"Welcome To The Jungle"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

Maybe I'm distracted with the new pups - maybe it's just too hot. It's been tough getting a painting done that I like. Then I turned on a couple of old episodes of Columbo, and it just flowed. I should know by now that's what makes me tick, some good television going while I paint.

Anyways...... this new piece is part of my new series ATL to NYC & Back - our first glimpse of the Concrete Jungle as we arrived in the pouring rain.

"Cab City"

5 x 10"
oil on masonite
sold

Painting cityscapes is daunting, no doubt - although the more I do, the more confident I get. Before I start each one, the decision is made as to what I want the end result to be - more realistic or more impressionistic. Either way, my goal is to portray the atmosphere and try not to get hung up on the details - and I've learned there's several ways to accomplish that. Ways that force me to stay loose.

One way is to stay small. If I had a larger panel in front of me, I know I'd labor over every square inch, every window, every streetlight. Another way is to use a wide brush for every single dab and stroke. You can't nitpick with a honker brush. Sticking with a smaller format is good for learning, practicing - and often can lead to larger, more realized versions.

This scene was taken from Madison Avenue, around 39th Street, facing north - in downtown Manhattan.