archive

18” x 36”

oil on panel

48” x 48” - oil on panel

Painting for me is about experimentation and development. Leading up to this piece, I had spent a few months studying how to properly light a still life and worked to improve the lighting intensity and color in my painting studio.

There is a small farm stand not far from where I live in the Hudson Valley in New York that sells the most amazing sunflowers I have ever seen - Tuscany included! Late last summer, I drove by the farm stand and picked up 3 bunches of sunflowers for less than $20. The stalk were so thick that I had to use a glass jar I normally use to brew kombucha to hold the bunch.

Like magic, the arrangement fell into place by itself and I photographed it under my new lights and with an all black backdrop.

The composition is simply stunning. Its like the sunflowers are on stage singing a solo under a spotlight. I was able to pull off clear glass and water for the first time which is another development I am proud of.

The most amazing thing, to me, however is the section of the painting where the flowers are facing away from the viewer and in back - in the shadows. This moment in the painting is absolutely amazing. Up close, you can clearly see the colors are different shades of brown, but as you step back and look from across the room, the flowers recede perfectly into the yellow shadows and look slightly out of focus which is an optical illusion I have never seen before in flat, modern paintings.

15” x 18” / 25” x 18” - oil on panel diptych

I made this painting (my first diptych) amidst the anxiety of helping tele-school our 3 kids and self-isolation - aka social distancing.

Who we present in selfies has become somewhat of a brand ambassador, a curated version of ourselves. Shouldn't we all have a dialogue with this external version of ourselves to make adjustments? - I mean, for the better?

36” x 48” - oil on panel

I find it interesting that as we rely on technology and services to take care of more and more daily routines - stress, anxiety, and lack of fulfillment seems to be spreading thru society. Since the dawn of man, we have gotten personal satisfaction from the simple day-to-day requirements for maintaining a sustainable life. Chores are where its at and I think people try to avoid them.

Firewood is a self-portrait in a new series of paintings that depicts the chores I love. Perhaps cutting, splitting, stacking, and burning firewood is old fashioned and romantic, but it is a satisfying and fulfilling use of time.

45” x 68” - oil on panel

I think everyone has an idea of a perfect sunset in their head.
I paint the ones in mine and this is the latest addition.
Almost abstract but most definitely a sunset.

24” x 48”

oil on panel