From the family album: Irish Blessings

Irish Blessings

16" x 16" x 2"

Oil with palette knives on Ampersand Gessobord

Available

This painting was inspired by an old photo of my dad and my aunt-his sister Cathleen. I just loved the wonderful expressions on their faces and how it shows their true love for one another and for life. These two were so alike in so many ways, with same sense of humor and always making us kids laugh. I call the painting Irish Blessings because that's what these two were in our lives. Plus it looked to me like they were both wearing green so I'm assuming it was probably a St Paddy's Day get together in the 70s.

Here are a few close up details. 

Dad stirring his cocktail, likely scotch, which he liked to call "holy water."

I love the old faucet and measuring cups.

I'm pretty sure the Irish Blessing is what is framed in this tiny picture that sat on my Aunt Cathleen's kitchen sill in Galion Ohio.

Another painting from the family album

Cocktail Hour, 1971

Oil with a palette knife on Ampersand Gessobord

16" x 16" x 2"

I have returned to paintings inspired from old family photographs and enjoying it so much. This one is of my mother (in the middle) at what looks to be a holiday cocktail party at our house with a few of her neighbor friends. I don't know the exact date so took a stab at the year. 

This was my set up at the gallery at Patriot Place. You can see that I have the photo up on my iPad as well as a color copy printed out at the size I am painting. I have taped the outside edges so it will leave a nice clean edge for adding the photo border and date at the end.

And here are some progress shots I took along the way as well as some detailed close ups.

Thanks for taking a look!

A happy girl and her happy dog

Augusta and Tito

16" x 20"

Oil with palette knives on Ampersand Gessobord

Nancy asked me to paint this fun image of her daughter and her dog. I loved the happy looks on both of their faces as well as the beautiful background and shadows. This painting is all about happiness and summer.