"Girlie Magazine"

6 x 8"

oil on panel
sold

I took a break from a larger painting and enjoyed a looser, more painterly scene in the Art Institute of Chicago.  Edouard Manet's Woman Reading is in the company of other French Impressionists in a very popular gallery at the museum - frequently mixed up with Claude Monet, another famous Impressionist.

Woman Reading was painted in Manet's later years, a very quick-brushstroke, almost plein-aire quality of a young, modern woman taking a break at a cafe with a magazine and a beer.  If you're ever standing in front of this painting, look close, the brushstrokes are numerous and somewhat frantic - as if he was trying to capture the woman before she gets up and leaves the cafe.  And multi, multi, colors layered on top of other colors - the definition of Impressionism.  I tried my best to let loose - loving the form of the woman viewing the painting.

"At Ease"

4 x 4"

oil on panel
sold

After working pretty hard on a lot of detailed paintings, I was in need of letting loose with a few small, painterly pieces - no sketching out, just jumping right in.

And because the beach is on my brain ...  you'll see more coming up.

"Patience"

8 x 8"

oil on panel 
sold

The simple pleasure of finding a shady spot with a companion.

"Volumes"

4-1/4 x 12"

oil on panel
sold

I got a little carried away with this new addition to my series A to Z - an avid reader pouring thru the volumes in a bookstore in the Reading Terminal in Philadelphia.

I spent the entire day on this - chalk it up to a mellow, rainy day and having on a couple of excellent documentaries I highly recommend - The Other One, the Long Strange Trip of Bob Weir and Pete Seeger: The Power of Song.

"Retired"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

Ah...... the good life.

A new addition to my series A to Z - a man and his best friend enjoying the sun and sand and a good book on Hilton Head Island.

"The Day's News"

5 x 5"

oil on panel
sold

There is a place I like to go to fuel up before I hit the Art Institute of Chicago, just a few blocks from the front steps.  And it's always a great people-watching spot.

"Final Chapter"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold 

I often live vicariously through my paintings.

A woman enjoying the simple pleasure of reading a good book on the beach - from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Planted"

6 x 8"

oil on panel
sold

A young woman reading the city guide in a hotel lobby in Chicago.

"Warm Spot"

7 x 5"

oil on panel
sold

Another reminder of a simple pleasure in the warmth of the sun.

.... and to one of my favorite actors of all times - Philip Seymour Hoffman

Rest in Peace

"Book Club"

5 x 5"

oil on panel
sold

The surface you paint on can determine the outcome or effect.  Personally, I detest canvas.  I feel like I'm pushing the paint into the surface - it's like buttering a cold waffle.  So I prefer smooth, hard boards - like spreading warm butter on a warm pancake if you will.

I had this little panel I had painted black, but there was a bumpy texture, kinda sandpaper-like and I wanted that rougher texture for the steps and it worked out pretty well.

You certainly can't nit-pick with details and it kept me loose.  And I like that.

From Central Park in New York City on a summer day.

"Reading Up On"

7 x 8"

oil on panel
sold

I've been playing with this piece for a couple of days while watching multiple reruns of Cash Cab.  Obsessing really.  Sometimes I finish something and it's just too predictable, color-wise.  Bland.  So I mixed up some unexpected colors and played.  I like it now.  Time to start another one.

I spotted this young woman reading around Central Park, New York City.

 

"Cliffhanger"

8 x 8"

oil on masonite
sold

A gentleman finishing up the last chapter on the beach on Hilton Head Island.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Comfy"

12 x 9"
oil on masonite
sold

There are times when I can't seem to paint anything right - and I know it's because something is distracting my attention - laundry, errands, puppies and the like usually. So I just gave in for a few days and focused on my upcoming workshop in San Francisco. I made all my arrangements, worked on my hand-outs, did my laundry, ran my errands and played with the pups. Nothing like a clear head to get painting again.

This new painting feels so warm and comfy - a big chair, a hot cup of coffee and a good book. So nice.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Away From His Desk"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

Included in the upcoming group show in October, at the 16 Patton Gallery in Asheville, is this new painting - a gentleman sitting in the warm sunshine with a National Geographic.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Fully Booked"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

Part of my series ATL to NYC & Back - it was Monday morning, my first day teaching a workshop. Brett helped me set up and went on his way with his camera while I did my thing. This gentleman was spotted reading a good book on a stoop of a brownstone, somewhere in the Upper East Side of the city.

"The News in Black & White"

8 x 8"
oil on masonite
sold

Reporting in, from an unintended absence - I did take about a week off from painting, went on a road trip to visit family and oddly enough, I didn't go off with my camera. I just enjoyed the time with my favorite people. Haven't done that in a l-o-n-g time.

When I got home, I jumped right back into the studio ready to work. I painted a new piece, which has been set aside for the Charleston Art Auction in November, then proceeded to paint two failures. I worked them over and over, liked them, hated them again and put my brushes away and sulked. Yes, it happens to me too.

So...... I did paperwork, worked on the details for my November workshop, cleaned my house, did my laundry and all those other mundane chores until I was ready to paint again. And I failed. Again. Yes, it happens to me too. I could blame it on the heat index for frying my brain - although it's just plain normal to go through these times.

What I do know is, when you hit a plateau, change it up. So I worked with a more desaturated, value study if you will - using thick paint, palette knives and brushes and just went at it. Tomorrow I'll face it again.

On a more positive note, I was interviewed by Southwest Art Magazine, for a featured article coming up in their October issue. I'm so excited. I am clearly not a southwest-themed painter, they do include events and artists east of the Mississippi. How cool is that?

This new painting is a scene from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, an elegant woman relaxing with the daily newspaper in the sculpture gallery.

"Bench Warranted"

8 x 8"
oil on masonite

I've recently done 8 new paintings which will be included in a grouping along with a favorite artists of mine, Pam Ingalls - please stop in the Howard/Mandville Gallery during August if you're in the area. Pam is one of the artists who inspired me to get painting five or so years back - I'm really very proud to hang beside her. You can preview my new work here - most of these pieces will be up on the wall by August 1st.

This new painting will be included in the collection, a young woman benched and reading in Washington Square Park in Manhattan.

Please click here for a larger view and purchase information.

ps ....... I'm taking a real break and will be back to painting next weekend.

happy trails.......

"The Hunt for Red October"

8 x 8"

oil on masonite
sold

I've been getting used to painting on this orange-red ground. Just like with the black ground, I play with the edges showing slivers of what's beneath, and the red is powerful in that respect. Especially with skin. At the same time, I'm working on a spring show - most of the prep requires thinking too hard and not enought painting. But..... I did my first piece which is a bit larger than my usual - quite frankly, just to see if I could - and I love it. Can't wait for you to see it.

This new piece The Hunt for Red October is a scene from the beaches of Hilton Head Island - a man with a good book and his best friend patiently waiting for some playtime.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Out Break"

5 x 7"
oil on masonite
sold

From the sunny front steps of the National Portrait Museum in Washington DC.

"Blond"

12 x 3-5/8"
oil on masonite
sold

I'm back in the driver's seat - my Mac had to be rushed to the hospital and of course I am reminded of how vital this machine is to my existence. The good thing - I had no choice but to get caught up with long-neglected chores. And I've been helping out with plans for an upcoming 30th high school reunion. Yes, 30 years.

Since the summer is coming to an end, I squeezed in this new painting - a young lady enjoying a good book in the sunshine on the beach of Hilton Head Island.