"Don't Go"

6 x 8"

oil on panel
sold

There's an expected aftermath which happens after I finish a solo show.  Keep in mind I painted every single day for over four months, no lie, to achieve the grouping I first imagined.  Then there's varnishing. Then framing. Then shipping. Then traveling to the opening. Then attending the opening.

So when it's all done, I take a few days off and get back to painting.  Then it fails. Rinse and repeat. Three paintings wiped and tossed aside.

I did paint my neighbor's dog though.  That was fun.

Today felt a little different.  Yay.

From the Sculpture Gallery in the American Art Wing in the Art Institute of Chicago, the marble sculpture The Lost Pleiade by Randolph Rogers seemingly calling back the young woman walking into the shadows.

"Tough Love"

6 x 8"

oil on panel
sold

This marble sculpture by Horatio Greenough, Love Prisoner to Wisdom, is one of my very favorites in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Essentially, the owl behind the chained Cupid symbolizes wisdom.  So.... prudence is restraining reckless love.  Think before you jump in.  The woman viewing the sculpture is seemingly pondering the message.

"Mr. NoBody"

9 x 12"

oil on masonite

When I visited the Legion of Honor Museum in San Francisco, there were a dozen or so students sketching various paintings and sculptures - including this marble bust 'Maffeo Barbarini, Prince of Palestrina' by Lorenzo Ottoni.  It made me want to join them - couldn't wait to get home and paint the Prince.  To the right is a portion of 'Samson and the Honeycomb', by Giovanni Francesco Barbier.

Please click here for a larger view and purchase information.

"Sibyl"

8 x 8"

oil on masonite

The fun of painting a marble sculpture is that it's a figure, which I love to paint, and the creamy-white surface reflects all colors, both warm and cool.

This is 'The Libyan Sibyl', by William Wetmore Story, sculpted in 1868, a tribute to Sojourner Truth - a modern-day oracle who fought for women's rights and abolition. The Libyan Sibyl, named Phemonie, was the daughter of Zeus and Lamia, according to the Greeks. This statue and Story's Cleopatra are two of my favorites - now residing in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Please click here for a larger view and purchase information.

"Woodland Nymph & Hound"

You may notice a couple of changes to this post - one - I was wrong, this figure is not the goddess of Diana, it is one of her companions, which explains why I changed the title of my painting. I also removed my little movie, showing the progression of the painting and replaced that with still images that seem easier to view. I thought you'd like to see how I approached this subject.

and the finished painting......

6 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

The marble sculpture was done by Jean-Louis Lemoyne, titled 'A Companion of Diana', commissioned by Louis XIV in 1724. Diana was goddess of the moon and of the hunt, this nymph is one of Diana's companions, with her hound. This sculpture belongs to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

"A Date With Art"

12 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

This is one of those paintings I've wanted to do for a long time but didn't think I could pull off that carved seating without getting too tight in my brush strokes. Painting is for the patient, that's for sure. In these museum settings, sometimes it's all about the artwork or the figure and sometimes it's about the space. I think this is a little bit of all three.

From the sculpture gallery in the American Art wing, in the Art Institute of Chicago.

Please click here for a larger view.


Just a few thoughts to share on this last day of the year ~ I'm one of those people that plans out at least six months ahead. Not so rigid it can't be changed, but I often think in terms of what I am ready for, what needs to be different, what I need to shed. A year ago, I was wanting to try to teach a workshop or two ~ and did ~ but I realize it's something I've got to take more time to plan and get it right, before I officially go down that road. Perhaps in the second half of the new year. A year ago, I was sure I wouldn't commit to any solo shows ~ and I didn't ~ I joined in on group shows and a dual show, which was just right. It allowed me to explore different subject matters and grow a little more in terms of skill, with less pressure on my time.

Speaking of a date with art, I've got a couple of solid plans to tell you about ~

~ I will be presenting a solo show, taking place at the Morris & Whiteside Gallery in Hilton Head Island, opening March 13th. I'm concentrating on scenes from two southern cities, Washington DC and Charleston, South Carolina - including museum patrons, cityscapes, night scenes, interiors and beachscapes. If you want ... need a nice break from winter, please make plans to come to the opening ~ it's a lovely setting and it would be my pleasure to meet you.

~ I will be in a dual show, taking place at the Howard/Mandville Gallery in Kirkland, Washington, opening May 9th, with Fred Calleri. Talk about a lovely setting, you can't beat Seattle/Kirkland that time of year. Please pencil me in for the opening night, I'd be happy to meet you.

~ I will be participating in the various group shows at the 16 Patton Gallery, in Asheville, North Carolina, like this past year - I absolutely loved the different themes and hope to continue that in the new year. You can always get information on those shows on their website or on mine. That little city is a pleasure to visit any time of the year.

One change to note is that I have left the Cohen-Rese Gallery in San Francisco and the Twinhouse Gallery in Atlanta. Cohen-Rese, after years of a good relationship, chose not to pay me for a painting sold after I announced to them I was leaving the gallery. That's what some art gallery owners do to artists. I hope people take a cue from that experience.

I wish all of you a Happy New Year and thank you for your continued interest in my work, and all your comments and emails. That, above all, drives me every day.

"The Lookout"

12 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

My new painting today - a woman getting in some reading time while her group wanders around the museum. You may be familiar with the Art Institute, this was taken from the first floor Sculpture Gallery in the center of the American Art collection. You'll usually see people resting or reading on the benches and chairs - it's a beautiful, sky-lit sanctuary from the rest of the musuem - a nice place for a moment of Zen. The marble sculpture The Lost Pleiade by Randolph Rogers seemingly is keeping a lookout for the woman while she catches up on her novel.

This painting will be included in Howard/Mandville's Anniversary Show taking place during the month of June. Please click here for a larger view.

Another Kind of Auction

8 x 10"
oil on masonite

I did want to show you this new piece that I am donating to a fund-raising event, the High Museum's Wine and Art Auction coming up next month. The sculpture featured in this painting is the ten-foot-long "Tiber", on loan from the Louvre and currently on display at the High Museum, here in Atlanta. At night, it is quite breathtaking to view, with the strong lighting defining the ripples and shadows and details.

For more information on the auction, click here.

"That's Amore"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite

Without a day to spare, I'm in 'catch-up' mode, with this new painting going to the Cohen-Rese Gallery, hopefully in time for someone's Valentine's Day. I didn't plan it that way, I had this image on my mind for months. I love to paint marble sculptures - they're often nude figures, with variations of warm and cool greys - standing out next to real humans with movement and color. The tough part is getting an image accurate enough to show those subtle shadings and tones in the white/grey areas, better appreciated in person.

This scene is from the Museum of Fine Arts, in Boston - a mother and daughter before the marble sculpture by Horatio Greenough, titled 'Love Prisoner to Wisdom".

For a larger view and purchase information, please click here.

"Carved in Stone"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

Both women dressed in flowing fabrics - this scene is from the Art Institute of Chicago. I would surely appreciate someone out there helping me to identify this marble sculpture.

Please click here for a larger view.