I am fortunate that my daily life is spent in the making of art, surrounded by artists, and not in the answering of telephones, or surrounded by lawyers - which is how I used to spend my days. There's something about being in a place you don't want to be that drains you... empties you of creativity and the desire to create.

I had a conversation with a co-worker today, a gifted young artist by the name of Corey Bond. His website can be found here, although he tells me it's rather outdated. I do wish he'd get his newer drawings on there - I had the privilege of seeing some photos of a couple of them, and they were just beautiful! He swears the update is coming soon... we'll just have to check in every now and then to see...! As for not being able to update a website, I know the feeling! I haven't updated anything on here in quite a while, largely due to the fact that my computer died a rather sudden death in late March, and while I've managed to find a replacement, I've not yet been able to make any use of it... rather annoying that... that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Anyway... we were discussing work related things, and he asked me if my personal work was as tightly detailed as we attempt to get at work, or more painterly... I think my answer was incorrect... I said my portraits were tightly detailed, but, in fact, I don't think they are... After looking them over tonight, I realize I strive for a more painterly approach - partly because I like it, and partly because I simply don't have the patience for the more intense details required in painting so photographically real. I like for people to know they're looking at paint... although, in my drawing, it's the exact opposite - I don't want you to notice the medium at all...!

Interesting...

A tree in the yard

I spent the afternoon "supervising" (read: surviving) a playdate between my daughter and her two best friends. They spent the afternoon fighting, yelling, screaming, running, playing, giggling, laughing, and generally making mischief. In other words, having the time of their 10 year old lives!

As I tried to keep their merry-making tuned down in my rattled brain, I sought a way to direct my energy and found it in the study of a tree. It loomed over the building in the rear of the playground, stark and staring in it's bare branches. It's doubled trunk had to be over 30 feet around, and it stands an impressive 100 feet or more... it has to have been there for decades. I wondered how many people had sat in exactly this place and stared at that tree. How many parents had wondered at it's presence in their children's lives... how many children had grown up around that tree? It stands in the rear of the school, in the foreground of the playground. I think it's a tulip tree, although I'm not the best at ID'ing a tree without leaves or fruit in evidence.

I spent the two hours of screaming laughter quietly drawing that tree until I realized I'd be unable to capture it's magnificence on my meager sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 inch drawing paper. I'll have to go back again, and try again... probably next weekend.

Ages and Stages

In my work, I have been focused on a particular face, following her progression through the stages of her young life... I seem endlessly facinated by the subtle changes that have taken place, and endlessly frustrated by my inability to capture those moments accurately.

Here's the latest stage in my latest efforts. Still a very long way to go, but, that's ok, I've got time...

In my life, I have been focused on that same face, following along in her progression through this world, hopefully shaping her mind and soul in the proper paths, in goodness, in light... showing her the beauty and life in all the little things around her... hoping against hope that she shall manage to survive that treacherous stage that will only too soon be upon us: Teenager. It's a frightening thought, but, I'm actually looking forward to it... I must be losing my mind, I know, but, I'm so liking the person she is becoming, I'm eager to see the child become the woman... I'm eager for her to change from the tentatively learning into the confidently striding... She's smart enough and determinedly stubborn enough to be able to do anything she wants to. I can't wait to find out what exactly that is!

I can only hope that I will have instilled in her enough of a desire to follow her dreams, that she will. That I will have given her enough freedom of will that she doesn't find her goals impossible to reach, or that she feels she must put them aside in order for someone else's priorities to be realized. It's important to me that she learns to put herself first, because, in the end, no one else will. The disease to please is a cycle I want stopped in my generation, so that she can actually truly realize her greatest potential.

I've recently found an old friend on the 'web... someone I hadn't heard from in what he claims to be 23 years... (Not possible I say - after all, I'm only 29, right? So what if it's for the 15th time?!)

It's hard to imagine that it was that long ago that we were plotting and planning our futures... bright eyed and naive in our trust in the universe, that if we just worked hard enough, we'd get what we wanted. I guess though, in the end, we were right. He's about to give up a very lucrative position in order to finally follow that dream, and if there's any justice in the universe, he'll be just fine...! I know I'm rooting for him, and any self-respecting guardian angels out there ought to be doing the same.

Here's to ya kiddo...! You deserve it... now just go get it!

I spent the past two weekends wanting desperately to paint, but, unable to find even a minute to do so... I guess that's all part of the game isn't it? Juggling motherhood, job, household chores and the desire to paint means that somethin's gotta give... for me, it's a no brainer... The CHORES should wait!! Painting comes first!! :D

If only...!

The last painting I did focused pretty equally on a self portrait that I've been struggling with, and a 3/4 length portrait of my Kaitie. The SP is shaping up well, although I think I went at it ass-backwards, so I may have to start it over... no problem there, just need to plan it better next time, huh? Kaitie's portrait is coming along nicely... might just be the best thing I've done yet...! Then again, that seems to happen a LOT...progress is progress, now ain't it?

I need to get some better shots - I'll post them both in a day or so... Promise!

I've just spent the last few hours going through some old photos, reminiscing about how quickly the last ten years have passed... all the major milestones we've gone through as a family... Looking at the little imp who turned into a pixie who's now turned into a little 'tween... just an amazing journey!

Whilst I was going through Kaitie's pictures, I found several that I'd forgotten about... they were of my very first attempts at a return to my art... from July of 2004. Back then, I didn't know if I'd be able to do anything at all like what I wanted to do... I only knew that my 40th year was drawing to a close, and I felt a strong need to reflect on what my life had become. I knew that I'd done some of what I'd wanted to do, and that some of the things that I'd thought I wanted to do had become silly and superfluous... but there was that creative bug that I'd been ignoring for the past 20 years that needed to be let out... needed to be expressed. I needed to do something about it... but... how?? and more importantly... what??

What a difference these few years has made! From subjects that were barely recognizable as human, results that made me laugh out loud at the time of their creation, to images that I feel remotely proud of... from clumsy attempts at paint application, with drawing mistakes that I couldn't quite get a handle on, just knew something was wrong... to less clumsy attempts at paint application with drawing mistakes that are plain for me to see, although I still struggle to correct them! :D

It's a journey, I have to keep reminding myself of that!

My Mom's poem by Kaitie Marie

Wanna hear what made me cry today?

My Mom's Poem by Kaitie Marie

My Mom's poem is
Horses running
through a
river.

My Mom's poem is
snowflakes blowing
through the
wind

My Mom's poem is
the wings of
an angel
in heaven

My Mom's poem is
a rose in bloom

My Mom's poem is
a new pathway
leading to
adventure.

I love my little girl...!

It's Hallowe'en!!!

Busy as usual, haven't had much time to write, nor much to write about... well... at least not much to do with Art or my attempts to create it! Today's activities centered around the re-creation of Vampira... and I must say I was surprised to see how little remained of the normally pretty, bright shiny face I love so much! When we were done, the little vampire took her pumpkin and went off with her two best friends to beg for candy... In a happy coincidence, they too were dressed appropriately for the toils of the underworld... a ghoul and the grimreaper to accompany the Queen of Darkness herself! Now as long as she doesn't get too hungry, the neighborhood should be safe!

Portrait of Kaitie

An old painting that I'd decided to revisit. It's bigger than life-size, and while I like the design, I think it's got too many drawing issues to fix. I'll likely abandon it and try again...

Lake Ascoti revisited

It would seem that I've found a favorite place to paint outdoors... Harriman State Park is a fountain of nature, full of bountiful lakes, wildlife, and panoramic vistas. I love to go there, put on the headset and let my paintbrush attempt to copy what I see...

After a series of errands in the morning, and with the realization that making it to work would be an exercise in commuting, with little time remaining for actually working, I decided to finish my day at the lake instead of in Midtown NYC traffic. It was a wise decision, I think...
This is also 12" x 24", oil on linen on panel. Painted en plein aire.

A Day at the Lake

Having now abandoned all hope of reviving my old website in the forseeable future, I've now added a few posts that hold my old artwork, and will update here with new stuff as I get it done... like... this one, completed in two and a half sessions at Lake Ascoti, NY.

It's a wonderful spot, part of Harriman State Park. There's free parking, a big lake full of fish to catch - both the large ones for the large folks and the little ones for the little guys to play with... I spent two days with my little girl at the lake, she fishing, me painting... it was idyllic.

On the third day I added a few more darks along the water line, then realized I didn't really want to change the painting that much - it was done. I signed it, and put it on the side for drying. A gentleman approached me, and we talked for a bit about daughters, artistry, and the trials of a father trying to bring his child and her 6' x 6' paintings home from college. He expressed an interest, and then bought the painting still wet from the day's efforts. Thankfully not too wet, as I placed it, ever so carefully, on the supple leather seats in the back of his beautiful, expensive car.

It was a completely unexpected, and thoroughly delightful, way to end a perfect day.

Full size portrait of Kaitie Marie - WIP

A detail from one of the things that are currently on the easel... This one is life-sized, 24" x 48" Oil on panel.

Back to the drawing board

There is a charming little girl in my life, who stole a piece of my heart when she was a little more than 5 years old. Bright, precocious, charming, goofy, sweet, considerate, and altogether devilish. Just adorable.

She is one of my daughter's bff's (I think there are three now, but, I could be wrong...) and one day last winter, she asked if I would make a drawing of her. Big brown eyes, long black lashes, a goofy smile, all surrounded by the glossiest golden brown curls... How could I resist?

We negotiated a price on delivery, and we kept well within her 9-year-old's budget. I wanted to be sure of a happy customer. I think I succeeded...

She gave the drawing to her Dad today. His praise was more than I could have asked for... It's a special feeling when something you've created can bring happiness to another person.

I haven't asked if it's ok to post her picture here, so I won't show it just yet... but, I can show you another one I've started of my own precious girl... This one is an oil on linen panel, about 12" x 12", painted alla prima (in one sitting) and I think I'm going to name it "Pensive"

Hopper House "Artists in the Park" 2007

I decided that I liked the idea of participating in this event last year, so I did it again this year... Once again, the weather was less than cooperative. Rain, cold... miserable. The painting showed it, and didn't sell.

Instead, I sold this one... a 12" x 24" Oil on panel completed in one session at Harriman State Park's Lake Ascoti. I'd started this painting looking for a chance to paint very tight realism from life... then reality set in and I saw that there was simply no way to do anything more than a very loose rendition of what was before me...

I was pleased with the outcome, and apparently so were a few others. The bidding took the price up to about double what they'd started out at... a good outcome for all concerned.

Seasonal View

What started out as two separate paintings became one... The references for this come from two different times of the year, Spring and Fall. The difference in the temperature of the light at the different seasons intrigued me, to say the least.

"Seasonal View" is 24" x 24" Oil on Linen on Panel.

11.29.06, Sunrise over the Hudson

In the wintertime, I have an un-obstructed view of the Hudson River from my front door. I also rise before dawn most days, and am rewarded for my earliness with some of the most glorious sunrises a person could wish to see...

This is still unfinished, but, hopefully will come to represent one of those glorious sunrises over the Hudson. It's Oil on linen on Panel, 12" x 24".

Hopper House "Artists in the Park" 2006

The Edward Hopper House is a local hotspot for artists to gather, learn and exhibit. They started a new tradition called "Artists in the Park". Local artists are asked to paint, en plein aire, at local sites, and then donate their paintings to an auction to be held the same day.

The day was miserably cold at first, not at all what you'd like for a mid-May day in New York. It warmed up a bit by the end, but, jackets, gloves and rain gear were definitely called for at first...

This was my first painting for the day... a 12" x 12" Oil on linen on panel. It was fun, and I was left wondering if it would sell...

So, I donated it, and decided to try again...





Here is the result of that effort, a 12" x 24" oil on linen on panel...

In the most amazing turn of events, both paintings sold... for double the initial asking price. I was thrilled...!!

Portrait Commissions

Commissioned portraits, murals or landscapes are priced on an individual basis. Each project is priced according to complexity. Pricing depends on many factors including size, background details, materials, etc.

For a commissioned oil portrait, prices start at $2,000.
For a commissioned Pencil drawing, prices start at $500.00

Each additional figure increases the price by 60%. Prices do not include travel, framing or shipping costs.

Please email me with your information and I will give you a detailed estimate.

Montage of Kaitie

This started out as a single portrait of Kaitie, a study for a painting I wanted to do, and quickly grew into a study of the many expressions of this child in a serious mood.

This is 18" x 24" Graphite and Chalk on toned paper.

A portrait of my Kaitie... sorry about the glare, but, the color's fairly true to her... I see lots of things I need to work on still, but, it's coming along...

Drew

This is Andrew... he was 12 years old battling with a life-threatening cancer at the time of this photo.

His spirit never dimmed, and watching him deal with this battle was truly inspiring. If he can maintain that spirit into adulthood - what a man he will become!

He showed more dignity, grace, and courage than many adults in similar circumstances. I'm proud to know him.

Edit: 1/27/08: I'm happy to say that he's now 3 years cancer "free" and holding his own.