Attentive Listener

10 x 8 Oil on Arches Oil Paper

This is the same figure I did in the painting "Chillin" but more of a portrait than a study.  I generally don't paint portraits, but lately I've been really attracted to them.  It's my "What have I got to lose" theory.  All through this, my mantra was "It's only paper..."  I must say, I really love the way this turned out.  I tried hard to capture the subject's persona, not necessarily trying to get every detail down.  So...Here it is :-)

Glorious Fall

SOLD - DONATION TO HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF

12 x 16 Oil on Gessoed Artist Canvas

Fall is one of my favorite times of year.  I could almost smell the dried leaves and crisp air while I was painting this.  Add the smell of roasted chestnuts, and it would be a perfect world...Oh, wait!  That's New York City.  I used to love passing the vendors selling roasted chestnuts.  Well, this is in New Hampshire at a Shaker Village my wonderful cousin took me to.  After this weekend and the storm that is coming, I imagine most of the leaves will be gone. With what the Weather Channel is predicting, I hope the house is still there :-) 

Just Another Pretty Face

12 x 12 Oil on Gessobord

You are probably asking yourself what kind of strange artist would paint something like this.  Well, it was the challenge of it that attracted me.  My daughter had a conference in Washington and took a side trip to the Smithsonian.  She sent me some photos, and what immediately interested me were the shadows.  This is Ecocene's Big Bird.  I suppose he is related to our Big Bird only not as yellow, and has apparently been on Weight Watchers.....

Tourist Heaven

11 x 7 Oil on Arches Paper

This tour bus passed us as we were walking from the hotel to the MET.  If I could have flagged it down and hopped on, I would have.  We thought we knew where we were going, but wound up walking way out of our way...What felt like miles out of our way.  I really loved the man looking up with his mouth open.  In the city, that's probably not a good thing.  One never knows what might fall in :-) 

Rockin' At the MoMA

8 x 11 Oil on Arches Paper for Oil

Well, it was hard to decide if I wanted to pay attention to the artwork or this couple.  They were a distraction, I have to admit :-)  I followed them around at a distance for a while, trying to get a good photo of them from the front, but settled on this rear view, which I really love.  I'm glad they chose the MoMA to visit.  They really seemed into the art.  It was interesting to see the looks they got from the other visitors.  It obviously didn't bother them, and I'm glad.  I'll bet if the other male visitors could have gotten away with pants that tight, they would have been thrilled :-)

Chillin'

6 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

 

This is the husband of a wonderful local artist who just happens to have a great face to paint.  I think I was told that he doesn't like his picture to be taken, so that just encourages me to take that picture and paint him as well.  In fact, I might paint him again because I have a wonderful close-up, too. :-)  I'm pretty sure he knew I was taking photos of him here.  He totally ignored me, probably hoping I would go away.  Not very likely...Love that pose!

Painting Behind Monhegan School

8 x 11 Oil on Canvas

This was such a fun trip!  It is wonderful just being around other artists and being out in the salt air.  I learn so much from seeing what other artists choose to paint.  It's interesting to find out what captures their attention.  What I think of as mundane, others will make into masterpieces.  This was a perfect spot and a perfect day.

Cowboy Boots and Short Shorts

8 x 10 Oil on Arches Oil Paper

I was doing an outdoor art show and these two teen girls strolled by in their boots and shorts.  I'm relatively sure they coordinated their outfits before leaving for the day. I'm always amazed that kids (and perhaps some adults) think they are being so original...exactly like everyone else.  During the 60's (Yes, I'm dating myself), my "original" uniform was faded, ripped jeans, tie-dyed everything, straight long hair (a la Mary of Peter, and Paul fame) and sandals, even though my  feet were freezing in the winter :-), or black tights and black short skirts for dress...That's what pretty much everyone wore in the Village in New York.  Yes, originality at it's best...OK..I'm really feeling old now!

Free Spirit

7 x 5 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

 

I have done many versions of this gentleman and I say each one is my favorite, but this is definitely my favorite ... until the next.  I never get tired of painting his face.  It's so expressive and, to me, wonderful.  He was walking in Roanoke when I saw him.  He has that weathered look which I find fascinating.  This is as close to a portrait as I will probably get.

Golden Fall Morning

5 x 7 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

There are a few days during the year when the view becomes spectacular.  This was one of them.  These are the hard paintings to do because it is difficult to do justice to nature.  I painted this landscape from my studio at Smith Mountain Lake.  Believe it or not, the rusts and oranges were brighter than they appear here, so much so that when I tried to capture the colors, it wasn't believable.  This is pretty close, though :-)