Married Couple's gift

 

This painting was commissioned by a friend of the couple, and it was such a thoughtful gift that it made me wish I had friends like him! They've been married for 30 years, and he wanted to celebrate their journey by having me paint their portrait. Initially, he requested a standard-size canvas, something like 36" x 48". But I decided to use a high-quality board instead, allowing me to experiment with new techniques. For instance, I used a brayer to spread the paint rather than a traditional brush, which added a unique texture to the piece

Vendor in Morocco

Here is a watercolor I did as a challenge to create something complicated. Little did I realize the drawing alone took me 8 hours.








 

This recent watercolor is based on a picture I took in Bhutan

Here is a link to a YouTube video for the process https://youtu.be/dxL-bkIL1Dg?si=Hks4mmCl0QX_-4JW

 

 Here is a picture of one of my recent paintings from the series "Birds from the Bay"

Some final touches...

I like where my painting is hanging...

 

Watercolor demonstration

I have uploaded a new process video showing my watercolor painting method.

My aim was to embrace freedom and spontaneity in my art. Until now, my watercolors have been very detailed and precise, almost methodical. But recently, I’ve felt the need to let go of that control. I want to let the watercolor do its thing—flow, blend, and create in its own unpredictable way. It's a bit of a leap for me, but I’m excited to see where this more relaxed and organic approach takes my work.

 I loved how this collector framed my watercolor. He gave it a double mat and plenty of space to breathe before the beautiful golden frame, This is the first watercolor I did on location in Fells Point, Baltimore.

There is a video of it here: 

You never know

You never know.

I set up at the Annapolis First Sunday art show and was disappointed that I only sold 2 pieces, and barely paid for the tent space, however,...this client saw my work and later contacted me to purchase it

 

Zoey Frank

  Zoey Frank

Zoey Frank

After listening to this lecture I feel a kinship to Zoey Frank. For years I have been painting in the traditional manner of drawing a study then a value study and then transposing that exact composition to the canvas, however I found it more interesting to go directly into painting without all the precision and exactness and allowing for imperfections and for happy accidents to occur. I began to appreciate this when going to life painting sessions in which I felt better painting fast and directly, making mistakes and just painting over them. One such painting was this :

You can see I ran out of room at the bottom, but It did not matter to me. "He could be standing in water" is what I thought. The point was that it was spontaneous and fresh. Zoe Frank posed a good question; Are you and architect or a gardener painter? The architect is structured and precise and the gardener reacts to what is in front of them. I feel like I have always been more of a Gardner.

 

 

This is very nice introduction to her work:

https://youtu.be/hgCpGu50Kj0

 

The Tramp

6/19/2021 9:58:38 AM

 

 

This has always been one of my favorite watercolors from John Singer Sargent. I was reflecting on it and I think that not only is he showing us his mastery of the medium of watercolor, but we also know that he only did these for pleasure and this person does not seem to be an aristocrat that was going to pay him to paint his majestic portrait, but rather someone Sargent just found fascinating and wanted to paint. There are no preliminary drawings on the original so he went it will paint and all the confidence in the world. I love that he does not define the beard and that we can feel him sitting back in a comfortable-looking room with this warm light illuminating his face. Also, of note, is his use of blues and purples to balance out that warm face and background. Some people do not realize that he is holding a cane, and this also adds a bit of mystery. Who was this man?

#Johnsingersargent

 

My Master copy is available for $700

 

Some thoughts

To carve out a livelihood as an artist, one must first recognize the inherent business aspect of their craft. Central to this endeavor is the challenge of gaining visibility—an obstacle perhaps even more pronounced in the artistic sphere. Platforms like DeviantArt are teeming with a plethora of talent, making it easy to get lost in the crowd. While establishing a website is a step in the right direction, the crucial task remains: making your presence known. Equally important is addressing the fundamental question: what value does your art offer to potential clients?

This quandary has been a focal point of my contemplation, prompting me to reflect on the sage advice offered by a teacher: "Paint that which you wish existed but does not." This wisdom has since become my guiding principle. I create vibrant, colorful compositions that not only uplift my spirits but also resonate with others who find beauty in the same subjects. By infusing my work with elements of joy and optimism, I strive to offer viewers a moment of respite from the complexities of everyday life—a value proposition that distinguishes my artistic endeavors in a crowded marketplace.