Thursday, December 16, 2010

"The Village Cafe"


A favorite "eatery" in this charming mountain town, Blowing Rock, NC. I've spent many good times here with dear friends.
"The Village Cafe"
Oil on Canvas
20" X 16"

Friday, December 3, 2010

"Blowing Rock Morning"


Blowing Rock is one of my favorite mountain towns in North Carolina. The climate is usually so pleasant that most plants don't get stressed from the summer heat. Frequent showers and temperatures usually 10 degrees(F) cooler than the Piedmont Area of NC make this a great escape during the hottest months of the year.
There are many beautiful "summer" homes, interesting shops and art galleries.
This painting is very early morning before there are many people on the streets.
I particularly enjoy the beautiful and well maintained street plantings.
Oil on Canvas
20" X 16"

Thursday, November 4, 2010

"Morning Shadows"


This is the "mate" to the last post. I really enjoyed the palette in both of these paintings. My goal was to create warm and pleasant landscapes hopefully exciting enough to draw the viewer in.
Acrylic on Canvas
48" X 48"
SOLD

"Quiescent View"


This is one of a pair of commissioned paintings that I just completed. An imaginary landscape to give the viewer "a place to go" beyond the once dreary shadowed wall where they now hang.
Acrylic on Canvas
48" X 48"
SOLD

Saturday, September 18, 2010

"Chateau Gevrey Chambertin"


Today was "D" Day-Delivery day! And here is the finished painting! Upon my arrival, the host opened a bottle of Pino Noir from Chateau Gevrey Chambertin (Vintage 2002)and the hostess offered cheese, fruit and crackers all so generously shared with me in celebration of the unveiling. We had fun hanging the painting, studying the lighting upon it, and even moved a couple pieces of furniture. To my delight one of their grandchildren (three year old Elizabeth) was present adding her bashful charm to the occasion. They were very pleased and of course that pleases me and adds joy to my life as an artist!
As I studied and worked my way into this painting, I became very influenced by the age and architure of this marvelous old rock building. The fact that no two windows are alike fascinates me. The way the rocks are layed creates an interesting visual movement and pattern over the wall surfaces. The old copper gutters, the chimneys, the barrels, the flowers, the wooden window shelf-all elements, that to me, had to be included in detail to capture the character of this historic winery.
Acrylic on Canvas
36" X 48"
SOLD

Monday, August 23, 2010

"Chateau Gevrey Chambertin"


This stage of the painting shows further development with the "laying in" of more dark and mid-tones as well as now some of the lights are being established.
Acrylic on Canvas
36" X 48"

Friday, August 20, 2010

"Chateau Gevrey Chambertin"


After stretching my canvas (36" X 48"), I applied a yellow oxide underpainting (acrylic). Next, I drew a somewhat faint and detailed graphite layout of the architectural elements of this old winery. I only do this much drawing when it is necessary to get all of the details "just right". Then, I began by laying in the darkest as well as some of the mid-tone areas of the composition.
Acrylic on Canvas
36" X 48"

"Chateau Gevrey Chambertin"



The beginning stages of a commissioned painting that I have been working on since my last post. My clients are wine afficionados and enjoy visiting and learning about the many vineyards and wineries of our world (along with a bit of tasting along the way!).
My compostion was drawn from this photo that I downloaded from them over the internet. After discussion, we decided that a vertical painting would work the best for available spaces in their home (the final "hanging spot" will be decided upon delivery of the finished painting).
After showing them my very simple compositional sketch, they agreed that this is what I should paint.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

"Old Ferry Dock Road-Harkers Island, NC"


A delightful morning painting in this historic village. A lovely lady watched me paint this and then bought it after telling me that I had just painted her home (the house on the left)!
Acrylic on Canvas
20" X 16"
(Plein Air)
SOLD

Saturday, May 29, 2010

"Day's Arriving-Old Salem"

Early morning light casts shadows of fences and gardens in historic Old Salem. Oil on Canvas 16" X 10"

SOLD

"Angel Garden"


A verdant garden path behind a friend's home.
Oil on Canvas
9" X 12"
GIFTED

Friday, April 2, 2010

"Near Osprey Lane, Topsail, NC"


Looking in the opposite direction of my last painting...yet another view that captivated my attention and desire to paint this charming little house on the bay.
The mornign light spread warmth over the view in front of me.
Oil on Raymar Panel
12" X 9"
(Plein Air)
SOLD

"Looking Toward Alligator Bay, Topsail, NC"


A clear crisp day. I found the perfect place to paint plein air in a gazebo at the end of a pier in this beautiful inlet. Quiet, alone to paint the beauty of the moment.
Oil on Raymar Panel
12" X 9"
(Plein Air)
SOLD