Happy New Year

I'd like to wish you all a Happy New Year and thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and website.  I am grateful.

~ Cheers

"Leo"

5 x 5"

oil on panel
sold

This guy looked like a Leo to me.  Maybe he reminded me of Uncle Leo on Seinfeld.  Maybe a combination of several characters on Seinfeld.  Still, the best show on TV.

"Krystle"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

That sweet little blond tuft on her head reminded me of Krystle Carrington from Dynasty.  Another cow to make the afternoon fun.

"Violet"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

Hello to all - I trust you've enjoyed your holiday.  My aching back is healing nicely, thank you for your kind wishes.  I wanted to paint, I really did.  I squirted out my pizza pan palette of paint several times and nothing.  I don't know why.  My brain's been fried I guess.  To tell you the truth, it's nice to just chill in December for a change.  I spent most of my adult life as a picture framer and December was hell.   Now it's beautifully calm and I've enjoyed every minute of it.

My friend Neil Hollingsworth offered some photos of his to paint (thank you Neil) and I've been playing with cows.  Such great, natural sculptures - I'm in awe of them.  I'm doing more and I felt compelled to name each one, whatever comes to mind as I'm spending time with them.

This kicks off the first of many little studies I hope to get on with.  The juices are flowing again.  Yay.

A Debt of Gratitude

9 x 12"

oil on panel
sold

One of the best remedies I know, to climb out of sadness, is to do some good in this world - give to those in need.  And in memory of my dad, Johnny, I will donate 100% of the final sale price of my painting 'Couple's Therapy' to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home, a cancer hospice here in Atlanta.
The hospice operates solely on private donations and the patients and families are not charged for their care.  The Sisters of Our Lady took great care of my dad and my family during a very difficult time back in 1991 and I'm forever grateful.

"Double Dutch"

8 x 10"

oil on panel
sold

This evening the Morris & Whiteside Gallery in Hilton Head is hosting a Holiday Open House and my new paintings will be on exhibit along with Ken Auster's new work.  I'm unable to attend this time, week 2 of nursing a herniated disk, but I'd appreciate you visiting the gallery if you're in the area.  

Included in my grouping 'Met Life' - a woman seemingly engaging with 'Madame Joseph-Michel Ginous' by Vincent Van Gogh with his 'Sunflowers' to her left.

 detail

 Please click here for a larger view.

"Olitan of Art"

9 x 12"

oil on panel

When I'm considering a painting of a museum patron,  most of the time I'm either in love with the art itself or the people I observe.  Of course I love Rembrandt's masterpieces, but I adore this woman.  And her museum gift shop bag.  All of it really.

 detail

Included in my grouping 'Met Life' - a new collection now on view at the Morris & Whiteside Gallery.

Please click here for a larger view and purchase information.

"Visiting Annette"

12 x 12"

oil on panel
sold

I love Giacometti's work.   I grew up with his books around the house, torn pages from articles or magazines - my mom was a huge fan and played around with wood carvings and monoprints inspired by his work.  So I had to include a painting that honors Giacometti in my grouping 'Met Life'.

 detail

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"Green With Envy"

6 x 10"

oil on panel
sold

Included in my new show 'Met Life' - a woman viewing John White Alexander's 'Study in Black and Green' in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  

detail

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"Seafarer"

9 x 12"

oil on panel
sold

I remember this moment - I was looking at this painting in the Met, William Bradford's 'An Arctic Summer: Boring Thru the Pack in Melville Bay' when this guy walks right up to it and slings his jacket over his shoulder.  Never mind that you're blocking my view dude - you look like a young sailor standing on a pier.  Love that.

detail

This new painting will be included in my grouping 'Met Life', opening this Friday at the Morris & Whiteside Gallery in Hilton Head.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Art Lovers"

8 x 8"

oil on panel

sold

The last time I was at the Metropolitan Museum of Art I obsessed over the higher-floor view of the lobby, what they call the Great Hall.   Floods of humanity moving in and out as the wooden benches are almost always occupied with tired tourists.   Below is a screen shot of the Great Hall from Google Maps.  By the way, you can tour the entire museum with Street View.  

With this new painting, I zoomed in a bit more on a couple taking a break from touring the museum, I found their interlocking hands so sweet and the main inspiration for this painting.  This piece will be included in my grouping 'Met Life', opening this Friday at the Morris & Whiteside Gallery.

detail

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"Side Steps"

5 x 7"

oil on panel
sold

Included in my grouping 'Met Life' - a gentleman waiting out on the front steps of the Met, a favorite people-watching spot of mine.  The majority of my new paintings are tighter, this one started that way and veered towards a more textured play with an otherwise-boring wall and steps.  A cool, little painting.

Please click here for a larger view.