Help Haiti Smile

If you're in the New Jersey area, I'll be participating in an art show for Haiti relief Saturday, 3/27 at Grace Episcopal Church in Plainfield, a beautiful old church dating from the 1850's. Admission is $10 with proceeds benefiting Haiti relief funds. Hope to see you there!

Charcoal Portraits

I've always loved working in charcoal, sometimes more than painting. Something about the relationship of the darks to the lights is very appealing to me as is black and white photography. When I began to paint digitally, it seemed easier somehow to make the transition in the color mediums (oils, watercolor, etc.) than charcoal or pencil, so that's where my concentration has been. Recently, however, I had a client inquire about drawings so I decided it was time to seriously give it a try, but only if I could make them look just as they would if I were doing them on physical paper with charcoal in hand! After a lot of trial and error, I think I've succeeded! The drawing above is my first effort and I have to say, I really enjoyed it (although there's still nothing like the feel of charcoal on your fingers!).

Seeking Solace

"Seeking Solace" began with a photo taken at the amazing ruins of the Wolf House in Glen Ellen California not far from San Francisco. It was to be the dream home of author Jack London ("Call of the Wild") and his wife Charmain but burned to the ground just days before completion. Located deep in the woods of Jack London State Historic Park, when I was there in 1998 it was only reachable by a long, narrow path thru the woods. The hike was well worth it when at the end a clearing revealed the majestic ruins of the stone house rising before me, hauntingly beautiful. If you're ever in the area, I strongly recommend a visit to the Wolf House.

It's Valentine's Day!

Hope everyone's having a good one! The flowers and candy are from my sweetie and since we all know gargoyles are ga ga for chocolate, one of my pets agreed to pose atop the box for a little valentine still life. He does have a bit of a lovesick expression, don't you think?

The Raven's Wood

Now that the holidays are behind us, it's time to do a little creative catch up, get the juices flowing, and start making art again. I always seem to hit a slump around the holidays when priorities seem to be everything other than my own artistic endeavors. So here's the first addition of the new year! I captured this image (minus the ravens) a few years ago in Millcreek Village New Jersey, a fantastic historically preserved early American village. I would love to know what happened to the amazing tree in this image- some huge storm or maybe lightning. It's limbs were so contorted and angled it reminded me of a giant insect. I used this photo in color for a painting once but in black and white, all of the detail in the grass and brush reminded me of an etching. So again, it has new life as "The Raven's Wood".

Messenger of Peace

Happy holidays to everyone with wishes for a peaceful new year! I actually created this image last year but recently submitted it to Empty Easel where it was featured today along with some beautiful work by other artists. They will be posting holiday related art by different artists every day until Christmas so stop by and take a look!

The Morning After

I first photographed this old stone building in 2006 on my New Jersey backroads travels. The resulting piece became "Shelter from the Storm" with the drying cornstalks trailing off into the tall grass in front. I never seem to remember to document the location of the subject for future reference (note to self- document locations!!) in case I want or need to revisit so I was pleasantly surprised when I came across it again this year. The scenario was totally different. The cornstalks and grass were down revealing trees and fields in the background that weren't visible the first time around. The new image seemed to lend itself to minimal color and starkness that became "The Morning After".

Arts on Amboy Best in Show!

Needless to say, this has been a very rewarding past few weeks for me! "A Wing and a Prayer" won Best of Show at the 1st annual Arts on Amboy exhibit in Edison, New Jersey! There was a great turnout of artists from student to professional with some amazing artwork in all different categories. I particularly enjoyed a long conversation with artist Marcel Truppa who had some fantastic collage work in the show. He has a rich history as an artist with lots of interesting tales to tell. I think you'll enjoy checking out his work and reading his story.

Winning this award was made even sweeter by the fact that one of the judges was a photographer/digital artist whose work I greatly admire, Jim LaSala. I think you'll feel the same way after seeing his incredible images.

Many thanks to another great photographer, Mitch Rubin of PM Studio, for taking the photo of me with my ribbon!

2nd Place in Poetry of Art!

I'm on a roll for ribbons this month! I know it can't last, so I'm enjoying it while I can! "Miles to Go" took second place in the Poetry of Art exhibit at the Edison Arts Society! Alan Rosenberg (fellow member and photographer) was nice enough to send me this photo from the opening reception.

2nd Place in Art on the Green!

It was a really good day for an art show! Not only was the weather just perfect but I took 2nd place for "Miles to Go"! Yea! Laura Williams ( a wonderful artist, teacher and nice lady) took 1st place for a beautiful portrait painting. Interestingly enough, our spaces were side by side! That's Laura below. All in all, it was a great show- met lots of interesting people and received a lot of nice compliments on my work!

New Jersey Art Show Postponed

Rain, rain, and more rain! For only the 2nd time in 37 years, "Art on the Green" has had to implement the rain date. It's now scheduled for next Saturday, 9/19/09 (keep your fingers crossed Mother Nature cooperates this time!). Same time, same location (see post below). So if you had plans for today and couldn't make it, here's your second chance! There's always a silver lining!

New Jersey Art Show

If you're in the New Jersey area, I'll be participating in a small outdoor art show on Saturday, 9/12/09, 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM. It's a wonderful show held in Washington Park on North Washington Ave. in Dunellen, New Jersey with lots of big trees, gazebos and small town ambiance. Appropriately titled "Art on the Green", this is the 37th year for the show presented by the local Rotary Club. I've missed being in this show for the last few years, so I'm really looking forward to it. Hopefully, the weather will be nice, but if not, the rain date is 9/19/09. Stop by if you can!

I want to thank everyone for the wonderful comments and response to my Empty Easel feature last Wednesday! I was really pleased with Lisa Orgler's review of my work and the opportunity to be a part of the gallery of featured artists!


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Featured Artist on Empty Easel

I'm so excited and pleased to be the featured artist on Empty Easel today! If you're not familiar with it, I urge you to check it out. It's a wonderful art blog with a wealth of information for artists and about artists from tutorials to marketing and more! While you're there, sign up for the newsletter to stay informed about articles coming up the next week and think about submitting your own work!

Listen to the Warm

This is my second entry for the "Poetry of Art" exhibit at the Edison Arts Society. This one was specifically created for the exhibit based on a poem by one of my all time favorite poets, Rod McKuen. The poem is simply titled Thirty Six from the 1967 book Listen to the Warm. It's my favorite of all his books and when I saw him perform in the early seventies, I was lucky enough to have him autograph it for me. I've read it many, many times over the years and each time it evokes the same deep emotional response as the first. Each time I reach for it, it's like reconnecting with a dear, old friend.

Miles to Go

I recently completed this montage for entry in what should be a wonderfully creative exhibit by The Edison Arts Society coming up in September entitled "The Poetry of Art". Accepted pieces will be exhibited along with the poem, song, etc. that inspired it. I didn't actually start this piece with the exhibit in mind, but as it came to completion, it reminded me of part of a poem I've always loved by Robert Frost "The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep." And so I had my title.

More Textured Portraits

This is a lovely engagement session shot by my client, Silver Lining Studio, on location in Hoboken, New Jersey. I added some toning and texture to give it an urban feel with the New York City skyline muted in the background.

All Who Enter

I've always had a passion for gargoyles. In spite of their intimidating presence, they have a grace and beauty all their own. Usually perched high atop buildings, they were traditionally used as a spout to carry water clear of a wall through the throat of the statue. The name stems from the old French word for throat, "gargouille" and is related to the Greek "gargarizein" meaning "to gargle". To me, they have always represented protection from harm and a guard against evil. True or not, I have a collection of them all over my house (Hey, you never know!).

The Shopkeeper, Rue de Chartres

I captured this image in 1989 (I can't believe it's been 20 years!) in New Orleans, one of my favorite cities in the world. I happened across this wonderful man, who seemed to really enjoy being photographed, on Chartres St. in the French Quarter. I took several shots but this is my favorite with the dog exiting the shop at just the right moment! It was originally shot with black and white film but I think a little enhancement with toning, color and texture gives it a different mood and feel.

Enhancing portraits with texture

Recently, I was working on a digital portrait painting for my client, PM Studio , when I got the idea to apply some of the texture options I've been using in my fine art to portraits. The result gives a vintage look and feel to the image. Of course, not every photograph would be a candidate but with the right subject and composition, I think it could be quite a striking option for a portrait.

A Perfect Landing

Spring has finally sprung so here's my contribution to the celebration! We've had quite a bit of rain so far in New Jersey paving the way for a lush spring and summer ripe with painting and photo opportunities. Here's to new beginnings!