"Bench Warranted"

8 x 8"
oil on masonite

I've recently done 8 new paintings which will be included in a grouping along with a favorite artists of mine, Pam Ingalls - please stop in the Howard/Mandville Gallery during August if you're in the area. Pam is one of the artists who inspired me to get painting five or so years back - I'm really very proud to hang beside her. You can preview my new work here - most of these pieces will be up on the wall by August 1st.

This new painting will be included in the collection, a young woman benched and reading in Washington Square Park in Manhattan.

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ps ....... I'm taking a real break and will be back to painting next weekend.

happy trails.......

"A Little Too Close"

7 x 11"
oil on masonite
sold

From the Art Institute of Chicago, a young man gets a little too close to Vincent Van Gogh.

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"Green Space"

7 x 9"
oil on masonite
sold

Put on your shades for this new painting - a mixture of vibrant greens with lots of scrubbing, scratching, brushing, knifing around the New Yorkers enjoying Bryant Park, a sanctuary behind the New York Public Library. On a day like this one, you see what it means to us humans to have that greenspace in a big city.

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"Canopy Express"

6 x 14"
oil on masonite
sold

A slow and easy carriage ride under the canopy of palmettos and oaks, in Charleston, South Carolina.

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"Untied"

12 x 12"
oil on masonite

Generally speaking, I avoid faces on the figures - I usually find the body language more interesting and want to focus on that alone. In this new painting, with that stark contrast from the bench onto that empty, lit floor - that direct stare from the fellow on the right seemed to fit the atmosphere, as if they were 'on stage' and there for the viewing. Added to that is a lot of applied texture with the palette knife, which isn't as evident unless you can see it in person. Very fun to paint.

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"Green Tee"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

I'm back in my hut again. There was a painting marathon of about three weeks, then a quick decision made to join my old high school friends for a mini-reunion of sorts - drove to Chicago with my favorite pillows, did that, went into the city for about five hours and drove back to Atlanta. Call me crazy, but it's good for me to take a break like that.

Now back to work with a quick, loose piece to get warmed up - a young man I spotted on a bench in the Art Institute of Chicago.

"All Over the Map"

12 x 9"
oil on masonite
sold

This is one of those paintings that I'd like to keep for my own. I'm completely in love with it. But ..... painting is my livelihood and the best I can hope for is they all get a good home.

From the upper floor of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

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"Seating Arrangement"

12 x 9"
oil on masonite

I think some of my personal favorite paintings are these new pieces - I used a combination of brushwork and palette knife - and seems to add just the right amount of texture and bump up the illumination. It's tough, to stay in control - moving the paint around, coaxing it to just where I want it. The more I do it, the more control I have. In person, you can really see the impact.

This new painting, a woman resting on a bench on the upper floor of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, will be arriving at the Howard/Mandville Gallery by the end of July.

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"Where the Girls Are"

8 x 10"
oil on masonite
sold

From a sunny sidewalk in Little Italy, New York City - where the girls enjoy some outdoor dining.

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"Boogie Fever"

9 x 5"
oil on masonite
sold

I've painted this woman on a bike several times - I can't help it. It makes me happy. A scene from Hilton Head Island.

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"Starry Eyed"

9-1/2 x 14"
oil on masonite
sold

I am one of the trillions of people who marvel over Van Gogh's paintings - you're lucky to see them in person really. You can almost trace each deliberate brushstroke made from start to finish - lots of movement and animation, thick layers of multitudes of colors - absolutely stunning how he handled paint. 'Starry Night' needs it's own room, bleacher seats would be nice - it's almost impossible to stand before it without a dozen or more people fighting for that glimpse.

From the Museum of Modern Art, a patron gets a rare, dedicated view of the most popular, most reproduced, most recognizable painting by Van Gogh, 'Starry Night'.

"Feast For the Eyes"

8 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

At my shop, I have framed prints and posters of Diego Rivera's work for years - but nothing comes close to seeing the paintings in person. They are marvelous.

From the Museum of Modern Art in New York, a visitor pours over Rivera's 'Flower Festival: Feast of Santa Anita' - a massive, colorful, brilliantly-composed feast for the eyes.

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"News Anchor"

8 x 8"
oil on masonite
sold

I've done several new paintings that will be sent to the Howard/Mandville Gallery in the next few weeks, this one included - a painterly piece of a woman relaxing with the newspaper in the sculpture garden of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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and....... please know I am so grateful for your comments on the paintings. It really drives me and I appreciate it.

"Mosey Along"

5 x 7"
oil on masonite
sold

Packed in like sardines, folks take a relaxing carriage tour through Charleston, which by the way, I'd highly recommend.

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"Spirit In The Sky"

5 x 7"
oil on masonite
sold

This new painting will be added to the Sylvan Gallery in Charleston - along with several more I'm currently working on. They're small, casual, intimate scenes - much like the Holy City itself. This view is looking down Meeting Street towards St. Michael's Church, lit up in the early morning sun.

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Showtime

I sure do want to thank those who came to the 16 Patton Gallery Saturday night for my mini-show and especially want to thank Danna and Jamie for giving me the spotlight. I had the best time - it's great to put aside the paints, take a roadtrip, eat good food and meet nice people. Three paintings in the grouping were sold - keep in mind they'll be on exhibit until mid-July if you're in the city of Asheville, which by the way is a fabulous place to visit and explore.

It's back to work, I've got a lot of painting to do.

"Two Seater"

8 x 8"
oil on masonite
sold

I saved this new painting for a TGIF image, also included in the 8 Squared show opening tomorrow evening - a vacationing couple maintaining their coolness in the low tide on Hilton Head Island. I'm packing up and heading to Asheville myself - if you're in the area, I'd appreciate you coming by tomorrow night or any time in the next month - they're showing at the 16 Patton Gallery. You'll find a map here.

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"Dayglow"

8 x 8"
oil on masonite
sold

Included in the grouping of 8 Squared, a scene from Mulberry Street in New York City's Little Italy, where outdoor diners were tucked underneath a row of glowing, yellow umbrellas.

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"Cruise Line"

8 x 8"
oil on masonite
sold

One of my personal favorites, also included in the grouping in the upcoming show 8 Squared opening this Saturday at the 16 Patton Gallery in Asheville - a woman on her blue scooter
zooming down the road.

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"Welcome Center"

8 x 8"
oil on masonite

As you can see, my friend's dog, Bernie is usually out front doing his job of either welcoming visitors ..... or not. He's like a massive sculpture in the sunshine, I couldn't wait to paint him.
This new piece will be included in the upcoming show 8 Squared, opening this Saturday.

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"Alfresco"

8 x 8"
oil on masonite
sold

This new painting is taken from a little side patio outside of an Asheville restaurant where, every time I pass by, I see a painting in my head. This piece will also be included in the upcoming show
8 Squared at the 16 Patton Gallery. I'll be at the gallery Saturday evening - please come by and say hello - if you don't see me, I'm probably a few doors down at this very spot, composing more paintings in my head.

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"Floor Plans"

8 x 8"

oil on masonite
sold

In the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, weary patrons take to the lobby benches to rest and navigate where they'll go next. This new painting will be included in the grouping 8 Squared, opening this Saturday night at the 16 Patton Gallery.

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"Water Boy"

8 x 8"
oil on masonite

This new painting is a good example of what oils are meant for - the swirling and moving of colors. Meet my friend's dog Boo, who is also included in the grouping of 8 Squared, opening next Saturday night.

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"Zzzoom"

8 x 8"
oil on masonite
sold

Next Saturday evening, the 16 Patton Gallery will host an opening for my mini-solo show, titled 8 Squared - a small collection of 8 x 8" paintings of a variety of subjects that inspire me. I would love for you to come by and see the paintings in person if you're in the area - they'll be up on the wall next Saturday, the 19th.

This new painting is a scene from Asheville, a little Moped action at the corner of Haywood Street & College Street.

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"Atlantic Time"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

As I was thinking of a title for this new painting, a dozen possibilities came to mind, all of which were lamenting the oil spill - how we now look at our experiences at the beach in a different way, whether it's on the Gulf, Pacific or Atlantic Coast. It's time we cherish - walking on the edge of the earth, staring out into the deep blue waters, enjoying the air, the sounds, the smells. I guess I'd rather my paintings be timeless, a moment captured, without a title defining what once was.

We will endure all that's ahead of us and we will continue to live our lives - embracing those places where we feel peaceful and fortunate - I'm sure of it.

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