Friday, January 28, 2011

Painter at the Musee d'Orsay

Here is another painting I did from a photo I took while visiting the Musee d'Orsay in Paris. I found the painters who were there copying the masters to be just as fascinating as the works of art on display. I have many photos of these painters that will probably end up as paintings. Some were students, others I think were professional copiers.
14"x 18" Oil on Linen Panel, Framed

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

A Painter in Paris

During the last big storm, I got bored and started to look at photos I took the last time I was in Paris. I came across a series of photos I took of painters in museums copying old master paintings. I became inspired and the result is this painting called "A Painter in Paris".





12"x9" Oil on Linen Panel

Friday, January 7, 2011

Thinking About Monhegan....

It is so cold outside. I feel rather cooped up today. I want to be outdoors painting. At this time of year my mind always goes back to Monhegan Island.  Probably because my heart is there. For those of you who are not familiar, it is a small place, an island one hour off the coast of Maine. It is now and has been for a long time, an art colony that draws artists, musicians, writers, and bird watchers to it's shores every summer. The scenery from a painter's perspective is spectacular. There is a potential painting around every corner.  I always stay at the Monhegan House.  The wonderful staff, great food, and interesting eclectic group of people who stay there make it for me the best place to be. I have been returning there for many years to be a part of the plein air workshops being taught by my friend and mentor, Stan Moeller. He is a wonderful teacher who goes above and beyond to help his students.  I cannot recommend his workshops enough. We have so much fun, but we work very hard. I always come back having learned something new. I am so looking forward to the warmer weather and to going back. Below is a still life painting I did in the dead of winter last year when I was thinking about Monhegan Island and wondering when I was going back. This is a symbolic painting because each item either comes from or I use while on the island. The title of this painting is "Missing Monhegan".

Thursday, January 6, 2011

A Day at the Beach

It is very cold outside and I started to think about the very hot summer we had this past year. I love the hot weather. For me, it can never be to hot. That's the time when you go to the sea. This is a painting I did from several photos I took this past summer while walking along Hampton Beach. It was done in one session in order to keep it light and happy.


12"x12" Oil on Canvas, Framed




Sunday, January 2, 2011

Cathedral Woods in the Afternnoon

Every year I return to beautiful Monhegan Island off the coast of Maine to paint. This is a scene from a place in the forest called "Cathedral Woods". When the afternoon light shines through the trees it looks like light in a church coming through stained glass windows. Although I paint lots of plein air landscapes, I also take many photos so that I can refer to them in the wintertime. This painting was done "alla prima" from reference photos. I kept it loose and energetic and recaptured the way I feel when painting on the spot outdoors.
SOLD