"Reflections"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

One of the pleasures of painting is that it's an escape.  And that's what I needed, to concentrate on something else.   This is the sculpture "Cloud Gate" in Millennium Park in Chicago, locals call it 'The Bean'.  It was where I would meet up with my brother, Mike, whenever I was back in the city.  We marveled at it together many times in the past years.  It will always bring back good memories for me.

I also wanted to say to all who emailed and commented on my posting last week, about my brother's passing - every word meant something profound.  It lifted me up.  And I thank you all.  Mike's cat, Gizzmo, will be going home with a generous man who jumped at the chance.  A very meaningful ending to a difficult situation and I thank those who extended their help.

"The Bean V"

6 x 6"

oil on masonite

sold

On such a bright, beautiful day today, I chose to paint one of my favorite places in my favorite city, Chicago. Formally titled "Cloudgate", informally called "The Bean", here it reflects the wall of buildings along Michigan Avenue, with slight hints of visitors and the yellow umbrellas in the cafe in front of Millennium Park. It's a challenging subject to paint, relying on shapes and blocks of color that hopefully make sense in the end.

"Spit and Image"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

This is one of those moments captured - where I wonder if I can pull it off and how would it come across as brush strokes. Such a fun painting to do. A kid laying under the reflective sculpture "Cloudgate", a major attraction in Chicago's Millennium Park.

This new painting will be included in my July show at 16 Patton, in Asheville.

Please click here for a larger view.