"Planted"

6 x 8"

oil on panel
sold

A young woman reading the city guide in a hotel lobby in Chicago.

"Embedded"

5 x 7"
oil on masonite
sold

From the lobby of the Hotel Monaco in Washington, DC - a guest embedded in the morning news.

"Lounge Act"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

Today's my dad's birthday. I lost him years ago - truly the greatest man I had the pleasure of knowing, especially as his daughter. He died before I got my first Mac, he never knew the internet nor a digital camera - and he was an electronic wizard. A trained engineer. He'd absolutely flip out. So would my mom. She sold her paintings the old way - setting up a display in a show, sitting for hours and days. Wow. They would both just freak out. Happy Birthday Johnny.

This simple moment was taken from the lounge area of a Chicago hotel - as I passed by this gentleman, reading his newspaper while waiting on his ride - I instantly saw a painting in my head. Strong light, strong, rich colors - a composition so naturally ready for me to do that very thing.

"New York Times"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

I did finally see the article in American Art Collector magazine - thanks for sending it to me. This painting is one of several featured - I wish you could see it in person. I had painted this woman before - this time changing the format, adding a bit more detail - I love this image.

I normally stay away from the blue/red/yellow dominating a scene, all I think of is primary colors. Yet, when those three are warmed up, toned down - tweaked - it pleases me.

This moment was taken from the lobby of a Manhattan hotel. For a larger view, please click here.

"Hospitality"

6 x 6"

oil on masonite

sold

And so to bed. The end of my short, first night in San Francisco. If you have to be away from home, the fine hospitality of a turned-down bed and a warm robe can feel quite nice.

It must be mentioned that these small, daily paintings are so beneficial to my work - the challenge of painting something I don't usually paint, to see and use color in unexpected ways. You tend to learn something new every day - and it really does matter in the long run. If you're an artist and you've taken on the daily practice of painting one piece, my advice is to remember to break away from the norm from time to time. Choose a completely different subject. Dab into a color you wouldn't normally use. Remember that things come alive with color. Enjoy and paint on, my friends.

"An Open Book"

12 x 12"

oil on masonite

sold

This was one of those moments when I saw the finished painting in my head. I was waiting on a guest, in the hotel's lobby, and spotted this young woman nestled in a big chair in the corner, getting in some good reading time.

This painting is available for purchase through the Cohen-Rese Gallery. Please click on the title to forward to a larger image and contact information.