Recap of exhibit at Ten10 Studios, May 2012

The exhibit at Ten10 Studios in Long Island City last week-end was an absolute blast. I met so many people, young and old, from the LIC neighborhood and from many other places as well. Dan Dougherty, my collector and the curator of the exhibit went all out, working hard to make this show a success. The fun began with the reception on Thursday evening. What a spread, the food and beverages were plentiful and tasty. A guitarist added another element to the festivities. The show was installed beautifully by Dan's friends Debbie, Juan and Jorge. Hanging 50 paintings on two floors was a feat and they pulled it off. I left the reception at 10pm and they were still going strong into the wee hours. The following 3 days were spent in meeting more folks, selling a bunch of paintings and garnering some commission work. It was a lot of work for a 4-day exhibit, but it was worth the effort. Many thanks to Dan and his crew, Jesse Winter of Ten10 Studios, my friends and collectors old and new, and everyone who stopped in to see my exhibit during the LIC Arts Open 2012.

Manducati's Rustica in LIC

A new painting in my upcoming exhibit at Ten10 Studios

"Manducati's Rustica"
Oil on canvas
14 x 11 inches

My paintings are packed up and I'm ready to go. This painting is of a lively LIC restaurant on Vernon Blvd. The Manducati family has been in Long Island City since the 1970's with their restaurant Manducati's just down the block from my studio. Several years ago, daughter "Mamma Gianna" opened her own restaurant on Vernon Blvd. and it has become a very popular place. I decided to do a painting when I knew I would be having an exhibit in the neighborhood as I felt it would be a timely addition to my LIC-themed body of work.

The LIC Arts Open Festival kicks off tomorrow and I'm looking forward to not only my own exhibit opening on Thursday, May 17th and running through May 20th at Ten10 Studios, but also visiting several of the events and exhibits that will be on view. Of special interest is an exhibit of photographs of LIC artists in their studios taken by Orestes Gonzalez, on view at the Reis Studios, Experimental Space. Orestes is a terrific photographer who has been working on this project for several years.

For more info on the festival here is a link.

Hot Off the Presses

An upcoming show, a new catalogue

Gearing up for an upcoming exhibition May 17-20 in Long Island City just two blocks from my studio.

Forty-nine paintings will be on view in a former carriage house, converted to a photographers studio and gallery space. I will be exhibiting paintings depicting the Long Island City nabe as well as urban landscape and architectural studies of other places in New York City. This show was curated by Daniel Dougherty, an enthusiastic collector of my work.

In anticipation of the exhibit, I've gathered images of LIC paintings created between 2009 - 2012 and have printed a third catalogue, L.I.Changing • Volume III. This 20-page volume captures paintings of a more recent LIC neighborhood than Volumes I and II and many of them are included in this exhibit.

My exhibit will be on view during the LIC Arts Open Festival 2012. Many events are scheduled in LIC and you can view an online listing at http://www.licartsopen.org/the-lic-arts-open-guide-is-now-online/

Court Square Station

"Court Square Station Reflections"
Oil on canvas
12x9 inches

A new painting that I'm really happy with. A reflection in the window of the Court Square Diner in LIC. The light was very bright and saturated and I loved the teal of the station reflected against the chrome and red of the 45th Road side of the diner. I had done a smaller study of this scene a few months ago and I'm glad I went ahead and worked up a larger painting. Sometimes paintings just flow and this one certainly did.

This painting will be included in my upcoming exhibit in May at Ten10 Studios and I'm looking forward to it's debut.

Upcoming May exhibit in LIC

"Jesse's Place"
Oil on canvas
12 x 12 inches

Today's painting is a new one and the building depicted will be the site of my upcoming exhibit in May, during the LIC Arts Open. Jesse Winters, a fine photographer, has taken over a small, two story space as his photography studio/workshop and gallery space now named Ten10 Studios. He has hosted some interesting exhibits since coming to LIC and I'm looking forward to showing my work there. Dan, an enthusiastic collector and proud owner of several "Florins" here in LIC, offered to curate an exhibit of my paintings and everything fell into place. The show will be up from May 17-20 during the LIC Arts Open when there will be many art and theater events, open studios, restaurant specials and more in the nabe. I'll post more information about the exhibit as the date gets closer.

On another note, I started this blog around this time 5 years ago in order to share my paintings with those people interested in art of the urban environment, and in my case, the New York City scene in particular. It's been interesting to pick paintings and write something about them, adding another dimension and backstory to a work of art. After 5 years, I find I'm slowing down a bit with posting to the blog (blogger burnout does happen), but I do plan to continue sharing my art and news. Thank you to all who've been following these posts.

Old Friends

"Waiting for the Train"
Oil on canvas panel
6 x 6 inches

Today is the birthday of my "oldest" friend. Not sure she likes being introduced that way but the fact is we've been friends since we were 8 years old. Over the years we've shared many of lifes ups and downs along with a lot of memories. Just two girls growing up in Queens who are now in the throes of planning a reunion for old friends and classmates. Anyone hearing us talk would have us pegged as New Yawkers in two seconds flat, our accents don't lie.

Last year I treated her to a Broadway show to celebrate. On the way home I took this photo as we were heading in different directions on the subway. A little tweaking, a few changes, and this small painting was done as a gift.

Today we're meeting again to see another show and to celebrate yet another birthday. This year it is a big one. I've learned how important it is to celebrate the good times when they come around, especially with one's friends. They are what truly make a life worthwhile. Happy Birthday dear friend, here's wishing you many more good years to come.

Harlem on my mind

"CCNY Gargoyle #1"
Oil on panel
6 x 6 inches

A friend recently moved to Harlem and I've been enjoying my visits to her new apartment and our explorations of the surrounding neighborhood. Hamilton Heights is the site of The Grange, Alexander Hamilton's country home. It has been restored and has been moved to St. Nicholas Park and is well worth a visit. Not far away is the campus of the City College of New York and for anyone interested in gargoyles, this is the place to be. I'd heard about them for years and was very excited to finally explore the stately campus and find many of the little, whimsical figures that dot the buildings. This gargoyle painting is the first of several I plan to paint. The variety of textures of stone and the one-of-a-kind figures make for an exciting subject.

In addition to Alexander Hamilton's home, the Jumel Mansion, which has not been restored and is showing its age, is a pleasant stroll away. I believe it is the oldest building in New York. George Washington spent months in residence planning the battle of Harlem Heights.

It was fitting therefore, to find myself in Harlem on President's Day, where many of the country's founding fathers spent their days. This time I was there not to explore the neighborhood but to celebrate my birthday, a big one this year as I enter a new decade. Thank you Debbie for hosting a wonderful birthday brunch spent with good friends in your cheerful apartment. I'm looking forward to future explorations of your nabe soon, camera in hand.