Bridge over River in New Hampshire

This is the completed version of a painting I posted earlier. Among my many New Year's resolutions, I intend to paint more often and to improve my drawing skills in my Thursday morning portrait drawing classes. I resolve to devote Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to painting in the studio. I also resolve to spend more quality time with family and friends. I'm looking forward to 2012 and all the adventures and excitement ahead.
I wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year, filled with great art, great music and love.

Winter

Today I am sharing an older, popular painting of mine from 2009.

I will be going to NYC to visit some dear friends in a few weeks. I plan to photograph some urban winter landscapes (street and park scenes) for future paintings. Architecture, figures and faces of NYC could be a nice theme for the new year.

Let me know if any of you would recommend particular galleries or exhibitions I should visit while there.

Exploring the Beach on Horseback

Only during the late fall and winter can one see horses and their riders enjoying our local beach. It is always a magnificent sight.

Some old Tools

Old tools reflect old times when most things were made by hand with a labor of love. My oil paintings are also handmade with love and sometimes a lot of labor. As the year draws to a close it is time for remembering and honoring the past and opening ourselves to the wonders of the year ahead. Glance back, but look forward.

Christmas Tangerines

I so much enjoy painting these small still lifes. I saw this bowl of tangerines on my kitchen counter and felt compelled to take them upstairs to my studio before anyone should eat them. Still life painting involves very careful observation. I am currently taking a wonderful portrait drawing class to further develop my observation skills. Now, I find myself wanting to draw everyone I see...faces are so intriguing and beautiful.

Somewhere in New Hampshire

This is a work in progress. It isn't finished yet, but I wanted to post something for the day. I may post it again when completed or when re-painted on another canvas. It doesn't yet say what I want it to.

Thanksgiving Day 2011

It is Thanksgiving Day in America. A time to reflect on what we are truly grateful for. It is also a time to remember those who are unfortunate or in need and those loved ones who are far away (in time, or distance).

God's blessings on all and may love and understanding bring us together again and again.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Still Life with Brussel Sprouts - Happy Thanksgiving

These beautiful brussel sprouts on the vine just begged to be painted! I combined their natural beauty with a hand painted pitcher from the cupboard. The small bowl was added for extra balance.

Introducing my daughter, granddaughter, and me

Distant Clouds in Bhutan

Following a friend's suggestion, I am posting a painting that is still in progress. Most paintings take many days and many adjustments/changes before they are "done". It is also easy to "over-do" and lose the freshness and original concept for a painting while worrying about details. I invite suggestions about how "finished" this painting might be.
I regret that I don't have any further details or information from my friends who took this photo.

Summer Explorations in Maine

The image of a man and his dog on the rocks above the swirling surf near the Pemiquid Lighthouse, was the inspiration for this small painting. For the past two years I have wanted to paint from this photo that I took on our vacation in Maine. It will be on display and for sale at the upcoming art show fundraiser at the Lowell Boat Shop in Amesbury, MA (December 2 -4).

Above the Sea

This is a view I have painted before. I find a quiet heart and peace within me when near the ocean. I find the same prayerful mood when in the mountains. I wish that I could convey in my paintings the deep appreciation and love for the beautiful places and special people in my life. It is a goal.

Walking on the beach today, an exceptionally warm and sunny November day, I felt gratitude for all life's blessings.

Rocky Mountain Fun

October Afternoon on My Favorite Beach

Colorful skies above, ocean waves and sand make for a great Sunday afternoon walk. It was a time to celebrate nature's beauty, think things over and feel gratitude for one's life and loves. A beach is always a good place to visit when you need to be inspired or consoled. I tried to convey the peacefulness of this place on earth.

The Bass Player

I loved painting this from a black and white photo. Distilling the image and creating the colors brings a different kind of joy than what I feel when attempting to paint something exactly as I see it in a photo. It feels more like I "created" something new and that I am recreating myself as well. When life's many ups and downs challenge me, I take refuge in the process of painting. Memories of my daughter playing this bass accompanied me on this artistic journey. I would appreciate your thoughts and comments.

Warm Sunshine for Mother and Child Revised

Revised yesterday's painting. I'm still not content; I may have to work on this some more...

Warm Sunshine for Mother and Child

This is my second attempt to capture the intimate relationship of my daughter and granddaughter as they rock together in the warm sunshine. I chose to put the rocker outside with the distant marsh for background. It seems friendlier and more colorful than my earlier painting of them.
Upon seeing it on the screen, I realize that I need to "redo" the baby's face and head...it appears too small. Painting infants is very challenging. I will revise and improve this painting and post it again tomorrow. It is a work in progress!

That Loving Feeling

This is a painting of my daughter and her newborn getting to know each other. I tried to show the natural intimacy of the moment.

Lovers enjoying the clouds

This is a whimsical painting of two summer lovers having a picnic atop a hill. Lots of imagination. I love the dream like clouds above the couple.

Sunny

This is a self portrait from a photo of my trip to Honduras and Guatemala in 1978. Exploring a beach and village called Paradise, I felt the "wind beneath my wings" and my feet in touch with the earth.

Storm Coming

My latest painting has been a challenge. I still feel it may be unfinished and ask my artist friends for some constructive critique to help me "complete" this study of a dark storm over Essex. Any ideas or comments?

October Sunset

The skies in New England are awesome! This is from a photo I took on the coast of Maine. I painted it on a Hardwood panel rather than on linen or cotton canvas. I found that it was better to use soft haired brushes for this smooth surface. I like to experiment with different painting materials.

View from Echo Farm

This is "Echo Farm" revised after previous post. I think I have made some important improvements. I like it much better now. A sunny winter day in New Hampshire.

Echo Farm

This was a winter view from our house at Echo Farm, NH in 2002. I have wanted to paint this for many years.

After posting this, I see that I want to make some small changes....so, my next post will be a revision of this post.....stay tuned.

Broken and Abandoned

Intrigued by this abandoned property in Sonoma County, I took a picture back in 2006 with the intent to paint from this photo some day. My imagination tells me there is an unresolved mystery here.

Lake High in the Mountains

I started this painting some years ago and when it surfaced again this week, I decided to complete it (without any reference photo). I like the quiet but majestic mood of this scene.

Summer Garden Bouquet

This painting is an alla prima attempt to share the happiness these flowers from our garden bring me.
Have I succeeded?

Short Update

Summer is here. I have been working on several paintings, including a commission, and have selected a few of the smaller still lifes to post today. Stay tuned for more expressive landscapes and portraits soon. Happy Summer to all.

Pair of Pears with Lime

Preparing the Eggs

Good Evening!

Good Morning!

Old California Barn

The shadows and bright sun on this barn reminded me of California summers as a child playing make-believe in the old barn.

Potted Geranium

Our sweet geranium begged to be painted again this month.

Pink Dolly

Painting dolls is like painting both a portrait and a still life object. Paying particular attention to the soft edges and roundness of this lovely creation, I hoped to illustrate the warm cuddliness of this special doll.

The Start of Something Good

Garlic, Onions and Red Peppers are the beginning of many great tasting dishes. They are staples in our kitchen and always ready to serve as inspiration for dinner. I especially love the brilliant red color of peppers. I am back to doing small still life paintings after a month long break from painting.

Sausalito Houseboat (Modified this week)

Sometimes, in fact often, when a painting dries, I will see something that I'd like to change about the painting. Can anyone guess what I changed today on this one?

I'm getting ready for the Melrose Arts Festival this weekend (April 8 - 10). 48 Artists, including myself, will be displaying recent works for sale at a fun filled (music and food and art lovers) event. The location is: Melrose Memorial Hall, 590 Main St., Melrose, MA. Friday night is a preview party from 7 -9 with music by the Bruce Gertz Trio, with snacks and cash bar ($10 admission at the door).
Admission is FREE on Saturday (12-7) and Sunday (11-5).

Come join the fun and stop by my booth and say "Hello".
I hope to see you there. Sunny

Sausalito Houseboat

I painted this yesterday from a photo I took in Sausalito, CA, several years ago while visiting with dear friends, Phil and Karin. They have lived on a houseboat for more than 30 years in Sausalito. This is not their houseboat, but one whose colors attracted my eye.

Boats at Rest (Reworked)

Sacred Space

I painted this from a photo of the Abbaye de Pontigny kindly provided by the world traveling photographer, Robert Pyle.

Little Girl at the Beach

Old Oak by the Sea

The Wild Sky

Where Buffalo Roam

This is an impressionistic approach to a beautiful view of a river valley in Montana where the buffalo roam.

Spring in Lord Square

The dark sky, brilliant blossoms and lighted buildings were the inspiration for this painting. The high contrast makes it an exciting painting. There are tombstones in the distance.

Lightfilled Altar in the Abbey

I painted this from a photo titled "Enchanged Light, Abbaye du Thoronet, kindly provided by the world traveling photographer, Robert Pyle. I am grateful to Robert for the opportunity to "catch the light" on canvas.

Our Geranium Bloomed in February

After a long absence, I am back painting in preparation for several art shows this Spring. This painting was inspired by the brilliant red flowers in a flowerpot on the window ledge. Surrounded by piles of snow against the windowpane, these blossoms were a welcome reminder of summers past and future.

Tulips Looking for Spring

A New Year, and New Resolve. Paint and paint better, and paint some more. After a month long hiatus from painting, I am enjoying painting again. I am currently working on a large painting, but took time for a small still life yesterday. I have much to learn about painting flowers. Practice, practice...