sailboats

30"x40" oil/linen

I liked how the arrangement of boats looked like a bridge in this one . Squint !-)

Happy New Year to all!

A rock cliff

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12"x12" oil

I failed to mention that the blizzard missed us. However the residual wind blew two train cars off the Rockville bridge into the river. Interesting eh?

A fine line of massing

5"x7" oil

This one was painted more gesturally. Total unfocus of eyes and look more at subject than canvas. This way light becomes the subject. I prefer this one. Of course I should do every painting this way but outside forces occassionally come into play.

This one was more drawn. Why? good question. I know better but it still happens. I think drawing skills are critical to learn. Painting is painting...not drawing. A good base of all skills will help immensely but one must decide ....draw or paint?

Thomas point lighthouse

5"x7" oil

A small study with intention of going larger. Keepin' it loose.

winter creek

20"x24" oil/linen

A quiet place where you here the occasional bank beaver splash into the water.

it's getting deep

11x14

Imagine the irony. After posting the last one and the comments, I woke up with a stomach flu. Last time I mention infamous stench........'nuff said. Was finally able to muster the energy to raise a brush and go into the cold bowels of my studio. Did this one on a super slick surface and used a reduction approach, wiping down the highlights. See the metaphor?

oh yeah, these guys are up to their you know whats in snow. HA

Biggie Smalls

5"x7" oil

From yesterdays 4 footer to todays little one. They all have their challenges..... I smell cows a comin'

She'll be comin' round the corner

36"x48"

So I lied. It's not a 30 x 40. I went even bigger. Simplified things a bit from the small sketch. It's interesting approaching a big canvas with a sketchy mind and a huge brush. Frees up the stroke, that's for sure.

Take the train

8"x10" oil

This is a small sketch that I will go big with. 30"x 40" tomorrow. What this actually means is a 30 x 40 sketch tomorrow. Details are for detailers. Paint is for painters.

It's frickin' cold

16"x20" oil
It's been windy and frigid for weeks. My studio is cold enough now that paint rarely gets a skin, YAY! not. Frankly, since I quit doing mental stuff and am back to observation work my interest is waning. I dug this image up online. I wanted to be reminded of my favorite vineyard in Carmel valley Ca. I can't get a deep painting from anothers image. I don't feel like like setting up in a frozen wind filled tundra and I don't have enough time to get good photos. Bare with me folks. Winter hasn't even started and the susquehanna has ice on it. I'm gonna have to dig deep.

Ode to a Christmas tree

20"x24" oil/linen

A friend of mine hates the idea of people killing trees to celebrate a holiday. I don't agree or disagree. I just said to him " in the future the only trees we may have are Christmas trees. The only land we might be allowed to walk on will be Christmas tree farms."

I also find it ironic that the "ugly" trees are left standing(unless you're in charlie browns neighborhood.)

This is my tribute to the last standing ugly ones. Perhaps you can't hang an angel on it's top but it's still standing! Think about it.......

oh yeah, if my friend had a computer I think he'd like this. He doesn't have one........

transition

24"x20" This piece sucks. BUT I learned something from it. After months of playing around I've receieved an approach. Brush in values knife in the guts. Yes, my friends..........the knife is returning......It has to be...................

rested figure (gesture)

11"x14" oil

I must be an introvert. I'm totally taxed after 2 days of socializing. Had fun but am drained. Delved into figure again and am happy to see the result is as loose as the last town scene. Things are interesting.

These are the best musicians you've never heard of. Based in bluegrass several have moved onto classical. These guys thought outside the box. Incredible!

sidewalk

8"x10" oil

Little time to paint. Scrubbed this one out and am quite happy. Finally getting loose enough to emulate what I like.A street scene in Cooperstown NY by the way..

Big day tomorrow. Spent today getting ready. Open studio with a bunch of art lovers coming by. Have enough wine to sink a ship. If you're in the neighborhood stop by around 8pm.

shifting gears

20"x24" oil

Bumping up canvas size. Allowing wiped out sections to show. Using knife and brushes. Expressing and listening to the painting and other things. Working from observation but allowing incidentals. In fact, inviting them.

If you don't like jazz skip this. If you like smooth jazz...skip this. If you like hard core hard to get jazz....grab a chair and a drink... the next 20 minutes will be right up your alley. Keith Jarrett(piano) is the epitomy of creative spirit. I approach painting the way he approaches music. There's a build up(5minute intro) short solo... sax guy solos.... Keith goes crazy with the finish. Bass brings it home. This is an example of a session. Could just as easily be a painting session. Oh yeah, he gets his body into it. Very important...........

fun da mentals

16"x20" oil

The recent exorcisms, I mean exercises, have freed up my brushwork significantly. Excited to get back to some observation stuff with the freedom of a Chilean miner. This one was like smelling fresh baked bread. Last nights was like a hockey game.

one for the road

6"x6" oil

One last dig out of the old subconcious. Note damage to left side of panel when I threw it across studio...after third wipedown......after punching it.....wouldn't stay on easel. Bloody knuckles, dissatisfied, ahh yes, I must be heading in the proper direction. I know snow is coming. Why not destroy it....accept it.

chop chop

11"x14" oil

It is what it is.













14"x11" oil

A cliff.










6"x6" oil

A total annihilation of the seated figure. I think I know what de kooning was feeling.

Will begin collecting material for some more "representational" stuff. I've dug up enough "mental" stuff for awhile.

more reincarnations

12"x14" oil

A Pittsburgh tree is now a town on a hill.









24"x12" oil

This happy shopper was an upstate New York sunset. She's warmer now.

regression

11"x14" all 3

Fell back into basic landscape mode. Might add vertical element. Not sure. Might just have to go back to observation. Or not. Tomorrow will tell.

You may not recognize it but Wayne Thiebaud is an influence. Remember the knife still life stuff. I love his answers in this interview.