"Vine Tomatoes" and 2 Others Headed to Principle Gallery

     These are three of my latest paintings, all headed to Principle Gallery in Alexandria for their Small Works show in December. I've had the idea to paint ripening tomatoes since around 2010 when I first planted Sun Gold tomatoes and noticed how striking the gradations of color along the vine can be. In this context color is a metaphor for time, also the grouping reminds me of a family. 

 "Vine Tomatoes" 9x12

 "Three Figs" 6x12

"Sansa Apple" 5x6

"Raspberry" to be auctioned at the Arnot Museum

Raspberry, 4x4, oil on panel . 

     I've donated this painting to the Arnot Art Museum to be auctioned at their Eighteenth Gallery Gala. It is framed in a hand made (by me) maple frame and is ready to hang. The opening bid for this painting is $325, its retail price. 100% of the proceeds go to the Arnot Art Museum. If you've ever thought about collecting my work, now would be a great time because you would also be supporting the Arnot, a museum with a primary focus on representational art. To find out more about the museum or the event go to:   https://www.arnotartmuseum.org

The following is an excerpt from their promotional materials explaining the bidding process:

     "We are accepting bids now through this fall; the gavel will come down on all sales at 8 pm on 17 November. Visit the galleries to place your bid, then join us in November for the live Gala event and be sure you’re the top bidder at the auction’s close. If you are unable to attend the Gallery Gala on 17 November, we will be happy to take a proxy bid for you, and we’ll keep you informed of your bid’s progress."

Opening at West End Gallery Friday Sept. 8, 5-7:30

     I have 15 new paintings in  West End Gallery's new exhibit "Inspirations".  The opening is this Friday September 8th, from 5-7:30 p.m. 10% of the proceeds will go to the Fund For Women of the Southern Tier.  To find out more about this great organization go to  http://www.ffwst.org
Here are a few of the paintings that will be on view at the opening.

 Yellow Gourd 12x14

 Sleeper 11x14

 Turnip 8x10

 Still Life with Roemer and Stone Fruit 18x24

 Still Life with Bottles and Eggs 26x34

Yellow Plum and Cherry 6x8

4 Eggs 11x14

Demo Saturday at West End Gallery

     I'll be doing a still life painting demonstration at West End Gallery Saturday from 12-6 in connection with the Arts in Bloom event. Please stop by if you can. This is the painting I did at the same event last year.  It's "Pear, Raspberry, and Kumquat " 8x10 .

Blending in the Context of a Still Life Painting Part 2

Part 2

Blending in the Context of a Still Life Painting Part 1

     I put together a new video about blending in the context of a still life painting.  I hope there is some info here that may be useful.  Thanks for watching!

New Still Life Painting Classes

     I have two 6 week painting classes starting soon.   One is on Sunday afternoons from 1-4, March 5-April 9th.  The other is on Thursdays March 9-April 13th from 11:30 -2:30.  We will be painting still life in oils. The classes are very small and appropriate for all skill levels. Please let me know if you are interested or have any questions. It's $225 for the 6 lessons.

How to Wash Your Oil Painting Brushes

This is for all of you painters out there leaving your brushes in a can of turps.

New Paintings

     I've gotten out of the habit of posting my new paintings here, but I wanted to put up a sampling of what I've been working on lately. This Fall I went into a florist shop at the end of my street looking for Chinese Lanterns but came out with a handful of gourds instead. I really liked the color, texture, and shape of these.

     I painted this one first. I enjoyed putting it in different positions to see how it would balance, and in this position it reminds me of a bird looking below from it's nest. The stone reminds me of an egg, and I like how it adds a bit of cool between the warm gourd and block, while repeating the shape above it. This painting is 16x12, oil on panel.

     In my next painting I wanted to work with this gourd/bird connection in a larger composition. I really liked the idea of the gourd being perched on something with the neck swinging down, so I repeated it in this painting with a different gourd on a reflective bowl. I also added the same gourd from the above painting turned around and "holding" onto a blue egg. The egg reinforced the bird idea but also added a cool note to the grouping that I like.  I spent an unreasonable amount of time deciding if I wanted the blue egg to be leaning or upright; I'm still not sure but I think it's okay. This painting is 30x40, oil on canvas.