Free and Easy

Quincy, my "step dog" is a lively, loving dog whose tail never stops wagging. I wanted to do this portrait keeping the idea of movement, as it defines him. I chose to be spare and loose with brush strokes and not "finishing" the portrait to give the sense of a moment in time.

Making Changes

This image proved much more difficult than anticipated. I struggled with the design and the simplicity I wanted to create. I realized that the branch in the foreground was killing the painting. I attempted at first to diminish it but soon realized it needed to be gone completely. Then I decided to make it more abstract too. Not sure how I feel about the results but I think it's a good example of making big changes in a painting.

Paintbrushes

Often, though I enjoy painting them, still lifes don't make a lot of sense to me. Why combine the various elements...for what reason. But this just made sense.

Happy Holidays

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season!

Sunlit Birches

This pastel was done as part of the Gallery On The Green in Woodstock, VT Save the Barn benefit.

A Challenge

One of the more difficult paintings I have done. I had to "talk" to myself continuously during the process of creating this image. It was important that I not make the highlights on the lit church side of the street too white and that I balance all the other lights in the painting so they aren't too bright and not compete. Then there were the cars...how to hint at them and not be too visible. Once again I went for the abstraction of shapes to create the recognizable story.

Ducks

I was in a park with my son and saw these colorful ducks. Loved their reflections but was frankly surprised when it came out. I was hoping to capture their fluffiness along with their movement and color.