Larger Work: A Boston Perspective

A Boston Perspective

36" x 24" x 2"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board
SOLD

Polo and I are getting ready for our show that opens this Friday at Gallery 9 in Norwood. I wanted to include at least one large piece so I chose this Boston view to try. These larger pieces are quite the undertaking and this view in particular was a perspective challenge to say the least. As I look at it now, I can see several things that still aren't quite right, but I'm hoping that it's still believable and unmistakably Boston. That was my goal. Can you identify the street corner that this painting captures?

This painting took several days to complete. I took this photo below after day 1 to show you the painting in process which I think is interesting to see.

I am always amazed at how much time the "finishing" work takes when preparing for a show. The varnishing, framing, wiring, signing, pricing, etc... Lots to think about and finalize, but come Friday-we'll be ready!

Shop til you drop

Newbury Street, Boston

18" x 24" x 2"

Oil on cradled board
SOLD

I finished up this painting while working at The Art Gallery at Patriot Place last Friday night. It was rainy and miserable out so it was really quiet, allowing a lot of uninterrupted time to paint. I plan to enter this painting into the Fall Member show at the Foxboro Art Association. The show will be hanging at the gallery throughout the month of October with a reception on October 8 from 2-4pm. Stop by and see all the wonderful art produced by this talented group.

Newbury Street-off to a good start

I worked on this large painting (18" by 24") of Newbury Street, Boston while working at The Art Gallery at Patriot Place this weekend. I'm excited about how it's coming along so far and anxious to get back to it. I think it's interesting to see see paintings in progress, and I will post the completed painting soon!

Back Bay Stepsisters

Back Bay Stepsisters

8" x 8" x 1.5"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board
SOLD

Another walk around Boston at lunchtime inspired this painting of these 3 lovely ladies on Marlborough Street.

Juried in at Zullo

Abstract Boston

9" by 12"

Oil with a palette knife
Now Available at 13 Forest Gallery

City Blocks

12" by 12"

Oil with a palette knife
SOLD

I am excited because it was announced that these two paintings were juried into the 17th Annual Exhibition at Zullo Gallery in Medfield. I showed some work in this show last year and I think it is such a great venue. I feel honored to be part of it again. I drop them off this weekend and then the opening reception is Saturday, September 24 from 7-9pm. Last year it was packed so I'm looking forward to it and hoping for good weather because they have great outside deck.

Boston Building Blocks

City Blocks

12" by 12" by 1.5"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled board
SOLD

Another Boston city scene, very familiar to me. I love the buildings, all so different, yet all interacting with one another. Fun fun, fun with windows galore.

Busy Back Bay

View from 500 Boylston

12" x 12" x 1.5"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled board
Available

We used to be able to see this view from the 5th floor of our office building. But now a new company moved in and took over this space. So I'm glad I captured this view with my camera before that happened. This is Boylston Street looking back towards Copley Square. I just can't seem to get away from painting windows. In fact, I seem to seek them out. Yikes.

The farmer's market is open for business

Flowers from the Farmer's Market

7" by 5"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas

There is a wonderful farmer's market in downtown Boston that is open every Tuesday and Friday during the summer and fall. I love to stroll down there at lunch time and see all of the beautiful vegetables, fruits, herbs, and especially the colorful flowers.

This painting above was done several years ago, but I'm recycling it here because it reminds me of summer and the farmer's market. Here are a few shots I took last summer that may inspire future paintings:

Inspirational student work

There is a wonderful student show at the Transportation Building in Boston right now. It's the Annual Scholastic Art Gold and Silver Key award winners. I took some photos of some of the pieces that caught my eye but overall I was so impressed.

This is a detail of a drawing by Anna Viccica. I loved how you could see the texture of the paper coming through. Exquisite.

There were several large self portraits from one school in Belmont which were fantastic. This wall held most of them. Hats off to this art teacher encouraging his/her students to work this large. I don't remember ever doing something this big in high school. And the technical skill was outstanding. Below are a few close ups of two of my favorites.

All media were eligible including photography, sculpture, digital art, and design.

I loved the artwork on this boot. Take a close look at the detail if you can. Amazing. It is so inspiring to see such wonderful art coming out of our high schools.

Opera House Makeover

Boston Opera House (revisited)

12" x 12" x .75"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled board
SOLD

I revisited this painting. Something was bothering me. There was no sky and I think it was making the painting feel too yellow and orange overall. You can see the earlier version by clicking here. I thought if I added a nice blue it might make the other colors pop more. It's always scary to do something like this because, what if you make it look worse? So no one is allowed to tell me you like the original painting better. Oh-alright, I can take it.

And finally...a chunky delicious close up.

Abstract Boston?

Boston from the Footbridge

9" x 12" x 1.5"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled board
SOLD

I thought the shapes in the reference photo I used for this painting had a very abstract feel and I tried to capture that in this painting.

Of course, I couldn't resist adding just a few windows. And I tried something new in the reddish building in the back. I scraped away the paint with the knife to create the feel of a row windows instead of painting them on top.

Boston Uncommon

Boston Uncommon
14" x 11" x .75"
Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist panel
SOLD

I finally was able to finish this painting that I started at the palette knife demo I did at the Blackstone Art Association late last year. My reference for this painting was a photo I took on one of my lunch time walks around Boston. It is one of the many interesting views you can see near Arlington and Boylston streets, right where the Public Gardens and the Boston Common come together. I'm not sure why I like this composition because in theory it violates the rules of good composition with the lamp post right in the middle and the Hancock Tower also centered at the top. But maybe that's also why I was attracted to it too. Sometimes you gotta break the rules right?

North End, Boston

North End, Boston
10" x 10" x 1.5"
Oil with a palette knife on cradled board
SOLD

This painting shows a scene from Boston's Italian neighborhood, the North End. I was trying to capture the flavor of the neighborhood with it's narrow streets, small doorways, and interesting architecture. In the summertime, you will see residents sitting out on the sidewalk enjoying the nice weather, talking to neighbors, while tourists stroll the narrow streets looking for just the right Italian restaurant to dine. You really can't go wrong with whichever one you choose!

This weekend, we rented the movie The Town, and one of the chase scenes takes place in the North End. It would really have been something to see them filming that because the streets are just not conducive to speeding cars and quick getaways. Only in the movies.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone. I hope you find the perfect place to dine with your loved one.

UPDATE March 2013 Cynthia at the Smiling Eggplant asked me if she could use this painting to advertise her North End tours. You can see the post with my painting by clicking here.

Opera House, Boston

Opera House, Boston

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board

12" x 12" x .75"
SOLD

I originally intended for this painting to be more abstract shapes and then found myself getting obsessed with painting the windows again. I took this reference photo looking down the Ave de Lafayette at The Boston Opera House (the white building) on Washington Street. Again, I was attracted to the juxtaposition of old and new Boston all sandwiched together.

We had a discussion in painting class about that triangle roof-I struggled with it's perspective in order to make it believable. What's interesting is that I was googling images of the Opera House this morning and found some earlier photos where this buidling had a different roof. Later photos showed scaffolding around this building so that must have been a recent update. Kind of strange that they added such a modern roof to an otherwise historic looking building. Do you think they were trying to make it blend it better with the brandy new building that popped up behind it?

The Littlest Bar, Province Street

The Littlest Bar, Province Street Boston

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board

14" x 11"
SOLD

You might be wondering about the emphasis of the bright red window in the bottom right of this painting. Well, that is what used to be "The Littlest Bar". This Irish Pub, truly the littlest bar you've ever seen, closed it's doors a few years ago, but I just read recently that they opened a newer, and not so little bar in the Financial District not too far from this original location. Here is a portion of an article about it closing its doors. I just noticed the that date of the article is also my birthday.

Polo and I visited the bar when it was still open at this location and it was quite a local experience. Let's just say, they know when you are "just visiting". My friend Kim told me that she had a first date at this place. One of the patrons made a comment about her curly hair which I won't repeat here, but I guess the date worked out ok because they just celebrated their 5th wedding anniversary.

When I took the photo I used for my reference, I peered into the window only to see stacks of boxes. The new owner is apparently using it for storage. The entire street has gone through quite a transformation. That building to the right of it is full of high rise condos. I so love the juxtaposition of old and new that you see all around Boston. I sure hope they come to their senses soon and do something interesting with this space. I mean, they gave it a fresh coat of bright red paint after all. I was glad to see they kept it intact.

Here is a close up of the only part of the painting that has people. You can see that it's only a few strokes that define the woman diners. I saved that part for last and had fun with it.

Juried in!

I recently entered these 3 paintings into a juried show for the Zullo Gallery Center for the Arts and I just found out today that they accepted all three! How exciting. Now I have to get busy doing the finish work for the show. Reception is September 25, from 7-9pm.

Half baked

I think it's interesting to see works in progress. I started this painting on Thursday and plan to finish it up this week, but in the mean time, I thought I would share it at this stage anyway. Why not, right? What I find interesting for my own introspection, is to see how I worked the top portion first (I think to completion) and left the bottom sketch alone. The bottom part includes people eating at an outdoor cafe and some flowers and landscaping. I think it will be a nice juxtaposition with the structural city buildings painted above.

The reference is a photo I took on one of my walks around Boston. When I post the final painting I'll share a little more about exactly where the photo was taken.

Another Boston city view

Boston Near the Finish Line

Oil with a palette knife on artist board

12" x 12"x 1.5"
SOLD

The finish line of the Boston Marathon that is. I've been taking some photos during my lunch hour and have discovered some interesting views of the city that are going to inspire some future paintings. I began this painting in class on Thursday and finished it up today. I think I'm getting obsessed with painting windows. The order and structure appeal to me in a weird way, even though with the palette knife, it's really not that all that straight and orderly. You may remember that I did this sketch for this painting a few weeks ago. It helps me compose the painting, study the photo, and do some editing ahead of time.

Ideas and works in progress

I started this painting last week...

It was inspired by this photo I took while in NYC walking on the new High Line, a great new park created from an old elevated rail line. I knew instantly that I wanted to paint it.
 I also knew I wanted to paint it in a square format, so I did this sketch first.
Then I had an idea. Since I seem to be fascinated with both NY and Boston city scenes, why not play up their rivalry and do paintings of similar scenes from both cities?

So, I then did this sketch from a photo I took while walking around Boston during my lunch hour. New York from the High Line vs. Boston from the Finish Line (think marathon). I actually sketched this while looking at the photo on my iPhone. Which sparked another idea...

I paint from photos that I take all the time. I usually print them out, but am always disappointed by how much vibrancy and detail is lost. So, what if Apple created an iPad app for artists where you could upload your photos, plug in the size canvas you're painting, zoom in, crop, even overlay gridlines if you want, and it would illuminate your photo for you as long as you are painting?  Of course you could get an accessory that clipped to your easel also. What do you think of my idea? 

Large Boston painting reveal

Looking up Berkeley Street III

Oil with a palette knife on 2" cradled board

36" x 24"
SOLD

This past week I took a couple of days off of work so I could have a two day self imposed painting marathon. Although I was completely fried by Friday night, it was worth it. I was able to finish this large painting I have been working on for awhile now, phew. As well as finishing up a few others that will appear in later posts.

I had previously posted several stages of this painting and this time I was hoping to get a better sense of the size of this painting when I photographed it. The one above is on the easel which kind of shows the scale, but then I recruited Polo and shot this one too. What a hoot. Here is my painting with a hat and legs.

And here is a detail.

And an abstract close up.

It's now ready for it's debut at our June 4 art reception and show.