The Holiday Season

"Shirley's View II"
Oil on canvas
36 x 24 inches
Sold

This painting is a scene overlooking Central Park and Fifth Avenue and is currently part of the corporate collection of a pharmaceutical company. They chose this painting for their holiday card and as I was given a bunch, I sent them out this year to family and friends. The holidays are not my favorite time of year and I always breathe a sigh of relief when they are over. The next two weeks will find me eating latkes during the festival of lights, having holiday get-together's and lunches with friends and helping to trim a tree. I try to avoid the hectic pace that this season can bring on and instead try to keep to my usual painting schedule when possible. I'm hoping that the upcoming year will be a good one for all of us. Wishing you a happy holiday season and thanking you for following my blog postings throughout the year. Hope to have some really wonderful work to share in the upcoming months.

West Village Walk-Up

Huff and Puff

"Hudson and Jane"
Oil on canvas
24 x 18 inches
Sold

I delivered a painting this morning to a collector in the West Village of Manhattan. The apartment was in an old, walk-up and getting the large and heavy painting up the narrow, winding stairs was tricky. I was huffing and puffing by the time I reached my destination. Living in an urban environment I tackle a lot of stairs on a daily basis. I live in a walk-up. I take the subway daily. My studio is located in a walk-up. You'd think I'd be used to this by now. I've made a promise to myself that if and when I ever move again, it is going to be to an apartment with an elevator!

Today's adventure reminded me of this painting that I was commissioned to do several years ago. The building I found myself in this morning was not unlike this scene in the West Village. These old, turn of the century buildings can still be found all over the city, in stark contrast to the newly-built glass boxes now in vogue. I like to look at the old buildings, notice their details and even their decay and I like to paint them. Over this past week-end friends from out-of-town called unexpectedly and I spent several pleasant hours visiting with them. We found ourselves on 3rd Avenue in the 50's and I pointed out a stretch of tall office towers. I remembered working in that neighborhood in the '70's and '80's when low rise, 3-story buildings like the one in my painting abounded. I watched those office towers being built. How New York City's infrastructure keeps up with all the continuous development never ceases to astound.

Allied Artists of America 96th Annual Exhibition at the National Arts Club

"59th Street Bridge Reflections"
Oil on canvas
36 x 30 inches
Sold

I stopped in to see this large exhibit on Saturday and my painting "59th Street Bridge Reflections" has received a painting award. Always nice to get this type of recognition for my work. This is always a very fine exhibit with beautiful work on view. The show runs through December 1 and the reception and awards ceremony will be on Sunday, November 29th at 1:00 pm. There will be a sculpture demonstration as well by Madeline Segall-Marx, a talented sculptor. The NAC is located at 15 Gramercy Park South if you'd like to stop by to see the exhibit. Hours are Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri 10-12 pm, 3-5 pm., Tuesday, 2-5 pm. Sat and Sun you must call for gallery hours - 212-475-3424. It's a good idea to call the club as they often have events in the gallery space and it might not be open to the public. I have a buyer for this painting so this exhibit, in a sense, is its last hurrah before heading off to a new home.

A Little Night Music in the Garden

Bruce and Leonard


"30 Years!"
Oil on canvas
12 x 9 inches

Tomorrow night I'm heading to Madison Square Garden with an old friend to see Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and I'm psyched. I've heard that the second album, "The Wild, The Innocent and the E Street Shuffle" will be played in it's entirety and I'm especially looking forward to hearing "New York Serenade." It was the first Springsteen song I'd ever heard on the radio, that piano intro is mesmerizing and it was the song that made me a believer :-). The song was performed at the 2001 show that I attended so here I'll be, 8 years down the road, enjoying it once more. As Springsteen and the members of the great E Street Band get older and in the sad case of Danny Federici pass away, these concerts - legendary really - might not be in the future. So, I'm gonna really, I mean really, savor Saturday's show.


Photo on a marquee, 2009

Which brings me to the concert I saw, also at the Garden, a few weeks ago. Leonard Cohen, 75 years old, the master poet in the tower of song. He held the crowd in the palm of his hand, as one song after another were sung by the man himself and his incomparable back-up singers and band. When I was a kid, I was a real folkie. Got a guitar and learned a few chords. One summer I attended a music and arts camp - it was there I was first introduced to oil paints and made the decision to become an artist and it was there that I learned a version on the guitar of one of Cohen's early hits "Suzanne." He sang that song along with so many others with his "gift of a golden voice" at the concert I attended and the night was truly unforgettable.

Bruce Springsteen and Leonard Cohen - two master singer/songwriters and performers. Their songs are part of the soundtrack of my life and how lucky am I to have been able to get tickets to see them doing what they do best.

The Crash of '29

Eerily familiar

"NYSE"
Oil on canvas
9 x 12 inches
Sold

Today marks the 80th anniversary of the stock market crash of 1929, the one that heralded in THE Great Depression. The other evening I watched a PBS program, again, about the crash that was filmed in the '90's. Way too many similarities with what happened then and what is happening now. Saw the Michael Moore film "Capitalism" recently as well. We're living in scary times and it's all too true, history repeats itself, again and again.

A few weeks ago I was down in the Wall Street area. The streets surrounding the New York Stock Exchange and Federal Hall were filled with tourists wandering around the canyons of finance snapping photos. The Exchange is draped in a huge American Flag these days and it does grab your attention.


Photo NYSE 2009

As a working artist, I've been living "on the edge" for a long time now. There is no security that comes with the job description of artist. No one is going to fire me. I paint because I love it and can't think of anything else I'd rather be doing. When the economy is struggling, artists struggle along with it. It just comes with the territory. My mantra is "one day at a time". Keep on working. Keep on exhibiting. And hopefully, keep on selling.

Scheffel Hall

German Renaissance Revival on 17th Street


"Scheffel Hall"
Oil on canvas
24 x 18 inches

Continuing my explorations in paint of the Gramercy/Flatiron Districts I'd like to share this new painting with you. Scheffel Hall is a wonderfully ornate building, surrounded by nondescript buildings on either side, so it really stands out on 17th Street and 3rd Avenue. Built in the late 1800's, the upper facade has some wonderful terra-cotta cladding. Reading up on the history of the building, it served as a restaurant for many years. I remember passing by when it was Fat Tuesday's, a jazz club. A hologram of Dizzy Gillespie in the front window changed as one passed by, with the musician's cheeks puffing out and in as he played his horn. It now houses Sal Anthony's pilates and yoga hangout and when I peek in the open door the old wooden interior is filled with exercise equipment. The building originally had another entrance around the corner as well, but that was taken down and a small church is tucked in that space. Anyone who has followed this blog knows that I love the older buildings of the city and Scheffel Hall is one beauty that I hope will not disappear anytime soon.

TDF and Me

Theater, theater, theater

"TKTS"
Oil on canvas
30 x 36 inches
Sold

One of the greatest things about living in New York is going to the theater! When I was a child, my mother used to drag my brother and I to Broadway to see a Saturday matinee. I grew up to love the theater-going experience, and I try to take advantage of the many ticket offers and discounts that are available which allow me the luxury of attending a show. A cabinet in my studio is packed with Playbills, I don't have the heart to thrown them away. The Theater Development Fund, the folks who run the TKTS booth on 47th Street, do a great service by making possible affordable tickets. As the prices have climbed higher and higher over the years, I'm fearful that many folks, especially younger people, will not have the opportunity to see live theater.

I did this painting several years ago of the TKTS booth which has since been torn down and totally remodeled, as often happens with subjects that I have painted. Might have do do another painting of the snazzy new structure. I share this one with you today because the Fall has been wonderful for this ardent theater-goer. Among the plays that I've seen that I've really enjoyed have been "Memphis" (a great new musical!), "Hamlet", "Superior Donuts", "Finian's Rainbow", "Rock of Ages", "Wishful Drinking", "The Royal Family", "After Miss Julie" and "Ruined". Have also seen several wonderful off-Broadway shows but there is only so much room on this blog.

I don't always agree with the critics. The rumors that the Great White Way is on it's last legs still abound. But, for me, theater and New York are inseparable and I thank my lucky stars that terrific plays are being written and revived and that terrific actors are still treading the boards, to the delight of many.

The Majestic Flatiron Building

One of New York's treasured buildings

"Flatiron II - A Bird's Eye View"
Oil on canvas
24 x 18 inches

Working on a new series of paintings centered around the Flatiron and Gramercy Park areas of Manhattan and recently finished this painting. Had a wonderful vantage point from the building across the street - a view of the building that I'd never experienced before. It gave me an opportunity to look at some of the detailing on the facade more closely, along with the view down 23rd Street, looking west towards Jersey. A bird's eye view, high up in the sky.

Speaking of buildings, this week-end is the annual Open House New York event, an homage to many of the city's architectural treasures, both famous and obscure. I plan to take my camera and go behind the scenes once again in hopes of catching some interesting sites and generating some new ideas for future paintings.

Q Culture 2009

Cover art

Cover of the Queens Tribune Q Culture 2009 Guide
Vol. 39
No. 39
Sept. 24-30, 2009

The other day a friend called me up very excited. She was in the bank when she noticed my painting featured on the cover of the Queens Tribune's special edition cultural guide. Museums, galleries, art venues, music...in short, cultural places and events in the borough. My painting, LIC/Short Triangle is prominently displayed. I knew nothing about this, so it was a nice surprise!

Happy Birthday Mr. Springsteen

Turning 60 and still rockin'

"Pink Cadillac"
Oil on canvas
18 x 24 inches

In 1975 I discovered Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Listening to Allison Steele, "the nightbird" on then WNEW-FM, I first heard the intro to "New York Serenade". I was hooked, lined and sinkered after that first listen and have been a fan ever since.

I was inspired to do this painting after listening to the song "Pink Cadillac". It had a beat, it had a groove, it was fun and I loved it. I envisioned a pink cadillac of the 1950's, something that Elvis would have driven, and found a photo to work from. I then took the camera and walked around until I spotted a Honda and a Subaru. I replaced the actual billboards on the wall of a Manhattan street with images relating to the band and ended up with a painting.

The birthday boy is turning 60 and he's still out there, night, after night, after night, giving it all he's got. An amazing performer onstage, the man and the band give it their all and the concerts that I've attended over the years have been more than magical experiences. Last Friday, at the stroke of noon, I was online trying to get tickets for one of the upcoming Madison Square Garden shows in November. Success! My "oldest" friend Elyse, (we've been friends since the second grade) and I are gonna be at the Garden, we're gonna be standing and singing along. Don't know how much longer the man and the band will be doing these types of shows, so I plan to enjoy every moment and experience the magic once again.

Final week of "On & Off the Grid"

Winding down


This is the final week before my exhibit comes down and I've been busy meeting folks at the gallery and walking them through the show. One reason that I like this space so much are the surfaces that the paintings are displayed on. This is not your conventional white-walled box. It is instead a lobby interior with shiny white and black stone (marble), reflective columns and ceilings and bouncing lights. A dramatic use of space and a great way in which to exhibit my paintings. Today I met Priscilla, a fine sculptor that I know, and talked about my paintings with her. She had many good insights, things I hadn't noticed or considered before about certain paintings and it got me to thinking about new ways in which to descibe and title my work. Very refreshing. I managed to take a few photos of some of the columns reflecting my paintings, and here is one example.



On my way over to the gallery, I passed Bryant Park, caught up in the throes of Fashion Week in NYC. Lots of photographers out today. I passed by the crowd on the other side of the street and thought I'd give you an idea of what is going on in town right now. This painting is of a window I did several years ago, the fashions were just amazing. Not sure who would wear these creations, but they were certainly eye-catching.


"Norma's Window"
Oil on canvas
16 x 20 inches

We Are All New Yorkers Today

Remembering the 8th anniversary of 9/11


"Union Square Memorial #3"
Oil on canvas
30 x 36 inches

Thinking of the events of that fateful day and of my friends who lived to share their harrowing stories.

Little Italy and the San Gennaro Festival

Thoughts on the neighborhood

"Feast of San Gennaro
Oil on canvas
30 x 36 inches

Tomorrow begins the annual Feast of San Gennaro in what is left of Little Italy in lower Manhattan. I was in the neighborhood this past weekend walking around and noticing the changes, as usual. Had a nice dinner with a friend at an old-style Italian family run restaurant, Forlini's on Baxter Street. I remember the Sidney Lumet television series "100 Centre Street" using this restaurant often when filming scenes of the lawyers and judges meeting and eating when court was not in session. The food is fine and I liked the homey atmosphere, the attentive waiters and the friendly owner, meeting each guest as they arrived.

Walking northward we were in NOLITA, a neighborhood filled with swank shops and chic boutiques, many of them empty of buyers with lonely looking salespeople inside. This sign in a window says it all.

Radio Waves in Midtown

The crowning touch

"G.E."
Oil on canvas
30 x 24 inches

When I find a building I really like, I often paint it more than once. Perhaps from a different angle, or in the case of the old G.E. building, its reflection on a building facade on 3rd Avenue. This grandly embellished piece of architecture on the corner of 51st Street and Lexington Avenue in midtown was originally called the RCA Victor building when it went up in the '30's. The symbols and details on the crown of the building were inspired by radio waves and it is quite a site to see. I love these architectural details on the older buildings and miss seeing anything like this on many of the new structures popping up all over town. These two paintings are on view in my current exhibit through September 18.


"G.E. Reflections"
Oil on canvas
30 x 24 inches

The music of the Brill Building

"Brill"
Oil on canvas
24 x 18 inches
Sold

I just read that the songwriter Ellie Greenwich passed away on August 26th. She was the writer of songs that were part of the fabric of my growing up years, songs such as "Leader of the Pack". She along with a lot of other musicans toiled away in the Brill Building on Broadway, churning out hit after hit and I remember many of the songs every time I pass by. The facade of the building is really quite beautiful too, if you take a moment to look up.

Some Reception Memories

Friday morning update. Too hot and tired to post a painting but have some other interesting links to share. Mark, a friend and long-ago co-worker brought his 7-year old daughter to my reception a few weeks ago. I had met the daughter when I accompanied them on a visit to MoMA several months back, her first visit to a wonderful art institution. Good to see young eyes being exposed to great art. Thought you might like to read the posting on Mark's blog about my exhibit - some nice photos too. Click here.

Also want to give you a heads up on a bittersweet blog about the city, written by one who grew up on the LES. Click here and take a moment to check it out, I think you'll find it of interest.

Sold!

"On & Off the Grid" update

The show is going well and I've enjoyed meeting folks at the gallery and giving them a walk-through of the exhibit. Last Monday a family from Italy visiting NYC for the first time came to see the show and I then gave them a mini walking tour of the nearby neighborhood. Great fun.

Met an English couple the night of the reception who bought "45th Street Reflections". It reminds them of the view from their apartment and evokes their experience of living in the city. Lovely to meet them and I'm glad this painting has found a good home once the show concludes.


"45th Street Reflections"
Oil on canvas
36 x 24 in.
Sold

This afternoon a woman I know from Long Island City came by for a studio visit. She had come to the reception and was enchanted with "Franklin Street Reflections" which she purchased today. A popular painting with many people remarking on it's feeling of warmth and the way the shapes meld together. The scene is of a lamp store in Tribeca and the photo I used was taken one afternoon while I was on a lunch break from jury duty. A good idea to always have the camera at the ready.


"Franklin Street Reflections"
Oil on canvas
18 x 24 in.
Sold

"On & Off the Grid" on Metrotwin

Another opening, another show...

"Times Square Reflections"
Oil on canvas
30 x 24 inches

This painting is one of the 27 on view in my current exhibit "On and Off the Grid". Times Square is just an avenue away and it seemed fitting to include this painting. Gearing up for tonight's artist reception. Folks have been calling and emailing and I'm expecting a nice turnout. The weather is cooperating - cloudy and cool and I'll happily take that over hot and humid.

Today, the blog Metrotwin ran a nice mention of the show. I've been a contributor to this blog for the past year, writing about "my" favorite New York places. The blog has "twinned" the cities of New York and London and there are lots of interesting recommendations to be found by folks who live in these respective cities. Here's the link

I've asked several friends to whip out their iPhones and take some candid photos during the reception which I hope to post here soon. As my friend Emily wrote, "break a stretcher tonight".

Guss's Pickles leaving the LES

And so it goes...

"Essex Street"
Oil on canvas
20 x 30 inches
Sold

Read on the Lost City blog that Guss's Pickles is moving to Brooklyn. Yet another long-time fixture on the LES packing it up and moving out. When I was a kid, my Dad who was born on the LES, used to take us to Orchard Street to shop. We'd have lunch at Katz's or at Ratner's and then walk around. He would always stop and buy a few pickles to take home. I did this painting in 1998 as a commission for a collector who had grown up nearby. We walked around on a sunny Sunday afternoon and I took a lot of photos. This is the one she chose, because this stretch of Essex Street reminded her of the neighborhood as it looked when she was young. Pickles, fire escapes, shop signage, nothing stays the same.

On another note, my current exhibit, "On & Off the Grid" is up and running and many of the subjects in the paintings on view are still standing. I've been getting some good feedback and look forward to the upcoming reception, always a highlight of an exhibit.

"On & Off the Grid"
Durst Organization
Lobby Gallery
1155 Avenue of the Americas
Between 44-45 Sts.
July 30- September 18

Reception: Thursday, August 6, 6-8 pm.

Andre, the Man with a Van

Delivered the paintings

Show Invitation

Delivered the paintings to the gallery via Andre, the man with the van that I've hired many times over the years to get my work to and from shows. He and his helper packed the work up carefully and off we drove to Manhattan. Man oh man, I hadn't realized what havoc has been created with all of the new street reconfigurations and signage. We couldn't turn left, we couldn't turn right, we wandered way longer than we had to in order to reach our destination. I gave up my car a dozen years ago and I don't miss driving in Manhattan at all, it's become more than difficult.

But the good news is that the paintings are now placed and will be hung over the next two days. There was one wall that need more work so I headed back to the studio and brought in two more paintings - via subway this time. It's a nice selection of work and I'm looking forward to seeing the show hung and lit. The reception is on Thursday, August 6, from 6-8 pm and I'm hoping for a nice turnout.

The Business of Show

Got the proof of the card today

"French Reflections"
Oil on canvas
30 x 36 inches

Finally finished wrapping up paintings for the show. Today the curator emailed the proof for the card. This painting of the Fred French building on Fifth Avenue was the image he selected and is a favorite of mine. The idea of the grid is something I use often in my work as is evident in this painting, and of course Manhattan is laid out in a grid pattern above 14th Street. Below 14th is another story altogether. What a splendid piece of architecture the French building is with its beautiful decorative flourishes. Add to that its reflection in the building across the street and you have something wonderful indeed.

I was taking photos last week-end and took this one of the top of the Fred French building. Might become a painting one day. Now back to taking care of the business stuff so that I can get this show on the road.

My Summer Show

Wanted to give you a heads up on an upcoming show I'm having.

On & Off the Grid
The Durst Organization Lobby Gallery
1155 Avenue of the Americas (bet. 44-45th Streets)
July 30 - September 18, 2009

Reception for the artist: Thursday, August 6, 6-8 pm

I will be exhibiting 25 paintings in a beautiful space in midtown. This happened very quickly and is a wonderful opportunity to show a large body of work. If you'll be in the NYC area feel free to stop by.

Now to get back to packing up the paintings for delivery.

Collectors

Where would we be without them

"Mulberry Street Reflections"
Oil on canvas
12 x 9 inches
Sold

Last night, Phyllis came out to the studio to pick up a print which she plans to give as a gift. We went out to dinner and among the things we chatted about were the artworks in our collections. This is the second painting of mine that Phyllis purchased. She remembered how she just had to have it and when she had some extra money it went toward buying this "Florin". There have been several since, but this one is her favorite.

Several years ago I was in a group show and noticed a watercolor, a scene in the lobby of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I was taken with it and found myself going back to look at it over the course of the evening reception. The next day I sent a note to the artist telling her how much I loved that piece. She offered a nice discount and as I'd just recently sold a painting I purchased it. An artist buying art? Sure, not only am I an artist, I've become a collector as well. In my home the walls are covered with prints and paintings of artist friends as well as artists whose work I admire. And it makes me so happy to look at and enjoy these works of art. Lord knows I should probably be spending my money on rent and food and the necessities, but for me and for so many others, art IS a necessity. I can't imagine living in a home with blank walls, it is just unthinkable. So today I say "hooray" to collectors, where would we artists be without them.

"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.

NAWA Exhibits at UBS Gallery and Salmagundi

National Association of Women Artists - 120th Anniversary Exhibition

A few nights ago I attended the opening reception of "A Parallel Presence" at the UBS Gallery on 6th Avenue and 51st Street in Manhattan. The show commemorates the 120th anniversary of the National Association of Women Artists and features works from the permanent collection whose home is at the Zimmerli Museum of Rutgers University. Works by members spanning the decades such as Louise Nevelson and Idelle Weber can be seen along with a recent sculpture by my artist friend Pam Cooper, which I was delighted to see displayed. The show runs through July 31, 2009 and is free to the public, so if you're in midtown, stop by.


Photograph of Pam Cooper with her sculpture at the UBS Gallery

Another show currently on view is NAWA's Annual Exhibition, a large group show at the Salmagundi Club on Fifth Avenue and 12th Street in a lovely old brownstone. My painting "Remembering Tower Records" is on view and I was delighted to learn that it had received an award when I visited the show yesterday. I have been a member of this organization since the 1980's and my painting, "Gold Dome", is part of NAWA's permanent collection, of which I am very proud. The exhibit is open to the public through May 29th.


"Remembering Tower Records"
Oil on canvas
9 x 12 inches

9th Avenue Food Festival 2009

Here we go again

"March Watch"
Oil on canvas
32 x 40 inches

My favorite street fair is happening this week-end and I'll be walking up and down the avenue, camera in hand. I try not to miss this annual event - it has proven to be a wonderful place for ideas and I've done many paintings over the years of 9th Avenue and the festival.

This painting is unusual in that I took several photos of people in their windows and created one collage painting. Folks would be looking out their windows or sitting on their fire escapes during this festival in the 70's and 80's but it is not a common sight anymore. Perhaps this is due to the gentrification that 9th Avenue has experienced, the newer glass-fronted building facades, or a passing of the older residents to whom sitting in one's window and checking out the street action was a common sight.

I do sometimes stop and choose something to eat - this is, after all a food festival. If you're a chow hound this festival is great way to sample foods from all over the world. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and this year's festival will be as great as the many I've attended in years past.

Gallery Hopping

Madison Avenue and Chelsea - two shows of note


Last week I attended the opening reception at the George Billis Gallery in Chelsea for artist Stephen Magsig. This Detroit-based realist painter likes to paint buildings, and I always like to see how other artists handle similar subject matter to my own. His daily painting blog, "Postcards from Detroit" is worth checking out, small daily paintings of his Detroit neighborhood. Having followed Stephen's work online it was a treat to see the paintings up-close and to meet the artist in person. This show is up through May 23rd, so if you're in Chelsea, stop in and have a look.




Last night I visited the reception for "Semi-Abstracts", paintings of artist Roberta Crown at the Ezair Gallery on Madison Avenue. Roberta's work is very different from my own in style - her's has a more "Kandinsky" feel, loose brushwork, lots of color and energy. We've known each other since the 1980's and it was very nice to see Roberta's paintings on display in this intimate, well-lit gallery space. This show is up through May 31st.

As an artist I know only too well how much work goes into preparing for an exhibition and it is always gratifying when people come out to see the work. I try to make it to the shows of artists that I know and feel strongly that it is very important to support one's fellow artists. Congrats to both Stephen and Roberta!

Music and Art

Pete Seeger's 90th Hootenanny at the Garden

Photograph of the Clearwater Fundraiser at the Garden

Last night I was sitting in Madison Square Garden soaking up the good music and good vibes celebrating the grand old man of folk music, Pete Seeger, 90 years young. It was also a fundraiser for the Clearwater Revival, a worthy cause. What a great concert!

It got me to thinking about how important music is to my painting. As soon as I come into the studio the first thing I do is to turn on the radio or put a CD on. Music sets the mood of the day and is influenced by what I'm working on, the light that day and how I'm feeling. A soundtrack accompanies each and every painting I've ever done.

As an old folkie (the first album I ever bought was Joan Baez In Concert Vol. II) I was beyond thrilled to hear some of my favorite performers serenading Pete. Joan was there, and it's hard to believe that it has been 50 years since she first burst onto the music scene! What a line-up it was. Of course, one of the high points for this Springsteen fan was to hear Bruce describing Seeger's work and legacy, and then singing "The Ghost of Tom Joad".


Photograph, Bruce at the Seeger Concert

Since this is a painting blog after all, I'll share a painting with you. "Rockin' at the Garden" is a personal favorite of mine and is hanging in my home.

Having attended many memorable concerts at the Garden over the years I have to say that the Pete Seeger 90th Birthday Celebration is one that ranks right up there, it was an incredible night.


"Rockin' at the Garden"
Oil on canvas
24 x 30 inches

The Puck Building

Houston and Lafayette's gem


"The Puck Building"
Oil on canvas
30x24 inches
Sold

The Bowery Boys New York City History blog is a favorite of mine and today's edition features a story on the wonderful Puck Building on Houston and Lafayette. I've painted this site several times over the years. Here are some examples. The impish gold Puck figure is over the main doorway on Lafayette Street as well as on the eastern corner of the building. The ornate ironwork above the doorways are intricate and lovely. When I was a child, I visited the Puck building on a school trip when the building was primarily a printing company. One of my schoolmate's Dad's worked there at the time.


"Shutters"
Oil on canvas
40 x 28 inches

Here is view of the side of the building, south of Houston. Lots of pink shutters line the windows facing south and when they are opened at different angles it makes for an interesting and abstract scene. I was walking north on Lafayette Street and when these shutters caught my eye I just knew there was a painting waiting to be done. I really enjoyed working on this piece.





"Small Puck Building"
Oil on canvas
16 x 12 inches

And here is one more, a smaller, more intimate view of the south side of the building. If you're walking around downtown be sure to take a look at this New York City architectural gem.