2011

18x24

mixed media on paper

Remembering New Mexico

2011

24x18

mixed media on panel

2011

17x14

Acrylic on paper

April 3rd, 2011 opening at The Brush Gallery

Spring Begins

Fleur

2010

5x8

acrylic & graphite on rag board

Spring begins at 6:21 p.m. today, so here's something with a spring-like feel for you to enjoy.

Found Object Sculpture

Dancers

2011

8x21.5

found metal wire and wood

This piece was for an assignment for a class at Worcester Art Museum, in which we had to make a sculpture from found objects.

Of course the concept has been around forever, but I still like the simplicity of the resulting piece.

The line of the metal actually feels like one of my own gesture drawings. Maybe that's what attracted me to it in the first place.

For those who are curious, the wood base was also found and the holes in which the wire fits were pre-existing. The metal piece is a fragment from a cage that goes around the root ball of a tree.

Pebbles & Splash

2011

18x24

mixed media on paper

Pine

2011

17x14

acrylic on paper

more than just a two dimensional gal

I've been busy this winter with a couple of classes at Worcester Art Museum that deal with three dimensional art.

In this clay piece I was trying to make a hybrid of sorts between the classical sculptured female figure and the expressionistic manner in which I tend to draw the human form.

She is about 16" high.

When one door shuts, break the freakin' window

2011

14x17

mixed media on paper

I hate to let so much time go between posts, but it has been kind of a stressful time lately.

The space I rent to paint in, which gives this blog it's name, has become unbearable with lack of heat and general bad behavior by the greedy landlord. Hopefully, a resolution is not too far off.

Now, back to what matters: Art, or as we say here is Massachusetts, Ahhhht.

This subdued piece is one from another fine class with Christine Cross at Worcester Art Museum. It makes me think of windows in a building or a card game we played as kids, "Concentration".

2011 Massachusetts Artists Biennial

The Other Side of the Fence

2011

8x28

acrylic on panel

I recently got word that two pieces of mine (not this one) have been included in the 2011 Massachusetts Artists Biennial. The juror was Jen Mergel, senior curator of contemporary art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. I am really pleased to be included in what promises to be a wonderful exhibit at the Brush Gallery, Lowell, MA. I will post more information as the date draws closer, but if you just can't wait, visit http://www.thebrush.org/

Trees of Winter

2011

8x10

encaustic on panel

Still not really confident with encaustics, but I am having fun trying to get a handle on them. Okay, so, sometimes it is frustrating, but mostly it is fun.

model muse, woodland snooze

mixed media on paper

as of yet, untitled

2011

14x11

mixed media on paper

Members Juried II, Concord Art Association

Aggregate

2010

32x20

mixed media on paper

I am very pleased to announce that both of the mixed media pieces I submitted to Members Juried II at the Concord Art Association have been accepted by juror, Karen Hass, Curator of the Lane Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. This exhibit showcases photography, drawing, mixed media, graphics and crafts. If you are in the Concord, MA area, please drop by to see the show. CAA also makes their exhibits viewable online sometime shortly after the opening.

Show runs February 15-March 13, 2011

hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-4:30, Sunday noon-4

37 Lexington Rd., Concord, MA

978-371-2496

www.concordart.org

Opening Reception: Thursday, February 17, 2011 6-8 p.m.

Figure Painting

What Lies Ahead

2011

40x30

oil on canvas

A month ago a group of my artist compadres came over for an afternoon of figure painting. Our model, Katie was just wonderful! I think everyone enjoyed themselves; I know I did, which is not to say I didn't find it very challenging.

I've done quite a bit of figure drawing over the years, but not much figure painting . I think this is my second time ever (the last time being back in the mid-1980's. Yikes.)

Since our session, I have returned to worked on this a few times, but I think I am finally done messing around with it.

I have mixed feelings about the end result. I guess I thought I was going to approach this much more loosely, abstractly than I did. I will just have to try again, and this time, perhaps, I won't let 25 years pass between attempts!

For you local artists who might be in search of a fantastic model to work with:

http://katiemariemodel.weebly.com/

Exhibit at Goodnow Library

Untitled

2011

3.5x9

oil on canvas

Now through the end of February, 2011 I will have three paintings on display at the Goodnow Library, Sudbury Massachusetts.

This is a group show along with artists, George Hancin, Thomas Kellner, and Patricia Kelly. Together, we represent a broad spectrum of contemporary approaches to painting.

Gallery is open during regular library hours. Please check their website or call for more information.

http://sudbury.ma.us/departments/Library/news3275/

(978) 443-1035

Show of Hearts, 2011, Post Road Art Center

Tremble

2011

8"x3.75"

Encaustic on panel

This is one of four paintings I have donated to the annual breast cancer research fund raiser hosted by the Post Road Art Center in Marlborough, MA.

This is such a great event! You can view the show on line and bid by email, or if you are local, of course, you can do it in person.

All the works are small (read: affordable), unframed, and have a loosely interpreted connection to the theme of hearts, just in time for a fabulously original, no calorie, wilt-proof Valentine's Day gift!

All proceeds go to Art beCause a breast cancer research charity http://www.artbecause.org/

Show of Hearts runs just until February 10th, so don't dilly-dally!

Closing bid Party, February 10, 2011 5:30-8:00 p.m. (snow date Feb. 12)

1 Boston Post Road East, Marlborough, MA (508) 485-2580

http://www.postroadartcenter.com/

January Thaw

January Thaw

2011

30x40

oil on canvas

More work on Paper

Adolescence

2011

11x11

mixed media on paper

Katie

Katie

2011

13x10

graphite

Had a group of friends over to my studio to paint from a model, a very lovely young woman named Katie. I took a break from painting, and did this little sketch, which I am much more pleased with than the painting, at least so far. No telling what I will do with the painting! For any of you in the area, I really recommend this model. She is professional, creative, lovely and holds a pose flawlessly. http://katiemariemodel.weebly.com/

Princeton Portrait Group

Diana

2011

12x12

oil on canvas

Okay, so, I have no aspirations to become a "portrait painter", but I have been going to a weekly portrait painting group in Princeton, MA, hosted by the Princeton Art Society, because I think it is really important to keep returning to working from observation. Faces are so wonderful and challenging. I have painted with this group four times so far and this is the first painting I am happy enough with to post here. If you are interested in what the other artists in the group produced, visit their blog at http://princetonartssociety.blogspot.com/

Mixed Media

Making a Pearl

2011

25x35

mixed media on paper

More specifically, graphite, charcoal, conte crayon, and acrylic paint. You really need to click on this one to see it.

Another Dimension

We are All Bound

2010

17x17

mixed media with encaustic

Here is a recent experiment of mine with building out from the surface. It is such a new process for me that I'm not sure how I feel about it, but it was really fun to do. A big "Thank you" to Tracy Spadafora. She is a wonderfully talented encaustic artist (just about every piece of hers I look at I think, "man, I wish I made that!"), and a very patient teacher (I ask a boat-load of questions).

Concord Art Association, Members Juried I, 2011

Spring

2010

24x24

oil on canvas

I am pleased to say that my painting, Spring, was chosen by juror Nina Gara Bozinik of the Currier Museum of Art (Manchester, NH) to be included in the Concord Art Association's annual members' show of painting and sculpture. I heard, unofficially, that something like 400 pieces were submitted and 97 were accepted. If you are in the area, I do recommend stopping in to see the exhibit. There is usually a wide range of styles represented, all of a high caliber.

Show runs January 8-February 6, 2011

Tues.-Sat. 10-4:30, Sun. noon-4

Concord Art Association

37 Lexington Road

Concord, MA 01742

978-369-2496

http://concordart.org/

Blizzard Conditions Predicted

Endure

2010

24x18

oil on canvas

Abstracted Landscape

At the Park

2010

12x13.75

oil on canvas

My Favorite Four Letter Word.....

SOLD!

On the first day of the Holiday Originals show at Concord Art Association, my painting, "Red Bars" sold. Tomorrow (Sunday, December 5th), is the opening reception, and I will be bringing in this painting, which I am calling "Trio". It measures 8x6 and is oil pastel on panel.

Having your art, one's art, my art, sell is a funny thing. First of all, it is great. It is so very encouraging that some total stranger saw something I made and plunked down a wad o' cash so they could own it and look at it more. Come on, that's cool.

The second thing that happens is a little tug at the heart: oh, I'm going to miss my little red friend!

Then, the third thing that happens is insidious. Thoughts come barreling down, "Oh, They (whoever "they" are) liked that one. I will make More, just like It! And They will like it even more!"

Agh. The challenge is to remain true to one's own artistic exploration. We all are vulnerable to bending towards the warm light of praise, but an artist making art mustn't be a dog learning tricks: do the thing, get a treat, do the same thing, get the same treat, every time, time after time. We have to push on, follow the thread of our own inquiry, wherever it leads us, even if into unpopular terrain. What I mean to say, is that sincerity of heart and vision may be the most important lesson any artist, great or small, must grapple with.

This was my fifth painting to sell this year.

Now, get out there, whatever hemisphere, stratosphere, time zone, twilight zone, you find yourself in and buy some original art!

P.s.: I also have two small oil paintings available in the Miniature show running until December 30th at the Post Road Art Center. http://postroadartcenter.com/ The photo doesn't really show off the cool surface on these two. You've got to see them in the flesh!

An Original Gift

Concord Art Association will have two of my paintings in their Holiday Originals Exhibit & Sale. This still life as well as "Red Bars" (see blog entry from March 22, 2010) are both available for under $100.00.

This time of year lots of local groups and galleries make smaller scale pieces available for gift giving. I encourage you to get out to enjoy the shows and take the leap to buy a truly original gift for someone special.

Holiday Originals runs December 2nd through the 21st

open house December 5th 2-4 p.m.

Concord Art Association, 37 Lexington, Rd, Concord, MA

978-369-2578, http://concordart.org/

Green Vase with Flowers

2010

8.5x8.5

oil on canvas, framed

So November

Some things are just so very November.

In my part of the world, things can be very stark, grey, raw with increasing hours of darkness that catch you off guard. Nevertheless, the subdued tones and low, raking light is really beautiful, even if in a mournful way.

This is a painting of a rookery (where great blue heron nest) that I pass frequently. It is always haunting and stark, but even more so this time of year.

Rookery

2010

24x13

oil on panel

The wetlands in my area of Central Massachusetts get wildly colorful in the Fall. On bright, clear October days I just have to drink in all in before the expanse of grey that comes in November.

Bog, Autumn Colors

2010

30x40

oil on canvas

2010

16.75x12.5

oil on canvas

Bankside in Autumn

".....one day the sun shall shine more brightly than he has ever done, shall perchance shine into our minds and hearts and light up our whole lives with a great awakening light, as warm and serene and golden as on a bankside in autumn." Henry David Thoreau

Bankside in Autumn

2010

16x19

oil on paper

It Gets Deep Quick

2010

14x11

oil on panel

I'm getting more comfortable with those ooey-gooey R&F pigment sticks. Click on image for textural detail.

Still Life

Flower Pots, 1

2010

12x12

oil on canvas

I have never really been enthralled by still life as a subject matter, but a week of heavy rain during what was supposed to be a plein aire workshop culminated in this painting. I so enjoyed working with these terra cotta pots, that I imagine doing more paintings with them. Thanks to Jon Imber for a great week, despite the uncooperative weather!

2010 Abstract Show

Post Road Art Center,

2010 Abstract Show

Post Road Art Center, Marlborough,MA

October 4th-30th, 2010

opening reception Thursday, October 7th, 5:30-8 p.m.

Yellow Rhythm and Spring were selected by juror, Bob Collins of the Danforth Museum. Spring, pictured above, was awarded 3rd place prize.

Visit the gallery at 1 Boston Post Road, East in Marlborough or online at http://postroadartcenter.com/