Gramercy's 19th Street

The Block Beautiful

"19th Street Block Beautiful"
Oil on canvas
24 x 18 inches

Another new painting in the Gramcery - Flatiron series. Today's painting features 19th Street between 3rd Avenue and Irving Place. Known as "the Block Beautiful", there are varied and lovely brownstones, renovated carriage houses and small apartments lining the block. Looking up I often notice many north light facing windows, testament to the time this area was a hub for artists and their studios. I daydream that one day I might live in one of these apartments, but the prices being what they are, there's not much chance of that happening anytime soon. The Ashcan artist George Bellows former home is on the block and these days one can see the occasional rock musician or actor strolling by. I have several paintings planned of this block which I will be posting in the next several months. The building in the foreground of this painting, featuring the two jockey statues, currently has a "for sale" sign outside. If you'd like to live on "the Block Beautiful" it can be yours for several million dollars.

The Metropolitan Museum turns 140!

A place like no other

"Sunday at the Met"
Oil on canvas
12 x 9 inches
Sold

When I read today that the Metropolitan Museum of Art is celebrating its 140 year anniversary, I just had to dig up this old slide of a very old painting that I did way back when of the Met. People are hanging out on the front steps of the Met on a Sunday afternoon, much as they still do today. To be lucky enough to live in a city where this museum is so easily accessible is truly a blessing for any artist or art-lover. My friend Lou used to work at the museum and he invited me to see some of the big blockbuster shows on Mondays when the museum is closed to the general public. What a rare treat to see a Van Gogh exhibit up close in an uncrowded gallery and not have to stand on my tippy-toes, craning my neck just to catch a glimpse. But, there is so much to see and many of the quiet nooks and crannies allow the visitor the opportunity to just soak it all in.


Photo of Met interior

As anyone who has followed this blog knows, I'm partial to the architecture of the Beaux Arts period in architecture and the Met is a prime example. This photo is a painting idea I have in mind. I love the graceful arches and contours of this truly elegant building. As the woman who bought the painting wrote to me, the Met is part of our bones and of our hearts. Awhile back I bought a watercolor of the reception area of the Met. I saw the painting and was totally entranced. So not only is there great art inside the Met, but it has inspired artists over the years as well. The Met is truly a work of art!

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Cherry Blossoms, Roses and more...

"Botanical Path"
Oil on canvas
24 x 18 inches
Sold

Spring has sprung. With all of the wonderful warm weather this past week I couldn't help but notice how quickly the trees are budding and blooming. A spot of particular beauty in this busy metropolis is the the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The famous Cherry Walk will be in full bloom in late April/early May and the Cranford Rose Garden follows soon after in June. I've spent many a happy hour wandering the BBG, taking photographs and painting all types of flora, fauna and the people who visit. As much as I love painting the architecture of New York, I always try to find some time to explore other subjects as well.


"Cranford Rose Garden"
Oil on canvas
18 x 24 inches

This painting of the rose garden is one of the first paintings that I exhibited publicly. A woman came up to me at the reception and told me that as a child she lived across the street from the Gardens. She also mentioned that it hadn't changed in 40 years. I did this painting way back in 1979 and I'm sure when I go this year to visit once again, the roses will look as beautiful and lush as they have for years.


"Entwined"
Oil on canvas
10 x 8 inches
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This painting is currently hanging in the room of a friend's young daughter. Perhaps she'll be inspired one day to pick up a paintbrush too. If you have a chance, hop the subway and head out to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden this spring. Click this link to check out their website here.

The Week in Review

Some interesting news...

"Brill"
Oil on canvas
24 x 18 inches
Sold

Read that the Brill Building on Broadway was granted landmark status this week. Hurrah! Always great news to see some of the older, architecturally significant buildings saved and cherished. My city changes so quickly and so many buildings disappear that it's comforting to see some of the old favorites remain standing. The art deco facade is enchanting. And let's not forget all of the FABULOUS music that flowed out of that building over the years. A lot of talent walked those halls and pounded those piano keys and it is a true New York landmark to be sure.

Another interesting tidbit. The other day a friend sent a wonderful video of a short D.A. Pennebaker film of the long gone 3rd Avenue El train, set to music. It was filmed two years before the El was demolished in the 1950's and shares a glimpse of a New York that once was. To view, click the link

http://www.cynephile.com/2010/03/daybreak-express-d-a-pennebaker-1953/

And, to wrap it up, some art show news to share. I will be exhibiting several paintings in a Martha's Vineyard gallery in August. Spoke with the gallery owner who has chosen an interesting selection of work for a group show themed "the urban landscape." A good fit with my subject matter of choice. Happy to see some of my paintings "go traveling" this summer. More info to come.

A good week, all in all.

Final weeks for "Urbanesque"

Citicorp Showcases in Long Island City

Installation of 9 LIC-themed paintings

The show in the Citicorp lobby showcases is coming into the final weeks, ending at the end of March. When deciding how to install the show I decided that each of the 4 artists would have one window each for their work and the final 2 windows would be group exhibits of one piece representing each artist. I think the idea worked well and the response to the show has been good. My 9 LIC-themed paintings were hung 3 across and 3 down, and that is the way I always envisioned them - LIC quilt.


"LIC/Meeting at Brooks"
Oil on canvas
12 x 9 inches
Sold

Always nice to sell work and this painting will have a new home. A gentleman working in the building purchased this painting as he has eaten at Brooks for many years and the subject was meaningful to him.


Installation photo of 3 of the 6 showcases on view

Women in the Arts Foundation artists are represented in this exhibit. For more infomation about this organization, check out their newly designed website

Gramercy Tavern

Fine dining on 20th Street

"Gramercy Tavern Reflections"
Oil on canvas
24 x 18 inches

Here's a new painting that I'm really happy with. The Gramercy Tavern on 20th Street is considered one of the finest restaurants in a city jammed-packed with thousands of restaurants, one of the jewels in Danny Meyer's restaurant crown. I've had the pleasure of eating here on two special occasions, not a place I can afford to frequent on a regular basis, that's for sure.

In this painting I was taken with the construction-looking type guy lounging outside this fancy eatery, having a smoke, while the diner's inside enjoyed fabulous drinks and food. A little New York juxtaposition, a subject I enjoy. Figures are often not as prominent in my paintings as in this one, but I have to say I had a great time working on this painting, trying to get the subtlety of the skin tones just right. I spent many years studying at the Art Students League of New York painting and drawing from the model but you wouldn't know that to look at most of my work. So this painting was a nice departure for me and I'm looking forward to exhibiting it in the upcoming fall show.

The Old Town Bar

Travel back to 1892

"The Old Town Bar"
Oil on canvas
24 x 18 inches

Just got the dates for the upcoming fall exhibit of the Gramercy/Flatiron District show at the Franklin 54 Gallery in Chelsea. October 19 - November 24, 2010. I've been working on this project for awhile and now that a definite date has been set it's full steam ahead. Looking forward to this show because it is a collaboration with two other artists, Susan Pyzow and Emily Trueblood. We've all found inspiration in the streets and places of these two neighborhoods and will have paintings and prints on view.

Today's painting is a new one, the Old Town Bar on 18th Street in the Flatiron district. Great old neon sign, marble bar, old wooden booths, tiled floors, green and white striped awnings...you really do feel as if you've stepped back in time when you enter this establishment. One could almost see the ghosts of the old New York politico's from Tammany Hall on 17th Street strolling over for a pint and some deal-making. A little taste of Olde New York.