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.