New Work 2010

Hi Everyone,

Closing out 2010 with some new work I want to share with you.  I have sent four new works to the Julie Nester Gallery in Park City.  Two of the paintings shown here are 60x60 and reflect movement toward a slightly lighter pallet.  Additionally, I have been increasingly aware of color as a factor in my compositions and how squeezing value can help create mood and distance.

The dynamics of color use can be a daunting experience at times.  For this reason I have scaled back my range of colors at different times to see what I can glean from the a limited pallet.  After doing this for awhile I may find that the incremental introduction of new hues creates  and alters the range of color relationships for the entire work, thereby adding more atmosphere and or brilliance.

I had the good fortune recently to view a number of works by Seurat at the DeYoung museum in San Francisco.   This was part of a larger show of impressionist and post impressionist work currently on display at the museum.  While Seurat's paintings demonstrate a deep analytical understanding of color and hue relationships,  it is his conte or charcoal renderings on paper that present a masterful view of value and modulation of value  to the viewer.  In my painting entitled "Beyond the Margins"  I have explored a more subtle ;use of value and tone to create mood, atmosphere and distance.  The same study was explored in the painting "Near the Estero"  (seen below)

Lisa Harris Gallery Exhibition

In September  my work was part of a two person exhibit at the Lisa Harris Gallery in Seattle.  I have worked with Lisa for ten years and she presents my work well.   For this show I did twelve new paintings. The work  represented a slight shift in terms of color use and motif.  For several years my work has focused on wetlands and intimate settings in nature.  In the paintings, seen below, I have shifted to a larger more panoramic view.  "Above the Valley" puts the viewer in an elevated position and suggests a strong light moving across the picture plane.  The brush handling  moves up the picture plane starting with a more naturalistic rendering technique in the lower third and culminating at the top of the canvas with a loose burst of light, the brush strokes in the upper third, revealing process, paint handling and a flattening of space, as opposed to image making. This in turn presents the viewer with different levels of focus and a juxtaposition of visual language.

Bolinas Mini Show 2010

Opening on November  20th and running through to the New Year, the Bolinas Museum's mini show has become a must see.  This venue in west Marin has been an annual favorite for over twenty years.  The show features the work of several local artists.   Each work is no larger than 6x6 inches.  This year I submitted  two small paintings.  One was a study for a larger painting and the other was a new motif featuring the ever present distant hills in the area.

Bolinas Museum Mini Show

Teddy Roosevelt, Tree Hugger

FDR, Tree Hugger

Blue Sunset (sold)

Mid-Day  (sold)

These four paintings will be in the annual Bolinas Museum Mini Show.  This is the 21st year the museum has had this show, and this year over 85 artists created small works for the show.  This is a wonderful Holiday benefit for the museum as fifty  percent of all sales go to the museums'  general fund.  There will be artists' reception on Saturday, November 21st from 3-5pm.  For more information call the museum at 415-868-0330

 Each of the above paintings measures 6x6 inches.  Along with two of my landscapes, I've included two portraits from my "Tree Hugger" series.  The idea behind these paintings is to highlight  and bring attention to those individuals who have been important in shaping our national consciousness with regard to the natural environment.

In this day of polarized political thought, too many people see the environmentalist movement as a recent development that began on the first earth day in 1970.  Of course this event helped to calvenize people around ideas and concerns we all share regarding the health of the planet, but concern for the environment has long been part of our national character.  The writings of Jefferson, Thoreau  and Emerson shaped our thinking early on, and the development of our National Parks was part of an idea that continues to inspire and grow today in communities across the country.

The portrait of Teddy Roosevelt celebrates the President and the man who gave a big boost to the development of our National Park system.  The portrait of FDR highlights the effort this President put forward in rebuilding the National Parks (Civilian Conservation Corps) and advancing new thought regarding land use.

 I will continue to post new portraits has I finish them so stay tuned.

November 16th, 2009

Bolinas Exhibition and Auction September 2009

Biglin Brother in the Rills, 20" x 18" oil on panel, 2008

The Constant Movement, 16" x 20" oil on panel, 2008

Bolinas Museum Exhibition Aug 19 - September 19, 2009

The Bolinas Museum is a small but highly active regional museum located in west Marin in the coastal town of Bolinas. The community of Bolinas has a long history of dedication to the arts and artists. Writers, painters, poets and movie makers call or have called Bolinas home and the museum has functioned as a fulcrum and meeting place for those with diverse talents and interests.

This year, as in years past I will have two paintings in the Bolinas Museum Annual Auction.

"The Constant Motion" is a 16x20 landscape and "Biglin Brother in the Rills" addresses my interest in art history by placing one of Thomas Eakins familiar scullers in one of my landscapes. Both paintings will part of auction to be held on the 19th of September. The auction is open to the public and has great food and live music.

The artwork will be auctioned on Saturday, September 19, 2009 in Bolinas at Susie and Mark Buell's Barn. For more information contact the Bolinas Museum (415) 868 -0330 www.bolinasmuseum.org

West Marin Wild - Labor Day Weekend 2009

Thoreau on White Owl, Oil on Vintage Cigar Box, 2008

End Game #2 oil on Cigar Box Lid, 2008

Lagoon 12" x 24" oil on panel, 2008

West Marin Wild

The above paintings were part of a Labor day weekend exhibit entitled "West Marin Wild".

This exhibit was organized a few years ago by friend Anne Baxter and is put together every other year around Labor Day. The exhibition includes about 35 local artists whose work collectively represents concerns about our environment, specifically west Marin county.

The opening and exhibit takes place at the Red Barn near Bear Valley in Pt. Reyes and is wonderful opportunity for community to gather eat some good food, listen to some good music,view and purchase some beautiful artwork.

The paintings "Thoreau on White Owl" is part of a series of portraits I have been painting. The paintings reflect my concerns for the environment, but also try to address that part of our American character that found its voice in the work of Thoreau, Emerson and many of the nature poets. I will be posting these portraits as an ongoing series.

45 Fremont Street, Lobby, San Francisco, CA

The Silence Within 60" x 96" oil on linen 2006

Beyond the Margins #1 48" x 60" oil on linen 2008

Red Tree 60" x 60" Oil on linen, 2006

Beyond the Margins #2 60" x 60" oil on linen 2009

The above paintings will be on display in the Lobby of 45 Fremont St. in San Francisco from August 29 - October 24, 2009. This exhibition was put together by Cathy Baum, an art consultant I have worked with for years, thanks Cathy. If you are in downtown San Francisco, stop by and view these larger works.

Cliff Lede Vineyards Exhibition

Where Water Comes Together with Other Water #2
oil on linen, 2008

Light on the Edge 30" x 30" oil on linen 2006

Morning Trees 48" x 48" oil on linen 2009

Cliff Lede Vineyards Exhibition

The Cliff Lede Vineyards is located in the beautiful Napa Valley and is proud of their on sight exhibition space. The paintings above will be part of a group exhibition curated by the Scott White Contemporary Art. The exhibition will be up October through the first of the year. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the wine country in the fall and see some great art.

New Commissioned painting for St. Regis Hotel

The above painting entitled "Blue Penumbra #2" was recently installed in the St. Regis hotel in Park City Utah. The painting was part of group of excellent pieces that were purchased by the St. Regis from the Julie Nester Gallery.

The gallery has represented my work in the area for the past four years and is a must for visitors and locals alike, especially during the annual Sundance Film Festival.

The painting entitled "Blue Penumbra #2" is oil on panel and is 40"x 80" The painting will be hung promintly in the lobby of the new hotel and will be part of a book being published by the St. Regis. The book will include much of the art purchased by the new hotel as part of their ongoing collection.