Toast to the Ocean

 

 

30 x 40"

Oil 

Reprise in a larger size. A shell remnant in a ribbed glass that reminds me of the concentric rings created when you drop a pebble in a pool of water. I just love how the light creates interaction between the 2 objects and shadows and reflections play across their surfaces.

Reef Sighting

 

30 x 40"

Acrylic

SOLD

Another from my Reef People series.

 

Reef Dance

 SOLD

 30 x 40"

Acrylic

A ballet dancer with Attitude! (That's a type of ballet turn.) This is one of my Reef People paintings.  It was recently in The 2022 State of the Art/Art of the State exhibition in the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, NC. She is one of my "Reef People" paintings. Within the past 5 years I have begun to focus in a new direction with my work. My new body of work, which I simply refer to as “Reef People,” while also maritime in nature, is a departure from traditional realism. It reflects my understanding of the world’s coral reefs as a barometer of the health of our total world environment. The bleaching of the reefs is a serious warning sign that we need to get serious about solving our waste, pollution and global warming issues. These works which utilize collaging with paint skins, which are my versions of fantastical corals, and direct painting are about us, as intelligent beings, “becoming one” with the world’s reefs in a sense. Raising our sensitivity to the impact we have on our environment, and ultimately, on one another. Healing problems through intelligent connection.

Aromatherapy

 

30 x 40"

Acrylic & Oil 

Another painting inspired by Gustav Klimt. Chrysanthemums symbolize friendship, happiness, and well-being whereas peacocks symbolize prosperity. All positive vibes from this one!

 

Eirene Wears a Klimt Kimono

 

 

30 x 40"

Acrylic and Oil

This is obviously not a daily painting, but is one inspired by Gustav Klimt's portrait 

 of Adele Bloch Bauer, popularly known as The Woman in Gold.

Klimt used lots of symbols in his works and likewise, I have incorporated

symbols in this piece as well. The painting is about serenity and peace. Eirene is the Greek goddess of peace. The crane is a symbol of peace, luck and longevity in Japan.

The cloud patterns or, Kumo, represent hope. The arc patterns,Seigaiha, which can represent calm and quiet, but also resilience. Peace and resilience are much needed

in our turbulent times.

Poppy

A little color "pop"py I painted on the boat this summer. Warms me up on this cold, wet winter day.

Taylored Reef 3

Another coral reef sculpture phantasm.

Taylored Reef 2

Another small watercolor based upon Jason's underwater sculpture. I mount watercolor paper to cradled hardboard and these small surfaces are really perfect to travel on my boat with. Enough weight so that they don't get blown around by the breezes like a loose sheet of paper would, and small enough so that I can bring several with me when we are away cruising for a while.

Taylored Reef 1

Some of you who may have stumbled across me on Facebook will have seen my Seacycles which are reef forms created from recycled material. In researching reef forms I came across the work of Jason Decaires Taylor. Although I understand that body casting is a labor-intensive craft and a skill unto itself, I have never been a huge fan. That's a personal statement, mine only, don't get all crazy on me. I just don't put it in the same realm as a Rodin, a Michelangelo or even Mark Di Suervo, Zhang Huan or Andy Goldsworthy (just for those of you who might think I haven't gotten over the classical masters). That being said, Taylor's work takes body casting to a whole other level and beyond. I'm in love with what he does on many levels. It is art in touch with nature, interacting with it and helping to heal and nurture coral reefs. Google him and be amazed. This is a tiny watercolor inspired by his work.

Mod Liquor

Another weathered neon sign from along the road. I love the mid-century modern shapes to this sign. So Jetsons! Then the patinas to all the metal finishes are so fantastic. It would be a crime to ever repaint it.

Jarlsberg with Lichtenstein

SOLD

Oddly enough, I did not realize that I had never posted this painting on the blog until my dentist who had come to the exhibition of my dailies asked me if it was still available. In running down the list of images in my blog file, I noticed there was a jump from #97 to #99. Sure enough, somehow I missed it. Dr. K. says this painting stayed in his mind because Jarlsberg is his favorite cheese. I think it also has something to do with the fact that Roy Lichtenstein, in painting this "Self Portrait as Cheese" painted himself in a doctor's jacket.

Little Brown Bottle

SOLD

This is another Daily Paintworks Challenge painting. I just loved all the color in the shadows in particular. It is a departure from the 6 x 8" format I have been sticking to. My sister bought me a whole box of these tiny 4 x 4" panels for my birthday. I keep wanting to call them "Bippers" after these itty bitty frames that a framing shop in Armonk makes from their scraps.

Shots and Ladders

A little adult spin on a childhood favorite. A shot of Patrón, a lime and some salt bring in the "shot" part. My friend Mary is the only one (or perhaps the only one comfortable enough) to broach the subject of the ambiguity of the salt. It certainly could be something else...

Primordial Plain Yellowstone

I Think this was at Excelsior, but over time, some of the many places we saw during our days at Yellowstone blend together a bit. Excelsior was a favorite because of the whole plain of steam vents that flanks the crater. It really was awe inspiring in the morning sun.

Grand Prismatic, Yellowstone

This little gem is inspired by our travels through Yellowstone last year in October. It was our first time there and it was just spectacular! It is so different than anything in my experience that every minute I felt like I was witnessing the creation of the Earth itself.

Rowboat Trinity V

 SOLD

This is a reprise of an image I did much larger, but a bit different, some time ago. Again, it's the reflections that motivate me. But there's also something about small boats, mainly dinghies, that attract me as well. Maybe it's the intimacy of them. I also enjoyed creating the texture and coloring in the old, rusty iron bulkhead.

Suspending IQ

SOLD
I came across this great sign photograph I took several years ago. I don't know why I never painted it before now. I cropped it down for the painting and gave it the title I did because it is supported my many guy wires and the IQ is in the word liquors. I don't know about anyone else, but a bit too much certainly "suspends" my IQ!

Moment of Reflection XVI

SOLD

Can't resist reflections.

Fish Tales II

SOLD

This is a return to an image that I painted once before, slightly different and much larger. I Just love alll the weathered wood and then the fish tail bones hanging on the shed. They actually look a little bit like angels to me, but they make think think of the "tall tales" that many fishermen tell of the humongous one that got away, thus, "Tales" instead of "Tails."

Moment of Reflection XVII

SOLD

Water reflections will never lose their fascination for me. I just love painting them.

On another note... The opening on Friday night was SPECTACULAR! So much fun and so worth waiting to do. It was more than I even hoped for. People were packed into the gallery and spilling out onto the street. Energy was high and 51 of the 213 paintings sold the first night. Sales were so brisk that gallery owner Mary was actually overwhelmed at one point! Who could ask for more?