INTENSITY
Pastel
9" x 12"
SOLD

Inspired by an art show I saw in Aspen, I wanted to try my hand at abstraction, but loving the portrait as much as I do, I knew that it would have to be incorporated somehow, so with soft pastels and wallis paper, I went about creating what I consider a marriage between realism and abstraction. The process was quite exhilarating.

"REFLECTIONS"
Pastel
9" x 12"
SOLD

Painted on Wallis paper using soft pastels. I don't usually do landscapes but when I saw this beautiful young model in the water with the colorful reflections, I knew that I would paint her. Once again, I did not blend the colors, but rather, allowed the application of multiple lawyers to create that affect.

"TINTED VISION" (self portrait)
Pastel
12" x 9"
SOLD

All vision is unique, tinted by an individual's life experiences. The vision of an artist is further complicated by the "Principles of the two dimensional surface expression." The sunglasses in this piece serves as an excellent metaphor.

"SHIRLEY"
Pastel,
9" x 12"
SOLD

This piece is painted on Wallis paper using pastels and a black & white reference. I was drawn to the beautiful bouncy curls. I used warm colors in the background to suggest a light youthfulness.

The pastel paper is mounted on foam board and the painting is unframed.

"BLUE TURBAN"
Pastel
9" x 12"
SOLD

This piece is painted in pastel on Sennelier Pastel Card. It was inspired by the beautiful model with her lovely blue turban. Painting in pastel gave me the opportunity to attempt to capture the subtle nuances of skin tones. This painting is framed and ready to hang.

"SASHA III"
Oil on Linen Canvas Board
11"x 14"
SOLD

I've painted this image several times, each time a different interpretation. This piece is painted in oil using the palette knife and with a slightly different arrangement of the turban.

"SARAH JANE"
Oil on canvas panel
11" x 14"

A friend invited me to do a live demonstration. After socializing and enjoying a few refreshments and a glass of wine, I went to work painting this piece in acrylic. I was surprised at the result, always wondered what a painting would look like after a glass of wine (I don't drink.) I later went over that acrylic attempt with oil, keeping additional touches to a minimal so as not to loose the spontaneity of the live demonstration. The goal was to capture the essence of the features with as few details as possible while keeping the paint and brush stroke lively. I had such fun with this piece. I have been invited to do another demo.

Title: "EVENING REVERIE"
Medium: Oil
Size: 11" x 14"
SOLD

Fresh off the easel, this piece was painted entirely with a palette knife in oil on Belgian Linen Canvas Panel. My goal was to capture the essence and mood of the model with as few details as possible, allowing the loose paint strokes to retain their vibrancy.

It felt great to create this work of art.

"EVENING THOUGHTS"
Pastel
9" x 12"
SOLD

Every painting is a new experience and an opportunity to try something different. I started this piece with an abstract acrylic underpainting on Wallis paper. Once dry, I laid in the figure with soft pastels being careful not to blend but allowing the strokes to suggest a blended effect. The play of warm and cool colors create a lively effect - much more evident in the actual painting.

Title: "EMILY ANN"
 Pastel
9" x 12"
SOLD

My daughter graciously agreed to model for me, a rear treat these days - she is a busy teenager. I started this piece by laying in bold strokes of vivid colors, intending it to be impressionistic, hoping to suggest the forms rather than rendering them accurately, but as so often, it ended up being a realistic painting. Realism seems to be my "default" button, the style I revert to in spite of my efforts to break out of that mold. Although the painting turned out to be quite different than the image in my head, I am pleased with the results. I can always try again for the effect I want, perhaps even using a different medium - oil and palette knife come to mind...