Madison Avenue 16 x 8 on Panel

This painting was for http://differentstrokesfromdifferentfolks.blogspot.com/ . The challenge was to paint the photo taken of Madison Avenue. At first I painted the painting flat and then decided it would be more interesting to do a knife painting with thick paint. Also, it made it more loose and abstract then painting it in detail, which I didn't want to do. If you go to the blog you can see the original photograph and how other artists interpreted the photo. I loved the photo because you could feel the energy, chaos and smells of NYC. The way the photo was taken you felt like you were there. It's fun to visit, but expensive to live there.

Bittersweet 12 x 12 SOLD

Andrea, thank you so much for purchasing this painting. I really appreciate your comments when I post a painting!

Mystery 14 x 18 on Panel

The objects in this painting came from all over the world. After receiving this jewelry box from my friend Jennifer for my birthday I decided it needed to be painted. I liked the size and color. The box was made in Brazil. The vertical teapot was bought by my coworker(Roberto) recently when he was traveling to Turkey. On the left the dark blue bowl is an Antique bird feed cup that is Chinese, which my coworker searched all day for me while in San Francisco in Chinatown. As you can see he is the world traveler and usually picks up some kind of trinket for me while on one of his trips. The trinkets all mean a lot and it is probably the closest I will get to most of the places that he has visited. The white bowl I bought at World Market and the big teal plate I made in pottery so that I could paint in a still life. I wanted this painting to be dark and mysterious with fruit added in for color. After taking around 150 pictures of this painting and finally getting a few that were good I did go back and make a few minor adjustments to the painting like making the brass more solid on the box near the knobs, and touched up the plate, the edge of the box and the wood shelf. Now I just need to sign it.

CHASTAIN ART CENTER SPRING ART SHOW AND SALE

DATES:May 1 – 29, 2009
OPENING RECEPTION:
Friday, May 1, 5:30-8:30 PM

Don’t miss the opportunity this year to shop for unique gifts for the special occasions of this season: graduations, weddings, Mother’s Day. Or, you may want to acquire something special for your own collection. The annual Spring Art Show & Sale takes place from May 1 – 29, featuring a dazzling array of artwork created by instructors and students of Chastain Arts Center. Previous shows have featured the work of more than 70 artists, working in jewelry, painting, pottery, knitting, and much, much more. With the anticipated variety of styles and media, there is bound to be something to suit everyone’s taste and budget.The Sale will open with a reception on Friday, May 1, from 5:30-8:30 PM. It is free and the public is welcome.
CHASTAIN ARTS CENTER
135 W. Wieuca Road, N.W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30342
T: (404) 252-2927 F: (404) 851-1270

Bittersweet 12 x 12 on Panel

Well I have once again painted another painting of bittersweet with the gold vase and I haven't gotten tired of doing these paintings. I seem to get a great response and so far all of them have sold. I love the bittersweet and I still have my batch from Fresh Market that I bought in November.

Sushi 5 x 7 on Panel

This is for the blog http://differentstrokesfromdifferentfolks.blogspot.com/

The challenge was a photograph of sushi on a plate. I decided to do a knife painting along with some brushstrokes. I used more of a brighter palette this time around. At first it looked more like a pastel cupcake until I made the dark colors darker and then added in the soy sauce color. Maybe I had my birthday on my mind and wanted a cupcake.

Pears and Pottery 11 x 14 on Panel

The piece of pottery was thrown by my coworker Roberto, and he gave it to me for Christmas. I always love his pottery to place in my paintings. They have great colors and textures. The teal glass bowl was really fun to paint along with the fruit. I took the picture of this painting today with a very clear blue sky and it showed more details than I could even see in my studio. I will probably go back and touch up a few things that I didn't see before. For me I think taking a photo on a clear day works better. I am still trying to figure how to take the best photograph.