Auction: "Pansies"

"Pansies", Oil on Panel, 6" x 6"

I'm staying at my mother's house this week.  The flowers in her yard are all in bloom, so I decided to use some for my latest subject.  I did this painting in one sitting.  My art training is in classical realism, so I am used to layering colors and working on a piece of art for what seems like an eternity at times.  It is a challenge for me to do quick studies and to accept them as finished pieces.  I'm happy with this painting because I captured the essence of the subject, which to me makes a successful painting. If you would like to bid on this painting, click here.

Auction: "Hydrangea"

"Hydrangea", 6" x 6", Oil on Panel

"Hydrangea" Work in Progress

My neighbors told me to take cuttings of their hydrangeas, which  have so many flowers that they are sagging to the ground.  I took them up on the offer and made a vase of flowers with them and reserved a small flower for a still life.  The work-in-progress shows a loose underpainting in raw umber.  If you would like to bid on this painting, click here.

Auction: "Stacked Sea Urchins"

"Stacked Sea Urchins", Oil on Linen,  8" x 6" 

I bought these sea urchins in a store that specializes everything nautical.  The beautiful textures and colors of these sea urchins really caught my eye.  I painted this from life in two sittings.  If you would like to bid on this painting, click here.

Online Auction: Summer Treat

"Summer Treat", Oil on Linen, 6" x 8"

Nothing beats freshly picked strawberries in the summertime.  In Italy, I've eaten strawberry desserts that are so simple, yet so delicious and refreshing on a hot summer's day.  The Italian restaurants serve them sliced in a bowl with a sprinkling of sugar and lemon juice or with sugar and red wine.  Both versions are great.  A little dollop of whipped cream is a nice addition.   If you would like to bid on this painting, click here.

Auction: Poppy study

"Poppy Study", Oil on Linen, 8" x 6"

This study focuses on the pink-colored poppies that are growing in the gardens of the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, CT.  The American Impressionists lodged at the boarding house on the grounds of the museum and painted the lush landscape.  The well-tended gardens and boarding house still exist.  It's worth a visit when in the area.  This is a study for a 24" x 30" painting that I'm working on for a summer exhibit.  If you would like to bid on this painting, click here.

Auction: "Petunias", Oil on Linen

"Petunias", Oil on Linen, 6" x 8"

I bought two baskets of purple petunias for the front entry.  The flowers have such a soft, velvety look that I knew they would look great in a painting.  I painted a light background, allowing the dark flowers to come forward in the picture plane.  I also focused on creating the feeling of air as it envelopes the still life.  If you would like to bid on this painting, click here.

Auction: "Lilacs" from Remembrance Series.

"Lilacs", Oil on Linen, 8" x 6"

This painting took me longer to finish than anticipated.  I had to play around with the colors to come up with a color scheme that worked as a whole.  If you would like to bid on this painting, click here.