Going Small

Texas Bluebonnets

I've been having fun with a challenge called The 100 Day Project (#the100dayproject on Instagram) where I'm supposed to do something everyday for 100 days. I decided to do 100 5x7s; mostly painting but any art form is acceptable

Christmas Commissions Part 2

 
I almost didn't take this commission because of the initial hurdles, but I sometimes enjoy the challenge.  The original photo was a very small 3x3 and the subject was even smaller.  When looking at the original, there was no way I could use it as a reference, but I took it home and scanned it at a high resolution.  I was surprised how much detail was revealed.  When doing portraits, you can get a good likeness without showing details.  It is all about capturing the shapes of shadows and highlights to reveal the features of the face.  So I jumped in feet first and will be dropping it off to the new owner today.

Three Paintings At Imperial Gallery

Our local Jerry's Artarama has created a great gallery opportuntiy for many artists.  Each month they adorn their walls with a diverse group of paintings from local artists.  They don't charge a fee for hanging, they don't take a commission and they provide refreshments for Open receptions, this month with live music!  

Thank you Jonathan and the team at Jerry's for your hard work and dedication to the "emerging" art community.

Painting for the Holidays

Green Apple and Pottery
SOLD

Green Apple and Copper
SOLD

 In the past couple of weeks I've been making lots of little paintings for two holiday shows.  These can be seen (and purchased) at the Wickford Art Association November 25 through December 19th.

Braeburn Apple and Silver

Orange and Blue Pot

Low Tide at Sunrise

Hydrangea Stem

Hydrangea Blossom
SOLD

Sailing on the Bay
SOLD

Holly and Ornament

Marsh Shadow

Single Wave

Joys and Sadness of Selling a Painting

Blue Beached Boat
SOLD 

Of course, I love it when someone enjoys one of my paintings enough to buy it for their home, but there are mixed emotions associated with a sale.  When so much time is spent getting a painting just right, it becomes an extension of your soul.  A part of me wants to share it with the world, but another part is sad to see it go.  When I meet the people who buy a painting, I’m often left with a longing to know them better (which sometimes happens over time).  I’m grateful to have talked with them and love seeing their happy faces when they hold the painting for the first time.  (Yea, a bit sappy, but that’s me.)

But sometimes, you don’t get to meet the buyer.  You don’t get to chat or to say “Thank You.” And there is a bit of a void.  I’ll occasionally wonder what it was that they fell in love with, where the painting is hanging and  will sometimes actually miss the painting like a lost friend.  I write this because I was just told one of my favorite paintings, “Blue Beached Boat”, just sold and I hope to someday meet its new owner.

How to feel productive, without really trying?

 Go find paintings you never finished!

Marble Canyon

Nankoweap Canyon

About two years ago I started learning how to paint with oils.  I used watercolors for many years and even then did not spend a lot of time painting.  When I started with oils, I used the paint much like I did watercolor paint; very thin.  I started painting some images from a whitewater rafting trip through the Grand Canyon, but put them aside.  I'm glad I did.  I've learned a lot in the last few years and I think these paintings are better than if I had finished them before.  In a few years, I may look back at these paintings and say "I could do better."  I finished these paintings, and two below, in record time.  It helps if you have 75% of the painting completed.

Blue Beached Boat
SOLD 

Boogie Board

NOTE:  A year later (2/21/12),  I looked at the two canyon paintings and thought about taking them out of the frame to make some improvements.  This is a good thing!  I've developed better painting skills over the past year.

Surviving Winter

Early Morning Marsh
SOLD

Race Point Dune Path
SOLD 

I've realized my choice of subject matter for the last few paintings is my subconscious longing for winter to end.  More snow is predicted for Monday, so this weekend I'll enjoy the sun (although cold and windy), build a fire, and paint more memories of last summer.

I suppose I could have painted snow scenes, because there was plenty to be found, but I like my little mental vacations.

I'm Not a Morning Person...

Scrub Pine
SOLD 

   but I will force myself to crawl out of bed at the crack of dawn for the right reasons.  Getting great reference photos is the best reason.  While visiting Provincetown, MA last summer, I was on the road before the sun came up.  Located at the tip of Cape Cod, this area is surrounded by ocean and light.

It rained the first three days of my trip, so I had to make the most of the little time left.  For me, early morning light is the most beautiful.  It always seems just a little softer than late afternoon light.  And you get some beautiful shadows.

Well, I finally got around to painting one of those special spots.

Little Shop of Wonders - Anything Goes

Shopping in general is not my favorite past time; I guess I didn’t inherit that shopping gene.  I love to I find the perfect gift, but it is not always easy.  During the holidays, I vacillate between spending the tremendous amount of time finding that perfect gift and just buying gift cards.  I loathe the crowds and traffic. 

There is one special place where I don’t mind spending time or money.  Anything Goes is a little gem in Rhode Island.  They sell hand-made, hand-crafted giftware, fine art, photography and so many one of a kind items.  The variety of products and designs are quite amazing.  They always have a cheery “Hello”, let you browse at your leisure but will tell you what is new in the shop (for repeat shoppers as myself).

Now I might be a little biased, as they also sell my smaller paintings.  From the perspective of an artist, they are the best gallery managers, too.

I encourage my local followers to check them out.  Not just for my work, but for the beautiful work of all the artists.  You might just finish all your shopping in one stop.  

Anything Goes

1161 Main Ave (Across from Crowne Plaza)
Warwick, RI 02886
401-773-7776

More Mini Masterpieces

Beached Canoes
SOLD 

Sunset Glow

I've been painting a lot more "minis" lately, for a number of reasons:  1) I'm taking classes at Rhode Island School of Design and there isn't much time left after homework, 2) they help me work out some color and designs that will help should I want to do a larger scale painting, 3) I love that feeling of accomplishment when and painting is done, 4) I can try different techniques and not have to scrape down the painting if it fails and 5) with tough economic times, more people can have original art hanging on their walls.

Here are some paintings that I'll explore on a larger scale.  I've already made notes as to what I'll do differently next time.  If you are interested in purchasing one of these mini-masterpieces, send me a note.

Late Day Sparkles
SOLD