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/

2010

oil on panel

9x7

Summers at the Lake

Summers at the Lake

2010

11x12.5

oil stick on panel

2010

40 x 26

mixed media on paper

Plein Air Group to Millers River

sun bright

air warm

river low

rocks captivating

company stimulating

food plentiful

hosts generous

Thank you Tom & Lynne for a perfect day!

Millers River, Late Summer

2010

8x10

oil pastel on board

Expressive Drawing and Painting class at WAM

I don't usually post class assignments, but I really enjoyed many of the pieces that resulted from a class I took at Worcester Art Museum. This came out of "Expressive Drawing and Painting" with Patti Kelly. As always, click on image for detail.

24 x 36

Mixed media on paper

currently untitled

2010

7.5 x 10.5

acrylic on rag board

Comet Pond

2010

12x12

acrylic on canvas

the second one

This is the second piece to which I referred (see last entry). It seems, if I insert two images in the same blog entry, you can only click on the first one to see the full-sized file. So here it is, click away!

en plein (and really hot) air

In the midst of a heat wave, I went out with two friends, wonderful (patient) teachers, gifted artists, Randy Le Sage and George Hancin, to paint "en plein air" at Moore State Park, Paxton, MA. In was meltingly hot. The deer flies were in attack mode. Perfectly charming. I did the first piece in oil pastel and then later that evening (in air conditioned comfort) did the second one in acrylic. I didn't set out to recreate the scene, it just kind of crept back to me.

Painting Again!

Finally! I've made the time to paint again. I don't mind taking a break , but that felt like waaaay too long. This week my classes at Worcester Art Museum started up again. This is a short session, but I've got three interesting, complementary courses with three really fine teachers. This is a wee little thing I made in my painting class with Christine Cross. It measures 8" x 5" and is made from acrylic & graphite on rag board.

Taking Fitchburg by Storm

So, maybe I am guilty of a little hyperbole, but I will have pieces in three simultaneous shows in Fitchburg, MA (clearly the next Williamsburg). The previously mentioned juried show at Rollstone Studios, a new piece accepted into the Regional Exhibition at the Fitchburg Museum of Art, and another new piece will be exhibited in "Salon des Refuses Deux", Design at 639.

Here are the details:

Design at 639, 639 Main St., Fitchburg, MA http://www.designat639.com/

978-345-3639

Show runs July 18-September 5

Opening July 18, hours 6-8p.m.

Fitchburg Art Museum, 75th Regional Exhibition of Art & Craft

http://www.fitchburgartmuseum.org/

Show runs June 27- September 5

Opening reception June 27, 1-3 p.m.

Rollstone Studios, NatureWorks

http://rollstoneartists.com/

978-348-2781

Show runs June 17- August 22

Opening reception June 26 1-3 p.m.

NatureWorks at Rollstone Studios & Gallery

Three of my paintings have been juried into NatureWorks, a show of art and high quality craft inspired by nature, at Rollstone studios & Gallery in Fitchburg, MA.

Show runs June 17- August 22, 2010

Opening reception is Saturday, June 26, 1-3 p.m. For more information:

http://rollstoneartists.com/

A Place to Rest My Head, one of my three pieces in this upcoming show.

Aggregate

2010

32x20

mixed media on paper

Spring

2010

24x24

oil on canvass

Germination

2010

30x22

charcoal & graphite on paper

Hills, Late Winter

2010

5x7, oil on panel

Yellow Rhythm, 2010, 12x12. oil on canvas

Along the same lines...

2009, oil pastel on panel, 5x7