Dog Day

 Iv'e painted this house in Keene Valley many times. I keep coming back to it because of the incredible morning light and I like painting white houses with shadows.   On this particular morning the owners had their dog staked out in the yard. It reminded me of Fairfield Porter's painting "Island Farmhouse". oil 16x20in   

Spring Thaw -- Honorable Mention Southeast Pastel Society show

 I just got word that I received an Honorable Mention at the Southeastern Pastel Society show at the Olglethorpe Museum in Atlanta GA. This was my first entry into this juried show and I was honored just to be included. 

Contemplating Diebekorn

On a horrible, rainy day was captivated by the Phillips Collection show of American Art, "Made in the USA"  Wasn't prepared for the vast collection of American . Hopper,Bellows, Henri, O'Keefe, Weston, Pollack, Sloan, Homer, Marin, Kent and more.  

Grandfather Beech

 Behind my school there is a small forgotten tract of forest surrounded by development where some very old beautiful Silver Beech trees can be found.  My purpose was to play around  with a complimentary palette of purples and yellows.  11x14in pastel   

Chilly Peppers

 Finished drawing. While a snowstorm was raging outside I kept warm by working on this large pastel of chili peppers from photographs I took at the Bel Air farmers market last year. I worked on black sanded paper and purposely kept it loose and squiggly up close but seemingly realistic when observed from a distance. While I greatly admire the virtuosity of pastel artists who get in there and blend into hyper- realism, I prefer to let the colors mix optically by layering marks. 18x26in. pastel

Chili Peppers

 On a cold, snowy Monday the only way to keep warm in the studio is to do a hot drawing. I am working on a large 18x26 in pastel on a black sanded board. It's amazing how many colors can be found on a single pepper and I took that as my challenge. I,ll post it when it's finished. Many more layers and squiggles to go,  

Keene Valley Days

 Outside its snowing and cold. It's a snow day and it's time for my annual Keene Valley fire truck painting. I love the bright cadmium red truck that's parked all over town during August celebrations. Every winter I do a little painting  to remind me of those warm summer days. I donate the painting to the firehouse auction when we visit. I think this is the 4th . 10x10in oil on birch panel