

oil on panel
sold

Like many a Rembrandt painting,  A Girl With a Broom, painted in 1651, is one of the most-copied or faked paintings of all times.  In fact, the fakes have been produced since the mid-1700's.  Numerous people through the years have claimed they have the original, but alas, the original hangs in the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.

"The Man Himself"

 6 x 8"

oil on panel
sold

What occurs to me when I study Self-Portrait by Rembrandt van Rijn is this is not only an exquisite oil painting but it's the man himself - notably one of the most famous artists of all time.

Rembrandt is known to have drawn, painted and etched many self-portraits during his lifetime and one can gauge his personal events and moods just by the differences in appearance in these portraits.  He painted this self-portrait in 1659 after he had suffered financial failure after many, many years of success.  He lost his mega-mansion and other possessions to pay back his creditors.  He was in a state of defeat, one can imagine.  Yet there is a sense of dignity in his older face and a deliberate portrayal of a learned painter.

From the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.

"Have A Look"

5 x 5"

oil on panel
sold

I spent 6 long days on a larger painting and gladly moved on to baking cookies and enjoying the feasts of Christmas.  Hope you had a nice holiday too.

Painting larger throws me off.  It kinda burns me out.  I love painting small.

From the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC - a woman gets a good look at Rembrandt's 'Self Portrait'.

"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.

"Close Encounter"

3 x 11"
oil on masonite
sold

After a nine hour stretch of painting today, I caught a second wind and jumped right into this. Here's the thing - I ended the last piece with a palette that looked like it had its run - a thousand blended color combinations with no spare room - and I just can't pass it up because every color I would want was right there. I love that. And it's liberating to work fast and furious with a fat, spent brush - especially after a marathon of paintings that took days. I imagine a chef, who creates entrees all day, loves to come home to whipping up scrambled eggs and toast. Same thing.


Quick mention ...... I am holding a workshop in May, in New York City and there is one opening left - a student switched over to next May, when I'll be doing the same thing. I think it'll be a great experience, so if you are interested in signing up, click here for the details.

"Bling"

9 x 12"

oil on masonite

sold

I love the woman's white coat - surrounded by the golds and greys especially. The painting before her is Rembrandt's "Old Man With a Gold Chain", which hangs in the Art Institute of Chicago.

Please click here for a larger view.