Saratoga Springs Art in the Park

"Amelia" Oil on Linen, 8 x 10

This portrait will be on view at the Saratoga Springs "Art in the Park" event on Saturday, July 9th.  Stop by and say hello if you are in the area.  Thanks to Alice Corey for the photo reference of her beautiful little girl Amelia.  While I prefer to work from my own sketches and reference photos for children's portraits I will work with other people's photos if they are well taken.  Head on over to Alice's website to see some really beautiful photography!

Salmagundi Club

"Cinemas", 18 x 24, Oil on Linen

I'm pleased to announce that my oil painting "Cinemas" has been accepted into the Salmagundi Club's Annual Juried Painting & Sculpture Show.  It will be on view in the main gallery of the National Arts Club in New York City from July 28th to August 8th.  Stop by if you're in the city!


UPDATE:  After standing in front of the dark, closed National Arts Club Saturday morning, I read my instructions for drop off to find that the exhibit is at the SALMAGUNDI CLUB on Fifth Avenue. So, it is 47 Fifth Avenue, New York City.  (The same show was at the National Arts Club last year so it was an understandable mistake . . . she said).

Illumination

"Illumination", 16 x 20, oil on linen

This is another Saratoga rainy day scene.  I am happy with it overall but need to let it sit for a while before declaring it "finished".  This will probably be the last cityscape I post for a while since I am in the Caribbean now. It's hard to paint cold rainy days when it is 90 degrees and sunny!

Rainy Day Grays

"Rainy Day Grays", oil on linen, 18 x 24

This is one of 4 large (for me) paintings that I have been working on over the past month or so in my studio.   I was not sure it was finished but I found myself doing lots of pointless noodling and it finally had to go - ready or not!  I am dropping this piece off at the gallery tomorrow so it had no choice but to be "finished."  The downside to working in an indirect manner is not only the amount of time it takes to complete the painting but how much that extra time creates and enables doubt and uncertainty to creep in at each stage. When painting directly, either in the studio or plein air, you have to make quick decisions and stick with it.  But, when working in layers you can glaze, scumble, have a snack, paint the whole thing over again, question the color choice, glaze, scumble, change the palette, throw your brushes, have another snack . . . well you get the picture.  I am satisifed for now.  It has a quiet kind of Hopper feel to me (though with brighter colors obviously).  Two of the other paintings were not allowed to leave the studio.  They are being punished.