A Valentine to my hometown

The ever-changing face of the city

"Old and New Reflections"
Oil on canvas
30 x 36 inches

Today I share with you a painting that epitomizes this city for me - the old and new - side by side. When I did this painting, the older Madison Avenue building in the foreground was soon to be overshadowed by a new, large, office tower under construction, and it has since been completed. Wherever one looks these days, older structures are either falling down or being torn down to make way for the new glass and steel architecture of today and it seems that construction sites abound on every other block. I'm constantly walking under scaffolding or making a detour around some kind of construction site. That's what this town is all about - constantly changing and reinventing it's look. I rejoice in the energy and spirit of my beloved city and yet I hope, amidst all the "new", we can still treasure, appreciate and most importantly preserve some of the "old".

The Majestic Sherry Netherland

A birds-eye from above

"Sherry Netherland #3"
Oil on canvas
24 x 18 inches
Sold

Wanted to post something new on February 1st, as this is my favorite month and I wanted to get it off to a good start. I stopped work for awhile on my new Long Island City series of paintings to complete this commissioned painting of the Sherry Netherland Hotel. I had done 2 small 5x7 inch paintings of this subject awhile ago - one from a photo I'd taken and another from a photo a photographer friend gave me thinking I might like the view - he was right, I did. A collector saw the paintings on my website and commissioned this larger version. Having painted this view on a small scale, I wasn't sure how it would work in a larger format, but I think it turned out pretty nicely and I'm happy with the result. Now back to work on the LIC series.

Long Island City Courthouse/Roof

LIC Courthouse Roof-Study

"Long Island City Courthouse/Roof"
Oil on canvas over panel
5 x 5 inches

Here is another small study of the Long Island City Courthouse. The copper roof now has a beautiful greenish patina and the warm color of the brickwork really helps it to stand out against the sky. I have a whole bunch of painting ideas of the LIC area ready to be painted, and I'll share them with you as they come off the easel. Look forward to showing this new body of work at the end of the year show.

Long Island City Courthouse Observed

A new series of Long Island City Paintings

LIC Courthouse-Fountain
Oil on canvas over panel
5 x 5 inches

I've been working a new series of small-scale paintings based on places and views in Long Island City near my studio. This neighborhood is changing by leaps and bounds, with condos and luxury rentals springing up like mushrooms. Two new sushi restaurants are about to open - Starbucks won't be far behind. There goes the neighborhood. Since I've had my studio in LIC since 1980, I have mixed feelings about all the changes. But, I keep painting the neighborhood and will be having a show at the end of the year of this recent series of work. Today I share a small study of the Long Island City Courthouse - a beautiful, beaux arts building with an elegant fountain in the courtyard. Stay tuned for new paintings of LIC.

Hula in the New Year

Window shopping in Soho

Soho Hula Reflections
Oil on canvas
30 x 24 inches

A new year, a new painting. Actually did this one a few months ago and wanted to share it with you today. I'm often stopped in my tracks by some of the wonderful window displays around town and this one in Soho was just too good to pass up. The hula dancer, the tropical fabrics, the oysters and pearls and red branches - wow. Really had fun painting this one.

Gearing up for the New Year with some new projects that I look forward to sharing with you soon! For those of you who have been following my blog a big thank you from me. Please keep checking in and sharing it with your friends.

Happy Holidays

Ho Ho Ho Bah Humbug

"Just Whistle"
Oil on canvas
30 x 36 inches

It's that time of year again, when I take a deep breath and wait until the holiday jingles and shopping ads cease. What I do enjoy about the holiday season is the opportunity it provides to visit with friends and family, the real gist of the season. The painting I share with you today was done several years ago and I always thought it would make for a nice card, but never had the opportunity to use it. This Tribeca scene was done during a hot summer and I chuckled when I saw the holiday decorations on the store window that had been left on display year-round. I found myself on a hot, humid, sticky NYC street, staring at Santa and his reindeer and decided to do a painting. Wishing you all a very happy, healthy and peaceful holiday season and thanks for checking in on my blog to follow my work, both old and new.

The Bowery, The Bowery

Big changes downtown

Bowery Reflections
Oil on canvas
18 x 24 inches

Last night I watched a documentary about the Bowery examining the big changes that are taking place on what was once known as Skid Row. The New Museum recently opened, upscale restaurants and condos have been springing up and vestiges of the old downtown neighborhood are fast disappearing. The Bowery has long been known as the lighting district as well, and I wonder if that will remain the case with all that is currently going on. I always enjoy looking into the windows of lighting stores, so many interesting lamps, shapes and shadows, glowing lights and atmosphere. I did this painting a few years back, capturing a window on the Bowery that might or might not be around after the dust of renovation settles in the neighborhood.