"Mellow Yellow"

10 x 8"
oil on masonite
sold

I was walking up to the door at a Starbucks, in Seattle, when I spotted this gentleman. I could best describe my surroundings as grey - the sky, the sidewalk, the wall - and bam - this yellow coat. That does good things to your brain, seeing color when there isn't much.

Please click here for a larger view.

Another Kind of Auction

8 x 10"
oil on masonite

I did want to show you this new piece that I am donating to a fund-raising event, the High Museum's Wine and Art Auction coming up next month. The sculpture featured in this painting is the ten-foot-long "Tiber", on loan from the Louvre and currently on display at the High Museum, here in Atlanta. At night, it is quite breathtaking to view, with the strong lighting defining the ripples and shadows and details.

For more information on the auction, click here.

"Opening"

5 x 7"
oil on masonite
sold

I couldn't resist using Opening for the letter O, continuing on with my alphabet series. This was taken from the opening reception of my show, a couple of weeks ago, at the Howard/Mandville Gallery. There was a nice, casual feel that night - and this painting needed to reflect that. The man portrayed in the scene was so kind to mention he watched my YouTube videos - I remember when I got back to my hotel room that night, it dawned on me that I reach a lot of people with what I do. And occasionally I have the pleasure of meeting those people in person, way across the globe. It really does make me proud.

"Art Therapy"

8 x 8" (each painting)
oil on masonite
sold

A scene split in two - patrons enjoying the quiet and rich surroundings inside the National Gallery of Art, in Washington, DC.

Please click here for a larger view.

A Show Worth Mentioning

My good friends, Karen & Neil Hollingsworth, are showing their new work at Twinhouse, a gallery in Atlanta. Also showing is work by Jeff Cohen - the three really do compliment each other and all are best appreciated in person, so please stop in the gallery tonight if you're in the neighborhood.

"Refresher Course"

8 x 10"
oil on masonite
sold

I think we all need a taste of summer today. Forget the snow and ice and sweaters and coats, just for a moment. Think of warm sun on your skin - bright, blue skies above - the hot sand under your feet - the dire need for a cold, refreshing drink. Mmmmmmm.

This painting is currently showing at the Howard/Mandville Gallery - the scene is taken from a smoothie stand on South Beach, in Miami.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Salsa Seat"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

I start these paintings that have straight lines, buildings, etc... and I think why am I doing this? It's just plain hard work. But satisfying when it's done.

This scene is from Asheville, a couple of doors down from the 16 Patton Gallery where I show my work. It's the side window seating of a great restaurant called Salsa.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Say Cheese"

11 x 11"
oil on masonite
sold

(detail)

(detail)

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(detail)

This painting is one of my personal favorites - if asked why, it was a challenge, a fun challenge, that includes 57 individuals frozen in a moment, busy with others or standing in line or resting on a bench. The view is from a couple floors up, looking down into the lobby of the Guggenheim - and at that very moment, to my delight, someone was pointing their camera up at me.

The challenge was to keep it all right - the distortion of the bodies, the correct proportions of each to another, the uniqueness of each person and mostly, keeping it loose and casual. It's one of those scenes that you must depend on seeing shapes and color as you're painting, rather than what it really is.

I will also say that, if you could view the original painting, you'd see more to the edges and brush strokes, which give it all a little movement. If you're in Seattle, please visit the Howard/Mandville Gallery to see this painting and others.

Click here for a larger view.

"Nonchalance"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

There is something so gratifying about painting Sargent's works - I truly learn from it - as I do from all my little reproductions. It's how the great artists learned, aside from a teacher's instructions, they copied the masters. Things click. It's a large part of how I have taught myself how to paint with oils.

This woman is leaning closer to John Singer Sargent's "Nonchaloir (Repose)", one of my most-favorite paintings, which hangs in the National Gallery of Art, in Washington, DC.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Newspaper"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

Moving on with the alphabet series....... only fitting for N to be Newspaper, because I'm a junkie. I can't start a day without coffee and pouring over several newspapers - not counting more online. And I've always favored painting people engrossed in their paper.

This woman was inside the Seattle Central Library, a fabulous building outside and inside. The window grids made for an almost-abstract surrounding to the figure. I got halfway through this painting and wondered what I was thinking. It was a hard one. The newspaper too. And keeping it just loose enough is always the toughest.

"Modigs"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

I grew up with torn-out pages of Modigliani's works pinned on the walls of my mother's studio - she was a big fan. You see the influence in her oil paintings. When I see his pieces in museums, I think of my mom.

Please click here for a larger view and purchase information.

Happy Valentine's Day.

"Seattle Glow"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

This new painting shows that beautiful glow of the early evening light on my first full day in Seattle. Skylines can be really difficult unless you approach it as a collection of shapes and color, hoping the depth will take care of itself. I often walk around cities squinting - seeing bundles of blocks and light - and this was one of my favorite views. Many, many more to come.

My Trip to Seattle

I am back in my favorite spot this morning, my little studio. My dogs are already snoozing and I'm eager to get to painting again. There's no place like home.

I arrived in Seattle Wednesday evening, in the rain as expected, but woke up to a crisp, beautiful morning which was unexpected - bolted out of bed, hit the streets, thanking Mother Nature and started taking pictures all over the city. Lucky, lucky me.


When my legs couldn't take it anymore, I hopped in a cab driven by Saied, who was born in Iran and moved to the U.S. at the age of 17 and has lived in Seattle for nearly 28 years. He knew every square inch of the city as well as what lies beyond.



Saied became my guide for the next three days - whenever I needed a lift, a broader view of the city, a ride out to the gallery - he was a phone call away. He made my visit so much fun. Lucky, lucky me.

Saturday morning I treated myself to peach pancakes for my birthday and the chef made up this beautiful plate to add to my happy occasion. How cool is that.


By the time Saturday night's opening was here, I had seen the city, the countyside, the lakes, the different neighborhoods, bookstores, coffeeshops, marinas, parks ......... a lot of Seattle. Granted, it was mostly with a drizzling rain, but even that can be beautiful in its own way.

The opening was perfect - with quite a crowd coming to see both my paintings and Fred Calleri's. I had the great pleasure of meeting many people that I've corresponded with, other artists who I admire so much and many collectors of my work.


I was genuinely touched by everyone I met, knowing they took the time to come to the opening and see my paintings in person. Howard/Mandville Gallery is a class-act and I'm very proud to be a part of their establishment. A Big Thank You to them and all the people I met Saturday night, to Saied - I had a fantastic time in your city.

Now it's time to get back to work and gladly so. I miss my paints.

Happy Trails

I'm off to Seattle - three days of exploring and photo-taking, winding it up with the opening Saturday night at the Howard/Mandville Gallery. Come join us if you're in the neighborhood, I'd love to meet you.

See you back here next week!

"On the Sunny Side of the Street"

12 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

This man I love. He's as real as it gets. The painting before him, Edward Hopper's "New York Office", seems to evoke long-ago memories.

For a larger view, please click here.

A Preview of my February Show

"Mellow"

10 x 8"
oil on masonite
sold

I'm gonna tell you, painting this was my moment of Zen. Getting ready for my trip to Seattle this week - framing and packaging and shipping over 15 paintings - finding something to wear that doesn't have paint on it - I was in great need of mellowing out, not even thinking this would be perfect for the letter M in my alphabet series. It's a bit larger than the usual, 8 x 10", I wanted more empty area around her.


An additional note....... the entire body of work, for my show opening this coming Saturday night, can now be viewed on my website and on YouTube. Hope you enjoy them.