"Judgement Day"

9 x 12"

oil on masonite

sold

This is a painting I've wanted to do for a long time. I kept passing over it because.... well.....I didn't know if I could pull it off. The light is sweet, the walls have many tones, and the women is somewhat vague because she was a step back from the spotlights. It was a tough one. The result, I think, is a really nice warmth, especially with the gold tones of the walls and the reddish-brown of the floor. I love it.

This was a scene taken from my opening reception, at the 16 Patton Gallery in Asheville.

Have a great holiday weekend - I think I'll take a couple days off myself.

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Yesterday's Painting

8 x 8"

oil on masonite

I painted this piece yesterday - a gift to a friend. It is a moment taken from my July show in Asheville, at the 16 Patton Gallery.

The Pursuit of Happyness

Just about 4 years ago, I picked up a paint brush for the first time in many, many years. My business was hurting, I was going on two years without a paycheck and I needed to figure something out or else I'd have to let a couple of my employees go. And I just couldn't do that. I wouldn't do that.

I knew I could draw, so I got busy doing these little paintings, like the garlic above. I put them on eBay, for the first time, sold them for around $20 and when I made $100, my motivation kicked in like you wouldn't imagine. I'd work all day, paint every night, and I kept at it for months. When I got enough savings, I tore down my old shed in the backyard and built a place for me to paint. A real studio. The day it was finished, I bought oil paints and started teaching myself - and trust me, it wasn't easy. Little by little, I got the hang of it - and in three months, I had my first, sellable painting ready to put on eBay. That was January of 2004.

The rest of the story is that this is what I do for a living. I paint. I still have my business, still have the same employees and out of necessity, I stepped into a whole new chapter of my life. It is possible.

Often I am asked where to start. We live in the best of times - remember - the internet and computers are the fuel to get you going. Learn all you can and work hard at it every day. It'll happen.

"Down Stairs"

8 x 8"

oil on masonite

sold

This was really a painting I did for me. One of those 'can I pull this off?' paintings. I loosened up, concentrating on the warm & cool greys and getting the perspective right. The woman is somewhat of a ghostly figure, less defined - half of her dark and half of her lit up from the daylight pouring down the marble stairs. From the center lobby in the Art Institute of Chicago.

"Away From It All"

10 x 8"

oil on masonite

sold

It's true. I said I wasn't going to paint any more summer, beach paintings for a good while. But it was Sunday afternoon, still hot as hell outside, and this was my moment of Zen.

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"Back Atcha"

9 x 12"

oil on masonite

Care to spend some of your Saturday evening thinking about a title for this painting? I could use some suggestions. I just can't nail it. There's the enormous bag the woman's carrying - the flowery, long dress - the bare back - the painting of the woman reading seemingly looking right back at her. Lots to consider. Thank you, I appreciate the input.

I thank all of you for your clever ideas for a title - the one that feels right, to me, is "Back Atcha", suggested by Claire M.

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"Note To Self"

12 x 9"

oil on masonite

Early this year, I tore out a page in a magazine that announced open submissions for the Greenwich Workshop Gallery's Annual Miniature Show. I thought it would be a long shot, to be accepted, but I've mustered up the courage to at least try - so I just entered this new piece for their consideration. Cross your fingers - I won't know until the end of September.

For those who don't know the Greenwich Workshop Gallery, they represent some of the top-notch painters in the country. As a picture framer, I drool over the giclees my customers bring in from that gallery. So you see why it's a long shot - but heck, why not try?

This scene is a young lady tucked away in the side garden of the Art Institute of Chicago.

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"A Grey Area" (revised)

9 x 12"

oil on masonite

sold

After a good night's sleep and several cups of coffee, I was compelled to change a few things on the most recent painting. Oddly, it's something that I rarely do - but I've learned that when I take a fresh look, if there's something that pops into my head right away, I have to address it. In this case, I thought it lacked warmth. Perhaps I was carried away with the multitudes of greys, which I seem to love experimenting with - still, I'm much happier with the painting now. Time to move on.

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"A Grey Area"

9 x 12"

oil on masonite

I'm sure I was inspired by the "Power of Art" series on PBS - the segment of Mark Rothko especially. This newest painting was done with the intention of placing someone in front of a massive Rothko abstract that married well with the overall colors and tones. I really enjoyed this and intend to do more down the road.

More information about this painting will follow in a few days.

"A Lullaby"

12 x 12"

oil on masonite

sold

I know I could paint a lot more if this HOT WEATHER would go away. Ugh. Before I call it a day, I'll post my newest piece, which has such a nice, quiet feel to it. A young lady is viewing Vincent Van Gogh's "Lullaby (Portrait of Madame Roulin"), which hangs in the Art Institute of Chicago.

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"Casual Friday"

6 x 6"

oil on masonite

sold

A scene taken from the steps of the Art Institute - a woman waiting for the museum to open up on a busy Friday morning. It's one of the best people-watching spots in the city of Chicago, no doubt about it.

Back Home and Ready to Get Painting Again

Just wanted to check in and say hello - I just got back from a trip to Chicago. When I need to get away to get some inspiration for paintings, that city delivers. I'd like to think I could just go downtown, in my own hometown city of Atlanta, and get the same results, but it just doesn't work for me. I need that change of scenery. I need to walk around a corner and see something different. Millennium Park is filled with people sitting on benches and laying in the grass reading a book - tons of folks marveling over the "Cloudgate" sculpture (above photo) - thousands of people going through the Art Institute. I saw paintings in my head every minute of every day.

Now I'm back and have to get to work on many new pieces - I'm totally refreshed and psyched. I hope you'll enjoy all of the new paintings ahead and I'll see you back here in a day or two.

"The Awkward Years"

8 x 8"

oil on masonite

sold

I was supposed to be packing. Instead, I came back to the studio to find my camera, turned on Ella Fitzgerald and did a painting. I'm pathetic.

This is most likely my last beach scene for a while - perhaps I'm craving the autumn colors and 60 degrees. Still.... I had to paint these girls. They remind me of those 'awkward years'. This turned out to be one of my all-time personal favorites too - I think it's what oils are meant for - the swushing, the daubs, the color - it's loose and casual and I love that.

I also want to wish you happy trails..... I'm heading out of town for a couple of days, hoping to get some divine inspiration. I'll be back this weekend. Enjoy.

"A Tunic and a Tuna"

8 x 10"
oil on masonite
sold

This scene is from the American Art Wing in the Art Institute - a gallery that has a bit more dimmed lighting overall, and strong spotlighting on the art and it's personal space. It does make for a striking visual, especially accenting the woman's grey hair and the patterns on her long blouse. I really like the overall feel of this piece.

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"The Color Purple"

8 x 10"

oil on masonite

sold

I'm sorry - I know the title is a bit unoriginal - but really, it's that rich, purple overcoat that is the best feature of this new painting. And you think you know purple until you paint it. The image does not quite capture the vivid colors nor the slight changes from blue-purples to red-purples to brown-purples. I really worked at it. The room is made of shapes and tones that compliment that purple - with less emphasis on the art in the gallery and more on the figure.

"Mother Duck"

detail

8 x 8"

oil on masonite

sold

The simplest moments can be the best paintings. Aside from the charming procession of the girls following their mother, the colors of the sky, the ocean and the sand seem to marry so well with the figures and what they're wearing and hauling. I tried this scene on a 6 x 6" format and failed - so I painted this on a little larger of a board and it worked perfectly. Another ode to summertime.

"The Mother Load"

9 x 12"

oil on masonite

sold

You can almost hear what this weighted-down mother is saying to herself as she seemingly 'escapes' into the scene of the painting before her. That particular piece of American Art is a breathtaking, realism piece done by Charles Curran, titled "Lotus Lilies" - one of my personal favorites in the Art Institute of Chicago.

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"Surfcomber"

6 x 6"

oil on masonite

sold

More colorful visions of Miami Beach - with bright yellows against purple-blue skies. A scene taken from the beachfront of the Surfcomber hotel, on a crystal-clear, summer's day.