Merry Christmas one and all!

A Vintage Christmas Postcard

6" x 8"

Oil with a palette knife on board
SOLD

Here is hoping Santa brings you everything you wish for this Christmas.

Ptown from Space

Ptown from Space

24" x 30"

Oil with a palette knife on Ampersand
SOLD

Another painting inspired by an image taken from space by Nasa.gov. This is Provincetown, Massachusetts-the very tip of Cape Cod. I noticed after I took the photo of this painting, that it kind of looks like an elf shoe. A subtle nod to Christmas at this time of year. Also, just for fun, I added a very tiny small red dot that indicates where the Red Inn is located.

Entering Boston's Public Garden

Entering The Public Garden

12" x 36" x 2"

Oil with a palette knife on Ampersand Gessobord
SOLD

I took the photo that I used as inspiration for this painting just last Thursday. I have been amazed how long the colors of fall have lasted this year. I don't know if that is because of the drought we had this summer, but I sure am enjoying it.

Last Friday was our last day in the Back Bay of Boston before our office move to the Financial District. I had been taking photos of the area during my lunch time to get some painting inspiration. When I saw this view, I knew it had to become a painting. I was able to start and finish it this weekend while working at The Artist's Studio and Gallery at Patriot Place.

Cape Cod Afternoon

Cape Cod Afternoon

11" x 14" x .75"

oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board
SOLD

This painting was inspired by a photo I took while on vacation on Cape Cod this past August. The light on the Cape is like no other-whether in the morning or the afternoon. We could see the sun rise through our bedroom window over the ocean and then in the afternoon the light would come from behind us and cast beautiful colors and shadows on an already beautiful place. We have been vacationing here-Maushop Village in New Seabury-for many years and always have a fun, yet relaxing time. How I wish the summer was not over, I miss this.

Cape Cod as seen from space

Cape Cod From Space

24" by 24"

Oil with a palette knife on Ampersand Gessobord
SOLD

This idea has been germinating in my head for awhile...to do a painting of Cape Cod inspired by the view from space. This worked up pretty quickly. I painted the abstract land shapes, roads, and lakes first, then I worked on the water. Finally adding the white sands and shorelines. I love all of that prussian blue!

I think may have to do some more of these. NASA.gov has some amazing imagery!

Making the rounds with "Fresh Clams"

Fresh Clams

18" by 18"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled board
SOLD

My painting, "Fresh Clams" won an honorable mention in the Foxboro Art Association Fall Member's Show. Exciting!

This summer "Fresh Clams" was also in a show at my alma mater, Miami University (Ohio). There were 100 works in the show representing alumni from 7 decades! I was unable to attend in person, but the curator was kind enough to sent these images of the show to all the participants. It looks like a great show. Click on this link to see an image of all of the artwork in the show. A great variety of mediums and styles.

The Red Inn number eleven!

The Red Inn XI

12" x 36" x 2"

Oil with a palette knife on Ampersand Gessobord
SOLD

Yes-that's right. This is number eleven. I have painted this view of the Red Inn at this size eleven times. I have also painted this inn from different views and at several other sizes, but this is by far the most popular request. This painting will be on its way to a couple that recently got married at the inn in September.

The weather today is picture perfect. I hope everyone enjoys the nice long weekend! 

Upcoming art shows

I have two upcoming shows that I am excited to be a part of. Information about these shows and the artist receptions is below.

Wise Guy

6" x 8"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas board
SOLD

Birds of Prey

Exhibit September 16 - January 2, 2017  |  Artist’s Reception Thursday, September 29, 6-8 p.m

The Gallery at Mass Audubon’s Moose Hill is pleased to announce its newest exhibit,
the captivating and fascination world of “Birds of Prey”. 

View the exciting and dramatic depictions of these amazing birds by
a juried group of 23 creative artists from various regions. 

Real or representational, through a myriad of media, the spirit of these awe-inspiring ambas-sadors of flight
are captivated in the artwork that will intrigue the viewer. 

The juror was Diana Hampe, Gallery Curator is Janyce Nareski Goba.

Join us for a very special evening at the Artist’s Reception

Thursday, September 29, 6-8 p.m.

View the art, meet the artists, and experience a live birds of prey presentation by a trained naturalist.

The exhibit will run September 16 - January 2, 2017.

The Gallery is open daily 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  293 Moose Hill St, Sharon, MA.

Please visit www.massaudubon.org/moosehill or call 781-784-5691 for details.

Dad and Nana

24" x 12" x 2"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled canvas board
SOLD

Zullo Gallery Center for the Arts

456A Main St. Medfield, MA Gallery hours: Saturday & Sunday 12-5

22nd Annual Juried Exhibition

September 17 - November 5, 2016 

artists reception: Saturday, October 1st 7-9pm all welcome

juror: Irena Roman

gallery hours: Saturday & Sunday 12-5

Cape Vacation Plein Air

Maushop View

8" by 10"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas

During a relaxing and fun vacation on Cape Cod last week, my friend and I fit in some palette knife painting. There is so much inspiration on Cape Cod, but I didn't have to go far from our cottage to find this perfect view to paint. I decided to paint on a loose canvas piece. The photo above is cropped but below is a photo showing how the original looks. I like painting on loose canvas occasionally because you are not limited by the edges and can crop however you see fit once you are done.

Does playing with dolls make you feel younger?

I want to introduce you to Petunia, Begonia, and Liliana. My two sisters and I sent these dolls to our  aunts, my mothers 3 sisters, as a surprise gift this week. We have had so much fun with our dolls Nina, Gina, and Luna (see post here) that we decided our aunts needed their own dolls as well. We each made them a set of clothes to send along as well. They fit perfectly in these fun wine gift boxes that I found at Jo Ann fabrics.

Petunia in her bathing suit (made out of ribbon)

 Petunia in her Cabo spa robe (made from a guest towel)

Petunia in her flower dress -embellished from the dress she came in)

Petunia in her dress embellished from a barbie dress that my mother made.

Liliana with her outfits packaged up.

 Liliana in her bathing suit and Cabo spa robe.

 Liliana waving goodbye

 Begonia with her outfits all ready to go...

We made a doll for our mother as well. She is Mia Sophia and I will post photos of her next once I get her outfits finished.

For fun, here are some photo of all of us in Cabo. This was the inspiration for the Cabo robes that we made for our dolls.

Entering Foxborough

Entering Foxborough

16" x 16" x 1.5"

Oil with a palette knife on Ampersand Gessobord
SOLD

This is the latest in my New England towns sign series. I painted this while working at the Artists Studio and Gallery at Patriot Place this past weekend. The lettering is a challenge to do with the knife, especially the small type, but I think the roughness is part of it being a painting. Hopefully you can tell that there is a tiny bit of the Gillette Stadium in the background on the left. Patriot's training camp starts next week already!

Assemblage Show at the Art Gallery at Patriot Place

Polo and I are having a fun show this weekend at The Artists Studio and Gallery at Patriot Place. It's assemblage art from things we have collected, but we call it Awesomeblage. The reception is Saturday, July 23 from 5-8pm. We'd love to see you there!

A trio of hydrangeas for summer

The Colors of Hydrangeas 1

6" x 6"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas panel
SOLD

The Colors of Hydrangeas 2

6" x 6"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas panel

SOLD

The Colors of Hydrangeas 3

6" x 6"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas panel
SOLD

Nothing says summer in New England better than the beautiful colors of hydrangeas!

MacMillan Pier

At MacMillan Pier

8" x 10" x 2"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas
SOLD

I loved this scene in Provincetown. The colors of the boats and the angle of the dock are what caught my attention. I don't normally paint on canvas because I don't like the bounce of the knife on the stretched canvas-I prefer the rigidness of board. But we saw these canvases on sale and they came with a nice simple wood frame so I bought a few to try out.

Here is a photo of the painting framed.

Cap'n Jack's Wharf, Provincetown

Cap'n Jack's Wharf

8" x 10" x 2"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas
SOLD

This is a smaller version of a scene I have painted a few times before-Cap'n Jack's Wharf in Provincetown on Cape Cod. This scene makes me feel like summer is here, my favorite time of year in one of my favorite places.

It's Red Inn season again

The Red Inn in Summer

12" x 24"x .75"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled board
SOLD

It's that time again to start painting this beloved place. A slightly different canvas size this time and I have a beautiful frame to put it in as well. It will be for sale at the Red Inn this week.

The Bison is the new national mammal!

Bison in the Grand Tetons
18" x 24" x 1.5"
Oil with a palette knife on Blick Studio Artist Board
Commission

I finished this commission up this past weekend for Will and Sue and I received a wonderful email when I sent them the painting to preview:

"My wife Sue decided to let me commission this painting for my birthday and it is nothing short of fabulous! I have been looking for an original bison painting on and off over the years as it is an icon of the American West and Native American culture. Last summer we were lucky enough to take our two children out to Jackson Hole Wyoming and hike in the Grand Tetons as well as Yellowstone, the Big Horn Mountains, and the Black Hills where we saw Mount Rushmore and, our favorite, the Crazy Horse monument.

At some point during the trip, my son Wyatt also became enamored with the bison we saw and decided it is his favorite animal. He is going to insist that the painting go in his room, I will have to convince him that we need it out were all our visitors can see it! (Did I mention that it is extraordinary?) We looked hard for wildlife on the trip and were lucky enough to get a few good pictures. My daughter decided she liked a picture we took of a bear cub in the Tetons the best. Maybe some day...

Yes, the painting of the Bison is better than the picture and I am glad I waited and was able to get you to paint an original from one of my own pictures."

Isn't it fun to get a the story and personal meaning behind a painting? I think that bear cub photo is just the cutest thing and would make a great painting as well. But I hope that there isn't a protective mama bear right behind him!

MAY 4 UPDATE

Did you know that the Bison is now the new national mammal? Yes, that's right...Congress just came to a rare consensus and passed the National Bison Legacy Act which makes the bison the first national mammal of the United States. He will co-serve with the Bald Eagle as a national emblem. Here is the seal:

I love a parade

Little Fire Chiefs, 1963

18" by 18"

Oil with a palette knife on Blick Studio Artist Board
SOLD

Sarah posted this photo on her blog and I asked her if I could paint it as part of my family album series.  Who doesn't love a parade?

New pet portrait commission

Dexter

10" by 10"

Oil with a palette knife on Blick Studio Artist Board

Samara saw my painting called "New Yorkie" and asked if I could do a similar portrait of her dog Dexter. Pets are such fun to paint with a palette knife, especially the fur and those ears! Can you even? I always hope to capture the animals personality even if I never actually meet them. I think you can probably tell that Dexter certainly has a lot of personality!

Mini Vinnies

Mini Vinnies

Each approx 2" by 3"

SOLD

More assemblages

Polo and I have been having fun making found art assemblages. We call them "awesomeblages". This trio was made from used paint brushes and a palette knife. The colors of each reminded me of certain famous artists and thus inspired their names.

Deputy Pollock

Mixed media
SOLD

 Manny Monet

Mixed media
SOLD

Señor Pablo

Mixed media

Fresh Clams

Fresh Clams

18" by 18"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled board
SOLD

I've painted this before at a smaller size but I wanted to revisit it at a larger scale. This is inspired by a photo of from a 1973 family vacation to the New Jersey shore. Can you believe how inexpensive fresh clams were back then? I actually don't remember doing the actual "clamming" but I do remember these vacations we used to take every year to Jersey shore-before it was made popular by the reality TV show. That's me on the far right with my two sisters next to me, and our family friends (the blondes) round out the group.

2016 Mini Masters Collection continued...

Two new additions to the 2016 Mini Masters collection...

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Introducing the 2016 Mini Masters Collection

While working at the gallery a few weekends ago, I painted a whole canvas sheet full of mini masters. Can you identify the famous paintings that inspired these? Below is a photo that shows you the scale of these tiny treasures along with the palette knife used to create them. I am excited to get these framed up ready to sell. Framed photos to follow in a later post.

 And here are some close ups.

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