The Perfect Pencil and Paper

I was recently given the most wonderful gift;
one that I didn’t even know I needed.
The perfect pencil and paper!

I was given a Blackwing medium sized Slate notebook,
with a Matte pencil,
and a one-step long point sharpener.
The pencil responds beautifully to different pressures and the paper in the notebook features 160 pages of high-quality100GSM paper.
And it has a durable dual-sewn binding.
(So it lays flat!)

What a pleasure to have something so satisfying to use.
A wonderful tool to “unplug and live mindfully.”
Thank you Blackwing.co!

More Works in Progress

I’ve been working on a series of
”architecture in the landscape” paintings
using quick thumbnail value studies as references.

South River Boat House
16 x 16 oil

The Gordon’s Barn
16 x 16 oil

I’m heading up to Vermont for a few days
next week so I’m gearing up for lots of inspiration.
Barns galore!

Value Thumbnails

We talk often in my classes about the importance
of doing quick value thumbnails before painting.
I find that it gives you a chance to work out
design and composition issues ahead of time,
making the doing of the painting more fun!

Outer Cape Shed
(WIP))
16 x 16 oil

The above is something I’m working on from this quick sketch.

Just a few seconds with some markers
can make a huge difference!

Teaching

We just completed my 5 week
Modern Painting class
and as always,
I am thrilled with the student work.
This group was so entusiastic and willing to try anything.
Here are just few examples from
some of the quick exercises:
”Designing with Values”

“Two Value Crazy Color Notan”

“Simplifiying Shapes with Collage”

”Collage Self Portrait Using Exaggeration”

All surprising and so expressive. Teaching gives me such joy
and inspiration.
I actually learn more than what I teach.
I’m now excited and ready to
”practic what I preach”
Thank you!

Joy of Quick Plein Air

Out of the blue I set up my plein air gear
outside my studio late afternoon today.
The sun was low and the light was so dramatic
I couldn’t resist.

This 30 minute meditation recharged
my creative batteries.

Welcome September.

Back To School

The fall is a great time to re-charge
your creative batteries
I’m excited about teaching a new
Modern Painting Class
at North River Arts Society
Tuesdays 9:30 -12:30
Beginning September 8

Beach Barns 12 x 12 oil

This fun class is designed for experienced painters working in any medium, who want to explore a more expressive and contemporary approach to their work. We’ll explore new ways to manipulate the abstract elements of line, shape, color, and value to express an unexpected idea or statement. Through a series of quick, fun exercises, we’ll learn how to let go of just copying what is in front of us and let our intuition guide us. This is not a “how to paint” class, rather a place to have fun and experiment with fellow artists. We’ll be working independently from still life and/or photos. Cut paper collage may be introduced along the way. 

Specific materials needed will be emailed each week.

Plein Air Finally

I finally got out to do some plein air painting
and it was so uplifting and fun.
A friend invited us to the Glades in Scituate;
an historic private property on the ocean that features
many barns, private homes and what was once a hotel.
The day was perfection;
no humidity, no bugs, no wind
and I didn’t forget anything!

I used a very limited palette to start;
dioxazine purple, raw umber, transparent yellow earth,
and a bit of alizarin crimson.

Last minute I added the lawn and sky.
Not sure about that, but now I’m going
to play with it in the studio.

My pal Sally Dean
and her cool new Shade Buddy umbrella
(that goes in the ground, not a clip on!)
I need to upgrade my gear!

Finding Inspiration

On a hot summer day last week,
I drove by three teenage girls riding bikes
in bathing suits and bare feet and
it took my breath away.
The freedom! The innocence!
I got home and quickly did this watercolor
to remind me of the moment.

It wasn’t easy getting an image as I was driving.
I had to drive passed them, pull over, and wait for them to go by.

I can’t wait to try this as an oil painting
when I get back to the studio.
(Still doing hand therapy
and taking it slow for now.)

Wrist Surgery

I recently had tenosynovectomy surgery on my right wrist;
a complicated procedure to “straighten out the tendons”.
(I know! Who knew?)
A long recovery has my summer activities somewhat limited
but luckily, I’m left handed so I tried painting this week.

I can hold a paper towel, but opening paint tubes is a challenge.
And forget about putting the tops back on!

I may have to switch gears and try some quick watercolor sketches.

“Mary’s Gift”
5 x 5
watercolor

Learning how to slow down
and ask others for help is not easy!
Stay tuned.

Quick Sketches

Working on a few new pieces for the
Copley Society Small Works.

“Pink on Pink”
10 x 10 oil
I did this using a small watercolor sketch I did
during the Tracy Everly workshop a few weeks ago.

Tracy reminded us how important it is to do quick
thumbnail sketches before actually painting.
It is truly a great way to work out issues of
value and composition ahead of time.
It makes doing the actual painting alot more fun!

Painters and Poets show

I’m delighted to be a part of the Painters and Poets show
at the Art Complex Museum in Duxbury
this Saturday and Sunday from 1-4.

“Star Tulips”
12 x 12
All the pieces in the show are inspired by
the poem ”This World” by Mary Oliver.
Here is my statement;

“The line in Mary Oliver’s poem This World;
“The tulip feels the heat and flaps it’s petals open and becomes a star” inspired this painting. I’ve always loved tulips and buy bunches for my kitchen counter right after the holidays. Watching them open and flourish in the vase is always welcome in late winter. The last phase, when they all droop; almost resigning themselves, is my favorite. I tried to capture that in this painting. And I never realized that they look like a star when acting that way.”  

Plein Air Painting

I’m not typically a plein air painter
so when I do, I find it rather daunting.
Taking Tracy Everly’s workshop at the
Art Complex Museum, in Duxbury, MA
last week was humbling.
I’m just now absorbing some of the lessons shared.
It was overcast both days so there was very little
value contrast to work with.
This was my very first approach on location.

And here it is after a few tweeks in the studio today.

“Charlie’s House”
10 x 10 oil

I darkened the darks and lightened the lights.
Tried to make it all about the bamboo,
but the dark green door wanted to dominate.
Tracy is an amazing instructor and person.
Very generous and so earnest.
It’s all good.
Fun to be back at it.

Summer is Here

Happy Summer!
Time for some fun experimentation and discovery.
I dusted off my plein air gear the other day and did this
in my backyard.

“Spring Reflections”
16 x 12 oil
Looking forward to taking another plein air workshop
with Tracy Everly next week
with the Art Complex Museum in Duxbury, MA.
Stay tuned!

Up Coming Events

Looking forward to a busy spring!

I’m having a solo show at the
Copley Society of Boston
”Barns and Beach Houses”
May 6- June 29
in the Alcove (Lower Level)

“Lady in Red” 14 x 14 oil

And I’ll be giving a talk/presentation for the
Wellesley Society of Artists
at the Wellesley Free Library on Tuesday
May 7, 6:30 - 8:00 pm

More images and information to follow.
Happy Spring!

Out of the Loop

I’ve been out of the loop most of the winter due to
a remodelling project, travelling, and some family fun.
I did manage to teach three sessions of my Modern Painting class
at the North River Arts Society and as always;
the work done was amazing.

Here are some samples of a favorite exercise we did
replicating a famous painting by limiting it to just 5 shapes.

And here is the group,
fully engaged in collaging!

Now, I’m finally looking forward to getting back in the studio
for some experimentation and fun!
I’ll keep you posted.

Personal Subjects

This time of year, I tend toward interiors.
The winter sunlight can create beautiful patterns
and shapes indoors.
Here’s one I’ve been working on lately.

18 x 12 oil

I learned a long time ago how difficult it is to paint
personal subjects;
old friends, Grandkids, parents.
When I know and love the subject, I try too hard to
”get it right” and it never works.

As soon as I began working on this of our 13 year old lab
I knew I was in trouble.

It ended up losing the initial sense of immediacy,
but I loved spending so much time with my sweet old dog.

Juried Shows

I recently had three paintings rejected from a
prestigious local Juried show.
After going through all the predictable reactions;
shock, anger, self doubt….
I was reminded of the Buddhist saying
”you never know when something bad could be good”
(and vice versa)

“Beach Road” 12 x 7 oil

Yesterday the Solace gallery owner in
New jersey called to tell me a client wants
to purchase the painting above
and is interested in me doing a large commission for her!
So, I guess a positive attitude and faith in yourself
goes a long way.
Not to mention,
juried shows do not mean a thing
about your talent or personal journey!
(PS. This is a repeat of a post I did last May,
but I think the lesson here is very valuable.)

New Year / New Approaches

I love getting back in the studio this time of year.
It’s a time to experiment and just have fun!
This one has been in the works and I thought I’d share.

16 x 12 oil
title TBD
Trying out a totally new limited palette:
Burnt Umber
Transparent Earth Red and Yellow
Cadmium yellow medium and deep
Ultramarine Blue
B&W
I’m also using lots of new tools;
knives, scrapers, squeegees, chop sticks etc.
(I’ve been having issues with my wrists lately
so I’ve had to re-invent how I do things.)

Happy New Year everyone!
Here’s to many happy, productive and fullfilling
hours in the studio in 2024.

"Apricity"

I just learned a new word!

Living at the beach this winter,
I have been inspired by the dramatic affect that winter sunlight has near the ocean.
My son recently sent me this info
after seeing some of my recent paintings.

“Apricity is an old English word for
the warmth of the sun on a winter’s day.
To bask in the sun is to apricate.
The air may be cold, but radiant solar heat
can raise objects to much highter temperatures,
especially away from the convective cooling of the wind.”

“On The Way Home” 8 x 8 oil

I saw this on my way home around 4:00 pm
the other day;
the homes on the distant beach
lit up by the setting winter sun.
I never knew there is a word for that!

Save the Pink House

A friend recently told me about an iconic landmark,
on the North Shore of Boston and suggested I paint it.

Once I researched it, I became fascinated and
had to give it a go.

According to Wikipedia:

“The Pink House is an uninhabited historic house and popular photography and painting subject located in Newbury, Massachusetts, United States. The house was built in 1925 and was privately owned until it was sold to Parker River National Wildlife Refuge for $375,000 in 2011.

On October 31, 2023, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife (FWS) announced their intention to demolish The Pink House (to occur after a 30-day public comment period from November 1- 30). This sudden announcement came after eight years of Support The Pink House Inc (STPH) working tirelessly to find a solution to save the house - included paying all expenses demanded by the Fish & Wildlife to prepare the house for trade.

I’ve been following the website
and it looks like it may be saved after all!

Stay tuned!