The 9th Street Bridge

I think this is the fifth version I've done of this view in Ocean City, NJ. The orange columns behind the bridge are the NEW bridge that's being built. I don't bemoan the loss of the old bridge really. I understand why they need to replace it. I will surely miss it though, one reason perhaps that I keep doing these paintings. ..aside from the fact that I have a really good vantage point for early morning light. The bridge is/has always been a part of my life. I remember eating at Hogates(in 1964), the long gone restaurant that used to be right there as you came onto the island. I almost wish I had kept all the previous paintings. Ocean City visitors and residents are eager to buy up images of the beloved old draw bridge, so yes I'm sure this one will sell as well come August. ...progress. 8x10

Lily Lake 1,2 & 3

all 5x7. all for the Noyes Museum Gift Shop. The Noyes is located on Lily Lake, it's a stunning location.

Rapid Sunset Study

7x5

What Happened to June??

Several things, two new part time jobs, three commissions that I couldn't post to the general public,a Bad Art Fair weekend in Long Beach Island. Other than that life is good, one of my new jobs required two weeks of training so that was what really ate up my time. I'm not returning to the floral business, I don't want to return to living with back pain!! Anyway Happy Fathers Day...here is my Dad's card...he loves snapping turtles!! 7x5. pen and ink over graphite.

Relax and Remember

8x10 Available at William Ris Gallery, Stone Harbor

Return from the Morning Run

22x28

Babcock Farm

Another Solomons Island painting. It was really cloudy when I first arrived and the next morning when I did this piece. I chose the trees for thier strong contrast agaisnt the grey sky. The sliver of silver on the horizon is the patuxent river. 9x12

Blue Hybred Iris

This flower showed up in with my bearded iris, he's not quite like a bearded variety, small rounded petals and a thicker lighter color, some kind of mix ...hmmm. 8x10

Iris

These bearded iris grow by my driveway right at the edge of the sunlight. Every year I get out of my car, see that dramatic sillouhette and I just have to paint it! 8x10

Harbor View from Calvert Marine Museum

9x12

Working Boat, Solomon's Island

6x8

First Boat

The first piece after arriving in Solomons Thursday afternoon...the weather was cloudy and cool, but I was excited to return to the subject of sailboats on the water after a 35 year hiatus. 8x6

Thunder Sunset 14x11

Ist place winner at the Solomons Island, MD weekend paintning event. A great experience with some top rate artists. And a stunning place to work.
This picture was so exciting to paint. I set up for the the boat view and anticipated the way the sun was going to set ...had everything going, when Bam that thunderstorm came up from behind and gave me a spectacular view. I was so into the work at hand, someone had come up behind to watch and scared the living daylights out of me when I backed into them. I screamed like a woman. A great night, a terrific prize and the painting sold shortly thereafter. Wow.

Update: Solomons Island Paint Out

I'll be joining the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters to paint Solomon's Island in Maryland
There will be about thirty of us, the award ceremonies will be at Ann Marie Gardens on Sunday. There will also be a quick draw painting event Saturday 10am-12noon at the Calvert Marine Museum. It should be fun and I hope can produce some good work. Look for new paintings next week!!

Under the Boardwalk

for the upcoming June invitational show at the Ocean City Art Center 9x12

Ponie Rides

Incredible winds while I was painting this. 8x10
..Happy Mothers Day!

Geranium by the Pond I & II

Top one in the morning, bottom in the afternoon. An indicator that I often tend to do my best work in the morning. both 7x5. both SOLD.

Beach Steps

14x11

Oak Flowers

9x12

Lilacs and Shell

8x10

Best of Show: Hammonton/Noyes Paint Out

"Lake View " 10x10
SOLD

Cedar Water

A wonderfully wild place. A blue heron, a red tailed hawk, a watersnake....all came by as I painted. I love working out in nature more than words can say. 14x11

Dunes: red and green.

The sun was almost directly overhead while I painted this. It visually flattened things out. I had to push the values somewhat and rely more on color to define the subjects. Every painting day outside is a learning experience. 8x10

Church Gardens

At last, a painting of pink trees that I feel satisfied with. 8x10

Dog Beach II

I love this view, the first version was done two summers ago. Today the light was rather dull, but I felt it was interesting enough to give it a go. I'm sure I'll revisit the site again sometime. 10x8

Controlled Fire

work in progress 10x20

Daffodils

Every year I paint daffodils in one way or another. Here they are in my front garden. 8x10

Red Gerbers on a Rainy Day

8x10

Pathway to the Beach

The sunlight was in and out with heavy clouds...ended up spending over three hours on this piece stalling for the light. Another scene from the north end of Ocean City. 9x12

February Finalist in the Raymar Fine Art Contest

"Wild Places" was selected as a finalist in the Raymar Fine Art Competition.

North End #2

SOLD 8x10

Atlantic City from the North End #3

SOLD
A collector commissioned me to paint this scene...I went ahead and did three versions. I don't usually do that for a comish, but I've had many a request for paintings from this part of the Island during the annual Ocean City Boardwalk Art Show. I'll easily sell the others, plus it's just so darned nice out on the beach right now...I may even do one more. Occasionaly a view lends itself to series such as the 11 versions Ive done of Scull's Bay Sunrise, this view is like that, always changing...shades of Monet. 8x10

A Flawless Morning

Atlantic City Skyline from the North End of Ocean City.It was so pretty and warm...hard to believe I was digging snow only a couple of weeks ago! 9x12

Celebration Floral

These were the flowers Jack brought to my opening night. It was a wonderful evening...so many of my friends and family showed up, the food was outstanding... plus I sold 5 paintings!!

Cold Beach

Time to get back into shape! Yesterday was a wipe out, today's a little better...tomorrow will be the best yet! 8x10

Show Time

I havent done any painting in a few days. I spent Monday hanging my show with the help of two good friends. I was back there again yesterday adding a few things. Friday is the opening reception. I'm excited and also perhaps a little preoccupied on how to parlay this event into a marketing/career booster. I haven't earned an hourly wage since last summer and there's a lot of underlying financial anxiety in my life right now...I knew this was part of the deal when I decided to become an artist. It just feels better to write about it now and then. There. I don't like to let negativity seep into my blog, will probably delete this shortly. I couldn't have produced half of the fine paintings I did if circumstances were different.

Spring's Promise

8x10. Very loose for me. It's funny I've heard so many artists talk about needing to loosen up their style over the years. I was never planning on it, yet here I am. I think when I started to give in and let the application of oil paint behave naturally...it just happened.

Plymouth Place II

8x10

Ocean City Art Center Gallery Show

Opening Reception Friday, March 5th @ 6pm. I wonder if it will be snowing?
My car is buried...I had to get a ride to the center to drop off the postcards...they should go out next week.

Weymouth Furnace

About finished, Now I need to start another since I'm snowbound. Perhaps something a little springy. Notice on the sidebar a new page "Best of 2006". This blog will be 5 years old this March and I want to start down sizing the archives. I will also be adding a page of my favorite paintings from 2007, leaving 8 & 9 until next year.

Weymouth Furnace: Plein Air

These old stone arches were brilliantly back lit in the late afternoon. What a site...I'll be going back again. The picture is kind of reflecty, taken on location.
9x12

Estellville Glassworks

One of two paintings I just did of our local ruins here in South Jersey. 9x12

Wild Places

99% complete. A larger piece for my upcoming show. 18x24

Beesley's Point

Three hour study from a beautifully mild winter afternoon. 12x9

Blue Jay

I noticed all my birds were gone from the feeder this morning. When I went out I found this poor boy. He was a juvenile, one of two young ones that were raised here this summer. It was probably the hawk..or the cat, now we even have an immature bald eagle that's been circling around, I saw him today...Wow! Anyway I thought I'd do a study since the blue jay was in pristine condition. Number 11 in my series of dead bird paintings.
8x10

Ice on Patcong Creek

I did this one last week. Since Christmas I've been dealing with a lot of computer stuff. The old 98' tower finally died. Who could guess that I was storing over 2000 images on there! I then had another that someone gave me, but as it turned out that one was flawed as well...finally went out and bought a brand new HP. Now I'm spending lots of time learning my new friend...it's been time consuming, but I feel like I've shot ahead into the 21st century...and in the long run I will get more time to paint! 8x10

Cold Creek

10x8

Cranberry Country

20x24