Sunset Studio

Senior Holiday Card Contest

2011-11-05T09:47:00.000-07:00

Each Year the Secretary of the State of Massachusetts, William Galvin sponsors a Senior Holiday Card Contest at the Mass. Archives Building at the Commonwealth Museum at 220 Morrissey Boulevard in Boston, Massachusetts. In this the 15th Year of the contest I was pleased to learn that my oil painting entitled "Winter Solitude" was awarded a 2nd Place in the Museum Committee Awards Category. This contest is open to seiors 62 years of age or older. The pictures below are a close-up of this painting, the painting hanging in the Commonwealth Museum, Director of Archives Comeau making the presentation, a picture of myself and my cousin Sandra Regan of Winthrop Massachusetts who also placed 2nd in the mixed media category, a picture of Richard Mangino of Revere a quadruple amputee from Revere who painted his entry using his mouth before becoming the first double hand transplant recipient and whom we are all inspired by and proud of, and finally members of my Monday Cameron Senior Center Open Studio Group from Westford, Massachusetts with their award winning paintings. This group mentored by Marie Stabile of Westford was very well represented at a special luncheon and awards ceremony held at the Commonwealth Museum. In addition these painters will have a special Artists Showcase for the Month of November at the Cameron Senior Center in Westford on 20 Pleasant Street which is open to the public with a special meet the artists opportunity on November 17th from 3 PM until 8PM at theCameron Center. Light refreshments will be available. Come meet these talented artists and renew or make new acquaintances. Many of the art pieces on display will be for sale.

Lowell Open Studios

2011-10-03T18:02:00.000-07:00

This was a very busy weekend since it was the 11th City Wide Open Studios in Lowell, MA. Special activities and demonstrations took place in many of the studios located throughout the city. Shuttle bus transportation was available to those wishing to visit several of the studio complexes in Lowell. At my studio in suite #326 at Western Avenue Studios many friends and other art viewers were in attendance and all paintings were offered for sale. The annual fall event was the most successful in 11 years and more than 2000 people came to view the great art at Western Avenue Studios. If comments overheard were any indication of how satisfied participants were with this experience, we can look forward to many other Western Avenue Activities. For the artists and their families the building owner Karl Frey organized the 7th annual pot luck dinner and party on Friday night October 30th in the Loading Dock of Western Avenue and announced several new accomplishments of the artist's community including the installation of more than 900 solar panels on the roof of the building which will produce approximately 60% of electricity used in studios by artists. In addition is was announced that 50 live-in studios are being constructed and should be available for occupancy in the Spring of 2012. Western Avenue Studios certainly is a vibrant and alive place for artists to work and have fun.

Entry For Beaver Brook Association Fall Festival Show In Hollis, NH.

2011-10-03T17:40:00.000-07:00

This painting which I have titled "Night Watch" was a commission for a client who is a collector of owls. This particular owl is a snowy owl. The painting was a new challenge for me and was worked on for much of the month of September for entry into the Beaver Brook Association of Hollis, New Hampshire's Fall Festival. The painting was on Exhibit at the Maple Hill Farm for the show which was entitled Nature Beckons from September 22nd through the 25th. The new artwork criteria for the show accented New England natural settings or art which reflects a nature theme. Manmade structures and domesticated animals could not be included in landscapes or be the focus of the art. I was quite pleased at the results achieved and learned a great deal about representing birds in painting. Since this was a commission the painting was not offered for sale.

Summer Work

2011-10-03T07:57:00.000-07:00

Although the summer has been quieter for me in terms of production of new paintings, I have worked on a few new pieces. This piece which is called Winter Solitude is a view of the Massachusetts State House which I produced for the 15th Annual Seniors Holiday Card Contest sponsored by the Secretary Of State William Galvin's Office. The contest is open to all citizens 62 and over. The paintings are hung in a gallery upstairs in the Commonwealth Museum located at the Massachusetts Archives Building on Columbia Point at 220 Morrisey Boulevard in Boston, Massachusetts during November and early December. Two paintings will be chosen to be reproduced and these cards will be sold at the State House Gift Shop with the name of the artist printed on the card. Winning artists will be presented in a ceremony to be held at the Commonwealth Museum and all entering artists will be recognized a a special luncheon sponsored by Secretary Galvin's office. I am relatively happy with the results in this painting and attempted to convey a moodf of quiet and solitude on Beacon Hill.

Summer 2011

2011-09-20T12:07:00.000-07:00

As I have said in the past I am not sure where time goes. It seems like I am always trying to catch up. I apologize for not keeping up with this blog over the summer. The summer of 2011 was a very hot and humid one indeed and it seems that when the temperature goes up into the 80's and 90's and the humidity increases my energy level goes into a tail spin. I did try to stay in the cool air conditioning during much of the hot weather. Whenever I could I painted in air conditioned comfort but rarely made it over to my Western Avenue Studio in Suite #326..........the building was like an oven and due to its brick construction it retained the heat. I continued to meet with my art colleagues in the Nashua Artists Breakfast Club an experience that I always find fun and instructional. Although my production level was at a minimum I did continue to work on several paintings. I will say more about these in the next few posts. Now that the cooler weather has arrived and we have begun autumn activities I will be posting more often and painting more often. Sometimes taking a break and stepping back helps inspire an artist to move ahead with new ideas.

More Spring Art Show 2011

2011-04-24T06:07:00.000-07:00

A few photos from the Spring Breakfast Club Exhibition 2011

Nashua Breakfast Club Spring 2011 Exhibition

2011-04-24T06:03:00.000-07:00

This Spring the Nashua Area Artists are again exhibiting for the month of April at the McCarthy Room of the Chelmsford Public Library in their second annual show, This again has been a very rewarding experience and a successful show. Now that it is nearing completion it is time to beging work on soome new pieces inspired by Spring and Summer. Thanks to all friends and family who dropped into the reception on April 9th. It was a stretch to participate as I had flown in on the red eye from LaJolla, California where I attended a bnusiness conference and extended it by a few days vacation. Thanks to good friends my work was hung in the exhibition and I was able to make a wonderful reception for the artists.

Catching Up

2011-04-24T05:50:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I am awestruck by how fast time passes. This winter of 2011 has been a busy one with a trip to the Christmas Markets in Germany, the heart of Europe, and a cruise through the Rhine and Main Rivers. Lots of landscape and people for inspiration. I have also been busy participating in a few group art exhibitions. The above picture is from a group show entitled the "Men of Western Avenue" which was held in February at the Whistler House Museum of Art in Lowell, Massachusetts. This was a very successful exhibition and we had a great Artists Reception sponsored by the Art League of Lowell.

Reception February 26th Men Of Western Avenue at Whistler House Museum of Art

2011-02-28T07:05:00.000-08:00

This month I thought that I would post some photos from The Men of Western Avenue Studios very sucessful show and reception which was held at the Whistler House Museum Of Art in Lowell, Massachusetts. The attendance at the reception included many friends, family members and members of the Nashua Area Artists Breakfast Club, a group of very talented artist friends. It was fun to have a couple of my paintings accepted to this show. These pieces "Serenity and Province Lands" can be seen in previous posts in close up as well as in the pictures posted. The show was a varied presentation with pieces from 19 male artists of Western Avenue Studios mentioned in the previous announcement post. The wonderful refreshments were provided by the Whistler House Staff and members of the Lowell Art Association whose joint efforts have unified the many artists working in the Lowell area which has become a very active art community.

Men Of Western Avenue Show at Whistler House Museum of Art

2011-01-22T07:58:00.000-08:00

This is an announcement for a currently offered show entitled the "Men of Western Avenue Studios" which is now at the Whistler House Museum of Art at 243 Worthen Street in Lowell,MA. The Museum is the birthplace of James McNeill Whistler and the home of the Lowell Art Association and is open Wed. throgh Sat. from 11 AM until 4 PM. This historic site was built in 1823 and it represents the richness of the history and art of Lowell. There is a permanent collection of late 19th and early 20th century artwork as well as exhibitions of art in the adjacent Parker Gallery.

The show features a collection of art in various disciplines, media and styles from the Men of Western Avenue Studios, an integral part of the cultural life in the city of Lowell. The cross section contains sculpture, oil, watercolor and acrylic paintings, photography and mixed media. The artists included are: Tom Gill, Marcus Griep, Jack Holmes, David Barton, Don Ouellette, William McMeniman, David Leblanc, Stuart Krentcil, Glenn Szegedy, Joe Lapiana, John Wren, Peter Zimmerman, Gary Destramp, Bill Berry, Bruce Wood, John Cascio, Don Sullivan, Todd Bonita, Christopher Volpe, Jeff Engle and Michael Miller.

Come visit the exhibition and join us for the artist's reception on February 26th from 3:00 to 5:00 PM.

Pastel Workshop With Nita Casey January 20, 2011

2011-01-22T07:31:00.000-08:00

Theses photos are from a recent Pastel Workshop I took with my good friends from the Nashua Area Artist's Breakfast Club. The full day workshop was given by Nita Legere Casey at her Western Avenue Studio. It was my first attempt at working with pastels and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This medium is easy to travel with and very versatile. My friends Peg and Rene also enjoyed the workshop. I know that I will work again with pastels and this workshop was a good warm up for a second workshop that I will do on January 26th with Gregory John Maichak at the Chelmsford Art Society.

Self Portrait - A Western Avenue Studio 326 Challenge

2010-11-24T06:30:00.000-08:00

Challenges..........challenges! This painting began as a challenge activity between my studio mates at Western Avenue in Studio 326. We were all to create a self portrait in the medium of our choice. Some did sketches in pencil or pen, some in water colors, and some of us in oils. Portrait painting is a difficult task and one that I learned a great deal from. Most artists at some time or other in their career attempt a self portrait. I was reluctant to post this at the risk of readers thinking that I am vain, however, I was encouraged by friends to do so. I do think that the painting looks somewhat like me and is a fair for a first attempt at figurative painting. Looking at it makes me want to turn back the hands of time.......but what is, is! With this post I have caught up with my posts after a long hiatus from this blog. It does show that I have been working in the studio painting even though I was not blogging. I really enjoy sharing a studio with other painters for the comraderie, constructive criticism, and fun afforded by activities such as this one.

Kimball Farms Antique Ice Cream Truck

2010-11-24T06:03:00.001-08:00

Another of my summer paintings, this painting was the final result of what began as a day of Plein Air
painting in late August. The truck is an antique ice cream truck from the local ice cream stand that has been a fixture of life in Westford, MA for many years. The painting was finally finished in my studio from pictures taken on location. Another challenging subject for me to paint was this vehicle. I am relatively pleased with this painting which is available. If you are interested contact me.

Art Teacher Wins State House Christmas Card Contest

2010-11-23T07:36:00.001-08:00

In November members of our open studio group were invited to the State Archives Building on Morrisey Boulevard in Boston to celebrate Marie Stabile's award as the winner of the 2010 State House Christmas Card Contest. For the past two and one half years Marie has been my teacher and mentor as I paint with the Cameron Senior Center Open Studio Artists every Monday afternoon. The pictures in this post are of Marie receiving this award from Secretary of State William Galvin, Marie Stabile and long time friend and artist Janet Lambert Moore who was last year's award winner, members of the open studio art group, and of course the award winning painting.

Farmer's Market 2010

2010-11-23T07:34:00.000-08:00

As I promised in a previous post I have again statrted to post to this blog. The painting on the left is a 16X20 oil that I painted last summer of the Farmer's Market. I am pleased with the results since the challenge for me was the multiple figures and the many tent angles. This painting is available and is now hanging in my studio at Western Avenue.

First Parish Church United on the Common Westford, Massachusetts

2010-08-13T16:05:00.000-07:00

This painting is of the First Parish Church United which is on the Common in Westford, Massachusetts. A beautiful building with a great deal of historical significance since it served as Westford's Meeting House for over 100 years. The early records of this wonderful rural town are still housed among the church records. The painting is an 8 X 10 oil on canvas board. I am pleased with the results I achieved. This painting is the second of a series of paintings that I intend to do of sites around Westford. In an earlier post I showed a view of the Gazebo on Mill Pond in Graniteville, one of the villages of Westford, which I painted in the Spring of 2010. The painting is available and is copyrighted 2010 Joe Lapiana.. I am looking forward to the cooler weather of September and October to do more plein air paintings and to working at my studio at #326 on the third floor of the Western Avenue Studios in Lowell, MA.

Mountain Hideaway

2010-08-13T15:49:00.000-07:00

It's been a lomg hot summer and I have only been painting once a week, primarily with an Open Studio Group that meets on Mondays at the Cameron Center in Westford. The room we use has been beautifully renovated and best of all air conditioned on these dog days. With the heat I was thinking of cooler places and so I was inspired to paint this scene reminding me of an area in Estes Park, Colorado. I am fairly happy with the depth that I was able to achieve and how the tones create a distinction using lights and darks. This painting, an 8 X 10" oil on canvas board, is copyrighted 2010 Joe Lapiana and is available for purchase.

2010-07-07T10:34:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, 7-2-10 several of the Nashua Area Breakfast Club Artists met in Hollis, New Hampshire to paint Plein Air. This is my painting of "A House On Monument Square. It was so much fun to paint outdoors with a group of artists who each chose a scene to paint. Some of us painted the same scene from different angles. We will repeat the plein air experience each Friday as weather and time permits.

The Dunes

2010-07-01T05:37:00.000-07:00

It's summer and all thoughts turn to the beach. This painting which is called The Dunes is an 11X14 Oil on Canvas. It was inspired by two of my favorite beach spots in New England, the sand dunes at Crane's Beach in Ipswich, Massachusetts and the Province Land dunes just outside of Provincetown in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I am pleased with the overall composition, movement in the ocean, and the mood of a windy day at the beach. The painting is available as an original or a giclee print.

Chelmsford Art Society - 4th of July Exhibition

2010-07-01T05:21:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to invite all that are around for the 4th of July to visit the 42nd Annual Chelmsford 4th of July Art Festival. Many of my art friends have pieces being shown at the festival. I have submitted three pieces this year Summer Flight (Dragonflies) a 16X20 Oil on Canvas, The Gazebo at Mill Pond In Graniteville (Westford) a 16X20 Oil on Canvas, and Fishing at East Boston Camps (Westford) an 11X14 Oil on Canvas. The Festival is open to the Public July 4th Sunday 6-10:00 PM and Monday, July 5th from 8:30AM until 1:00 PM. Come by and enjoy the art as well as the festivities across the street on the common. The Art Festival occurs in the Old Town Hall, 1 North Road, Chelmsford (in Chelmsford Center).

2010-06-18T07:30:00.000-07:00

My studio mate brought a Phalenopsis orchid into our studio many months ago and this plant has thrived and bloomed and rebloomed, Orchids have always been a favorite of mine and so here is my representation of an orchid which I call The Sentinels.
I am quite pleased by the results and enjoy painting flowers.

2010-06-18T07:26:00.000-07:00

Several of my friends have joined the new movement to raise chickens for fresh eggs. This painting which I call Chanticleer captures a rooster struting his stuff. I have enjoyed painting a variety of subjects, learning and revising my approach as I paint each one.

2010-06-18T07:21:00.000-07:00

This painting was inspired by my attendance at a cousin's wedding where the ceremony took place at Portland Head Light on Cape Elizabeth in Maine. Lighthouses have always had a special attraction for me and I know that many people are collectors of lighthouse paintings. This is the second in a series of lighthouses that I am painting. The painting is a 16X20 oil on canvas and is available for purchase.

Free to Run

2010-06-08T19:35:00.000-07:00

This painting was a commission for a lady whose daughter brought this dog home as a rescue dog from a shelter. The dog is about one year old and really enjoys running on a beach and playing in the surf. I was quite pleased in my ability to capture the whispy nature of the dog's fur as it stood in the wind and the expression on the dog's face. This painting is not for sale, however, I do accept commissions of dogs if that interests you.

Breakfast Club Challenge

2010-06-08T18:49:00.000-07:00

This photo was set up as a challenge by Nita Legere Casey of the Nashua Area Artists Breakfast Club. The challenge was that painting of them was restricted to two colors, yellow ochre, and burnt sienna as well as black and white. My challenge painting which appears below the challenge photograph was a great surprise to me in that before attempting this challenge, I really did not think that I could have achieved the many colors in this painting using such a restricted pallete. This challenge was an incredeible learning exercise. It is through challenges such as this that we grow as artists in our understanding of how to approach new art. I am very grateful to my artist friends in the "Breakfast Club" for the many things they have taught me and for their encouragement and support over the last few years.

Dragonfly's Flight

2010-06-08T05:11:00.000-07:00

I am quite pleased with this painting which I call Dragonfly's Flight. It is a 16X20 oil on canvas which is for sale. I liked the challenge of painting the transparency of the dragonfly's wings. This painting will most likely be entered in the Chelmsford Art Society's Fourth of July Show.

More Friends and Family at Open Studios May 1st Our Spring Art Thing

2010-06-07T07:23:00.000-07:00

Open Studios May 1st

2010-06-07T07:04:00.000-07:00

Finally a new post! Where does time go? This is a picture of some of my family visiting my studio at Westerrn Avenue on May 1st. My niece Kathy, Me and Sister Rosemarie. All seemed to enjoy the many open studios and it was good to see friends and family.

CCA Art In Bloom

2010-04-10T08:52:00.000-07:00

Thought that I would post a few pictures from the first Chelmsford Center For The Arts Exhibition of Art In Bloom which I participated in Friday April 9th through Sunday April 11,2010. I really enjoy participating in group exhibitions and meeting all the patrons. An artist needs feedback on his work and gets a great feeling when others make appreciative comments. I hope to participate in many more exhibitions as my work progresses.

2010-04-07T14:30:00.000-07:00

Thought I would post this invitation to the Chelmsford Center For The Arts In Bloom a weekend show that one of my paintings "Pond Reflections" was selected for inclusion in. My painting will be on display in the auditorium along with a flower arrangement created by a member of the Chelmsford Garden Club that complements the colors and theme of the painting. This show will be open from Friday evening 4-9-10 through Sunday 4-11-10. Exhibits can be viewed on Saturday and Sunday for a small donation, however, Friday evening (7-9 PM) there will be a gala reception and for a $20 donation for a ticket you can enjoy hos d'oeuvres and a cash wine bar. Music will be provided by Brian Friedland on Piano. This is the First Flower and Art Show to benefit the New Chelmsford Center For The Arts

located at the Old Town Hall, 1A North Road, Chelmsford, MA. Come by an support the new art center.

2010-04-07T14:10:00.000-07:00

Several people have asked for driving directions to The Western Avenue Studios. Here are the easiest directions for driving: From the Lowell Connector off route #3, take the Thorndike Street exit. At the third set of lights take the ramp on the right. At the second set of lights at the top of the ramp, turn left onto Middlesex Street. Middlesex street bears to the right just after the Boys and Girls Club, follow it to the first set of lights which is School Street. Turn right on School Street, at the crest of the hill turn right onto Western Avenue. Western Avenue Studios is the five story red brick building at the end of Western Avenue. My studio is #326 just off the common area on the third floor.

Morning Song

2010-04-07T14:03:00.000-07:00

Also inspired by early spring bud bursts and the arrival of song birds my attempt was to silhouette these against early sky colors in a more abstract composition. This is an 11X16 oil on canvas and it is now hanging on my studio wall at Western Avenue. If any of these paintings on this blog interst you please contact me and we can discuss their purchase.

2010-04-07T13:58:00.000-07:00

In this 12 X 16 oil on canvas I have tried to capture the beauty of dragonflies. I simply call it "In Flight"/ I am quite pleased with the effect of transparency on the flies' wings. The painting was inspired by the warm weather and thoughts that these beauties will soon visit.

Lowell Handmade Art, Music, Film, Food, Culture & More in Boston's Favorite Mill City: Come Discover the Wonder of Art at Western Ave Studios

2010-03-17T15:30:00.000-07:00

Lowell Handmade Art, Music, Film, Food, Culture & More in Boston's Favorite Mill City: Come Discover the Wonder of Art at Western Ave Studios Check out this great new resource for the arts in the city of Lowell..........everything you need to have a great time listed in one place. Also be sure to drop into Studio #326 when at Western Avenue Studios where I and my studio mates can be found on Open Studio Saturdays which is always the first Saturday of every month from 12 noon until 5 PM. We always have a variety of art hanging on our studio walls as well as several works in progress. Come in and enjoy good conversation, coffee and snacks while viewing the art.

2010-03-07T07:44:00.000-08:00

Thought I would include this photo of my fellow artists from the Nashua Artist's Breakfast Club who stopped by my studio #326 at Western Avenue Studios during our March open studio on 3-6-2010. It was great fun to sit and chat about painting and other experiences of the Breakfast Club an informal group of artists which has been meeting at Boarder's Cafe in Nashua New Hampshire for more than 20 years. Being a relatively new member of this group has been wonderful as these accomplished artists have inspired me to continue working on my art and their help, friendship, and support is valued and appreciated. It is also through this group that I have been encoraged to exhibit in four shows over the past two years. Since artists often paint in isolation finding this group has been a wonderful experience. Also through email and facebook and sharing our blogs we are tuned into many happenings in the arts in northern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire.

Koi Pond

2010-03-07T07:36:00.000-08:00

I was inspired for this painting by a fellow Nashua Artist's Breakfast Club friend Priti Lathia who has done many beautiful paintings of Koi. The fish remind me so much of the Koi that I used to keep in the small pond on my front deck in the warmer months. The many colors of the Koi and thair constant motion is a relaxing sight. My first attempt at painting fish, I am somewhat pleased , however, I will try to improve on the subject at a later time.

Whoosh!

2010-03-07T07:30:00.000-08:00

In this painting I tried to capture the fun of childhood and the spirit of winter. I am happy with the result and like the motion it represents. It's now time to focus on more springtime themes. ZI continue to explore many new subjects for my paintings and learn with each new attempt.

The Painter

2010-02-06T07:17:00.000-08:00

Another of the "Hurry Up and Paint Workshop" paintings. This painting is an 8X10 Oil on Canvas which is more impressionistic than many of my paintings. As I develop in my painting style my hope is that I will eventually evolve into a painter that paints works which are less detailed and more impressionistic than some of my work. I study painting under a painter that refers to this style as Realistic-Impressionism.

Serenity

2010-02-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

On January 16th I attended a workshop given by Artist Stephen Previte at his studio in Nashua, New Hampshire which was another of his Hurry Up and Paint Workshops. We were given 30 minutes to produce paintings around specific themes. In this painting we were allowed to use a limited palette of any tone of two colors. I am pleased with the results of this 8X10 Oil on Canvas which I call simply "Serenity". Participating in these workshops causes me to loosen up and also forces me to paint "out" of my comfort zone". I enjoy learning new techniques and feel that my development as a painter is improved in these workshops.

New Studio Work Space

2010-01-28T18:20:00.000-08:00

These are a few more pictures of Studio #326 and in particular my work space near the front with a big mill window for light. The wall behind displays a few of my paintings. I hope to get back to posting some new work in the next few weeks.

Paint-In

2010-01-28T17:40:00.000-08:00

In this photo which was taken 1-28-10 I am working on finishing an 8 X 10 oil on canvas of a still life which was begun on January 24th at a paint in of the Nashua Area Artists Breakfast club. One of the artist's in the group invited us to paint still life paintings of 3 different groupings of flowers,pottery and fruit. I am somewhat pleased at my painting two vases, one of tulips and the other of hyacinths and golden rod like flowers. Painting from live subject is something I need to practice more,

Open Studio at Cameron Center

2010-01-14T07:52:00.000-08:00

Recently I, along with several of my fellow artists who paint in an open studio at the Cameron Senior Center every Monday afternoon were featured in a slide show created and used by the Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley during their annual meeting in a presentation called Creativity and the Older Adult: A Look at the Extraordinary. This is a picture taken for that slide show. I thought that I would include it as my final post today. I am now caught up with the projects I have been working on recently.

Waning Light on Cranes Reservation

2010-01-14T07:32:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite places for experienc-ing the stillness of nature is by the salt marshes on the Cranes Reservation in Ipswich, Massachusetts. This 16X20 original oil on canvas was painted following such a trip to the marshes. I was attracted to the changes in the sky as seen against the greens and greenish gold of the marsh grasses and reeds as the light was beginning to fade late in the afternoon.

2010-01-14T07:20:00.000-08:00

This is an 16X20 original oil of a quiet spot for reflection in the Granitville Village of Westford, MA. I call it the Gazebo on Mill Pond. Westford has many beautiful spots for quiet reflection as we are fortunate to have four major bodies of water and several brooks and streams.

2010-01-14T07:11:00.000-08:00

This is another of my series on fruit and vegetables. It is an 8X10 original oil on canvas board. Of the series so far I am less pleased with this painting. I thnk that the highlights and light direction need more work and will try this subject again at a later date.

2010-01-14T07:01:00.000-08:00

Wow.....Where does time go? I have continued trying new subjects even though I have not posted. My last post was at Thanksgiving. Inspired by the painting I did of the mini-pumpkins and sage, I decided to try several fruits as subjects. This is an 8X10 original oil on canvas board. I am somewhat pleased with the highlights and shadows and plan to continue learning the strokes necessary to accomplish reasonable representations of fruits and vegetables.

Mini Pumpkins and Sage

2009-11-24T08:14:00.000-08:00

As Thanksgiving approaches, in this 8X10 oil on canvas board I tried to capture the fall colors of the mini-pumpkins seen against the green shades of the sage leaves. I feel that the leaves need a little more work but I like the multiple tones in the pumpkins as they lay against each other. I will be attempting three paintings this size for mor practice on still life painting with the remaining two being a grouping of apples and a grouping of cherries. I guess the annual feast has inspired thoughts of other foods.

2009-11-24T08:06:00.000-08:00

This original oil 11X14 on canvas was inspired by a late fall trip to Heald Pond in Pepperell, MA. The pond surface was mirror-like and the changing colors of the leaves contrasted well against the evergreens in the background and the sky. This painting has sold.

Autumn Lane

2009-10-12T13:24:00.001-07:00

This painting completed on September 28th, 2009 was inspired by the current peak foliage and is 18x24 Oil on Canvas. It is my interpretation of an original entitled Autumn Lane by Kinkaide. I like the effect of the light shining through the trees from the left side. I feel like I have walked this lane many times in past Autumns in Westford where I make my home.

2009-09-19T08:28:00.000-07:00

This is my latest painting which I call "Flower Stream Fantasy". It is a 9X12 Oil on Canvas. I like the mixture of colors and the misty disappearing background. Certainly a place I could retreat to on a cold winter day

Sunset Manor

2009-09-07T11:14:00.000-07:00

This painting is one that I produced between the larger painting of Block Island Light and the painting I am currently working on. This work is a 9X12 oil on canvas. My dad named this cottage which is now my year round home in Westford "Sunset Manor" because the sun actually sets behind the cottage over Conscience Hill. Although certainly not a manor in the true sense of the word it was a great second home growing up as a kid and a wonderful spot to retire to as my full time home in Westford. It is hard to believe I have lived in this spot for 42 years.

Early Morning at Block Island Light

2009-09-07T11:06:00.000-07:00

In this composition I tried a new subject and an early morning sky. This is a 16X20 oil on canvas. I am pleased with the effect that I produced on the cliffs. I would like at some point to alter the composition and paint a darker, stormy sky as well as lowering the horizon line to give a greater impression of depth. My production this summer has slowed a bit as I enjoy spending time outdoors . My next painting is a relatively quick rendering of my cottage home in Westford.

Quiet Contemplation

2009-08-01T07:25:00.000-07:00

This painting was my second summer challenge in that I wanted to try painting human skin tones in hopes that at sometime I would paint a portrait. Many artist friends have told me that portrait painting and human skin tones are the most difficult to attempt because of the many values (color variations) and shadows. I am reasonably pleased with the result which I call "Quiet Contemplation". I thought for my first attempt at this subject I would choose a side view and not attempt to paint a face straight on. Currently I am working on a painting of Block Island Light after another painting by Thomas Kincaide. This work is being done in my weekly painting group supervised by the same artist, Marie Stabile, that I worked with last winter.
I feel that working on this seascape with lighthouse has many possibilities for learning values, brush strokes and composition. As usual there is a great deal to learn. I continue to attend my weekly Nashua Artists Breakfast Club meetings where I am like a sponge absorbing tips and ideas from the varied and more accomplished artists in this group. Conversation is always lively and the pastry and cappuccino is a bonus reason for attending. I hope either late this summer or early in the fall to attempt a "plein air" painting as another challenge... I will post a picture of the lighthouse when I am finshed with this latest challenge.

2009-08-01T07:16:00.000-07:00

Well it has been a while since my last post, not because I have stopped painting but because I have procrastinated posting. In summer that is easy to do and I have been busy officiating at weddings in my other role as Justice of the Peace. As I mentioned in my last post I was working on a painting of my two toy daschunds, Gracie the small brown female and Budso the black and tan male. I found this task more difficult than I expected but it was a challenge I wanted to accept. I found that painting the eyes was particularly difficult for me. The end result is that I think I produced a reasonable representation for my first try at animal portraits.

Lazy Summer Sail

2009-06-09T16:00:00.000-07:00

In the last few days I have been working on a painting of my two dogs Gracie (the little brown female) and Budso (the larger black male). My first attempt at painting dogs and one that I have found to be frustrating. I particularly had a great deal of trouble with their eyes. In the meantime I painted this 5X7" oil on canvasboard which I call "Lazy Summer Sail. I will post the dog painting in the next few days because it is finally nearing completion.

Red Barn in The Snow

2009-05-18T17:48:00.000-07:00

This is another of my half-hour paintings which I call simply "Red Barn in the Snow" This workshop really got me to produce using pretoned canvases and without laboring over the under-drawing before starting to paint. Such a workshop helps a painter to not be intimidated by a blank canvas because of the time constraints that are imposed. A wonderful learning experience that I highly recommend to new painters and to those who are used to spending many hours on their paintings.

Winter Snows

2009-05-18T17:39:00.001-07:00

The third of my half hour paintings is a 8X10 oil on canvasboard which I simply call "Winter Snows"

Spring Arrives

2009-05-18T17:36:00.000-07:00

Another of my half hour creations is this 5 X 8 oil on canvas which I entitled "Spring Arives" A simple woodland stream at the beginning of the spring after a long hard winter.

The Fishermen

2009-05-18T17:27:00.000-07:00

In April of 2009 I attended a workshop led by Steve Previte of the Nashua Area Artists group which Steve held at the Jaffrey Civic Center in Jaffrey New Hampshire. During the course of this day we produced the beginnings of five paintings each painted in one half hour. The purpose of this exercise was to loosen up the painter's style. Many of the paintings produced were in a more impressionistic style than I had previously worked on. This painting which I simply call "The Fishermen" is one of my paintings from this day. It is a 10 X 12 oil on canvas.

Il Mulino

2009-05-18T17:18:00.000-07:00

On the southern coast of Sicily can be found the Baia dei Mulini below the town of Erice. In the summer of 2005, I visited this wonderful spot to admire the remaining windmills which were originally used as they still are today to pump salt water on flats where it is dried and milled into salt for the dining tables of Sicily. This original is an 8 X 10 on canvas board.

A Quiet Lunch

2009-05-18T17:12:00.000-07:00

A first attempt at a still life inspired by a quiet bite to eat in the middle of the day. Who could desire more than a good book, ataste of wine and cheese, crusty italian bread and some fruit. This is a 16 X 20 oil on canvas original.

Tuscan Villa

2009-05-18T17:09:00.000-07:00

Another 8X10 oil on canvas board. This is a typical Tuscan Villa that I completed on an 8 X 10 canvas board in February 2009.

The Village Fountain

2009-05-18T16:54:00.000-07:00

In the small villages of Italy and Sicily the village fountain is the central location where villagers met to discuss the days activities and news. This painting is of such avillage fountain in Tuscany.
This is an original oil on canvas board This is an 8 X 10 on canvas board.

The Return Home

2009-05-18T16:50:00.000-07:00

Inspired by all things Sicilian i completed this 16 X 20 original oil on canvas which captured a Sicilian farmer returning in his donkey cart from the vinyard. In this area the rich red Nero d'avola vines produce a deep red wine with flavors of black currants, and plums.

Castello UCannoni

2009-05-18T16:44:00.000-07:00

This 16 X 20 original oil on canvas was inspired by my visit to a small town in South Central Sicily called Mazzarino. It was in this town that my mother was born in 1912. The subject of the painting is Il Castello (The castle) UCannoni which dates to the 14th century and occupies the highest point in this small town.

End of the Day Reframed

2009-05-18T15:45:00.000-07:00

I decided to reframe my copy of the Kincaid called "End of the Day" I feel that the gold frame draws the tones in the painting forward.

End of the Day

2009-05-13T17:22:00.000-07:00

In this my second painting, a copy of an original by Kincaide called "End of the Day" my coloring is significantly different. The painting was produced in a class taught by Marie Stabile. Working for a second time in the new medium of water mixable oils has convinced me to continue in this medium .

End of the Day

2009-05-13T17:12:00.000-07:00

This is the second painting that I completed. It was completed in December 2008 in a second class taught by Marie Stabile. The subject was an original by Kincaide called "The End of the Day" In my painting the coloring is changed significantly, however, working again with water mixable oils this painting further convinced me to continue in this medium.

A Country Inn

2009-05-04T05:20:00.000-07:00

This was my first attempt at painting after a 30 year hiatus. The painting is a copy of a painting by Kincaide in which I took some artistic liberty and changed colors and some of the objects in the composition. Being quite pleased with the results, I was encouraged to continue using this water mixable oil medium. This painting was completed over a six week period in a class taught by artist Marie Stabile in the winter of 2009.

2009-05-04T04:59:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog. Since this is my first attempt at this new endeavor, please bear with me as I develop my blog and interest in writing about my painting experiences. I have begun oil painting again after not working in this medium for more than 30 years. I have decided to work in the relatively new medium of water mixable oils. Working in this medium I feel is a safer alternative to traditional oil painting in that this medium reduces exposure to volatile fumes and chemicals and makes traveling with supplies easier since there is no need to use paint thinners or turpentine. These paints will mix and clean up with water. The medium is possible since paints have been developed with modified linseed and safflower oils. The paint consistency is similar to traditional oil paints and paints behave in a similar manner. The depth of color, buttery consistency, lightfastness, opacity/transparency,drying time and performance allows use in all color techniques. To date I have found no limitations in this newer medium. I have been using Winsor and Newton Artisan paints.