Something New (to me)

2012
6x5
encaustic monotype










I probably should have waited until I got a better photo as the color is a little off, but I am just so excited by this medium & process!
I have only just begun to experiment with making monotypes with encaustic, and I am loving it.

Palette Scrapers

2012
5x7
oil








When I have paint left over on my palette I just can't throw it out.
 I would rather waste a small canvas than the paint.

After these "palette scrapers" dry, I go back into them and try to turn them into something.

This one reminds me of a small landscape my mother had of a man hoeing a field under a moody sky.  It was painted by her step-mother's uncle,  F.W. Jackson, a minor British painter active during the late 1880's and into the early 1900's.

Figure Abstraction

Yellow Beret
2012
10x8
oil




Okay, I know this painting is a little strange.  But I am posting it because it feels like a leap in progress towards my goal to work with the figure in a very abstract manner.

I am trying to hybridize my figurative work with my non-objective, abstract work.  It would seem simple enough, but it has proven to be challenging.

Cold Wax

Peril

2012

14x11

oil with cold wax

Here's my first experiment with cold wax medium with oil paint.

I am finding it interesting to work with.

It is a natural for me in that I tend to use knives and spatulas more than brushes and because I have a process that works both additively and subtractively.

I also like that the layers dry faster with the wax medium.

Nevertheless, I still have much to learn before I feel really comfortable with this medium.

Another try at Still Life

Three Glass Bottles

2012

24x24

oil

Here is another still life I did last month.

Perhaps it seems strange for me to make such a restrained painting, but it was a great experience for me to go about this is a very methodical fashion.

I feel like I learned a lot making it, and I do like the resulting image.

There are just enough quirky spots in it to keep it lively for me.

Portrait of a Woman in Red

2012

10x8

oil

This painting went through some pretty radical changes before I settled

on this rendition.

At one point, I used a piece of paper to lift off excess paint, and got an interesting monoprint. It won't last, though as it in oil on untreated paper.

13th Annual Roddy Competition

Golgotha

2012

36x36

oil

I am really pleased that this recent painting of mine has been selected by juror, Jen Mergel, Senior Curator of the Contemporary Collection at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts to be included in the 13th Annual Frances N. Roddy Competition at the Concord Art Association.

Frankly. I was a little uneasy about this painting, as religious imagery is not my "thing", but this was one of those paintings that just sort of emerged, and I felt confident in its strength.

What I was thinking about as I painted it was the persistence of brutality that humans inflict on one another.

Specifically, I was thinking about the current bloodshed in Syria.

Perhaps the image of the crucifixion is my way of hoping that something good can rise for the ashes of violence.

Show runs from September 13 through October 14th, 2012

opening reception Thursday, September 13th 6-8 p.m.

Concord Art Association

37 Lexington Rd., Concord, MA

978-369-2578 or http://concordart.org/ for hours and information

Painting out at West Hill Park

Marsh,

Late Summer

2012

18x24

oil

A group of us sporadically get together and attempt some plein air landscape painting.

On Labor Day, we met in Uxbridge, MA at West Hill Park & Dam .

It was a gorgeous summer day.

This was the result of my second painting. The first was too tight, as usual. I have since reworked it, and I think it might turn into something nice.

This one feels done. I'm not going to touch it!

A special thanks to George Hancin for organizing and hosting this time around.

Floating at Post Road Art Center

The Dream

2012

mixed media sculpture

Post Road Art Center

has a juried show with the theme "Floating"

I have done many pieces recently that would be suitable, but they are all too large. I ended up submitting The Sound of the Ocean (see July 28, 2012) and reworking this small sculpture.

It was so last minute that I didn't get the chance to photograph it. I grabbed this image off the Post Road website.

Both pieces have been accepted by the juror, Elizabeth Geller from DeCordova Museum.

Show runs until September 27, 2012 with a wine and cheese reception on September 6th, 2012 from 5:30-8:00 p.m.

Visit their website for more information.

Recent Plein Air Painting

Dunn State Park

2012

10x8

oil

Two weeks ago I went to Dunn State Park in Gardner to do some painting.

Honestly, I am much more comfortable painting in my studio, but somehow, on a lovely summer day, it just seems criminal not to head out with the paints.

My first attempt (not shown) was really tight and miserable.

I am more happy with this one.

As with nearly all my oil paintings, I used a combination of water mixable oils and R&F Pigment Sticks. Using the sticks helps me keep things loose and bold.

Recent Abstract

Suddenly in Flight

2012

15x45

oil

Figure Painting

Standing Woman with Shadow

2012

48x36

oil

The challenge here for me was to keep the fresh, loose feel on a larger scale.

Part of the issue is getting tools large enough (I use a lot of kitchen tools for this) and getting used to mixing large quantities of paint (and trying not to think about the expense).

A special thanks to Dominique, who did such a wonderful job modeling for me!

Still Life

Couple

2012

8x10

oil

I don't frequently make paintings of objects, but it can be a rewarding challenge to try to get mood and meaning across with such banal subject matter.

I had been remembering the quiet, contemplative works of Morandi, and feeling my own deep sense of security I have from being part of a well-matched couple.

Here is a good article about Morandi if you are unfamiliar or want a refresher.

So here's a question for you: Okay, this is a still life, because of the subject matter, but unlike most still life paintings, it was not painted from observation.

Does that change it somehow?

Is it now more of an abstract? a fantasy? a doodle?

Does it make it seem better or worse knowing that it came out of my head?

How many questions can I pepper you with before you scream?

as of yet, untitled

2012

24x24

oil

Mixed Media

Navy Man

2012

11x14

mixed media

Redhead with Sunflowers, no. 3

2012

10x8

oil

Here is the last of this series.

This one is my favorite of the bunch.

Landscape show

Pine

2012

8x10

oil

This was selected to be included in the

Landscape show at Post Road Art Center,

juried by Bob Collins of the Danforth.

Bob is an accomplished, prolific painter, and a generous teacher.

You can see his work at his site.

Wine and Cheese reception will be on

Thursday, August 9th, 2012 from 5:30-8 p.m.

Show will be up until August 29th.

1 Boston Post Road, East in Marlborough, MA

Visit their website for more details

Redhead with Sunflowers, no.2

2012

10x8

oil

Here is another one.

This was Bob Collin's favorite from the series.

Well, it was.

It had a little accident in transport.

While still totally wet, it slipped from my hand.

I caught it, but smeared the sunflower.

It was better before.

I might fool with it now that the surface is dry.

The thing about painting, oils in particular, there is no "going back" to fix things, you can only move forward, and hope the changes you make are for the better.

Just like life.

Redhead with Sunflowers, no.4

2012

10x8

oil

Here's one of the quick, little oils I did a couple weeks ago.

I have two more to show you.

Sound of the Ocean

Sound of the Ocean

2012

36x36

oil

I know, I thought I was done, too.

I promise, I'll stop.

Story of my life...

Square Peg, Round Hole

2012

11x14

acrylic

Detail

I got tired of looking at those figure paintings.

This is more like me!

If you click on the picture, I think you will be able to see that there is quite a bit of texture to this.

More Figure Painting

Redhead

with Sunflowers, no.1

2012

24x18

oil

Another fine Monday night painting class with Bob Collins at Post Road Art Center.

In a three hour session I whipped through four paintings (thanks for the extra canvas, Bob!).

This was the first and most belabored. I made some changes back at my studio when the paint had dried enough to get back into it. It looks a bit stiff to me, but I feel like I am starting to wrap my head around figure painting.

Soon I will post the others, which are smaller, more abstract, and really fun.

Thanks to Thea our fantastic model!

Finished piece

Man in the Yellow Chair

2012

24x18

oil

So, here this one is. Still representational, but with an expressionistic leaning.

I learned so much on this painting.

I am pleased with the end result.

Sound of the Ocean

2012

36x36

oil

I am ambivalent about this piece.

What do you think?

I don't know if the photo shows it, but the texture is pretty thick, which I like.

work in progress

figure painting in progress

24x18

oil

This makes me feel a little vulnerable, posting something I am still working on, but traffic here has been light,so now is the time!

I started this figure painting a few weeks back at the previously mentioned class at Post Road Art Center. It was much tighter. I am trying to take it somewhere more abstract, but still concerning the figure.

I love the figure painting of Nathan Oliviera from the 1960's (example below).

I want to study them more and try to absorb some of his boldness.

It takes enormous confidence in your knowledge of the figure and great conviction for your own painting language to do work like this. Someday......

Head of a Man

2012

14x10

oil

Last week I went to a terrific figure painting workshop led by Bob Collins at Post Road Art Center.

After working on a figure study, I started this portrait which I later finished at my studio.

I confess: I love faces, though I don't care a fig about likeness. Solve that one!

This painting is about the lusciousness of oil paint and the dignity of humanity.

I wish the photo had come out a little better. Maybe if you click on it, the texture will show.

Experimentation

With-Draw

2012

30.5 x 44

mixed media on paper

This is the result of an interactive process where I asked people to contribute descriptive words which I then withdrew from a box and drew/painted my response to each word.

It was a very challenging process for me, but I am pleased with the final piece.

If you are curious to see it as it evolved, visit http://stateofplayexhibit.blogspot.com/p/with-draw-interactive-piece-in-process.html

Happy Summer, Everyone!

Beach Day

2011

9x7

oil

Happy Solstice

7:09 p.m. EST

This is the last painting from last month's trip to Maine that I will post.

Reception to this little seascape abstraction has been cool, but I like it, so I'm posting it anyway.

I painted this at night in my room on the last night, hoping the sun would show its shy face the next day.

You know, like paint a bison on a cave wall the night before the big hunt.

Apparently, I am a lousy shaman. The sun did not appear until I reached Massachusetts the next afternoon.

Dangerous Art

Dangerous Art

2010

mixed media on paper

50x36

I am really pleased that this piece, which a did a couple years ago, has been accepted to the 77th Regional Exhibition of Art and Craft at the Fitchburg Art Museum.

I thought I might take a year off from this show, but when they posted that the jurors included Susan Stoops, head curator of the contemporary collection at the Worcester Art Museum and Dana Salvo of the Clark Gallery, Lincoln, Ma, I just had to submit some work.

This painting was built around a building demolition poster from the city of Fitchburg, so I thought it was a perfect fit. I'm glad they did, too.

Opening Reception Sunday June 24th, 1-3 p.m.

Show runs from June 24th-September 5th, 2012

More information at:

http://fitchburgartmuseum.org/

This show is in a museum, so there is an admission fee.

First Thursday of each month admission is free from 4-8 p.m.

Hope to see you there!

Pasture, Maine

Pasture

2012

14x11

oil

I was staying right on the beach.

Open the window and you can fall asleep to the sound of the waves.

So what do I do?

Paint farmland.

I never claimed I make any kind of sense.

Anyway, I'm cruising along Route 9 in Kennebunk(port? I don't know where I was) when suddenly, I look out the window, and I am in Ireland. Except for the fact that the sheep weren't spray painted, as they are there, you could swear you took one heck of a wrong turn and found yourself in County Kerry.

The grass was blooming this crazy orange color, and the whole scene was intoxicating. Too much for my landscape painting skills, really, but I had to give it a stab, anyway.

From Maine

Pine

2012

8x10

oil

The first of a few paintings I did on my trip to Maine.

We were a small group of painters and poets trying to find some "internal light" amidst a very gloomy few days.

This is clearly not a shore pine.

As it turns out, like this tree, I am more of an inland creature.

Gone Fishin'

With-Draw (detail)

an interactive, in-process piece

2012

mixed media on paper

I am heading off for a few days of painting in Maine.

Hopefully I will return with something interesting enough to post.

New Work

Wandering Mind

2012

18x80

acrylic on panel

This piece is in the current show at the Sprinkler Factory in Worcester, MA

We will be giving an artist talk this Sunday, May 20th from 2-3:30 p.m.

http://stateofplayexhibit.blogspot.com/

photo: Lynn Simmons

Discovering New England

I just got word that my painting, "The Fields at Utley Road" has been selected by juror Michael Giaquinto as one of just 32 landscape paintings for the show Discovering New England at Chabot Gallery, in Providence, Rhode Island.

Exhibition dates: May 15th - June 16th, 2012

Opening reception Thursday, May 17th 5-9 p.m.

for more information visit http://www.chabotgallery.com/

A Wonderful Evening

A few pictures from a really wonderful evening at the Sprinkler Factory.

Thank you to all our guests!

photos: Darrell Probst

Preparations Well Underway

Things are humming along at the Sprinkler Factory Gallery. Installation continues for our show, State of Play, opening Saturday night.

These are a few shots I took during today's very productive push to get the show up.