"In Celebration"

30th Anniversary Celebration

"Flushing Landmark"
Oil on canvas
22 x 26 inches

The annual members exhibit of the Flushing Council on Arts and Culture is celebrating their 30th anniversary with a show at historic Flushing Town Hall. I found this painting hidden in the racks that I had done 30 years ago of the building, when I was living nearby. An extensive renovation had been done since the painting was completed and the building now hosts a variety of cultural events and exhibits. How fitting that I found the painting. I am going to deliver it and it will be on view somewhere in the building, perhaps the gift shop.


"LIC/Short Triangle"
Oil on canvas
15 x 30 inches

As for the exhibition, I've submitted one of my Long Island City paintings, "LIC/Short Triangle" . The opening reception is on Saturday, July 11th from 2-5 pm and the show runs through September 13th. For more info click here.

Fireworks Remembered

It's that time of year

"Fireworks"
Oil on canvas
8 x 10 inches
Sold

Picked out an older painting to post on the blog today. I was looking through my slides for one of my fireworks paintings and found this one. I often go to see the Macy's pyrotechic display on the East River. A friend lives on 25th Street and invites friends to this front row viewing spot every year. It's truly amazing. This year the show takes place on the west side on the Hudson River though. Might have to just watch and enjoy them on television, though it just won't be the same by a long shot. Wishing you all a happy and safe 4th of July holiday.

A little LIC in Youngstown, Ohio

The Butler Institute's 73rd National Midyear Show

"LIC Courthouse Fountain
Oil on canvas
10 x 10 inches


This painting of the Beaux Arts Long Island City courthouse has been acccepted into the Butler Institute of American Art's annual. Always nice to have a work accepted into this show. Have several group shows coming up this Fall and 2 interesting exhibits in 2010 lined up. When the skies are gray and the rain pours down, I try to take care of the business of art stuff and have been getting some results.

Off-topic, I was saddened to hear of Michael Jackson's sudden death. When I found my studio in 1980, there were 4 other artists sharing the space. I suggested we call ourselves The Jackson Five since our space was on Jackson Avenue, but alas, the name was already taken. Today I'll put my Motown 40 Forever CD on the player while I work - listen to "I'll Be There" and reflect on the music and the man.

The Old Neighborhood

A sunny day in the 'hood

"4709"
Oil on canvas
10 x 8 inches

Another newly commissioned painting finished. It's always a relief when a commissioned painting is done and I feel I've managed to do the subject justice. This family scene in LIC is of a long-time resident and her children who grew up in this home. The two sisters posed in the doorway and finally got Mama to come downstairs and join them for this family portrait of sorts. For me it's really about painting the neighborhood and the buildings but I do enjoy painting figures now and then. Although I don't consider myself a "portrait painter" by any means, I think I captured these family members standing in their doorway nicely. Hope they like it.

St. Mary's Corner in LIC

A neighborhood landmark

"St. Mary's Corner in LIC"
Oil on canvas
10 x 8 inches
Sold

Today's painting is a new commissioned piece that I recently completed. St. Mary's Church on Vernon Blvd. in LIC is a real landmark in the neighborhood and its steeple can be seen far and wide. I was commissioned to do this painting for someone who had grown up in the neighborhood and whose mom still lives nearby. The church held many fond memories for "Fee" and I hope she likes the finished painting. I was happy to do another painting of this church as I see it every day and recognize its importance to the community. And I'm a sucker for trying to paint those old wrought-iron fences too.

The Flatiron District

A bird's eye view from 23rd Street

"Flatiron District #1"
Oil on canvas
24 x 18 inches

A new painting to share with you today. I've been keeping busy with several projects and commissions of late and hope to be sharing some new paintings in the coming weeks. Here's one fresh off the easel.

One of the projects I'm working on is creating a new series of the Flatiron and Gramercy Park areas of Manhattan along with two other artists whose subject matter is similar to my own. We three live and/or work in these areas and know them well. One artist is a printmaker, one is a printmaker/painter and I'm a painter, so it will be an interesting mix of work. We're planning on exhibiting this work sometime in the fall of 2010, so we've got plenty of time to really explore these areas and portray them in our respective mediums.

This is my first painting and I found the perspective really interesting. I was on the balcony of a building on 23rd Street and Broadway and got some wonderful photos. This view is looking north and the street configuration below is what caught my interest. The city is currently redoing roads and making some areas more pedestrian friendly. A portion of the roadway in the 23rd Street area was paved over and decorated with potted plants, stone blocks and tables and chairs. I'm not sure that I would want to be sitting literally in the middle of traffic, but that's the idea.

I have blocked in several new paintings and I'm ready to begin work on them. Look forward to an interesting painting series ahead.

Washington Square Art Show week-end

Annual Memorial Day stand-by


Photograph of Emily Trueblood in front of her booth featuring her prints

This week-end I stopped by to visit two artists whose work I really like. They each had booths at the annual Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit and have been doing this show for a number of years. Emily Trueblood is a terrific printmaker who often focuses on the architecture of New York. Is it any wonder that I am drawn to her work? Not being a traditional printmaker myself, I collect prints of New York. Two of Emily's pieces, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building hang in my home. Really lovely work.

Photograph of Linda Cromer in front of her prize winning watercolor painting

My next stop was to visit the booth of Linda Cromer, a wonderful watercolor painter, specializing in still-life. Linda and I met several years ago at an awards dinner - we were both receiving awards for our work and had a lively conversation that evening and have kept in touch ever since. Linda won first place for her watercolor. While I was visiting the booth she made a nice sale and several people stopped by to tell her how much they loved her work. Every artist needs to hear that and I was glad that Linda was getting some great feedback.

It's a wonderful thing to belong to a community of artists. To be able to talk about each other's work, support one another at shows and to enjoy the artistic visions of others involved with the creative process.