City Shapes

"City Shapes" 9x12   Acrylic Click to View

This painting is from a photo I took in Times Square. The challenge was to simplify!

How I spent my new years eve 2013

"Effervescent Intersection"  10x12" Acrylic  Click to View

I think the title of this painting may have something to do with the mood of the night. OK, a little bubbly was consumed. I spent it solo, as usual, (not complaining). Hubby had a jazz gig in Times Square and I was not up for the ordeal of the park-o-rama, wall to wall crowds, not to mention it is freezing!!! Staying home with snoring kitties and the fireplace humming away + my paints and brushes seemed like the perfect way to usher in the new year - it was!

Dressed for the Fest

"Festive Fowl"  12x16" Acrylic  Click to View

As we find ourselves in the tail end (sorry, couldn't help myself) of 2013, I hope this finds everyone in a place of cheerful optimism in welcoming in the new year. Myself, I'm grateful to be on this journey of being an artist, and all the new avenues of learning and discovering it constantly serves up. At times it is a frustrating, daunting and downright exacerbating path, but as every artist knows, there is often an unexpected breakthrough just around the bend that sustains the passion to keep pushing the envelope. Thankfully, this path is never boring; new discoveries abound as quickly as we open ourselves to them. Wishing you all happy endings and inspired new beginnings. Cheers!

Ruminating Rooster

"Ruminating Rooster"  12x16"  Acrylic  Click to View

As the proud "mom" to 3 lovely chickens  (as well as an array of other critters), I can tell you they are full of charming personality and nuanced moods, can you tell?

Truckin' Chicken

"Truckin' Chicken"  12x16 Acrylic  Click to View

Ranting Rooster

"Ranting Rooster" 12x16 Acrylic  Click to View

I decided to get out my big brushes and have some fun. I ended up with a series of 4 roosters.

Happy holidays to all - Hope your new year is something to crow about!

Precious Metals

"Precious Metals"  8x10"  Acrylic on Canvas  Click to Bid

I have brave gals in my friday morning class - whatever I put in front of them, they just dig their heels in and paint. Despite a little bit of whining (this is too hard!) they always come out with flying colors and great paintings. I have to admit, this one actually was pretty challenging, considering all the shimmery metallic reflections to deal with. I decided to set up an easel and share their pain. All I know for certain is that as challenging as this was to paint, the true pain is in strapping them on and trying to walk. Seeing this painting has revived my husbands attempts to get me to wear them again.  Fat chance!

J Train Blues

J Train Blues  Oil  8x10" Click to view

How to create a (potential) flop:  Wait till the painting is done and then realize there is no focal point. Then decide what image would make a good focal point, and realize you don't have it. Then look for that exact specific image, at the correct angle, and realize you are looking for a needle in a haystack. Then spend a bunch of time to create the specific image without decent reference and try to figure out what it would look like, and what size it should be, and what the lighting would be, and hope like hell it looks like it works in the scene. Prepare to cry in your beer...
Lesson learned...I got myself in a pickle, then luckily managed to get out. It was a lotta work.

Next time: think first, plan a little, nail down the focal point, finish the painting, and then ... drink the beer

Un-Nude Ascending a Staircase

Blonde Ascending a Staircase  8x10"  Oil on Gessoboard

Most people don't think of subway stations as being particularly colorful. This one in Queens would prove them wrong...gotta love those pastel hues.

Chelsea Hipster

Chelsea Hipster  6x6" Oil  Click to Bid

This scene is 25th and 10th, the heart of the gallery district in Chelsea, where everyone looks at art... and their phones.

Converse Low Tops

"Converse Low Tops"  6x6" Oil  Click to Buy

While most people are engaging in typical holiday activities, I have finally eeked some time to paint!

About 10 minutes into this painting I thought, gee, didn't do a very good job of lighting this - the subject matter is almost entirely in shadow, with no clear definition of the light/shadow areas, other than the cast shadow. Oh well ... stop yer snivelling and make it work (my favorite mantra to myself).  I decided to pull out the oils for a change of pace. I have a lovely stash of Williamsburg Oil paints that have been collecting dust since August, last used during my plein air NYC city gig.

Oils and acrylics, such very different exotic and wonderous animals. I don't think I will ever be able to choose which one I love better. I'm thankful for that too. Happy Thanksgiving!

...On the Road Again

"Willie"  18x24" Pastel 

like Willie, I've been on the road a lot, since about mid-September. Between teaching gigs, doing DVD's, lectures, trade shows, and even a grammar school reunion, I've been here there and many places in-between. Now I'm ready to head homeward and get back to daily painting. Even weekly will do.

Posted here is an illustration I did in the early 80's for RCA Records, "Willie Nelson's Greatest Hits" album cover. I don't think Willie would mind my dredging him up as a blog post to suffice till I can create something new. Looking forward to home sweet home... er... studio sweet studio so I can start pushing paint around again... I miss it.

Sleeping on the Job

"One Slacker"  6x6"  Acrylic  Click to Buy

Looks like the rest of the crew is poised and ready for action. Everyone except this one slacker, who is clearly down for the count. There's one in every crowd...

Cleaning Crew

"Cleaning Crew"   6x6"  Acrylic on Gessoboard  Click to buy

Uh-oh, I'm at it again, snagging the cleaning products in my studio building. Hope no one needed the Dr. Bronner's handwash, Murphy's Oil Soap or the water mister tonight...they will just have to forgive this artist who could not resist their alluring colors.

Autumn Colors

"Autumn Colors"  11x14" Acrylic on Stretched Canvas  Click to Buy

Who isn't inspired by the spectacular colors of a crisp autumn day?

 In New York, this is the most beautiful time of the year!

One Man Out

One Man Out  Acrylic 8x8" Click to buy

A Rose is a Rose (is a Rose)

"A Rose is a Rose"  8x8"  Acrylic on Gessoboard  Click to buy

Pink roses are my favorite. But I also can't resist those elegant creamy white roses. Then again red roses are so sumptuous. Nevermind... they are all magnificent!

Fields of Gold

Fields of Gold, 8x10", acrylic Click to Buy

A painting from Tuscany, one of the most beautiful places in the world...

Painting Demos, again

Red Petals  8x10"  Acrylic

I've been practicing demo paintings for an upcoming video shoot... landscapes, tuscany scenes, still life, etc. Here is a little flower painting ... still trying to decide what subjects would be best for the demos. Yikes, getting filmed...its a bit scary!

Painting Demos

It has been a busy summer - with very little time to post - or paint! Mostly I have been teaching painting and "painterly collage" classes, and teaching workshops in monoprinting, how to create textural, layered surfaces using acrylics, and image transfer techniques, amongst others. 

Yesterday and today I made up for lost time - I did 9 paintings as practice exercises for my upcoming video shoot in Ohio. I will be teaching a little bit of everything in these 3 videos - designing with values, color theory, and fast, loose painting.  Posted here are some exercises I will demo for the "translating values to color" segment. 

Now that summer is coming to a close I am ready for it to start. Tomorrow I'll be taking off for a few days to go camping and canoeing in the Adirondacks and the weather is supposed to be perfect... I can't wait!