Brian Eppley Paintings

Schuylkill Bridge

2012-01-28T17:33:00.000-08:00

8"x16" oil/linen panel

This is a scene of a bridge down by Philly that I've been itching to paint. It could easily be Harrisburg as we have so many bridges. They are always a challenge to paint. I'm trying these panels from Raphael but they don't compare to the sourcetek panels. The Raphael panels lack tooth. At least the ones I got. Sometimes I like a smooth surface but not lately.

Break it down

2012-01-22T16:13:00.000-08:00

30"x40" oil/linen

So here I tackle an insane amount of detail of a marine scene in Annapolis. Of course I show no detail. The whole point is to capture a time of day. To attempt and paint every boat would be ridiculous. I only try to convey the atmosphere.

Old and new

2012-01-17T15:41:00.000-08:00

new 8"x10" linen

A scene from Chincoteague last fall. Just painted it.

old rework 12x24 scene reworked from the cape (cod)

reworked 24 square from Chincoteague

THIEBAUD VIA MORANDI from Victor Loh on Vimeo.More good info from Wayne T

Stand back....way back

2012-01-15T09:50:00.000-08:00

8"x16" oil/linen panel

You need some distance to view this piece. I'm happy with the light.

The abstraction process

2012-01-12T16:41:00.000-08:00

studio new easel

So here is an 8"x10" version of the last scene I painted. The point is to boil it down to what is important to the individual. For me its light. Yes the car can add a light element. I didn't like the car. I think the desire to simplify thing is my main drive. There is far too much complication in the world and it gives me great pleasure to represent a situation in its least complicated way.

The top photo shows my new easel in studio. So far so good. How long til I destroy yet more mixing space. I'm guessing a week............

As above so below

2012-01-11T15:32:00.000-08:00

30"x40" oil/linen

This a view looking directly away from the last post's view. One is facing the sun and this one is looking away from the sun. I'm thinking thicker paint and even looser could make a nice cityscape. At any rate the journey is interesting.

3rd street and Herr

2012-01-08T12:19:00.000-08:00

30"x40" oil/linen

A scene from right around the corner from my house. Keepin' it loose.

A thanks to Sam at Samartdog blog for nominating me for the Liebster blog award. I'm doing my best to follow rules but that ain't gonna happen. Go to her website for details. Thanks again Sam, I think you you know my take on these things. I'm a party pooper.

self portrait 2012

2012-01-04T17:29:00.000-08:00

11"x14" oil/linen panel

So here is a new self portrait in 2012. I did this one without my glasses on. I'm nearly blind so it was interesting. I could see the canvas but the palette was unrecognizable. I'm happy to keep the looseness of the late sketches and still find form and "detail". I'm quite fond of artists renderings of themselves so I continue the task. It's interesting when a lot of artists go abstract their self portraits are still fairly recognizable. At any rate...is this how I look ? Don't know and don't care..............I quit when it feels like a painting..........

tweaked version w/glasses on

Mental works

2012-01-02T16:46:00.000-08:00

So these are all 8X10 oil on linen birch panels. When I don't have an image in mind to paint (burning desire) I work out of my head. These paintings may or may not have value but I suspect when all is said and done something is being revealed here. Tendencies arise and certain things go by the wayside. I think these pieces show the youthful enthusiasm of enjoying shape, color and line while being distilled by years of angst, drafting, and................life.

Chicago cityscape

2011-12-24T03:46:00.000-08:00

40"x30" oil/linen

Finished this one up in the wee hours this morning(Christmas eve). Couldn't sleep so went into the studio and I'm glad I did. I find painting at all different times a good exercise. Sometimes the mojo is there and sometimes it's not. It's good to do things off the cuff I think. Read a quote recently on Jala's blog from Picasso. "Art is the elimination of the unnecessary" or something along those lines. I couldn't agree more.

Don't mess with strep

2011-12-17T13:23:00.000-08:00

7"x5"

Turns out my cold was actually strep throat that I let linger for a week. Needless to say it wasn't getting any better. Hopefully no Rheumatic fever on the way. Starting to feel better. Been reading about Edwin Dickinson and find a unique relation to him work wise. I find it most interesting how he seperated his imagination work from his on site work.

These pieces are a mere warm up. Looking forward to getting back in the swing. The energy required for serious work is not yet available.

Painting from a sick guy

2011-12-08T12:28:00.000-08:00

6"x6" oil/panel

So I've been a bit under the weather lately and just standing up has been difficult let alone painting. I managed a few strokes each day to get this little piece. I've been wanting to get back to the limited controlled stroke technique to create abstract/representational work. Will do more....

Philly finale

2011-11-30T15:42:00.000-08:00

18"x24" oil/canvas

So this is the roughed in version of the value stage of the painting. A blend of my warm primaries.

The end result. I tweaked a few things and tried to capture the city's spirit. This is the last piece in the Philly series of paintings for now. I need to explore new terrain...internal and external....

Rittenhouse Square 2

2011-11-27T09:42:00.000-08:00

18"x24" oil/canvas

I'm working on multiple pieces of the Philadelphia area for a client. The more I study a theme the more I want to break it down. Shall tackle a different area next and do some small really torn down pieces for personal enjoyment....or torment....we shall see

Rittenhouse Square

2011-11-25T07:04:00.000-08:00

18"x24" oil/linen

A new piece done of Rittenhouse Square in Philly. I really like the light in this scene and the maintaining of the abstract quality.

fresh paint

2011-11-22T17:00:00.000-08:00

18"x24" oil/canvas

A skyline view of Philly. More in the works......

24"x24" oil

A piece done from imagination over old work. Interesting....no figure showed up.....

Plein air backlighting

2011-11-18T10:30:00.000-08:00

8"x10" oil/birch linen panel

A scene I see frequently but have never painted. Had to change it a bit to make a painting of it. I like November light a lot. The low sun angle keeps an interesting light all day.

new finds

2011-11-15T16:29:00.000-08:00

Digging deep again with this 30"x40". Ideas are abundant but I go where "it" takes me.

Dancers

2011-11-13T12:26:00.000-08:00

36"x48" oil/canvas

I'm back to finding human form over old work. Again gesture in the form of dance appears. I don't dance! I do enjoy finding these entities that do. I could spend a lifetime on this subject........

Deconstruction

2011-11-11T16:49:00.000-08:00

16"x20" oil/linen

I've concluded that I'm obsessed with this piece(it's the top one from the last post) and I've decided to share the deconstruction process that I'm embarking on currently. Keep in mind I see the steam from the Three mile Island nuclear cooling towers every day. I typically let a piece go if I don't like it. This thing won't let me alone. It's interesting the tree has been overtaken by power plant steam............ On a side note I'd like to thank Tony Moffitt for including my blog on his blog critique site. You can see the review here artistblogcritique

New work

2011-11-09T15:35:00.000-08:00

Yes I've been working. I'm struggling with arranging photos in the blog so I'll break down each piece individually. The theme of this post is "If a picture is worth a thousand words than 2 words are worth a thousand pictures". The two words are self discovery.

This 16"x20" started as a plein air piece. Got it home and started fiddling in the studio. I think I managed to keep the light but completely changed the composition. It reads as a Harrisburg scene but really is a collage of many local perspectives. I'm certain that in the end what we see matters little and what we want to convey is critical to the individual. (Google Jungian Individuation)

So this 8"x10" I did this evening. It's another backlit Harrisburg scene that I haven't touched in studio. It's from the same spot as the above piece almost. I'm trying to get some work in while there is a bit of color left in the foliage. Would I like to tweak this one? No

This 11"x14" was quite different on location. Too tight. A fellow artist said the original reminded him of Hopper. I suppose that was so. I tried to destroy any affiliation. Not because I don't like Hopper.

This piece was posted before. I added some egrets for composition and visual interest. I think it works well as a painting. The plein air work has a more noticeable feel and light.

This is an untouched plein air piece from a few days ago.The Rockville bridge is a local historical object. I think that it's the longest stone railroad bridge in the states.

I'm quite happy with this piece. It was done entirely en plein air. I heard a great interview with singer, songwriter, producer Joe Henry yesterday. When asked how he approaches writing he said basically he just sits down and starts writing having no idea where it's going. Much like writing a letter to his brother. As he starts writing the things he wants to say come to him. I feel the same way. Once paint hits canvas the dialogue begins. PS It's worth youtubing Joe Henry. Try the song Trampoline. Pause.... I haven't yet looked....

Backlit Harrisburg

2011-11-02T17:10:00.000-07:00

8"x10" oil/linen

It's interesting. The more I challenge my own thoughts towards observation the more abstract the work becomes. I start to feel space and total disregard for what is actually there. At least literally. Doing plein air work I get an overwhelming feeling to catch light and apply basic things learned through study. Intuition is king.

The day after

2011-10-31T13:07:00.000-07:00

After a foot of heavy wet snow destroyed so many trees with all their leaves still intact, I have to clean the van and take the following four paintings to Mcbride gallery in Annapolis. 2 days later and all seems normal. I can tell you 2 days ago things weren't normal. Trees down everywhere. Some folks won't have power for a week. Our Governer denied it was coming and our Mayor embraced Jim Cantore from the weather channel for coming to Harrisburg. Jim seems cool enough but no one actually want's to see him in their town. It means impending disaster. No state of emergency declared. Thanks Govna...take a drive around....

oops

2011-10-28T13:48:00.000-07:00

16"x20"oil/linen

Somehow I missed posting this one from Chincoteague. A vibrant morning sky inspired me to tolerate the mosquitoes.

Harrisburg skyline painting

2011-10-25T16:36:00.000-07:00

11"x14" oil/linen panel

A quick study of my fair city under good light. Was very inspiring and will go back. The light was incredible as I finished this one. Need to do a very quick one a half hour before sunset. Indeed, this is Harrisburg. The city that is bankrupt and in national news. AArrghh. Still a beautiful place! I was most interested in the highrises blending in with the sky with very little value change.

Chincoteague Virginia Paintings 5

2011-10-20T14:39:00.000-07:00

20"x24" oil/linen

Here is the larger surf piece finished. A live shot appears below.

11"x14"

This one was done very rapidly when a unique light hit. Whipped the car off the road and setup.

11"x14" linen birch panel

Last one of the trip. This is the drawbridge building as you leave Chincoteague Island. I had my eye on it from day one. The wind was blowing steadily at 20mph with gusts. I hung my french easel on my glouster easel for weight and tried to keep flying paper towels to a minimum. It was a brutal session that I was convinced was futile. I only stopped painting because someone screamed out of their car window "looking good". I figured that was good enough for me. I really thought I'd trash the piece but now that I'm home and out of the wind I see it with a new perspective. It's my favorite.

Chincoteague Virginia Paintings 4

2011-10-19T16:19:00.000-07:00

16"x20" oil/linen

Another marina scene from Chincoteague Island. Broke this one down quite a bit. Artistic freedom applies plein air as well as studio work!

8"x10" oil/linen birch panel

Did this one immediately after an early one posted before. Yes the skeeters were still out in full force!

A muted light over the marina prompted this piece. An 8"x10" on linen.

Chincoteague Virginia Paintings 3

2011-10-18T15:38:00.000-07:00

24"x24" oil/linen

This is a view from the surf looking inland with that great surf atmosphere. Tried to capture it while hearing the breakers roll in. A strong east wind was apparent.

8"x10" oil/linen

A view from the marina that is on the south tip of Chincoteague. Visited here often.

11"x14" linen/birch panel

Back to the refuge for landscape.

Chincoteague Virginia Paintings 2

2011-10-17T13:51:00.000-07:00

11"x14" linen/birch panel A sunrise that was worth getting up for even though the bugs are out bigtime in the morning! The sliver of light reflecting grabbed me.

8"x10" oil/linen A rare attempt at painting the surf. Interesting subject. I did a larger one later.

11"x14" oil/linen birch panel Another sunrise where I got chewed up from the skeeters. Painted over the first painting I did on the trip. Enjoyed the paint over as I usually do.

Chincoteague Virginia Paintings

2011-10-16T09:10:00.000-07:00

20"x24" oil/linen After a week of painting in Chincoteague Virginia I was able to do 15 plein air pieces. The trip was a blast and the mosquitos were everywhere. I'll post 3 a day. I ended up doing boats, landscapes and a structural piece along with some surf scenes. A new subject for me.

12"x12" oil/linen

14"x11" oil/linen birch

Paint Annapolis 2011 Finale

2011-10-05T16:12:00.000-07:00

My 24"x24" oil/linen won second place at Paint Annapolis 2011. It was a great week and a very nice way to cap off the event.

This was the second 24"x24" entered in the main show. A sunrise from southgate ave.

This 11"x14" on linen/birch panel was done in the backyard of my host family. How nice that they live on Spa Creek!

Here is my Saturday quick draw entry. 14"x11" on linen/birch

Another one from the yard. 11"x14" on linen

The one below is my second favorite. An 11"x14" on linen/birch panel again from the backyard.

Susquehanna plein air

2011-09-26T18:00:00.000-07:00

8"x10" oil/linen

Wandered down to the river this evening and produced this piece. The approach is becoming more clear.

Paint Annapolis 2011

2011-09-25T10:37:00.000-07:00

8"x10" oil/linen birch

My show season is over and Paint Annapolis 2011 is fast approaching. I'm looking forward to painting the beautiful town of Annapolis and her surrounding harbors and waterways! The event starts this Thursday and culminates with a reception on Sunday at the Maryland Hall of creative arts.

I'm trying to get my chops back after being removed from my brushes for such long times this summer. I feed on the pressure of performance so I'm stoked to see what happens this week.

Ballerina

2011-09-14T16:35:00.000-07:00

24"x24"oil/canvas

This is how I decided to leave the piece. I'm off to the Rittenhouse Square fall show in Philadelphia, I'm on the corner near the Rittenhouse Hotel for those that are interested.

work in progress

2011-09-11T16:45:00.000-07:00

24"x24"oil/canvas

Been away for awhile. One day show at Bethany Beach yesterday. Came home cleaned the flooded basement(Yep the mighty Susquehanna raised her fist) and started this piece. The greens will be neutralized and all sorts of other goodies will happen. I like where this one is going....Will be careful not to kill it!

Susquehanna plein air

2011-08-19T07:46:00.000-07:00

8"x10" oil/linen birch

11"x14" oil/linen birch

8"x10" oil/linen birch

Did some quick plein air work with Steve Wetzel yesterday evening . A nice summer evening to paint and it felt good to be back along the river moving paint. Off to set up my Double booth at Mt Gretna. I'm at booths 217-218 for those in the area.

Mirror Pool

2011-08-17T17:07:00.000-07:00

24"x20" oil/ canvas

A view I experienced in Wickford, RI. Good to be painting.

figure

2011-08-10T16:15:00.000-07:00

14"x11" oil
Busy schedule. Did this figure over old work. It's a theme that I feel I have to explore more. Last weeks soiree in my hometown was fantastic. It rained and blew but my 3 tents and panels held up well and the people enjoyed the dry viewing space. Off to the Rehoboth Delaware show this weekend. Next week is Mt Gretna. A close to home show with great viewership!

plein air speed work

2011-07-28T05:55:00.000-07:00

12"x12" oil/panel

8"x10"oil linen/birch panel

11"x14" oil linen/birch panel

Finally had an evening to paint. Decided to shed some cobwebs, stay loose and go for it. Sling paint. Friends were there too and it's a new place to paint. Exciting!

Off to the Syracuse art and craft show this weekend. Should be another sweat fest but hopefully not as hot as Ann Arbor.

City rain

2011-07-15T05:17:00.000-07:00

24"x20" oil

The latest off the easel shot from my phone. Laptop has virus. Last week was a beautiful show in Wickford, RI. This week is Westport, CT. Next week is the art Blitzkrieg that is Ann Arbor. All the links are on my show schedule.

Yet again.......

2011-07-13T17:52:00.000-07:00

3 12"x12" oil

Managed to dig another set of ballerinas from the psyche. Have another piece in progress to post tomorrow before show scene gets insane. Well yeah, it's been insane.

Chicago cityscape

2011-06-30T13:48:00.000-07:00

24"x20" oil/linen

Did this piece in honor of my recent shows in Chicago. This weekend it's off to the Hamptons for the Amagansett fine art festival.

more structures and trees

2011-06-19T12:45:00.000-07:00

11"x14"

Did this one after the next one. Got caught up in the geometry of the next piece. So I decided on this one to tear down until I thought I had something. Still exploring the idea of trees and structures.

midwest

2011-06-16T12:48:00.000-07:00

11"x14" oil/birch linen

Driving to and from Chicago recently, I was unusually struck by the design feature of using shade trees to cool houses. Nothing new, but it resonated with me for some reason. The houses are all on the east side of the trees. Afternoon sun is much hotter than morning sun. I just remember all the bunches of trees and open spaces.

Just a first attempt here, but will continue to do work with this premise in mind.

Old Town Art Fair

2011-06-09T17:02:00.000-07:00

I'm in Chicago this weekend at one of the top shows in the country! Check it out.

2 sycamores w/shed

2011-05-25T16:36:00.000-07:00

10"x8" oil/linen birch panel

Finally picked up brush. Knocked this guy out and it felt good to move paint. Won't be too long before I get rollin' again. Love these these new linen birch panels. Man, they can take paint!

The scene is where a recent tornado rolled through. Knocked the one sycamore down.

Off to a show in Oxford ,MD. this weekend. check it out if possible. Link

chester county studio tour

2011-05-19T10:12:00.000-07:00

On the road and in the woods the last 3 weeks. Towed a few times and got drenched a few times. Off to the Chester County Studio Tour this weekend. With any luck I'll pick up a brush soon. Maybe even some plein air work at the show. If you're in the area check it out. It's even supposed to be sunny for a change.

This was my booth at Scarsdale last week. I had to post something. Some folks thought I kicked the bucket. The bucket is full of rainwater. I dare not kick it!

abstract spring

2011-04-23T14:55:00.000-07:00

6"x12" oil/panel

Just enough time for some sketching. Basement flooded and I have a lot to clean up before the show season starts next week in Richmond. Mold galore. Yippeee...

28 strokes part 4

2011-04-21T17:01:00.000-07:00

6"x6" oil/panel

I continue with the 28 brushstroke exercise. This time done over a painting. I seem to be completely engrossed in the horizontal line compositions. This will change no doubt, but for now I must follow my intuition. Note: when painting over old work, strokes could be many fewer to create a believable work. This exercise is enlightening and brings awareness to the temptation of predertermining strokes and loading the brush with color. Too close to craft work ie..painting flower petals with one stroke. I am abandoning this exercise. I learned a lesson.........Paintings develope through continual interaction and reaction...........

More Spring

2011-04-20T17:24:00.000-07:00

20"x24" oil/canvas

Continuing to paint over old work. I'm concentrating on colors seen throughout the day. Composition resonates in my unconscious.

I have a bunch of linen on birch panels coming that will be dedicated to plein air work. Light is lasting longer and I need to be in the elements.

Yet again.......

2011-04-18T15:50:00.000-07:00

20"x24"oil/canvas

If you remember my ode to a Christmas tree last December(?) there were what appeared to be trees about to be burned in a fire disaster.Note the 2010 signature. Well I've drenched it with paint. To combine the imagination with observation would be ideal. Leaving things in that couldn't possibly occur in nature is quite tempting. I'm guessing I won't have much luck at the next OPA competition!

More spring coverups

2011-04-16T14:45:00.000-07:00

24"x24" oil/canvas

Another painting over a painting. I'm pushing the idea of spring through abstraction again. I might tweak this one. A counter angle in the sky might do wonders. Need to contemplate this one. I'll ponder it while we are under a tornado watch.........

spring time

2011-04-13T16:20:00.000-07:00

11"x14" oil/canvas

The trees are budding. I took a winter landscape and turned it a season. The show schedule is coming together and the work is starting.

no strokes

2011-04-09T12:53:00.000-07:00

40"x30" oil/linen

Almost no strokes in this one. I used a big brush and scrubbed in the paint. This is a view from the local recycling plant. Yes it is in a rural area.

I'm enjoying the dynamic of the 28 stroke series then allowing freedom of brushwork.

28 strokes part 3

2011-04-06T17:24:00.000-07:00

6"x6" oil/panel

Hopefully, you see the hand of the artist in this series. 28 strokes. Yes, it is hard to understand, Yes, I am hard to understand. Feel free to standover, but please keep a distance.

28 strokes part 2

2011-04-05T16:53:00.000-07:00

6"x6" oil/panel

What started as an idea has become a full blown direction. This is a self portrait done with glasses off and 28 strokes. I'm all but blind without my corrective lenses. I couldn't even see my palette properly. I mixed warms where cools should have been and vice versa. The energy that is being created is overwhelming. These things are tough to do! But I'm only 2 in and getting ideas!

28 strokes part 1

2011-04-03T16:33:00.000-07:00

6"x6" oil/panel

Since I have a boat load of small panels I decided to challenge myself. The challenge is create a piece with 28 brushstrokes. I'll vary brushsize however will not stray from 28 strokes. This creates an interesting dilema to say the least. The darks must go down first then carved into. A stroke consists of the brush never leaving the panel. Crazy is as crazy does..... These will appear at random

Fort Hunter

2011-04-02T12:56:00.000-07:00

20"x24" oil/linen

A local historical area. I've attempted to tackle architecture again while maintaining free brushwork and allowing light to play the lead role.

'da hood

2011-03-29T16:59:00.000-07:00

8"x10" oil/linen

This is a view towards the capitol dome from a less than desirable section of the city. I find boarded up buildings and junk cars incredibly interesting all the while recognizing the depressing state of things that create this situation. Finding beauty in the ugly. An artists job indeed!

I'm getting grounded again and can see things I need to do.

ps. I left the dome out.

plutonium

2011-03-28T16:32:00.000-07:00

5"x7" oil

A quick sketch based on an image burned in my brain predawn today. It's ok to play I say. Formula may please the mind, and representation might pay the rent, appreciating paint for what it is is what soothes my soul when all is said. Done.

St. Patricks Cathedral

2011-03-27T12:29:00.000-07:00

24"x20" oil/linen

Yet another attempt at the local dome I see from my house. It is a truly impressive church to see in person. I still try to capture it. I suppose most cities have similar structures. I'm sure others are as fascinated with their own as I am with this one.........

orchard

2011-03-22T16:23:00.000-07:00

20"x24" oil/linen

This is a theme I do every spring. I love Van Goghs orchard paintings. I just have a different approach and result. More tonalist I suppose. Minimalist perhaps. At any rate, spring is close and snow is in the forecast. @$fu#@. Yes, I've had enough of winter. This creepy spring orchard piece found its way out of me today. We will see if any more do.

wreck-less abandon

2011-03-20T13:17:00.000-07:00

40"x30" oil/linen

I am painting like a mad man. A brief thought leads to multiple strokes. Big brush.... hint of light.... a structure perhaps... it's all meaningless unless there is cohesion...a few thoughts along the way....

still kickin'

2011-03-12T14:13:00.000-08:00

40"x30" oil/linen

Trying to get back in the groove.

different mindsets and perceptions

2011-03-04T16:59:00.000-08:00

14"x12" oil/panel

As my mind altering cold fades I find the energy to at least tweak 2 pieces that I felt needed changes. The top is a piece that is a Gruppe study. The bottom is from 2 posts ago. I couldn't stand that dark value in the water. Somehow I saw like that when painting but thankfully I see it differently now!

5"x7" oil

still sick

2011-03-02T16:16:00.000-08:00

24"x30" oil

My apologies. These new cold bugs seem to be "super bugs". Everyone I know thats had this one is down for a week and I'm on track with that. This is a piece from a few years back. It represents clarity, which I wish I had in my head right now.

On a sad note, the first neighbor that I ever had at an art show passed away from lymphoma the 27th of February. A mere 2 years ago he and his wife Trilla stayed at our house while doing the Longs Park show in Lancaster with no signs of illness. It's amazing how quickly artists form bonds and just as amazing how quickly they can be dissolved.

You will be missed Robert.

in the sun

2011-02-27T12:15:00.000-08:00

5"x7" oil

Here is another take on Sherman Creek. This time the sun is behind me as opposed to the last few which were backlit. More warm colors in this even though it's still a cold day. I stick to the sun is warm theory so anything the sun is hitting will be from the warm side of my palette. Been fighting a touch of a cold, so just started back painting small scale. The energy that large work requires would have been too depleting.

light

2011-02-22T17:08:00.000-08:00

5"x7" oil

So This is what happens when I throw architecture out the window and try to catch light. This is a tough time of year for me to paint. I am, however, excited about the future. Actually, I'm not. Stay in the present............

Sherman Creek "revisited"

2011-02-21T17:44:00.000-08:00

12"x12" oil/canvas

Silly me decided to do another frozen scene from my trip to Warm Springs Lodge. The only reason there is some open water is because the warm springs flow into the creek here.

There is a general consensus that people prefer warm paintings to cool ones. I prefer to paint all conditions. This winter has been frigid and I'm painting frigid. You might think in summer these would cool people down. We'll see. The big seller in summer is food on a stick. The artists don't have a prayer............I'm looking into a portable deep fryer.......just kidding.

spring hemlocks

2011-02-19T14:42:00.000-08:00

40"x30" oil/linen

A client recently requested a vertical version of a plein air piece I did a couple of years ago. I have to say I was very happy to revisit the scene and I truly felt like I was there. Minus the black flies :) It felt good....there are no insects in this one!

essentials

2011-02-12T14:33:00.000-08:00

12"x12" oil

While painting a few weeks ago with the seven livelies group I took a break and drove/walked around snapping photos left, right and sideways. It was brutally cold so I did most work inside. Enjoyed the stroll though while snapping pics. I'll say this about working from photos. They are a departure point. I see the light, composition, line and massing. I use a temperature controlled palette and leave a whole bunch out. I see my take on the scene develope from the first dark stroke. I work from dark to light. The goal is to "feel" the piece come to fruition I think. If you don't feel it do something else for the time being. Someone else recently said this on a blog and I couldn't agree more. I'd research it but spent the morning putting a serpentine belt in the jetta and afternoon painting. Now I gots to eat.............

Trails

2011-02-10T16:57:00.000-08:00

5"x7" oil

So as I gaze at the work after I feel I've done enough, I start to feel an influence. Don't know whom. This piece is getting close to some recent 'mental" paintings. Intuition, fruition, institution. Who's to say what's next. This is an observation piece...........My eyesight is deteriorating.......

Intuition

2011-02-09T16:25:00.000-08:00

5"x7" oil

Haven't painted in awhile for a multitude of reasons. Was finally able to empty my head and get into studio. I say empty my head because for me painting depends a lot on intuition. I had many flashes while doing this small piece. I'd like to say I'll remember them but I won't. The key will be to allow flashes in the next piece. "Minds are like parachutes, they only work when they are open".

On the road again....

2011-02-03T14:42:00.000-08:00

The van is loaded. Off to the CBA Art Show in Lincroft, NJ. Been framing and organizing lately so not much painting in the last few days. On the ground here is a 36"x48" of the goldfish pond I paint every now and then.

Believe it or not ,yesterday there was a 1/2" covering of ice on EVERYTHING. You may remember last year I did the show and we had a blizzard. Sat in the hotel watching a flag get ripped to shreds and snowmobiles on the road all day Saturday. Snow and ice are forecast again . Hopefully not much though.

Phoenix

2011-01-29T12:39:00.000-08:00

24"x30" oil/canvas

Dug this one out of the ashes and touched up a woefully dark foreground. A summer farm scene in Pennsylvania. Back when the cicadas were buzzing and the stink bugs were stinking. If you haven't heard about stink bugs...you will.

struggles and letting go

2011-01-27T16:47:00.000-08:00

11"x14" oil/canvas

So after working for hours on trying to do a better version of yesterdays piece frustration set in. I was working on top of an old piece that I liked the sky and nothing else. The front lighting of yesterdays perspective could not have this sky and the sky I wanted to keep. So I went ballistic with the wipedown and let feeling take over. Not recommended but sometimes needed.....

The Tin Man

2011-01-26T17:27:00.000-08:00

11"x14" oil

I could use some oil. Haven't painted in a few days and feel rusty. It's snowing cats and dogs and silver dollars. This scene was from last weeks excursion. It's the splitting of a creek. The right branch reads too dark in photo. It's the warm side being sunlit, the left branch is cool edged but sunlit down the middle. I ramble........... Should do this abstracted and only focus on temperature. Off to stare at the snow.................

3 apples

2011-01-23T10:58:00.000-08:00

3 6"x6" oils

Spent Saturday painting with the seven livelies group. Mostly just reconnecting with the gang. Found a dark table with north light and produced these pieces. Very low light and only the reflections hinted at where these apples were. They almost appeared to be floating.

final round

2011-01-21T17:29:00.000-08:00

5"x7" oil

Broke some rules on this finale. The fish is painted with all cool colors and the background is warm. When all 3 are viewed together there is cohesion. Off on a painting excursion tomorrow. Might do a bunch of small still life. It's so cold I think paint will freeze outside.

round 2

2011-01-20T17:42:00.000-08:00

5"x7" oil

Call me crazy, I dug out the fish remnants from the garbage. (It's cold outside and in studio so stench is quite limited). I wanted to paint from direct observation. Yesterdays was from a photo before I cleaned the fish. So I layed out the striper and stuffed paper towels where the filets use to be. The cats are very excited and my light barrier will never smell the same. I smell a triptych............

dinner

2011-01-19T16:53:00.000-08:00

5"x7" oil

A VERY rough sketch of a striped bass I had for dinner. I've seen so many others do fish very well. I like when you can see the sheen on the fish, however when "I" paint them I have little interest in that. In fact, I'm just now exploring the idea of painting fish. Yes, a shadow and more detail would make it sing. But I've played that song.

winter shipyard

2011-01-16T12:35:00.000-08:00

30"x40" oil/linen

Really breaking down complex subject. I'm looking for less and less. Reality is not so important.

people are people

2011-01-15T15:54:00.000-08:00

3 12"x12" oils

Interesting times. I'm pursuing gesture and figure again, my 3 ballerinas got best of show at the local Art Association of Harrisburg figure show, I bought a stellar coffee maker and am a victim of a lame cyber attack. Someone claims I'm ripping people off.To top it off they didn't contact me directly. Here is my open invitation to clarify. You should know that I know where all my web hits come from and when. Bring it on San Diego.............

cows on parade

2011-01-12T17:32:00.000-08:00

3 6"x6" oils

It's farm show week in Harrisburg. What this means is all things agriculture come to town and display their items for the public to see. The local lore is that it snows this week. Well it did a nice 4 inches. Shouldn't be a surprise. Historically it's one of the coldest weeks in modern time for this area.

Here are some cows. Up close and personal.

Hangin' with the Govna'

2011-01-11T16:35:00.000-08:00

I picked up my paintings from the Governors mansion tonight and they gave me this photo from the reception of the show. I didn't paint tonight but thought this would be fun to post. This is a group I paint with called the seven lively artists(none of us can count). The show ran all summer and fall and winter......the reception was wonderful and the Govna' is quite cool. Perhaps you've seen him portayed on the news(60 minutes) as a crazed looney lately. A gambling addict. They photoshop all that crap. He's a good dude. He lets his dogs run all over the mansion. Big labs and retrievers as I recall. And he gave us this show.

This is an eclectic group eh? I'm 4th from the left in the back(currently have much more hair and scruff, it's winter) and the Govna' is 5th from right. It's snowing heavily right now and I'm content staring out the window............

digging deep

2011-01-10T17:27:00.000-08:00

3-7"x5" oils

What am I doing with these? Ok, when I have no particular painting or even subject in mind, it's time to delve into the mind. I'm a very visual person. I see things and they constantly register with me. So, when I take photos in my daily routine I save them. Now into studio...........Immediately it becomes apparent that a replica of the photo is not the beautiful thing that I witnessed. In fact the idea of trying to reproduce becomes sickening. My latest exercise is to do 3 studies of the photo and figure out my interest.The original photo of this scene had way more info. I tried to include it in the first piece(They are left to right in order) but immediately cut stuff out. I go mind numb yet attentive. Certain things show themselves. I continue to learn, making aggressive strokes and pondering lesser ones. A proactive experience. Don't ask me what the flaming orb is but I'm convinced I'm making progress!

barn

2011-01-09T13:18:00.000-08:00

20"x24" oil/linen

At first I included all the barn doors, windows, trees etc... that were in the scene. The more I looked the less I wanted. Turned out doing very slow controlled strokes of paint laden brushes. Totally the opposite of yesterdays piece. Of course, leaves on the ground would hardly be painted slowly and controlled. The Thiebaud influence showed up here.

hip hip HOORAY!!!

2011-01-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

40"x30" oil/linen

We finally received an inch of snow and it made the landscape beautiful. By afternoon not a whole bunch left but this was the view from dads driveway. I paint this place alot. The only good thing about a bad economy is the developers haven't moved in yet. Fingers crossed. It's snowing right now and is quite nice to look at. just another inch or so. Keeping things white yet negotiable.

twilight

2011-01-05T16:46:00.000-08:00

11"x14" oil

more o' da same

fake snow

2011-01-04T15:29:00.000-08:00

9"x12"oil

Nature is starving central PA. of snow, so I'm still in imagination mode and applying it to landscape. Hang in there, I think there is potential..........

figure and gesture

2011-01-01T15:09:00.000-08:00

3 11"x14" oil

In a follow up to the ballerinas I continue to explore gesture and the human form from my imagination.

sailboats

2010-12-31T12:20:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-29T17:25:00.000-08:00

>

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

2010-12-27T16:43:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-26T13:10:00.000-08:00

5"x7" oil

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

winter creek

2010-12-25T07:07:00.000-08:00

20"x24" oil/linen

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

it's getting deep

2010-12-22T14:38:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-19T09:10:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-18T14:06:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-17T14:08:00.000-08:00

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.