Monday, September 22, 2014

My mom

Jacqueline 10" x 10"
Acrylic, ink and pencil on wooden panel

My mother, Jackie, is spending time with me in Maine. She is 89 and staying in the downstairs condo through October when the cold will chase back out west. She has slowed down a bit, but still very sharp.
Every morning after my run, we go for a walk to the beach, around the block and back to get a latte and a bagel at Scratch bakery. I am usually 10 feet in front of her calling over my shoulder “I can hear you”, “pick up your feet” or heel/toe, mom”. I am a real nag!!!
A voracious reader she spends the day on the front porch reading one of her two her Kindles, chatting with all the people walking their dogs and catching up on the world news.
She’s my mother so she makes me a little crazy, but this time together is a gift.

This is the first time I have really ever used acrylic for a painting. I liked how easy it was as opposed to oils with solvent and mediums which are starting to feel more and more toxic to me. I will definitely use again, but will need to get used to its quick drying quality.

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Rest in peace my friend

I lost my wonderful friend, Michael Maynard, early this morning to Pancreatic Cancer. He was Boston/Irish through and through and very mighty. He could be opinionated and mildly cantankerous, but funny, kind and gentile. He loved cars, family and friends and his lovely wife Alexandra and like me, he loved Jack Reacher novels. After a holiday chardonnay or two, I did this portrait of him on my favorite 4th of July spent at their beach house in 2012. He had it framed, hung it proudly on a wall in their house and showed it to everyone. So sweet!

Rest in peace Michael—you will always be my Jack Reacher.

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Fish Tales

After agonizing (I can't help it) through an oil painting commission, it feels good to draw with a twig and ink and splash watercolor on that drawing.

Commission—Cumberland Foreside


View from Cumberland Foreside property commission—DONE!

16 x 16 Oil on Canvas

Monday, September 8, 2014

Art Abandoned in Portland Maine—September 2014

"Art abandoned in Portland Maine'
Most afternoons I close the gallery for a much needed short break and a little exercise. With art in my bag I casually wander into a store and with nervous stealth-like precision I find an opportunity to place the art, snap a photo and nonchalantly scurry out.

Abandoned at "Art Mart" art store

Abandoned at Longfellow Books

Abandoned at new designer beer store in the Old Port