Sunday, September 30, 2012

Change in Flight - Small Painting of Autumn Leaf

Change in Flight
5 x 6.125 inches
acrylic on board

One last painting to go to the "Transitions" exhibition at MiXtMedia Gallery, opening this Friday night. I felt like the oak leaf and the shadow looked like wings ready for flight.  The reception for the show is Friday, October 5th from 6 to 8pm. Their receptions are always a great group of people and a lot of fun. Hope to see you there!

Here is the ad for the show:

Recognize that painting on the upper right?!

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Beginning of Change - Small Painting Autumn Leaf

Beginning of Change
5 x 6.125 inches
acrylic on board

Every year around this time I always want to paint the first autumn leaves that I see. That first hint of color, the wrinkles and shapes. Add the shadows from the morning light - and - inspiration!

This little guy is heading over to  MiXtMedia Gallery in Ipswich for the upcoming show "Transitions". More info to come.

And to everyone who came out to the opening of my featured exhibit "A Sense of Place" - thank you!!! It was a fun evening - I am so grateful to those of you who attended, and all the well wishes I received from those who could not. I hope to post some pictures soon....

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Winn - Painting of Sign SOLD

Winn
6x6 inches
acrylic on board

The last one for the "Sense of Place" featured exhibit. I went to the gallery this afternoon with 16 paintings to hang. Always nervewracking! I hope it looks okay - I will take pictures tomorrow before the reception. The opening runs from 6 to 8:30pm at Sage Art Gallery, 136 Washington Street in Haverhill, Mass.

Here is some of the statement. that I wrote to go with the show:


A Sense of Place

Signs are all around us. They tell us where we are and where we are going. Sometimes signs reveal a great deal about the character of a place, or about the time period or location in which they were built. I am especially fascinated by old signs, the flickering neon, the outdated lettering, the faded colors - the old-fashioned markers that are quickly being replaced by electronic versions.

I decided to concentrate on little sections of signs - highlighting the composition of the colors, angles and shadows. There is a whole landscape in the bits of rust, reflecting surfaces, old cables, crumbling plaster and burnt out bulbs that I want to immortalize before they disappear.

These small paintings are also a play on scale. Signs tend to be large and seen from a distance. These are so small they invite you to get close, even to pick them up and hold them in your hand. Interesting compositionally on their own, these bits of signs can also spark memories of places we have been, parts of our personal histories.

Signs tell stories - or remind us of our own.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

RC - Neon Sign Painting

RC
10x8 inches
acrylic on canvas

Can't believe that tomorrow it will be time to hang the show!

There were so many more paintings I had hope to get done.....I guess they will have to be for the NEXT show  ;-)  I will have 18 pieces to hang, so hopefully it will look alright. I need to remember my camera so I can post some pictures.

Just a reminder if you are local - the opening reception for "A Sense of Place" is Thursday night, September 27th 6 to 8:30 pm at Sage Art Gallery, 136 Washington Street in Haverhill, MA. Hope to see you there!

Sunday, September 23, 2012

OT - Neon Sign Painting

OT
8x10 inches
acrylic on canvas

A slightly larger one for the "Sense of Place" show opening Thursday (yikes!). I am playing with the scale a little here - it is one of the "bigger" paintings in the groupings, but it is also the most tightly cropped. The opening reception for the featured show is Thursday night, September 27th, 6-8:30 at the Sage Art Gallery. The "Ag & Arts" show will be in the front of the gallery - so you can check them both out at the same time!

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Fern's - Painting of Motel Sign in Saugus, MA

Fern's
8 x 4.5 inches
acrylic on board

Yes, I am still having fun with this series! I think I could go on and on with the neon and old signs. These kind of places (and their signs!) are disappearing quickly - so I have soooo many to document! Most newer signs don't seem to have the same character. I'm sure I will continue to add to this series from time to time, even once the show at Sage Art Gallery in Haverhill is over.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Arcade Lights - Neon Sign Painting SOLD

Arcade Lights
6x6 inches
acrylic on board
SOLD

This little painting is another for my "Sense of Place " featured exhibit. I'm getting down to the wire! I'm getting really nervous about finding a way to pull it all together.....

I dropped off two pieces for the "Ag & Arts" exhibit for the Sage Art Gallery. Some really strong work there - I'm looking forward to seeing the show. The opening reception is this Saturday, September 22, from 7 to 9pm. They will be featuring food made with local produce to go along with the agricultural theme - how cool is that?! Be sure to check it out if you are near Haverhill, MA!

Monday, September 17, 2012

Chained - Small Painting for Ag & Arts Exhibition

Chained
5x7 inches
acrylic on gessobord panel

One of my entries for the Agriculture & Arts exhibition at Sage Art Gallery in Haverhill. The reception is this Saturday, September 22 from 7-9pm. Should be a great show!

This painting marks my 100th completed painting for 2012! I wonder what number I will make it to by the end of the year....

Friday, September 14, 2012

Take a Walk in My Shoes - Available Painting for sale

Take a Walk in My Shoes
5 x 6.25 inches
acrylic on hardboard panel

This painting is one of 15 of my pieces that will be available this Sunday at Tattersall Farm Day in Haverhill, MA. I will be participating in the Creative Haverhill  tent, so be sure to check out my work there. It looks like it is going to be a day of traditional New England fall fun!

Take a Walk in My Shoes - $85 + $4.95 shipping in the US
(please contact me for international shipping)

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Motor Hotel - Small painting of motel neon sign SOLD

Motor Hotel
4 x 8 inches
acrylic on board
SOLD

Did you know that "motel" was coined from the combination of "motor hotel" in the 1920's?
Motels sprung up along highways as car travel became more popular - having their heydays in the 60's. Their numbers declined in the 80's as interstate freeways replaced the older highways.

I love the old neon, and the fun shapes and colors of the unique old signs. I really would love to document all the motel signs I can - they are disappearing quickly. I hope to have a few more for the upcoming show in Haverhill.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Intersections - Cityscape Painting of Signs, Haverhill SOLD

Intersections
6x6 inches
acrylic on board
SOLD

Still concentrating on signs for the featured artist exhibit at Sage Art Gallery at the the end of this month. I liked all the lines and angles in this one. I may give it another try from a slightly different perspective. Can't believe that this month is already flying by so quickly......

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Red & White - Small Painting of Neon Sign



Red & White
6x6 inches
acrylic on board

This is from a sign on Rt. 1, north of Boston. The painting will be for an upcoming featured exhibit at Sage Art Gallery in Haverhill, MA. I am doing a little series concentrating on various signs from the North Shore. Currently I am working on a title and statement for the show, so I will have more information for you soon.

In the meanwhile, Saturday night is the opening reception for for the Fall Members Show at the Newburyport Art Association. Hope to see you if you are local!
Fall Members Open show poster

Monday, September 3, 2012

Marty's - Small Cityscape Painting, Ipswich, MA SOLD

Marty's
8 x 4.5 inches
acrylic on board
SOLD

Another local haunt! Marty's Donut Land is in Ipswich, MA. I've never actually bought anything there, but I hear that the secret is to knock on the door just after midnight when the lights are only on the in kitchen, and the man there will let you buy the fresh, hot, just dipped donuts as he makes them.

This painting is available at MiXtMedia Gallery as part of the Ipswich-themed exhibition.

Hope everyone has had a lovely Labor Day weekend. It was nice to enjoy some family time - a little relaxing, a trip to an amusement park, lots of barbecuing. The kids are back to school later this week, and I will be back at the easel, working on more of these little paintings of local scenes for a featured artist exhibit at Sage Art Gallery. More details to come!