Remembering Summer Days At The Beach

     During August of 2013 while sitting and watching two children playing by the water at Hampton Beach in New Hampshire I was inspired to paint the following 16 X 20 Oil on Canvas:

I am pleased at my results and like the mystery of not being able to see the detail in the children's faces. I think these children were brother and sister and in years to come they will remember their special days at the beach and the bonding that goes on there among families and friends.  This painting is available for sale in my studio and would make a great gift from one sibling to another who recalls those wonderful childhood days.

Completed Works 2013

I will be posting updates of work that has been completed since my last posts in 2012.  Among which are the following:

This painting of "Fall In New England" was completed in the fall of 2013 and inspired by the many beautiful
colors of the leaves and trees during the season. This is a 16 X 20 oil on canvas and is available through my studio.

Update on Changes At Western Avenue Studios and the Lowell Art Scene

     Although I have not kept up with my posts I really have continued working in my studio in suite #326 at Western Avenue Studios as well as spending another late summer, fall and early winter being mentored by
artist Marie Stabile at the Cameron Senior Center in Westford, MA.  Last fall and Winter I also was a participant in a drawing course offered by Barbara Peacock in her home studio in Westford.  Art is a continuous learning experience.

     In July of 2013 I took over the complete studio in suite #326 at Western Avenue Studios and no longer share it with other artists.  The Western Avenue Studios has also continually undergone many changes and we now are 245 studios with more than 300 artists.  We have become the largest collection of artist housed under one roof on the east coast and we now include 50 live in studio lofts directly attached to the studios in the A Mill and C/D Mills.  As you approach the studios at 122 Western Avenue in Lowell, MA ., one of the first things you notice is a new larger sign on the red bridge that says Western Avenue Studios.  Also there is a new 3D sign over the renovated A mill entrance as well as a new painted sign over the C/D mill entrance and a new sign for Western Avenue Lofts.  Out parking lot has been reconfigured and now has landscaping and much improved lighting. The number of studios has been increased by building out studios on the Am mill 4th and 5th floors and in September of 2013 new studio space was opened on the 1st floor of the A mill with new windows and we also have a sunken patio where the flag pole and old rocket sculpture once stood.  A new direct stairway has been constructed to the second floor for direct access to the Loading Dock Cooperative Gallery and the entrance way to the gallery itself has been reconfigured.  Monthly exhibits are rotated in the gallery and new art talks and talks related to artists and their businesses are often held on Sunday afternoons in the gallery. All the overhead doors leading to the loading docks have been replaced with more attractive garage doors which include windows for natural light.  So you see there have been many changes at Western Avenue Studios which make it a great place to work and for some  a place to live and work.

The above pictures have were taken this fall (2013) before the snows of winter began.  This gives you an update on the growing art community at Western Avenue Studios.  In addition Lowell has more recently become a destination city for art with studios found in the Appleton Mills, Gateway Building, Ayer Lofts, Mill #5 and others as well as gallery Space at the Brush With Art Studios, Gallery 119., Zeitgeist Gallery, All Arts Gallery, Lowell Art Association Gallery and of course the famous Whistler House and Gallery.  Once a year during Lowell Open Studios coordinated tours are arranged During the first full weekend of October.  We provide free parking only 35 minutes or less from Boston or points north and Lowell is serviced directly by the commuter rail from North Station in Boston. Lowell is a happening Art Space!!!

Rekindling Joe Lapiana's Sunset Studio Art Blog

One of the most difficult things I find to do is to keep up writing and posting in my blog.  It seems that so much time goes to answering email, checking face book and twitter and surfing the net for interesting sites

that are art related.  I resolve to try to post more frequently in 2014.  I will also post some work that I have done since my last post....primarily work that I completed in 2013.

Interpreting Thomas Kincaide's Deer Creek Painting

This painting is my interpretation of a Thomas Kincaide painting entitled "Deer Creek".  Kincaide who passed away this year is the most widely sold American artist.  He was an absolute master of marketing and many people are draw to the warm feelings he created in his art.  This is my third interpretation of pieces he did and was produced as a learning experience in my study under Marie Stabile. Marie is of the opinion that much can be learned through an understanding of how Kincaide executed his paintings.  I am quite pleased with my painting and particularly happy with he reflections of light in "deer creek". This painting is available for sale at my Western Avenue Studio in Suite #326 in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Lowell Open Studios October 6 and 7, 2012

On October 6th and 7th at Western Avenue my studio was open for the 12th annual Lowell Open Studios. These pictures show some of our guests browsing paintings and enjoying snacks. The guests were hosted by myself, Paula Mingolelli, and Denise Rainis, who share a studio with me.

Cape Ann Light at Sunset

This painting is another in my lighthouse series and I have called it "Sunset Over Cape Ann Light "  I am particularly happy with the colors achieved for the sunset sky and the reflection of skylight in the sand and rocks.  This painting is one of two paintings that is currently part of the 3rd Annual Nashua Artists Breakfast Club exhibition which can be viewed in the McCarty Room of the Adams Public Library in  Chelmsford, Massachusetts for the month of October during regular library hours. A reception was held on October 13, 2012 where patrons could meet and chat with the artists involved in the exhibition.  My next post will feature a few photos from the reception.  This painting is available for sale.