Before the Wharf Opens

"Before the Wharf Opens"
Oil on Canvas
24x30(2012)

During our cross country road trip, we stayed over night in Monterey, CA.  This one one of my favorite spots we stopped - and hope to go back and visit for a few more days.  Because of the time difference, I was up at sunrise and decided to sneak down to the wharf, right down the street from our hotel.  I grabbed a steamy cup of coffee from the cafe next to the hotel and walked a few blocks.  Although I was one of the first people to arrive, there were plenty of barking seals there to greet me.

Upcoming Show Info-

This weekend, we are headed up to Amagansett, NY for their fine art festival.  Nana will be here with the boys, which will allow us some time to do some sight seeing and maybe even enjoy a nice dinner just the two of us *gasp*.  I am looking forward to seeing Montauk and the Hamptons for the first time, and hope to come back with some great reference material for future paintings.  I've heard that they have some little shop lined streets that I have to check out.

The following weekend (Sept. 8-9) is The Mushroom Festival in Kennett Square.  I will be located on State Street between Marshall and Broad.  There will be so much going on for the whole family, so this one would be a great festival to stop out for.

The last show of the summer is in New Hope Sept. 29-30 for the New Hope Arts Festival.   My booth is Y-309.  This is a well established festival and also will have things to do for the whole family.

After New Hope, I'll be spending all my energy on preparing for my solo show at the Phoenix Village Art Center.  We are still in the process of nailing down a month, but it is narrowed down to Jan, Feb or April.

"Frankford & Arrott"

"Frankford & Arrott"
oil on canvas
36x36 (2012)

While I traveled for my job as a rep, I used to carry my camera with me everywhere.  This one particular day I was in the city calling on a few offices in the Frankford St. area of Philadelphia.  This area is vibrant and gritty all wrapped up together, and full of little shops run by people from all different cultures.  I've wanted to tackle this piece for sometime now.

I'll be bringing it along with me to the Inner Harbor Art Festival in Baltimore this weekend.  If you are interested in purchasing the original, or prints, send me a message.

New Painting - Shoreline Motel - With Progress Photos

"Shoreline Motel"
18x24
Oil on Canvas
SOLD

On our cross country road trip where we circled the states, we stumbled across this little stretch of street next to the Pacific.  The run down shabbiness of the businesses along the highway, with the the salty air and the rolling fog was so surreal to me.  A scene unfamiliar living just outside of Philly....but oh so familiar to all that live in Port Orford, OR.

I've been getting some questions about my technique, so I took some stills of the progress of the painting.

Before I begin, I cover my canvas in paper.  Sometimes I use newspaper, but in this case, I used vintage dictionary pages torn.  I apply it with clear acrylic gesso.  (Liquitex).  I do this for a few reasons...I like the bounce and surface texture of the papered canvas.  I also love the life and energy that the peek-a-boo text adds to the finished piece.

Next, I sketch in the large shapes using vine charcoal.



Once my sketch is complete, I start blocking in with paint thinned with Gamsol.  This is my underpainting.  I use it to work out my shapes and values early on.



I then start adding in my paint layers...still working with slightly thinned down paint.

I changed my horizon line and started adding in more and more detail switching over to oils with Walnut Oil (Gamblin)





Finished Piece.

Close Up - looking closely you can see some of the peek-a-boo text - look under the awning and in the street signs.



Another Close Up


This piece will be part of my solo show at the Phoenix Village Art Center next year.  If you are interested in a print, you can purchase one from my Etsy shop.

Morning Serenity

"Morning Serenity " SOLD - Toronto

As I was sipping my weekend morning cup of coffee pondering what to paint next I was inspired by what was sitting in my hand. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a coffee nut! So, creating this peice was so much fun.

This is my third small daily work this week and I am feeling so great about my new commitment to my art. I have been inspired by the work of other daily art painters and believe that painting daily will really help me grow as an artist.

Since this is my first post, I think it is important to give you a little background about myself. I grew up loving art and all creative. I focused on art heavily in highschool and the first two years of college. I took a corporate sales job out of school and my art really lost priority in my life. A year ago, I started painting again and hope to be able to focus on my art full time within the next year. By working on creating a painting daily, I hope to refine and develop my skills to help me achieve my goal!