There are 3-4 of us who get together on Thursdays to paint a model. Kristen and Casadei have been our steady models for the past year, and we so appreciate their patience while we try to capture them on canvas. Casadei is leaving us for California and new adventures, and will be missed on Thursdays. But we wish her safe travels, happy times and a great life.
"Casadei" 16x12 oil on linen $925
Someone asked me if I ever painted the same thing twice, and I answered yes, sometimes. I've enjoyed the process of painting the subject so much that I know I'll revisit it sometime. I painted these ladies a few years back, and a friend now has it in her home. There was a point though that I thought I should leave it, but wanted to take it further in the process to see where it could go. And I loved the way it turned out. But, it has always been in my mind to stop at that abstract point. "High Kick" is the result. I also did it on primed board, a surface that I am really liking.
12x9 oil on linen. $750 framed in gray wood. Starting to think about paintings for Spoleto and here is one of my new pieces for the May show.
Carl Sandburg I believe.
We stayed out on Folly at Christmas and looking down the street with the fog rolling in inspired this piece. I had some other images from when I had the studio down on Broad street and combined them into this painting. It reminded me of many mornings going outside painting - waiting for the sun to come up and shine across the building tops.
24x24 on primed board SOLD
I love this time of year. I am painting for Southeastern Wildlife, and for Spoleto, so the studio is filled with blank canvases, panels, and new paintings. It's a time to experiment, get out of the box, change up my palette and just paint.
"The Filter of Light", 30x24 oil
"Le Tain Bleu" at Gard de Lyon, 30x36 $4500 framed
In the Spring when I went to Paris to see the babies, we took a train trip down to Marsaille and Provence. When you go to the train station, go up the stairs to the restaurant and be amazed!
I'm back painting again, and with the warm weather, the door is open, the cat strolls in and out, and I am happy. I think paintings show the mood you are in - and the one below is of memories of walking in Paris. All good.
Dusk in Paris, 30x24, framed $3200
12x9 oil painting of our model a couple of weeks ago. There are a few of us that get together on Tuesday morning to paint from a model. I love the company, the conversation, and some times come up with a decent little painting.
9x9 oil gallery wrapped. $375
Seems appropriate to post this painting, as I just returned from the Finger Lakes of New York, and horse country. I grew up in Geneseo, NY, a small town with big vistas and beautiful country side. My Mom is selling her house and I sorted, labeled and packed up her belongings, getting ready for the move. She is a trooper and has made it all so easy - something not everyone experiences when their parents are ready to start a new chapter of their lives.
I, on the other hand, have this small sense of loss. Not because of the home but for the land around it. I love the long fields of corn, the blue hills, and old barns in various degrees of decay. She will be living about 45 minutes away, so will still love to go back, get up in the morning, and go out and take pictures of the hills and valley. My two best friends from when we were little are still there, and I can go bunk up with them for a return trip, so all is not lost.
Meanwhile I am back in the saddle here at the studio packing up for a workshop. I have twelve eager students in Columbia, SC that are waiting for their two day workshop. I am very excited about the group and getting back to painting!
The weekend long event for the WPW show was just awe inspiring. Great artists, great paintings, - just inspirational people all around. The catalog that people have emailed me about is available, and is high quality, beautiful - not to be missed Just go to this link to order
24x36 oil . Gallery wrap frame
I'm back in the studio again - and back in the heat. It was a wonderful vacation in the FInger Lakes, with my Mom, good friends, boat rides on Conesus Lake and cool weather. One of my favorite nights was relaxing in Adirondack chairs at the top of Canandaigua Lake with old friends, watching hot air balloons float by, and sailboats trying to catch some wind. It was a great break - and both John and I were trying to figure out how to miss the plane so we could stay longer.
I just spent a wonderful week painting in the mountains of North Carolina. Great people, beautiful weather, delicious food, and hospitality that can't be beat. Being in the studio all the time, I so enjoy being outside painting and talking to people. I love the opportunity and the challenge of capturing the colors and light of my subjects en plein air (on location for all you non painters).
12x9 oil on panel
Doesn't look like I just had my cataract fixed, but this is the series I've wanted to work on for a couple of years after visiting Giverny, and Monet's Gardens. 18x18 oil on canvas
Let me know your thoughts.
It's been a long time since I painted out at Backmanns, and I forgot how much I liked painting there. Out painting with friends is such a joy!
11x14 oil
It's been a crazy, wonderful 17 days down at PIccolo Spoleto, and I will miss everyone down there (who will I have Happy Hour with at 4pm??). I work with an amazing group of artists and it's been great fun being with them and clients for 17 days. Lots of paintings have found new homes across the country (and Saudi Arabia and Switzerland) and I am so grateful to all.
I am also happy to have it over and get organized around here...then start on commissions.
The other nice thing - more than nice actually, is that I received the Figurative Honorable Mention Award at the Oil Painters of America 2014 National Exhibition at the Bennington Art Center, in Vermont. This is a huge honor to my work and I can not say in words what it means to me to not just receive the award, but to be selected for the show.
"The Commute" 40x30 oil
For the past week, I've been in a frenzy getting all the things done that need to be done for Piccolo Spoleto. Labels, postcards, books, framing, making sure i have all my essentials packed (sunscreen, corkscrew, screwdrivers, duct tape, etc) - all packed and ready to go down to Marion Square. The tent went up today, the weather was gorgeous, and tomorrow the real set-up with paintings. I love this part. The waiting part is hard, and now I get to hang all the new paintings for the show and see the clients, collectors and artist friends( that have been locked in their studios painting for the show also).
YEA - it's here!
Come see me at #78 near the Embassy Suites on Meeting Street - Starting Friday! MAY 23 - JUNE 8th Open everyday from 10-6
SOUTHERN BELLE 40x30
I loved painting these!
