Harford County Plein Air Festival

 I participated in Harford's 1st paint out and had a pretty good time. Great party after.

Some answers to some important questions

Over the years my students have been curious about" how I became an artist" and other questions. Here are some answers :

 

I was in 4th grade when I knew I wanted to be an artist. Mrs. Donohue, My 4th grade teacher let be draw through a  math class once. I also assisted an experienced teacher in a summer program when I was in High School. I didn't know at the time she was the Art Supervisor for Anne Arundel Co. Schools. 

 I prefer to paint landscapes. in oil and pastel. I enjoy being outside , in the woods or along rivers. I feel close to nature and find spiritual sustenance there. I try to capture the effects of light in the early morning and evenings, the “golden hour.” But mostly I am attracted to colors and how they change when they travel in and out of shadow.

 I have had many mentors, living and dead. Artists are constantly learning from other artists. Andrew Wyeth and Vincent Van Gogh were very early inspirations. Later, in adulthood, I fell in love with American Impressionism and the painters of the early 20th cen. Edward Hopper, Rockwell Kent, George Bellows, and the paintings of Fairfield Porter and the Canadian Tom Thompson. Those guys still paint better and fresher than many artists working today.  Living mentors were my teachers, Frank Kelly, Duane Sabiston, John Sauers, Eugene Leake, Robert Stark, and many others . My wife has always supported me emotionally in producing art. She has always encouraged my art making. 

When I met gallery owner Martha Corscaden in New  York, who wanted to show my work, I was really inspired to produce. I have had annual shows since 2009.

I always liked teaching. In Boy Scouts I used  to give "lectures" on stuff. I then became an Arts and Crafts camp counselor in high school through college. I  learned a lot on my own.  I found teaching something was the best way to learn something. I always enjoyed sharing what I had learned. I studied art teaching in college and got a job right out of school based on all my experience with kids in my summer programs. I”ve been teaching high school art since 1974.

  Advice? Paint what gives you joy. Paintings are more than just the objects you draw. In my case they are about light, or color.  And Don't be afraid to take risks.There are no mistakes in art, only adjustments and discovery.  When you face your fear you find your art

Sleeping Giant

 My last painting in Keene Valley this summer on Johns Brook. The day started out sunny and hot and when I finally got all my gear together and set up my palette it began to rain. I'm glad oil and water don't mix. I was able to get most of this down under an umbrella. 6x12in oil  

Noonmark Mt. , from Keene Valley.

 A larger version of a small 8in study I made on site. I had a perfect view from Pat Quinn's camp in Keene Valley. The sun was behind th mt so Noonmark looked like a purple cutout against the sky. 11x14in oil

New Batch - Birch Raku Vases

 My new batch of Ichibana vases done in both raku and electric kilns. To get my effects I had to glaze ,fire up to 3 times for each vase.

Last Light on Chapel Pond

 11x17in Pastel

Marcy Field

 This is the view of Marcy Field and Baxter Mt. looking  West from the parking lot. Not the view most people see as they travel east from Keene. In painting this pastel I used 3 or four blues to create the sky and then blended the pigments with water and brush to create a new , sharp color that seems to have less moisture (hence less cerulean ) art geekness aside, I really respond to the clear crystalline blues of High Peak skies.

 Pastel 11x14in