Rising Mist

"Rising Mist", 8 x 10, pastel on sanded paper (currently available at Mimosa Gallery through 6/30)

The last few weeks have been spent experimenting with an indirect painting technique which is opposite of the way I usually work in oil.  It involves a lot of pre-planning and patience.  The way that Deborah Paris teaches this technique is to develop a very thorough and detailed underpainting in a transparent color and then add layers of glazes, velaturas and opaque paint passages at the end.  It takes a LONG time and it requires your concept be completely thought out prior to even starting the painting.  I need to experiment with it more as I don't feel I have anything worth posting yet.   I have come to the conclusion, however, that what I really want is for my oils to look like my pastels.  So I am going to experiment with trying to marry the indirect method with my pastel technique.  We'll see what happens.   I'll keep you posted . . .

Maine Landscape

Study for "Evening in Maine"  6 x6 oil on panel

Thanks to everyone who braved the rain to attend my opening at Mimosa on Friday!  It was great to meet some new collectors and I really enjoyed talking to everyone.  Thanks to Michelle at Mimosa for a lovely evening.  The show will be up until the end of June so please stop by if you're in Saratoga Springs.  The above little painting will be staying in my studio until I get the time to paint a bigger version of it (hopefully soon!).

Show at Mimosa Gallery in Saratoga Springs NY

Please stop by Mimosa in Saratoga Springs NY to see my latest show "Latitudes."   There will be a reception from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. tonight.  See you there!

Caribbean Market Women and Lion's Paw

"Strength", Pastel on Sanded Paper, 18 x 24

A selection of my Caribbean Market Women paintings is currently on view at The Lions Paw in Fairfield, CT.  There is a fundraiser for Kids in Crisis (www.kidsincrisis.org) tonight from 6 to 10 p.m.  The event will feature live music and wine tasting and is sponsored by Lions Paw and Venu Magazine.  Stop by for a glass of wine if you are in the area!  Lion's Paw is conveniently located next to the Fairfield train station on Donnelly Walk (63 Unquowa Rd.).

New Paintings and Show

"Sunset Sail", 9 x 12, oil on linen

Another long absence.  I have been busy painting everyday since returning from the Caribbean a couple of weeks ago.  I will be featuring all my new work at Mimosa Gallery in Saratoga Springs, NY from June 4th to the 29th.  There will be an opening on Friday, June 7th from 5 - 8 p.m. so if you are in the area please drop in!  I will post more details this week.  

Pastel Plein Air: Oak and Cherry

"Oak and Cherry", Pastel on sanded board, 9 x 12

This is my first plein air outing with my pastels in a long time!  I didn't get a chance to do any pastels in the Caribbean (pastels are not allowed on the boat!).  It was a beautiful morning in Saratoga Springs and this Oak tree was the first thing that caught my eye.  The park is filled with blooming cherry trees so it is literally a field of pink and green everywhere you look.

Back in the USA

Study for Spring in Saratoga, 6 x 8, oil on panel

The Caribbean season is finally over and I am back in the US!  I am enjoying the beautiful weather here in Saratoga Springs NY and have been visiting my favorite spots in the area.  This is an area of the Saratoga Spa State Park that has geysers and beautiful meandering brooks.  The last couple of days have been great for painting outside.  This study is an example of my new approach to developing a painting.  I now spend more time on numerous pencil sketches, trying out different compositions, and then execute a quick color study to capture the basic scene in terms of color relationships.  I will use the sketches and color study to paint the larger version in the studio over the next few days.  I will try not to use any photography references but I am keeping my options open . . .