"Ray's Pizza Route" 16x20" Acrylic
It's memorial day. 80 degrees, not a cloud in the sky. I catch a scent of barbecues, and hear the faint sound of oldies playing on a radio... all this from my open studio window. Here I am, painting away. This is my idea of a holiday. I gave up pretending to be like everyone else a long time ago. That being said, I do have other ideas - but this one ranks way up there.
"Rooftop Party" Acrylic on Panel 8x8" (sold)
Sometimes painting can start to seem too left-brained and serious ... when that happens I like to pull out the stops and just play with color, shapes and textures. This was one of those anything goes paintings. If it looks like I had fun ... I did!
"Tuscan Church" 6x6" Acrylic on Canvas SOLD
I created this painting in a non-traditional manner, using stamps, cardboard and other items to apply the paint for unusual mark-making. When it comes to interpreting subject matter in a looser fashion, the paint can be applied in so many different ways that can be unpredictable - in a good way. I've had several people inquire about my upcoming Tuscany workshop and ask if it is acrylics-only. The workshop is not media specific - oils, pastel, mixed media, watercolor - all are welcome. The fundamentals are the same, regardless of media. I will encourage an open minded approach to color - use it intuitively (with some regard to color basics). The workshop is in the lovely Cortona with ancient buildings, rolling hills and breathtaking vistas. Curious about the workshop and the itinerary? Click here.
Curious about Cortona? Watch some eye-opening videos on youtube...
Cortona & Terre delle Leopoldine Part 1
"Latte Break at the Met" 8x10" Oil (Sold)
Wednesday was sparkling spring day, and I met my buddy Lois at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to take in a few exhibits. I caught this gal taking a lunch break and silently thanked her for posing for my next painting.
"Delivery Dude" 16x20" Oil
These guys are everywhere. Really hard workers, their goal is to deliver fast, and if it's food, it must stay HOT. I heard an amazing podcast on NPR that really touched my heart. It's a great listen - I promise, called "Be cool to the Pizza Dude". My take is be cool to any of these dudes - pizza or whatever.
"Text Stop" 16x20" Oil on Canvas
Last week I was in New Orleans for new product training, sponsored by Golden Paints. We worked with the luscious Williamsburg Paints and QOR Watercolors. Both products have an amazing pigment load and were a dream to work with. The above painting was done with Williamsburg Paints. It was really fun working in oils again!
I have several workshops coming up.
"Window Shopping" 16x20" Acrylic
I stuck the little pooch in at the last minute, maybe because my last painting had one... yes, the finishing touch!
"The Guy Walk" 16x20" Acrylic on Canvas
While I was painting this I totally assumed the dog was a male, and had this title in my head from the start. Why, I don't know, it just felt like a "guy moment" in the city.