"Back In The Day"

14 x 11"
oil on masonite
sold

On the heels of finishing the pieces for the Landscape (group) Show which is opening this weekend at 16 Patton - I'm starting on several paintings for several Small Works Shows that take place in November and December. This new piece will be included in Howard/Mandville's group show - check their website for dates.

These two gentlemen stand before the awesome Seurat work 'A Sunday on La Grande Jatte', in the Art Institute of Chicago. As seen in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, 100's of 1000's of dots of paint make up this painting - it is remarkable.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Impeccable Taste"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

I remember thinking those strawberries on her shirt, the turquoise shorts - it was similar to how Matisse painted. Spend enough time observing the life in front of you and moments like this do appear.

From the Art Institute of Chicago, a young woman before Matisse's 'Daisies'.

"Three White Guys"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

I relish the appearance of pumpkins - it means summer is over. The end of my constant bitching about how hot it is. So here is my ode to autumn - three miniature, white pumpkins.




You must take a look at the 82 versions of Week 3's challenge on my Different Strokes From Different Folks Blog - I am stunned that so many artists are participating and I thank you all. The truth is we all need inspiration. And motivation. If you're interested in Week 4's challenge, the reference photo is here.

"Ins & Outs"

8 x 8"
oil on masonite
sold

When obligations ease up, there's time to experiment - and I love that. You may know I usually paint on a black surface - this painting was done on a metallic copper tone - and it was a very different experience. Same as the black, color pops off the board, in contrast, and I see values and intensity much better. I follow my instincts more this way - and yes, I squint a lot.
I intended to reveal more of the copper in the end - although the warmth still affected what color was put down. Very fun. I must do more. Speaking of squinting ..... a couple of months ago I started using my reading glasses while painting. Next thing ya know, my face is about three inches from the surface, for hours, and I don't even realize it. Yikes. The anal retentive really was coming out of me - and painting became more and more like a chore. No more glasses. I'm better for it.

The scene is from Grand Central Station, around 8 in the morning.

"Federal Case"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite

A while back, I happened upon an exhibition of Gilbert Stuart's paintings - he was the choice artist for commissioned portraits of presidents and first ladies and whoever was important at the time. It was surprisingly stunning and well placed against the federal blue walls of the musuem.
I can't be sure who's portrait is in my painting - my best guess is Abigail Adams, who Stuart painted a dozen times throughout her lifetime.

Please click here for a larger view and purchase information.

"Rest Stop"

8 x 5"
oil on masonite
sold

Painting this was an afternoon of Zen. Tiny brushes and anal details in parts, swoops of color in other parts. Oh I wish you could see it in person. This little church and cemetery was in the countryside of Delaware.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Sun Times"

5 x 7"
oil on masonite
sold

Walk through Millennium Park in Chicago - and I'll bet you'll not be bored. On a bright, sunny day - people are everywhere - and in my eyes, I see many possibilities for paintings. Simple settings, with light and color giving me what I desire.


also....... Week 2's challenge is wrapping up tonight for my Different Strokes From Different Folks blog with 68 different versions of a photograph I post for reference. I am thrilled with the response and all of the unique, personal interpretations. Thanks to all the artists who took on this week's project - let's do it again with this photo for Week 3.

"Quintessential Duvall"

14 x 4"
oil on masonite
sold

I worked and worked and worked on this new painting - constantly making decisions on tightening up or loosening the brush strokes. It's a different experience painting landscapes, where I want the depth, shapes and color to be the most important features - but personally I try hard to not illustrate the scene at the same time. It's been both a challenge and pleasure to switch over to landscape pieces - considering 95% of what I paint is figurative.

This serene farmland is in Duvall, Washington - outside of Seattle.

Please click here for a larger view.

Different Strokes from Different Folks - Week One

A week ago, I launched a new blog Different Strokes From Different Folks ~ the purpose is to provide one photograph and invite artists to draw or paint the image their way. This first week, the photo was of my dog Jack and I say this with a lump in my throat - I had 54 artists submit their work to my blog. Not only was this an unexpected response ~ it also helped heal the hurt of losing Jack and I thank you all for that. Some took the proceeds of the sales and donated to their local animal shelter or vet and some have offered to give me their artwork ~ both have touched me so deeply. No matter what - you're all good people. For a larger view of this collection, click here.

And to those who'd like to contribute a painting or drawing to the weekly subjects, please submit your image no later than each Wednesday night. If you miss out, there's gonna be a new photo to take on every week. Initially, I said I would accept any subject late, but due to the great response to this exercise, I need to keep it manageable on my end.

Week 2 will be a landscape - the photo can be viewed here - and remember, you can take any part of the photograph, crop it as I did, or use the whole image, whatever you wish. I can't wait to see what you do.

One last comment regarding the new blog ~ although I have nothing against digital art, my intentions are to push each of us to use all other mediums. Thank you.

"Borderline"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

I feel like I've been painting too tight lately. It's tension I suppose. So this morning, I vowed to keep it looser, more painterly. This is a good scene to tackle - not wanting to paint every stick or every blade of grass - I started it much different than the usual. And just when I thought I'd wipe it all off and start over, it started to work.

From Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

"Purple Night"

12 x 9"
oil on masonite
sold

My choices for landscapes are driven by not wanting to depict what is common - but to take from another perspective - from an otherwise overlooked place. Perhaps I have such a vivid memory of this moment too, as I faced the Atlantic Ocean, perched over the rooftops, thinking how lucky I was to be there under the bright, full moon ....... just at the right place at the right time.

As I post this new painting, I am cringing at the same time - thinking the thumbnail image looks a little too much like a Thomas Kinkade painting. Truth is, it doesn't in real life. The brush strokes are more interesting and evident, the dozens of different greys are subtle ...... I'm defending what you see. It's a good example of what can't be conveyed in an image.

Please click here for a larger view.

An additional note ~ it's hard for me to believe it, but our beloved cat Willy, died this weekend. He was nearly 18 years old, lived outdoors, lived 9 lives over and over again and passed away in the spot where we commonly saw him basking in the sun. It feels cruel, to lose two of our pets within a week. I've painted Willy a couple of times through the years, no doubt I'll paint him again and again. Happy trails dear Willy.

"Four O Four"

16 x 8"

oil on masonite
sold

The upcoming group show at 16 Patton is all about landscapes - which does push me to paint what I normally don't on a larger scale. And I do think all of those little daily paintings of houses and more rural scenes prepared me for doing a better job here. Please come see it at the gallery in the fall months - it's a sweet painting in person.

From the Delaware countryside, off US Hwy 404, someone's little slice of heaven.

Please click here for a larger view.

Different Strokes from Different Folks

I kick-started a new blog today - a weekly call for entries to all the painters, drawers, etchers out there in our huge community of artists on the web. It was inspired by Mona Conner, who painted her own version of my dog Jack and mentioned there might be more pouring in from fellow painters. It really touched me and I'd like to make this our first challenge - to take my photograph, which will be posted every Wednesday, and run with it.

I want you to enjoy it, not sweat it. Take an hour, take five hours. Whatever you want. Turn the photo upside down and paint it. Crop it. Add, subtract, embellish or fade the colors. Jump in the waters. Don't be shy. We all need a little inspiration and it's interesting to see the same scene through different eyes.

And dozens of paintings of Jack would make me happy. I can't deny that.

"Somebody's Up"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

Also a soothing subject to paint - the quiet and still moments in the night. A row of beach cottages - one household seemingly asleep but with the porch light on for a late arrival - the other with an upstairs guest still up, maybe with a good book.

From Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

Solace

8 x 10"
nfs

Painting my sweet Jack today gave me solace. I know there are brighter days ahead, there always is. Thank all of you - for the emails, the comments left, the thoughts - all of it. You must know just how much it matters.

A larger view of this painting is here.

Our valiant Jack

Our brave, stoic Jack was put to sleep. I pour over the photos to keep the visual memories in my head as happy and healthy as he once was. He was always brave, always sweet, always laid back - a contrast to his big brother Petey, who is full of drama. It will be impossible not to see him around every corner - he had his chair, his bench, his couch and his own little bed in the studio.
He even had his own hiding place, under a maple tree, where he quietly watched the squirrels and chipmunks. He loved going for walks first thing in the morning, rain or shine, then promptly jumped up on his bench and fell fast asleep while we read the paper. He loved romping through the cemetery with his brother and my man - a male-bonding treat that happened most every day for eight years. He was a man's dog, happy to share a Sunday afternoon watching MotoGP in the den. He had one trick - just one - where he would give us a big stretch right before we put on his collar. He howled when he heard sirens in the distance, prompting a chorus of all dogs in a 1-mile radius.

I lost a dog ten years ago, I remember thinking he had been through the hardest times with me and it would have been unimaginable without him by my side. Jack has been with us through the best years of our lives - we're not done yet - he left too soon. But it was because of him that we've had such happy times and lots of laughs. Happy trails to our dear Jack.