'Gauguin' and My New Book 'A to Z'

6 x 8"

oil on panel
sold

A new addition to my series ArtistZ,  choosing Paul Gauguin for G.  I grappled with my three choices - Giacometti, who my mom also loved and emulated in painting and sculpture,  Jean-Leon Gerome who painted the most exquisite, realism I've ever laid eyes on and Paul Gauguin, who had no rules about color other than creating harmony.

Gauguin would win the most colorful life story if there was a contest.  Born in Paris, father died on the voyage to Peru, leaving a 1-1/2 year old Paul, his mother and sister to fend for themselves, eventually returned to France, joined the French navy, was a stockbrocker, got rich, lost most of it in a stock market crash and started painting full-time.  Married, had five kids, after 11 years, kids and mom told him to leave.  Yah-dah-yah-dah-yah-dah, met Van Gogh, moved to Tahiti, painted beautiful paintings,  fell ill a number of times, got an agent to sell his work, returned to Paris, returned to Tahiti and lived there another six years, drank too much, he was thought to have syphilis, painted more beautiful masterpieces, went to prison for libeling a lawyer, took too much morphine and died in 1903.

There is something that sends me when I look at a Gauguin in person and that's why I chose him.

A woman standing before Gauguin's 'Aha De Feii?' (What! Are You Jealous?).

Also... my latest series AtoZ is now in a book available thru Blurb.

 

This new book is 7 x 7" with 26 color reproductions of my daily paintings inspired by the letters of the alphabet.

Click here to preview the book.

"Crossword"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

C for Crossword - a weekly obsession of mine to complete the New York Times Sunday puzzle, at least by the following Sunday.   This new painting is part of my new series A to Z.

~ Happy Spring

"Airport"

8 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

I've been working on a series of paintings that require a bit of loosening up, little flits of movement added, which is fun and tricky.  I've been backing off and using a wide brush to work at it even though the panels are 5 x 7's.  And I'm thrilled with the paintings so far.

Then, as I was working on my website, I came across an alphabet series I had done about 10 years ago and thought I'd keep up the looseness with an new series 'A to Z'  - starting with A.  It's all good exercise.

From Chicago's O'Hare airport, a gentleman waits for his Delta flight.

"Coffee Pod"

5 x 7"

oil on panel
sold

A gentleman nestled in a booth with his newspaper and coffee in Chicago.

"Coffee Grounds"

8 x 8"
oil on masonite
sold

A reminder of warm sunshine and the simple pleasures in life. From the beaches of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Please click here for a larger view.

"A Dose of Zen"

5 x 5"

oil on masonite
sold

Owning a business can be gratifying at times. And sometimes the weight of responsibility can suck the life out of you. A hefty repair bill was my dose of reality today, wondering how, in this age of operating at a bare-bones capacity, I'm going to pay for it. I've had better days. So I came straight home, made a pot of strong coffee and got lost in my paints. A dose of Zen.

"Morning Exercise"

6 x 6"

oil on masonite
sold

Before I forget to mention ..... I've finally found the best brand for white and black. I've never been thrilled with any of the many brands I've tried. Made by Daniel Smith Artist Materials, it's their Titanium White - the Ivory Black and the Lamp Black are great too. Thought I'd pass that along.

This new painting is a glimpse into my day. When I have my cup of coffee and my crossword puzzle, all is right with the world.

"Breaking News"

6-3/4 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

As I was updating my website, I realized I had not posted several new paintings on this blog. Including the above piece done for the May show at Howard/Mandville. It is a personal favorite of mine - perhaps for its handsomeness, the warm greys and browns, the rare image of someone reading a real newspaper.... I am very fond of this painting.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Corner Bakery"

11 x 7"
oil on masonite
sold

A cup of hot coffee and the morning paper being enjoyed at the Corner Bakery, around State Street & Adams, in Chicago.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Three Amigos"

12 x 12"

oil on masonite

I've had a long, pleasant day of painting - just finished up this new piece which will be included in my July show titled "The People I See". These three friends were chatting it up inside a Starbucks, on Michigan Avenue in Chicago.

Please click here for a larger view and purchase information.

"Unions"

5 x 7"

oil on masonite

sold

This is another one of those challenges in painting, a lot of activity and depth - but I certainly wanted to focus on the two women. Outdoor scenes provide atmosphere and light, a plus because things pop out with color. These women were enjoying a morning coffee and conversation out on the plaza of Union Square, in the heart of San Francisco.