"The Red Queen's Tarts"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

I'm not quite back in the driver's seat, my beloved Mac should come home tomorrow. It's been an agonizing 10 days without it, I liken it to having all the ingredients for a cake and no oven to bake it in. My Mac contains programs that I don't have anywhere else, including Photoshop, which enables me to get the most accurate image of my paintings. That's a big thing - the presentation matters. You can paint 100's of pieces and it doesn't mean squat if you can't present it well.

I do have a laptop.... but the Photoshop Express version I had wasn't cutting it. I took a gamble and upgraded to version 9, and for those out there who need a good photo editing program and can't afford the full version of Photoshop CS, this does the trick. Now I'm able to post an image that I know is right.

About the latest, I continue on with my series ATL to NYC & Back - after we left Madison Square Park, where we petted lots of happy dogs (which will be a series included in my upcoming October show) we went into Eataly, a mega-gourmet foods market. It was dazzling to the senses, I loved that place. These artful, sweet desserts were on display in the bakery. Brett suggested the title, he had just watched Alice in Wonderland, and I thought it was perfect.

Forced Break

My Mac is in the hospital, the one I use from sunup to sundown, the one I use to paint from. Yikes. At first, it forced me to clean the house, clean the studio, take care of things I avoid. Now I'm just frustrated and waiting.

Still waiting........ no Photoshop to show you my latest. This all is driving me nuts. I'm painting from my iPad and laptop - not as blissful as working from my big screen, but it'll do for now.

"Head of Parks & Recreation"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

Today I loosened up with a fun piece - and continuing on with my series ATL to NYC & Back, we left the High Line, made our way through the chaos of a parade and headed to Madison Square Park for some peace. I love that park. It's filled with happy dogs and a great people-watching stop. I had read about this new installation, commissioned for Madison Square Park, by the Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa titled 'Echo' - in person, it's just delightful.

"Girl Watching"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

The High Line is so very cool, an oasis of sorts, a moment of Zen in the big city of New York. I loved the street and sidewalk views from above - this was, I think, looking down onto Little West 12th Street.

I totally intended to get a quick, loose painting done this morning and tackle a larger piece for an upcoming show - didn't happen. I got caught up in the straight lines and cool shadows and shot the whole day working on this. My favorite part is the color combination of the green/blues and warm greys. I'm happy. And I'm adding this new painting to my series ATL to NYC & Back.

"Calorie Counter"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

There's dozens of paintings I've done in the past particularly because I didn't think I could pull it off. This is one of them. After we left the flea market in Hell's Kitchen, we hit the Chelsea Market, wanting to end up on the High Line while the sun was shining. There's an easy entrance on the back end of the market, for those who don't know.

I liked the Chelsea Market, the building's interior was nicely preserved - photography was nearly impossible because it was quite dark inside - these young women caught my eye, working the counter at L'Arte del Gelato, nice ambiance. And the gelato was great. This new painting is included in my series ATL to NYC & Back.

"Shopping for Fleas"

5 x 10"
oil on masonite
sold

I've spent the last five days working on paintings for an upcoming show in October - one took me two days, the other three. Yikes. So unlike me. Time to take a break and loosen up - and continuing on with my series ATL to NYC & Back - a woman I spotted at our first stop on that bright, sunny, Saturday morning - at a flea market in Hell's Kitchen.

New Tabletop Easels Available

Brett has 3 brand-new Tabletop Easels available - click here to purchase one for yourself. For more photos and info, click here. If you'd like to hear what other artists say about their Tabletop Easels, click here.

~ Thank you

"Hightailing It"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

Onward with my series ATL to NYC & Back - it was Saturday morning when we awoke to sunshine and quickly got up and at it. As we stepped out into the real world, it was if all of New York City was coming out of hibernation - their first real, sunny, warm day had finally arrived. The dogs looked happier, the bicycle wheels were rolling and we followed the parade to Riverside Park for a morning walk.

"Shower Stall"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

Continuing on with my series ATL to NYC & Back - the rain returned on Friday, day 2 in New York, which forced us to catch up on some well-needed rest. We ventured out once in the
afternoon, a brisk walk in the pouring rain to pick up groceries at Zabar's on Broadway - where I spotted this little girl pausing at the crosswalk.

"Homeward Bound"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

Nearing the end of our first full day in Manhattan, we explored Grand Central Terminal for a while - I stood at this high spot for a good, long time squinting at the steady stream of people pouring in - thinking of how I could paint this scene. Lots of movement, ambiance - I really love the way this turned out and I'm adding it to my series ATL to NYC & Back. Gives me courage to tackle a larger version, from the center floor in the station.

"Mass Transit"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

There's no place like New York City when it comes to the massive amounts of people on the sidewalks and streets. Put yourself around Grand Central Terminal and you're likely to get run over by the hordes of commuters - this was at the crosswalk on 42nd Street & Madison Avenue, an addition to my series ATL to NYC & Back.

Zac & Joey

6 x 6"
nfs

No doubt, one of many paintings of our pups, Zac & Joey. They're doing great and they have their own blog, if you haven't heard.

"Down Under"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

When cranking out a good painting doesn't come easy, I look at others art. Often it frees the mind. Often I realize I've been trying too hard. Even on these quick, smaller pieces - I can labor over them although the intent is to loosen up. So I took a long look at, my friend and fellow painter, Carol Marine's recent work - reminding me to lay down quick, deliberate brush strokes and not to sweat the details. Yes, I too, have to be reminded.

Continuing on with my series ATL to NYC & Back, after the Boat Pond, we jumped in a cab and headed to Bryant Park for some people-watching, only to find it was a mess from the long spell of rain. Wondering what direction to take next, I found some interest in the people descending into the subway station, at the corner of 42nd & 6th. I never really 'saw a painting in my head' at this spot, but turns out I love this piece. A good reminder to keep shooting pictures no matter where you are.

"Sailor Man"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

The gentleman who wrote to me recently, about his boyhood hobby of sailing these cool pond boats in the Conservatory Water in Central Park (otherwise known as the Boat Pond), inspired me to paint this new piece - an addition to my series ATL to NYC & Back. Just goes to show, simple pleasures are the best.

"Standstill"

8 x 10"
oil on masonite
sold

A new painting taken from the Metropolitan Museum of Art - a young lady stands before Jean Honore Fragonard's two portraits of the pampered - 'The Two Sisters' on the right and "Portrait of a Woman with a Dog' on the left. Of course I like that one, it includes a dog.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Treed Tops"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

If you're a painter and want to loosen up, I suggest tackling buildings - unless you want to include every single window, you find a way to get the point across but not get too nit-picky. It's a challenge. The same goes for trees. It's an impressionistic 'glimpse', I don't think the details really matter.

This view is from Central Park's Conservatory Water (is that right?), a moment of Zen as we walked around 5th Avenue on our first full day in the city. I particularly loved seeing the rooftop trees around New York. Nice, surprising sprouts of green. This painting is included in my series ATL to NYC & Back.

a little info......a nice man from New York wrote me to say, "what you painted is what we old New Yorker's call the 'boat pond'. Growing up... the Boat Pond was a very important part of this kid's life starting with E.B. White's 'Stuart Little'. " This gentleman is still building and repairing pond model boats - how cool is that? The morning we were there, more than a few kids were steering those little sailboats, just like old times. Thanks for the info Mike.

"Sun Block"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

I really like this piece. I typically avoid busy compositions, too many people in one space - but the abstract-like blocks and lines of color, surprisingly, seemed to contain it all, in a cool way. This new painting is an addition to my new series ATL to NYC & Back.

"Security Lapse"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

Some of the best people-watching can be found in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, like this museum security guard taking a break out in the sunshine - an addition to my series ATL to NYC & Back.

"The Patriot"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

Adding to my series ATL to NYC & Back - it was Thursday, our first full day in the city, the rain had finally given way to a slightly sunny morning. We headed to where my workshop was to take place, around 89th & 5th, fueled up with breakfast, then walked to the Metropolitan Museum of Art - a goldmine of people-watching inside and outside. I spotted this sharp-dressed man in his red, white and blue, resting on a bench along the front of the museum.

My Good Friend Neil Hollingsworth

Coke Classic
by Neil Hollingsworth

It's the weekend, Zac & Joey turned 3 months old, my guy Brett has a birthday and I'm taking a few days off from painting and court TV. It's time to celebrate.

My good friend, Neil Hollingsworth, just emailed from Maine - he and his wife, Karen, are up in the New England area to attend Neil's solo show - opening tomorrow evening at the Tree's Place Gallery in Orleans, Massachusetts. If you're able, please go see his work in person - it's absolutely breathtaking.

the Paint On AlterEasel

I also just heard from an artist who recently bought Brett's Tabletop Easel - NJ wrote 'I just wanted to tell you that I LOVE this easel. Best investment I have made in my art in quite a while, and I now use it daily! It is exactly what I needed before I even knew what I wanted!!!'
Paint on NJ, and thank you for letting us know.

You can read more testimonials here - additional photos and details for the Tabletop Easel and the AlterEasel can be found here. Right now, we have 1 brand new AlterEasel available - the Tabletop Easels are temporarily SOLD OUT.

Have a great weekend ~

"Twilights"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

New in my series ATL to NYC & Back - on the first evening in our home-away-from-home, a stunning view from our own rooftop terrace. We stayed in the Upper West Side, around 93rd and Broadway - surrounded by towering apartment buildings. The rain turned into a mist, I stood transfixed at this view, noticing the different lighting in each and every window - certainly an inspiration for any artist. Just beautiful.

"A Sunday With Georges"

12 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

I'd been working on this piece for several days - the painting within, Georges Seurat's 'A Sunday on La Grande Jatte', is sooooo complex, sooooo detailed - I have to go slow. I have to pay attention to everything Seurat methodically included. It's an amazing work of art.

To quote my favorite art critic, Sister Wendy, "Seurat spent two years painting this picture, concentrating painstakingly on the landscape of the park before focusing on the people: always their shapes, never their personalities. Individuals did not interest him, only their formal elegance. There is no untidiness in Seurat: all is beautifully balanced. The park was quite a noisy place: a man blows his bugle, children run around, there are dogs. Yet the impression we receive is of silence, of control, of nothing disordered. Even if the people in the park are pairs or groups, they seem alone in their concision of form - alone but not lonely. No figure encroaches on another's space: all coexist in peace."

Please click here for a larger view.

Wishing you a Happy 4th ~

"Life In The Fast Lane"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

Part of my new series ATL to NYC & Back - a guy walking briskly by an advertisement, in the rain, on the sidewalks of Manhattan.

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.