His Daily Constitutional

18x14 Oil/Canvas

This older gentleman was walking in and out of the early morning sunlight in between the long cast shadows on a street in Cape Cod. I was taken by many things watching him on his daily walk.. of course, as a painter, the first would be how beautiful the light was on him and around him. Another would be the image he projected of being in the moment and the peaceful satisfaction of such a stroll.

Ross' Grill

detail

SOLD

Ross' Grill

30x24 Oil/Canvas

It seems that the majority of my paintings lately have been on the small side. Small paintings can be nice little jewels, but more so they are great opportunities to work things out... brush strokes, values, palette development, etc... without a big commitment.

Monday, I decided to put on my big boy pants and paint larger. I had been looking at this reference photo for some time now deciding on how I could break it down into shapes. That worked really well for laying in the background with the cook, wine rack area and for the stuff on the counter. When it came to the barstools though, it was a lot of drawing with the paint... lots of lines and negative space!

My goal was to keep a painterly energy moving in the painting . I was surprised that at the end of the day I was finished and it had turned into an alla prima work.

2010 Self Portrait

12x9 Oil/Canvas

Each new year I do a self portrait to track the road map of my face and to see where I am with the self portrait process. The light I set up at my lower left set the challenge of getting the up-lit warm colors as I saw them in the mirror.

Touching Up

11x14 Oil/Raymar

It was back to Cooley's Landing today for another go at painting boats backlit by the morning sun. I am working on simplifying and suggesting here. The Captain came out and squatted down for about two seconds, touching up the side of his boat... he could have stayed a little longer, but I guess he gave me what I needed...

A Good Life...

12x20 Oil/Linen Panel

Private Collection

detail

This is a commission piece I did before the holidays. The painting was to be given as a Christmas gift so I held off on sharing it here. At first I was concerned there wasn't enough information to do a true portrait of Patrick, the gentleman shown here towing his boat. The lack of detail in the photo actually worked to my advantage. It made me focus on getting the forms and values in the face correct without getting wrapped up in painting the eyes, the nose, etc... kind of like mandatory squinting. Having known Patrick and his family, I was surprised and pleased with how this method helped me to capture not only a true likeness, but also my memory of his character and gesture. He was a fine and solid person and I was honored to be part of such a gift.

Morning Cat Ketch

8x6 Oil/Linen

Painting at Cooley's Landing this morning, the backlighting on this sailboat caught my attention immediately. Being a sure footed Capricorn I have an admitted lack of knowledge when it comes to boats and boating terminology. I just knew that there was something very appealing and special about this boat with its strong masts and seasoned sails.... besides, I liked the way the light was hitting it.

Midway through the painting, I was surprised when the equally seasoned 24 year resident & Captain of the boat appeared on deck. When he looked at my painting, he offered that many sailors might look at my painting and think I had painted the boat inaccurately, due to the fact that the forward mast was so close to the front. He then pointed out that I had painted his rig correctly and it is an older style of sailboat known as a Cat Ketch... a boat known for its gentle ways and once favored by watermen before the age of power. I still have a lot to learn about boats and pretty much everything... amazing though, the things you learn while painting outdoors. Did you know that Greyhounds can't swim?... well, I am sure there are exceptions.