Opening day for the new Walpole Library

Today is the opening of the brand new library in Walpole, MA my hometown. Our painting group, The NVA, was asked to be the first to exhibit their paintings on the walls of the new library entrance. The photos above show the new display showcasing the fabulous art of our talented group.

Cindy, Haydi, and Nancy helped Frank coordinate the artistic arrangement of our artwork. And one of our members, Diane, was asked to paint a watercolor of the new library to print on the Grand Opening invitations. I will post that as soon as I can get a picture of it.

This is a real thrill for all of us and for the town. The new library will be an exciting place for the community to come together. It's way more than books!

...and Happy Leap Day everyone!

Why did the kitty cross the road?

Cat Crossing

6" x 6" x .75"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled board
SOLD

When I started this painting, I realized my lines and perspective weren't quite right, so I scraped it off and then turned the reference photo and my canvas board upside down. This really helped me to see that the lines in the road weren't really curved as I originally thought, they were straight. I continued to paint the entire painting upside down, just capturing the abstract shapes and colors that I saw. It was an interesting exercise in how your mind can play tricks on you and in "painting what you see and not what you know."

So why did the kitty cross the road? Probably to find a a nice, quiet place to nap.

Renoir redos

Remember the Renoir commissions that mysteriously disappeared in the mail? Well, they never resurfaced so I painted them again. I debated over whether I should use the ones I painted last time as reference or use the print outs I had of the original Renoirs. I opted to look at the original paintings. I knew they wouldn't be exactly the same, but at least I was starting at the same point. I was happy with how they came out and my customer is happy too. I am now an expert at every detail in these paintings. I need to go to the MFA soon and see the real ones in person.

Cocktail hour in Provincetown

Cocktail Hour in Provincetown

8" x 8" x 1.5"

oil with a palette knife on cradled panel
SOLD

This was our view while sipping martinis from Faneezi's in Provincetown during my birthday weekend. The light was just incredible. The locals seemed to think-"oh yeah, it's like this all the time." But I was snapping away with my camera as the light kept changing.

And here are a couple of chunky delicious close ups.

Family Beach Day, Jacksonville 1966

Family Beach Day, Jacksonville, 1966

Oil with a palette knife on cradled panel

18" x 18" x 1.5"

SOLD

Today is my middle sister's birthday so I thought this would be an appropriate painting to post for today. That's her in the white two piece. I just love her pose-such a sun worshipper,

I painted this last weekend while working at the Artist's Studio and Gallery at Patriot Place. My uncle recently sent me the photo taken in Jacksonville Florida. That little shy one on the left is me. I thought this photo has such a classic feel to it and I remember that red wool blanket well. It appears in many of our family's photos from that time.

I've included a couple of progress shots I took along the way.

This was such fun to paint at this size. I taped off the edges so that I'd have a clean white border around the image in the end. As a finishing touch, I will be adding the date in the border as old snapshots of that time often had.

I think if I keep painting beach scenes, summer will be here before I know it.

Mini Boston paintings

I thought it would be funny to show these 3 mini Boston paintings in scale with something small so I photographed them with the penny. I am excited to see how these will look framed up and ready to sell. Cheers!

These mini Boston paintings are available at Custom Art Framing & Gallery 9.

Getaway to Provincetown

This past weekend we took a getaway trip up to Provincetown, the very tip of Cape Cod. During the summer, Ptown is full of crazy activity but in the winter, it is quiet and wonderful. What an inspirational place to be for an artist. I've include some shots here to give you a flavor.

I loved this sign that was outside a gallery near the beach.

There are art galleries everywhere you turn. And I turned to see Polo in the window reflection of one.

Only in Ptown might you see a Christmas Tree like this made from lobster traps and buoys.

This harbor is probably filled with boats in the summertime.

We loved looking at the fishing boats.

The very photogenic Red Inn.

Cutesy store.

Another cutesy store.

The dunes had a very Southwestern feel about them.

This is the street where we were staying. A view to the ocean at the end.

Cutesy houses everywhere you turn.

Amazing sunset glows

Have you heard about all the dolphins beaching themselves? We happened upon one poor guy who had already been tagged. So sad.

On our way home we stopped in Hyannisport and had a car picnic. This was our view.

Great trip and wonderful way to celebrate my 50th (gulp) year on earth.

Sarah's blog post

Just a quick update on my last post. Sarah was so kind to post my latest painting on her blog, called Unshoveling The Past, along with some inspiring words. I now know the location, year, and a little more background on her photo.

Check it out!

Thinking of summer already

Beach Buds

18" x 18" x1.5"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board
SOLD

This painting was inspired by a photo I saw on a friend's Facebook wall. I hadn't painted any family photos in awhile and I thought this one was just too much fun to pass up. It's bigger than my usual size but I left the white border around the edges so I go back in later to paint in the date.

Sarah-if you are reading this, do you know what year this would have been? And thanks for letting me paint this cute picture.

My uncle sent me some great old family beach photos too. I think I feel a series coming on. And hopefully it will get me through the winter.

Just a couple of crazy cats

Crazy Cat

Approx 4" by 4"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas paper
SOLD

Window Perch

Approx 5" by 6"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas paper

Just a couple a quick crazy cat painting done during class last week. Have a nice day everyone. Now go hug your cat.

Wild Things on exhibit

Saturday evening was the opening reception for "Wild Things". The caliber of art work was really impressive, the Cotuit Center for the Arts venue was so enjoyable, and the organizers of the show did an amazing job. Here I am with my trio of "wild thing."

Each piece had a write up from the artist as well as QR codes that take you to the artist's websites and galleries. Cool.

When you walk into the center, it's open and bright with real sails hanging from the ceiling. Cool again.

It's fun to see your name so big:

On the other side of the center, they had a performance by a local drummers and dancers. Wonderful.

Below are some of my and Polo's favorite pieces from the show. Looking at them now, I see that we really gravitated towards the more dimentional pieces. I've been having an urge to try some new materials and these pieces provided me with lots of inspiration:

This last piece is called Contemplating Freedom. A beautiful painting.

And a great evening all around.

Mysterious disappearance

I was debating whether or not to post this, but perhaps the right person may see it.

The two Renoir commissioned paintings from my previous post never made it to their new home. The paintings were mailed over the holidays and when the box arrived at its destination, it had been opened and was empty.

Is that bizarre or what? Luckily the box was insured, but still very, very bizarre. And I have a very disappointed customer.

So if you happen to see anyone trying to sell some Renoir knock offs out there, can you let me know?

Romance is in the air

After Renoir's Dance at the Bougival

12" by 6"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas
MIA

After Renoir's Grand Canal, Venice

9" by 12"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas
MIA

I had so much fun painting my mini masters ornament series that I was thrilled when someone saw my work at Custom Art Framing and Gallery 9 and asked if I would paint two small Renoirs on commission. She saw these two paintings at the MFA in Boston and it sparked an idea to give them as a thank you gift in return for a trip to Italy that her friend planned for them next week. Nice!

Today also marks Polo and my 10th wedding anniversary so romance is definitely in the air!

Christmas Commission

Maproom Cafe at the BPL

8" by 8" by 1.5"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled panel
SOLD

A friend saw a larger version of this painting of mine at an art exhibit and asked if I would paint a smaller one to give as a Christmas gift to her friend. This was a really interesting exercise in that I was able to paint this really quickly due to the fact that I had already painted it larger. The knife strokes came quicker and felt more confident because I already knew where I was going. Click here to see te larger version I did a few months back.

Merry Christmas one and all

Wreathe

Approx 5" x 5"

SOLD

I wish for everyone a happy and joyful holiday.