Best in Acrylic Award!

So excited to win an award at the Newburyport Art Association's Fall Members Juried Show, Pt. 2!
"1 Hr. Service" won the Institution for Savings Charitable Foundation Award for Best in Acrylic.

This was a fun one to paint. I started it a while back (it was actually used in a photo shoot for the local paper when I was first working on it!)

Here are a few "in progress" pics:

With this kind of piece, I lay out the big shapes and colors first, adjusting the composition and all the "parts" before I start getting into all of the fun details of the bulbs, rust, peeling paint, etc. It the basic composition under the whole thing doesn't work, the finished piece won't be very successful - no matter how much detail I lay on top.

The sign is from Roberts Cleaners in Lynn, Mass. It has all of my favorite features - great colors and shapes, colored  light bulbs, and -of course- neon. I have sketched out a number of different compositions with it, so expect to see  more paintings of it!

The show at the NAA ended this weekend, so the painting is back in my studio for the moment. Please contact me if you want any more information about it!

Marty's....and Melrose!

Could it be that spring is here at last?!
After a seemingly endless winter (snow in mid-April anyone?), it seems like we are finally getting a taste of spring. And spring brings with it the start of show season....

I will be doing a lot fewer shows this spring due to commitments with my kids, but will have plenty of exhibitions and other opportunities to see my work. And if you are local to the North Shore of Massachusetts, I always welcome appointments for studio visits to my studio in downtown Haverhill. (Just shoot me an email if you would like to set something up!)

Coming up this weekend is one of my favorite shows of the season - Melrose Arts "Arts in April", April 28 and 29 from 11 to 5 at Memorial Hall, 590 Main Street, Melrose. This is a juried show and is always filled with amazing art.

One of the new pieces I will have at the show is this 20 x 10" acrylic painting of Marty's Donut Land.
Marty's was located in Ipswich, Mass, but sadly closed a few years ago. Here is a quick step-by-step progression:

Quick sketch of the layout - in pencil and then in paint. The angle of this was a bit tough.

Laying out flat areas of color so I can make adjustments before getting into details

Lots of layers - almost a kind of glazing, but I think I actually do more scumbling. 

Just finishing up the details here:

"Marty's Donut Land" will be available this weekend at the Melrose Arts Festival. After that, you will be able to find it on the "Retro Roadside" page of my website HERE.

Hope to see you in Melrose this weekend!

Progression of a Painting - Stay

"Stay" is a recently finished 18 x 24" acrylic painting of a part of a sign from the Salem Willows in Salem,  Massachusetts.

I have an obsession with this sign! It combines neon and light bulbs, great colors and interesting shapes all on a sign with a bit of history. I have painted various parts of it from different angles - and every time I look at it, I see another way I want to paint it!

I am showing you some work in progress photos to show you a bit about my process.

I always start by sketching my composition out on the canvas or panel. Frequently I do rough thumbnail sketches on paper to make a plan, then I do a quick sketch on the substrate. Usually I go over my pencil lines with some paint; I like to get a feel for the composition, plus the paint stays in place, while the pencil lines usually get smeared or rubbed out.

Next I get into the painting by laying out blocks of color. If the painting has difficult values, then I will do a one color value painting as a base (kind of a grisaille). But usually with my larger paintings, I like to block in colors. It covers the white of the canvas and helps me check the composition and juxtapostion of colors. I can then make any corrections to the drawing and composition before I start adding details.

Then I do layer after layer of color, adding form and eventually details.

I work my way through the whole painting, then I go back with a few more details and add some color notes throughout the entire piece.

I am thrilled that "Stay" was juried into the Newburyport Art Association's Winter Members Juried Exhibit  (jurors Todd Bonita and Donald Jurney) and will be on exhibit at the Art Association until  March 4. It's a wonderful exhibition - hope you can check it out if you are local!

For more info about the Newburyport Art Association, see their website here. And for more information about "Stay", please contact me here.

Brown's - Small Painting of Brown's Lobster Pound Local Art

Brown's (Seabrook, NH)

6x6", acrylic on panel $95

Small Works Frenzy Madness!!
First dibs for you guys, my loyal followers, before these little paintings head off to shows/shops. See something you like? Please DM me or write "interested" in the comments below.

RT. 1 Mini Golf - Small Sign Painting Neon

Rt. 1 Mini Golf (Saugus, MA)

7x5", acrylic on panel $95

Small Works Frenzy Madness!!
First dibs for you guys, my loyal followers, before these little paintings head off to shows/shops. See something you like? Please DM me or write "interested" in the comments below.