Artists on the DailyPaintworks

I recently joined the DailyPaintworks artists - and if you haven't visited the site, I suggest you get yourself a cup of coffee, sit back and browse the artwork of some really talented painters. The artist Carol Marine and her husband David have really worked hard at creating this site/community for artists like myself - it includes auctions, a blog, forums, challenges to take part in and a resource page that's all artists should check out. Let me add to that - if you're a buyer/collector of art, the DailyPaintworks is where you need to look. Hats off to David for devoting himself to building this site and I'm proud to be a part of it.

"Welcome To The Jungle"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

Maybe I'm distracted with the new pups - maybe it's just too hot. It's been tough getting a painting done that I like. Then I turned on a couple of old episodes of Columbo, and it just flowed. I should know by now that's what makes me tick, some good television going while I paint.

Anyways...... this new piece is part of my new series ATL to NYC & Back - our first glimpse of the Concrete Jungle as we arrived in the pouring rain.

"Going Grey"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

On with the road trip series ATL to NYC & Back - a late afternoon on our second day on the road, destination somewhere around Reading, Pennsylvania - really beautiful landscapes along the way. Despite the looming grey skies, the saturation of the landscape colors was even more stunning.

Being a guest on Blog Talk Radio today was fun, I faced my fear of talking live to a large audience, so there. Truthfully, the hosts, Leslie Saeta and Dreama Tolle Perry made it easy and I thank them for that. I really enjoyed it. If you missed the live broadcast, you can listen to the show here.

A couple of things to mention......

This Thursday, the 23rd, I'll be a guest on the Artists Helping Artists internet radio show - you can listen to Live Streaming starting at 12 noon EST.
Some other helpful information:
To listen live and ask a question - call 646-915-9243 and when you want to be heard, press #1 to be in the hosts queue.
To listen to the recorded show later or download via iTunes, click here.

The Sedona Arts Center has arranged a workshop for me and 19 students next spring in San Francisco - the dates are April 9-13, 2012, held at the Friends School of San Francisco. Please contact Vince Fazio to reserve your spot, there are 9 openings remaining. You can call the Sedona Arts Center at 888-954-4442. Thank you.

"Dirty Deed"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

Continuing down a Pennsylvania road on the way to Reading, a tractor kicks up some dirt as we pass by. A new addition to my series ATL to NYC & Back.

"Mockery"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite

A new painting that will arrive to the Howard/Mandville Gallery by mid-July, a young woman viewing 'Portrait of a Man, possibly Nicolaes Pietersz Duyst van Voorhout' by the Dutch artist Frans Hals - from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Please click here for a larger view and purchase information.

"Stor-All"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

A new painting in my series ATL to NYC & Back - an Amish family's farm around Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

"Tinted Window"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

Even a dismal day can inspire a painting. The second in my new series ATL to NYC & Back - an old mill house we spotted along the Lincoln Highway in Pennsylvania.

"The Grass is Greener"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

When I paint demos in my workshop, I get to do it fast and loose, which I love. I need that balance of both - working on the more-realized, detailed pieces and the come-what-may smaller ones. What I decided I'd do, as I'm sorting through close to 4,500 photos we took on our recent trip, is to paint a series of 6 x 6's of our adventures from start to finish - I'll call it ATL to NYC & Back.

Starting with the first couple of days on the road - driving east on the Lincoln Highway in Pennsylvania around Gettysburg, Lancaster, etc. This was a moment when the skies were dark and a storm was passing over, with a glimpse of blue skies above - yet the sun was shining on the green fields in the foreground. So beautiful.

Also wanted to let you know Zac & Joey have a new blog - a way for us to keep a diary of the two of them growing up. Please click here for your daily dose of cuteness.

"Sunbird"

8 x 10"
oil on masonite
sold

You may recognize this from the demo I painted on the first day in the recent workshop - I painted this study before I left for New York, intending to bring it with me and work it a bit more during class, but it was too wet to travel. Now that I'm back, I finished it and would like to offer it on auction.

This young man had been playing in the fountain in Washington Square Park and parked himself in the sun to dry off.

Puppy Update

I must show you all these ridiculously cute pups - relaxed after their swimming lesson.





Let me add.... if you're ever wary of adopting rescue/homeless dogs - these guys got an A+ from the vet. If you're compelled to adopt their siblings or parents (2-3 years old), I'd be happy to get you hooked up with the foster mom.

Road Trip & Workshop in NYC

I thought I'd blog during the road trip to New York City, during the workshop week - but there's only so much I could do in a day - the postings just would have to wait. So bear with me as I encapsulate it all in this one posting. Then it's time to get to painting.

Brett and I picked a route going north through Virginia and end up around Lancaster, Pennsylvania - it's a beautiful area I wanted to photograph again. But.... the weather wasn't cooperating, although it was a couple of days of Zen driving through small towns and enjoying the scenery.

Soon enough, the Zen disappeared as we drove into Manhattan, in the pouring down rain.

Didn't take but a minute to spot the Naked Cowboy entertaining the tourists in Times Square.

We finally settled into our home away from home, a rooftop apartment we rented, on the Upper West Side, with a stunning and ever-changing skyline I never tired of during our stay. Just amazing.

We spent the next several days exploring, marveling over the humanity everywhere.

All the chaos just melted away when you met up with a dog. They soften the rough edges of city life.

Once the sun broke out, we went to a flea market in Hell's Kitchen.....

...where we spotted the unofficial ambassador of the city.....



...then checked out the views from the High Line, a genius way to use an unused rail line.



Next thing we knew, we happened upon a Dancing Parade....



...which led us to Madison Square Park where this striking sculpture, Echo, by Jaume Plensa stood beautifully in the bright sunshine.



Nearby, the iconic Flatiron Building.....



.... then a stop at Eataly for some sweets.



After a day of rest, the first day of the workshop began, with
me doing a demo for my 17 students.




6 x 6"
sold

Then it was off to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for some photos. I've been watching HBO's series 'Game of Thrones', so I was diggin' the armor on exhibit.



The second day of the workshop was fantastic, the artists painted from my photograph I used for Monday's demo as well as their own photos they had taken in the city.......







This was my demo for Tuesday's class.


5 x 7"
sold

That evening, one of my generous students held a get-together at her place, which included this amazing view from her terrace. So cool.



Wednesday, we all painted in the morning and early afternoon, then hurried out into the bright sunshine for some photography. My demo was a New York dog I had met in Riverside Park.


6 x 6"
sold

In the afternoon we headed to Little Italy for a meatball sandwich and gelato....



.... then back to the apartment to watch the skyline light up as the sun went down.



Thursday's class was the longer day, I started with a demo of a mugshot....


4 x 4"
sold

...then invited my students to paint their own mugshot, the results really blew me away.
This artist was breaking in her new Paint On Tabletop Easel.



Later in the afternoon, I painted another demo for the hard-cores who stuck around.


6 x 6"
sold

The last day of the workshop went way too fast, I managed to get in
one more demo before we wrapped it up.


5 x 10"
sold

By Friday afternoon, all we could do was have our last meal at our favorite Greek place around the corner from the apartment and put our feet up. Nine full days in New York City was spectacular, my students were so great, so talented, so open. Vince Fazio, from the Sedona Arts Center, who facilitates my workshops, was incredibly helpful in class - so grateful for the opportunity. It was a fantastic experience for me.

The trip wasn't over just yet, Brett and I headed out of the city, with a stop at Rutt's Hut in Clifton, New Jersey, for a couple of hot dogs....




...then to his family's place where we were spoiled with great food and conversation and some needed rest. We had the quintessential Memorial Day holiday, visited Arlington National Cemetery .....

... and ended the day with blueberry-raspberry pie that was to-die-for.

Of course it's always wonderful to get back home - now we're enjoying our new puppies and getting back to painting and building easels.

Our New Pups

Yesterday was a big day ~ Brett and I adopted two brothers.
Meet Zac and Joey.

They are a mix of rat terrier and miniature pinscher - just as sweet as can be. We adopted them from the Little Nuggets Rescue, located in Snellville, Georgia - Lynne is one of the rescue 'moms' who has a lot of dogs that need a good home, including three brothers and sisters and the mom and dad of Zac & Joey. They're all gems. If you're considering a new dog, please check out their website Little Nuggets Rescue ~ Lynne would be grateful and can arrange for any dog to be transported to your location.

It's a happy time here :)

"Checked Out"

8 x 8"
oil on masonite
sold

Happy June to you - I thought this new painting was a great kick-off to summertime. A couple removed from real life and chilling out. Please click here for a larger view.

Well....... I fully intended to blog during my roadtrip and workshop - truth is, from day one, it was go-go-go and by the time I relaxed in the evenings, I was too pooped to pop. But I will tell you, New York was fabulous, the workshop was hugely successful and we finally arrived home just yesterday. Between Brett and myself, we took close to 5,000 photographs - which I'm loading as we speak. Lots to catch up on.

Promise, I'll get a new post up within a day or so, workshop photos, demo paintings and all.