From the family album

Sorority Sisters, 1955

16" x 16" x 1.5"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board
NFS

I've missed painting these scenes from old family photos. This one was inspired by a black and white image of my mother's sorority sisters. It was fun to imagine what the colors of their outfits would be, or what I think they should be.

I also researched the car, a 1955 Ford Fairlane Sunliner, because I wanted to pick a color that would be true to that era. Here are a couple photos I found at almost the exact same angle:

I've been trolling through our family's photo albums and have found many more inspirational images. I feel a series coming on.

NEW Red Inn from the Sea

The Red Inn from the Sea

12" x 36" x 2"

Oil with a palette knife on Ampersand Gessobord

SOLD

Another great view of this beautiful place in Provincetown on Cape Cod-the red inn. It has found a new home in Los Angeles purchased by a couple that were married at the inn back in 2007. They saw my painting on Facebook and wanted it to celebrate their upcoming anniversary.

Here is a photo of the painting on my work desk, just after it was completed.

And here is a photo of me getting ready to wrap the painting up for shipping. I’m showing my feet for scale so you get a better sense of the size of the painting.

NEW Pet portrait commission

Rex

9" x 12" x 1.5"
Oil with a palette knife of cradled panel board

Rex's owners sent me some wonderful photos of their beloved yellow lab. I was drawn to this one of him enjoying a day out on the water with the Boston skyline in the background. They said "It is beautiful, you really did capture the spirit of Rex." That is the best thing for an artist to hear. I hope that they can look at the painting and it will help a little bit when they miss him.

NEW Commercial Street in Provincetown painting

Busy Commercial Street

18" x 24"

Oil with a palette knife on Ampersand Gessobord

SOLD

I had painted a smaller version of this painting last year and decided to try my hand at a larger version this year. It was fun to get a little more detail in the people and buildings at this larger size. 

I decided the best approach to painting this scene was from top to bottom and took some photos along the way after each session. You can see my sketch and usual orange toned background. Lots of the orange is peeking through at the end which I enjoy.

This painting will be available at the red inn in June once it's dry.

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Finished!

Meet Ozzy : : a new pet portrait commission

Ozzy

8" x 8"

Oil with a palette knife on board

This portrait was done for the highest bidder of a pet portrait commission I submitted for the silent auction event we held for Doug Flutie Foundation for Autism at the Artists Studio & Gallery at Patriot Place. Kathy was the lucky winner and she was excited to have a portrait painted of her cute dog, Ozzy.

Ruff!

A collection from a collector

My friend Haydi recently hired an interior decorator to help her redo her place, and the decorator decided to group her collection of Gorbett paintings together in the entrance hallway. I love when people send me photos of my art in their home. I think they look great together.

Cap'n Jacks Wharf small panorama

Cap'n Jack's Wharf panorama

8" x 24" x 2"

Oil with a palette knife on Ampersand Gessobord
SOLD

I painted a larger version of this view before which you can see by clicking here. I love this view of this iconic Provincetown place. I've also always wanted to paint this view closer to night time when the year round colorful Christmas lights are on. So fun.

Entering Cap'n Jack's Wharf

Entering Cap'n Jack's Wharf

10" x 8"

Oil with a palette knife on Ampersand Gessobord
SOLD

This is another painting that was available for sale at the red inn in Provincetown. This is the view from the street of the entrance to Cap'n Jack's Wharf. I've always wanted to stay here, perhaps someday soon!

The Lobster Pot

The Lobster Pot

10" x 8"

Oil with a palette knife on Ampersand Gessobord
SOLD

This is popular and an iconic restaurant in Provincetown, The Lobster Pot has delicious seafood and an incredible dining room that overlooks the water.

Some close ups of my painting that show the detailed palette knife strokes:

Cliffhanger

Cliffhanger

11" x 14"

Oil with a palette knife on Ampersand Gessobord

SOLD

I painted this while working at the Artists Studio & Gallery at Patriot Place. It is from a photo I took while on Nantucket where there are several houses living on the edge. They are attempting to do some beach and dune erosion prevention by installing what they call Geotubes. Let's hope it works for this poor house!

This little visitor to the gallery wanted to see my painting closer so he hopped up on my chair to get a better look.

Entering Provincetown for the 2018 season

Entering Provincetown 2018

16" x 16" x 2"

Oil with a palette knife on Ampersand Gessobord
SOLD

It's that time of year when Polo and I make our way down to the tip of Cape Cod with a car full of new paintings for the red inn in Provincetown. And this iconic sign is the first indication that you are almost there! I'll be posting some additional paintings over the next few weeks that will also be on display at the inn for the 2018 season. Summer is almost here and I can't wait.

Bootanical

Bootanical

Approx 10" x 8" by 4"

Rhododendron leaves, Israeli Ruscus leaves, dried rose petals, baby's breathe, bark, pine needles, coco liner

I entered this into a floral show at the Attleboro Arts Museum called "One Small Step". The challenge was to create a shoe made from all natural materials,  This was so much fun to make and I collected most of these things from our yard, except for the rose petals, baby's breathe, and Israeli Ruscus leaves which were dried from a beautiful bouquet my husband gave me for Valentines Day (awe!)

While thinking of what I wanted my shoe to look like, I stumbled upon the works of Franciose Weeks, an artist from Portland, Oregon. She does amazing botanical couture-everything from jewelry to purses, shoes, and dresses all made out of floral materials. If you want to get inspired too, check out her blog by clicking here.  She also does workshops!

Click here to see the winners. My boot didn't win anything but it sure was fun to make and it pushed me to think creatively in a new way. Polo and I also had two paintings in the show as well.

Here are some other angles of my finished boot.

Bear the cat

Bear and Chancellor

10" by 8"

Oil with a palette knife on Ampersand Gessobord

This is a commission I completed recently. That's Bear the cat and Chancellor the horse. There were just getting acquainted and becoming good friends when poor Bear got ill and passed away. This painting is a gift to Bear's owner from Chancellor's owner as a special reminder of their lost buddy.

Entering Plymouth

Entering Plymouth

16" x 12"

Oil with a palette knife on loose canvas
nfs

This summery scene was a commission and will soon become a jigsaw puzzle. I can't wait to see how it turns out and will post it once it's up for sale.

A new size for the red inn

October at the Red Inn

24" x 36" x 2"

Oil with a palette knife on Ampersand Gessobord

This version of the Red Inn is a commission for Julie and Ted, a couple who was married at this beautiful place last year. They got married in October so they wanted to include the some pumpkins and fall colors in the landscape of the painting.  I think this is the biggest size yet for my series of Red Inn paintings.

After it made it's way to it's new home in New Hampshire, it didn't take them long to hang it above their fireplace mantel and send me a photo. I think it's the perfect size!

Passage to the Sea-another large one

Passage to the Sea

48" x 36"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas
Available

Here is another large painting that I finally finished. It took several sessions. I used my extra large palette knives and lots and lots of paint. The photo that I used for inspiration was from a bike ride on the way to Woods Hole. I so wanted to see what was on the other side, as I could imagine it being a great place to sit and enjoy this beautiful view on Cape Cod.

Zullo Art Show

This week I went to pick up my remaining artwork from the Zullo Holiday Show and I realized I never posted photos from it. Above is the sign from the show. I had the advantage of my name being listed first in alphabetical order.

Here is a photo that Polo took of me at the reception. Another artist was making me laugh that's why I'm moving and blurry. But it's best that way-ha! 

Here's another shot of my portion of the wall.

It was a fun show and I feel honored to have been asked to show my work with these other talented artists.

It's all about Eve

Eve

14" x 11"

Oil with a palette knife on Ampersand Gessobord

This was a Christmas commission that I had painted back in October but had to wait to post so as not to spoil the surprise. This little cutie's name is Eve and I think she looks so angelic with her red hair among the purple field of flowers.

Santa's in the house

Santa Face

4" x 4" x 1.5"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board

Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas one and all.

Patriot Hats

Patriot Hat 1

7" x 5"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas board
SOLD

Patriot Hat 2

7" x 5"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas board
SOLD

Patriot Hat 3

7" x 5"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas board
SOLD

It's football season, and time to cheer on the favorite football team here in New England, the Patriots. I see fans all over wearing these knits hats with the big pom poms and I thought it might be fun to paint a few as still lifes.  Tom Brady wears one during most of his post game conferences and I think that's why the fans started wearing them too. Plus it keeps your head warm during these cold months. 

Will we see the Pats in the Super Bowl this year? The next few weeks will tell.