Physics...

I haven't been blogging for a while because I am excited to say that I've been working on some multimedia pieces.  Unfortunately, waiting for layers of paper, glued 'found objects' and decoupage to dry in this weather is horribly annoying.  With a little sunshine and a temp above 65 degrees, perhaps I'll be able to post a pic of my latest creation by the end of the week.  For now, here are two recent photos taken in NY and my neighbor's back yard:  

Crest & Trough

Dimensions: 2000 x 3008 pixels

Digital photo taken with Nikon D70

Alula

Dimensions: 3008 x 2000 pixels

Photo taken with Nikon D70

Reproductions

I painted this reproduction a few years ago for a client who loved Wassily Kandinsky.  This particular painting called "Contrasting Sounds"  represents a musical composition.  It measures 4.5 ft x 5 ft, so working on something nearly as tall as me made the experience a lot more intimate.

"Contrasting Sounds" by Wassily Kandinsky

"Contrasting Sounds" Reproduction

Acrylic on canvas

Dimensions: 4.5 ft x 5 ft

Fine Lines

A friend recently gave me a fantastic tip on keeping the bleeding to a minimum when painting stripes.  I knew the stark contrast of these stripes was going to be particularly difficult and thought I should give this suggestion a try.  When I pulled the tape, I couldn't have been happier.  This bathroom is one of my favorite recent projects because it is so simple and classic.

Navy & White striped powder room 

Painting Projects

I haven't posted in ages but felt the need to update the blog with a few recent projects.  The tiles and the window below are hand painted trompe l'oeil treatments. 

Italian "tiles" on kitchen floor

Trompe l'oeil window in bathroom

Integral parts

I've been lucky enough to work with some amazingly talented painters and designers over the last year.  I have learned a great deal from them and am proud to say that I labored long and hard on the projects below.  

"Parquet" glaze over hardwood flooring

"Tortoiseshell" wall finish

"Marble" floor pattern

The Shape of Architecture

Unfortunately, I know very little about architecture other than what visually pleases me. Structural shapes meant to accent the landscape or create contrasting designs I find really inspiring. Each time I look through iPhoto, this shot of Austin, Texas always makes me stop and take a second look. The sky was truly that blue and if it weren't for our desperate need to find a burrito, I may never have gotten this pic. And, why not take a photo of the Zakim Bridge while sitting in traffic on Christmas morning?

Austin

Dimensions: 1200 x 1600 pixels

Digital photo taken with an ailing Fuji S20

Zakim Splayed

Dimensions: 2000 x 3008 pixels

Digital photo taken with Nikon D70

Black & White & Not Quite

I adore my new camera.  My poor computer has nearly four thousand images on it due to this budding romance.  I have been playing with snapping pictures on cloudy days in order to give the illusion of black & white photography.  But I also love finding a subject that just begs to be photographed in B&W.  

The Speed of Light

Dimensions: 2069 x 1646 pixels

Digital photo taken with Nikon D70

Walden

Dimensions: 3008 x 2000 pixels

Digital photo taken with Nikon D70

Unnatural Progression

I've been working on whatever inspires me and it seems that my muses are coming in all shapes and sizes.  Exotic/pretty fruit and an antique-auto junkyard are two recent favorite subjects.  

Anjou Rouge

Acrylic on canvas

Dimensions: 5" x 7"

Uncle Albert

Acrylic & mixed media on canvas

Dimensions: 8" x 10"

Adopted Art

Lately I've been hopping the fence to an abandoned naval ammunition depot to take photographs. I try to go at different times of day and in varying weather conditions to see what kinds of strange images the camera snaps up.

Prime

Dimensions: 1831 x 2857 pixels

Digital photo taken with Nikon D70

Charcoal & Coffee

In an odd way, I think I enjoy painting or drawing things I take comfort in.  Fortunately for me, I don't think that tendency manifests itself in my photography or I might never leave my cozy little nest.  

Eleanor's Velvet Chair

Dimensions: 5 3/4" x 8 1/4"

Charcoal on paper

7 a.m.

Dimensions: 16" x 20"

Acrylic on canvas

Ireland

Kilronan*

Acrylic on canvas

Dimensions: 16" x 24"

This is my favorite painting, I think, because it was such a tremendous labor of love.  I decided to be a full time artist and painter based on this one piece.  I worked on it for 4 1/2 months and throughout each exasperating stage of diligence and focus, the colors and mood changed.  In the end, I do think the colors reflect the ease I felt when the painting was complete.  I was lucky enough to have it hang at the DeCordova Museum in Lincoln, MA for about a month in late summer 2008.