"The sun is just rising on the morning of another day, the first day of the new year. What can I wish that this day, that this year, may bring to me? Nothing that shall make the world of others poorer, nothing at the expense of others; but just those few things which in their coming do not stop with me but touch me rather, as they pass and gather strength:
A few friends who understand me, and yet remain my friends. A work to do which has real value without which the world would feel the poorer. A return for such work small enough not to tax unduly anyone who pays. A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed. An understanding heart. A sight of the eternal hills and unbelting sea, and of something beautiful the individual hand has made. A sense of humor and the power to laugh. A little leisure with nothing to do. A few moments of quiet, silent meditation. The sense of the presence of God. And the patience to wait for the coming of these things, with the wisdom to know them when they come."
Guide words: An Anthology of Inspiration and Humor, p. 13
The soft evocative light of dawn. The beginning of the day, the week, the month, the year or perhaps a metaphor for the beginning of a new season of life, a new adventure, a new relationship. As the year draws to close I'm looking forward to the blank canvas of a new year full of possibilities.
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Today's piece is a recent large oil painting. It's not currently for sale as it is waiting to go into a show in February. It will be featured on the cover of the Art Guide Magazine, so if you're in NY, CT, MA or RI keep an eye out for it. The show is For the Love of Art opening on Thursday Feb. 28th, 6-8pm at Gallery at 85 Main Street in Centerbrook, CT. If you're in the area please stop by, there will be plenty of beautiful art for sale and some delicious hors d'Oeuvres and wine. I will be there along with the other gallery artists to chat about our work. Enjoy!
Update: I have decided to retain this piece as part of my private collection. However, I will accept commissions for a similar painting in the size of your choice.
This is a wonderful moody, atmospheric piece catching the moments between daylight and evening. There's a lot of great surface layering and texture that doesn't show up in the photo that really enhances the look of this. I'm having a great time exploring these new interactive acrylics. I'm planning to start a large piece this week and hopefully have it completed by the week-end. It will be my last painting of 2007!!!!
Welcome! Today's the day many of the artists form the Daily Painters Gallery are inviting folks into to their studios for a virtual tour. Come on in and take a look around. Be sure to check out the studio sale at the bottom of the page. This is the main painting area, with easel and taboret, (that's the small table/storage unit to the right). Trash can and throw rug to protect the real rug 'cause I'm a messy painter! Beyond there's a work table with a dry mount press on it that I use to adhere canvas to hardboard or wood panels. This works like a charm and allows me to quickly and economically make custom painting panels in a variety of surfaces. The shelf above the knee wall allows me to display paintings and keep them out of harm's way while they're drying. I do a lot of plein air painting (outside) so my bags stored under the table are always packed and ready to go.
Aaaaah, the fireplace! Well, really a gas stove, but it does a great job keeping me warm and adds a lot of charm and ambience to the room.
The studio is also my sanctuary a place to get away and relax. So I've got a lounge chair, favorite books in easy reach, stereo for tunes and my favorite geranium that came in for the winter. I took these photos in the evening so the shade is down but during the day the window brings in some nice sunlight in the afternoon.
I don't think a studio tour would be complete if I didn't introduce you to Maggie, my border collie and studio mascot. She is responsible for all those hairs I have to tediously remove from wet paintings! Gotta love those ears though!
There's never enough storage in my house and the studio is no exception. However, these nifty baker's racks can hold quite a bit of stuff. Boxes and baskets hold various tools of the trade, paints, varnishes, brushes, pastels, drawing pencils, sketchbooks, paper, etc. Then there's always finished paintings and frames, frames and more frames. There's a small alcove just to the left of the storage shelves as you enter the studio and that's where my desk, laptop, printer and phone are. Just to the left of my easel there's a washroom with a slop sink that makes cleaning up very convienient. While not as grand as some other artists studios, this modest space fits my needs and feels like home to me!
Below I've uploaded a short video/slideshow showing you my studio plus my top 10 favorite daily paintings of 2007!
About This Painting: In my neck of the woods the coast is lined with cedars and pines. They stay green through the winter and are set off by the fabulous colors of a winter sunset.
Media: acrylic Size: 8 in X 6 in (20.3 cm X 15.2 cm) Price: $100 USD plus $5.00 s/h
Painitng again with my new Chroma Interactive acrylics. Todays goal was to work a little larger and practice getting a very soft atmospheric fel especially at the edges andin the distance. Getting that diffused softeness is more work with acrylics and I find myself really scrubbing and scumbling, I'm getting used to it and I think I'm on my way to developing an efficient technique for it. Overall I'm pleased with the effect. Stay tuned for more....
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