Palette

I was just getting ready to wipe my palette from my last painting that I worked on outside (plein air).  I've had a few people inquire as to what type of palette I use with my plein air easel, and what paint I typically pile on.

Plein Air Easel Palette (Julian Full)

Brand is Gamblin unless otherwise noted. Starting at the bottom left and working counter clockwise...
Titanium Zinc White
Mars Black (rarely used but like to have a little dab)
Burnt Umber (only used in my under painting to establish values)
Raw Umber
Yellow Ochre
Burnt Sienna (primarily used in my under painting to establish values - I love to mix with ultramarine to get my darks)
Cadmium Red
Alizarin Permanent (above Cad Red)
Cadmium Red Light
Cadmuim Lemon
Cad Yellow Deep
Cad Yellow Light
Indian Yellow (Inside left of Cad Yellow Light - great for tinting and making greens)
Sap Green
Azo Green (M Graham brand)
Permanent Green Light (Rarely use - don't typically have it on my palette)
Veridian (mix with Alizarin to make blacks)
Phthalo Turquoise Blue
Cobalt Turquoise Light
Cerulean Blue (W&N brand)
Cobalt
Ultramarine

Medium -
OMS - Gamsol - used for thinning and creating my under painting with
Liquin - once I establish my tones and values I start building up with liquin mixed into the paint

I have the turquoise blues on this palette specifically because the piece I was working on had a lot of bright water and sky.  They normally don't make an appearance.

On my studio palette, I've started reducing the number of paint colors on my palette.  I'm finding on my own what I've been reading about and what people have been saying about color - that the less amount of tube colors in front of you, the more control you have and the better harmony and balance you have in the painting.  Sometimes you have to learn the hard way :).  I'm finding  - like with anything - the more confidence I gain the more willing I am to try new things (like a limited palette, new surfaces, more complicated subjects).  Eventually, it would be great to get down to a warm and cool of each primary and white.  I think I'll challenge myself with a painting doing just that - 6 tube colors and white.  More to come.

Modern Mountains
Oil on Canvas
20x24 (2012)

Here is another piece that I did live at an outdoor exhibition - this one during the Kennett Square Mushroom Festival a couple of weekends ago. While I was working on it, some new friends stopped by and gave me some great ideas for future paintings. After the show, he emailed me an idea for the name of the piece - "Modern Mountains". I thought it was perfect. The image is of center city Philly from i76. For those of you that live here in Philly know it well as traffic usually is at a standstill right around this point. 

This piece is currently available, message me for more details.

Genesee

"Genesee"
36x36
Oil on Canvas

Over the summer, while visiting family in Rochester, I decided to take a drive down to Charlotte and see the marina and walk along the beach on Lake Ontario.  I lived in the area in my early 20s and spent a lot of time there growing up.  I especially like the walk up the old pier.  Back in 2004, they replaced the old rickety Stutson Street Bridge with a new model.  The old bridge was metal and had those grates for the floor.  I remember riding over it in the back seat of my parents car and hearing the hum of the tires on the grates.  Sometimes, we would get stuck on it when tall boats had to pass through and it shook and swayed with traffic. I remember hearing about a police chase which headed over the bridge.  They started to raise it up to prevent the man on the run from crossing, but instead of stopping he gunned it - and made it across.  Talk about "just like the movies".

The vantage point of this piece is from the top of the new bridge looking over the marina on the Genesee River.  The river empties into Lake Ontario which you can see in the background. I started this piece during the Park Ave Fest in August, and just finished it up over the weekend.

Sold - Private Collection.

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.

Painting for Zoe
Oil on Canvas
22x32

Just finished up a commission for a little girl who recently turned 2.  Its of the Boston Harbor, near her home, and on the 4th of July to commemorate her birthday.

"The Coal Tower"

"The Coal Tower"
oil on canvas - 20x20
available

We have spent a lot of time in Rochester over the summer visiting family and art festival'ing.  A quaint little spot where we like to spend time while in town is Schoen Place.  It is right on the canal, where all the ducks hang out.  There are some super yummy places to eat - you must check out Simply Crepes.  Most of all, the old industrial buildings are ever present and set a unique background for us to enjoy and me to paint!