Was taking some reference photos of an amusement pier along the Jersey Shore. Liked the play of the lights and colors of the rides. Caught a moment where my son, Cole, laid his hand on my wife’s face. Was fascinated how he could be so focused on her with all the noises and blinking lights around him.
Les Deux Magots – great spot for some Foie Gras on toast and a bowl of Chocolate Mouse. Loved how all the warm and cool light sources – the Holiday lights in the tree, the neon of the restaurant signs – melded into the awning in this composition. Reminded me of this restaurant – served a little bit of everything and welcomed a little mix of everyone.
A few years ago, felt like my style was tightening up a bit too much. So, I created a series of 8″ X 10″ paintings of various scenes and still lifes to try to loosen up. This was one of the first paintings in that series. This apple arrangement is similar to the one in “Sarah and Emily’s Still Life” – used a photo from that same photo shoot to create this piece.
This painting was created from a photo taken during the shoot for “Sarah and Emily’s Still Life.” This arrangement is similar to the one in that painting. The jar of peaches has meaning for my wife for her grandmother jarred them and she passed away a few years ago.
Never had more fun taking a reference photo. Took this while floating on inner tubes with my wife, brother- and sister-in-law, on the ocean, drinking some fruity rummy drink. All was well.
Was drawn by the muted view of the Ben Franklin bridge in this view of Philadephia’s Chinatown. Also loved the washed out blues and grays against the colorful restaurant and shop signs.
Was on the road one Fall day – was early afternoon. A hot sun was creating some nice contrasts. Caught this old farmer unloading a batch of pumpkins on his roadside market stand. Loved the sharp highlights and deep shadows on the pumpkins, tractor, and the farmer. For this painting, I forced myself to stay with a larger round brush than I’m used to using. Was just trying to capture the essence – wanted to keep the detail to a minimum.
Was drawn by the muted view of the Ben Franklin bridge in this view of Philadephia’s Chinatown. Also loved the washed out blues and grays against the colorful restaurant and shop signs.
Stacey and I took our first European trip a few years ago – started the trip in Brussels. Right near the town center is a restaurant area along a winding cobble-stone street lit with neon signs. Each restaurant had someone in front badgering passers-by to stop in. Stacey and I stopped at one of the restaurants and had a great mussels dinner (you have to have mussels in Brussels) and Trappist Beers (I particularly liked Chimay) at a cozy table right on the street. Loved the shadows the restaurant signs created and captured a reference shot for this painting – that’s Stacey in the foreground.
We take a trip to Manhattan every year around the holidays. I’m an incessant people watcher. Love nothing more than walking the streets of New York and checking out the people. Took a reference shot for this painting on 42nd Street – if you look carefully, that’s the Chrysler Building (the pointy bright building) way in the background.
