Study of Zoe

Study for "Zoe", oil on linen, 8 x 8 (cropped)

Another children's portrait for you!  I am updating my website this week to reflect the new portrait business and feature some more recent examples of my portrait work.  Please forgive the glare in this.  I only have my iPhone right now and have to shoot outside so it is difficult to get correct color.  This piece is actually based on an old black and white photo that I have had for a long time.  I am going to offer small pieces such as the one above for people who are not in my area or want an affordable alternative to the larger, full commission portraits.  These pieces will be done from client provided photos and will not involve a photo shoot or life sittings.  I will describe what constitutes a "good" photo on my website under the "commissions" heading.  Please visit my website for more information.   

The Human Connection

I want to share a comment I received in an email about one of my paintings.  The little study above, “Rain on Broadway”, was one of many paintings featured in a silent auction to benefit the Saratoga Preservation Society in Saratoga Springs the other night.  All of my paintings sold but this one sold during a preview showing and was not available during the auction.  When I got home I received a lovely email from the owner of the store that is featured in this painting. Here are a couple of lines from her email:

this is my corner, this is my store, this is a piece of my life. . . this moment you captured just stopped my heart. That quiet rainy evening on the corner where so much of my life has unfolded. If that corner could talk!!

I have to say this is one of the best emails I have ever received about my work.  It is so richly rewarding in so many ways.  And it encapsulates why I love these kind of scenes:  the stories, the history, the human connection.  Needless to say, I hope to create another piece that will touch her in the same way!

Summer Trees

Summer Tree Study, oil on panel, 8 x 8

It's hard to believe summer is over!  It is warmer this weekend in upstate New York than it had been all summer!   Anyway, this is another study for my field note collection.  It was done from a quick pencil sketch in Newport this summer.  I would like to build a large library of these kind of references for my larger paintings.  I am working on a couple of larger pieces and hope to post in the next few days.

Lingering Mist

Study for "Lingering Mist", 8 x 8, oil on panel
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This started as a plein air piece done in the middle of a summer day.  I decided it needed a little more mood and changed the time of day to early morning.  I like it much better.  I am going to start putting some of my studies on the Daily Paintworks auction page - starting with this one!  I will also be selling some of my smaller studies and paintings through an online gallery this Fall.  Stay tuned for details!

New Cityscape Study

Study for "Broadway Drizzle", oil on linen panel, 8 x 8

The reds are a little over saturated in this photo.  This is a study for a larger painting that I am starting today.  The larger piece will be 20 x 20.  I am going to emphasize the glow from the windows with a lot of glazing and transparent layers.  I will post a progress shot this weekend (hopefully)!

Steaming Sidewalk Study

"Steaming Sidewalk Study",  8 x 8, pastel on paper

I have had this reference for a long time and just now decided to tackle it.  This is the preliminary study on sanded paper.  I really like the way the texture of the paper makes the colors in the steam sparkle.  I  am going to do a couple of oil color studies because I think the red sidewalk is a bit saturated and makes the whole painting too warm.  I am trying to avoid using any photo references for my landscapes these days but cityscapes are a different story.  It's too hard to remember all the perspective issues and architectural detail without a reference.  More on that in another post!

Spring Mist

"Spring Mist", 8 x 8, pastel on sanded paper

The mist and fog theme continues . . . This work will be shown at Sorelle Gallery starting Friday, April 25th.  There will be a reception on Friday evening from 6 - 8p.m.  Stop by if you're in the area!