New Paintings

A couple of my out-of-state friends who were unable to attend the artists reception at Amato's Art On Broadway this weekend asked me to post some images of my new paintings on my blog. So in response to Mary and Helen's request, and for anyone else who was unable to be there on Saturday, here are a few photos I shot just prior to the start of the party ....

Welcome, please come on in...

May I offer you a glass of wine ...

This watercolor painting is titled, "Gaudi Made Me Do It," and was inspired by Anton Gaudi's masterful Sacrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona. I took a series of photos while touring the interior and was struck by the enormity of the structure, the complexity of its design, the commitment of its artisans, and the freedom of visitors to walk unsupervised through the "under construction" portions with workers pouring concrete on the ground level and operating cranes carrying materials to the roof tops. I loved that parts of the cathedral were finished and functioning, and others were completely open to the sky, with only netted wiring to separate one area from another, and workers from tourists. The experience made me weep.

These two paintings began as photographs taken in a small village in southern France. The soil in the area surrounding Roussillon consists of red and ochre clays, and the colors of the village's architecture reflect it natural resources. "Inside and Outside the Red Wall" and "Shadows and Shapes in Roussillon" are the results of my connection with the colors and shapes of this charming village - its simple and playful imagery, and its sense of a warm and contented lifestyle. Our visit here was too short.

Another view of the Gaudi painting, along with several small plein air pieces that were painted during earlier trips to Italy and France. The other full sheet watermedia painting in the right of the photograph is titled "Una Strade Stretta," - A Narrow Street - and was inspired by a photo I took while breaking away from the formal Florence tour and exploring on our own. I loved the patterns - the dark and light, the near and far, the large and small, the cool and warm - and I was moved by the quiet simplicity of the space just minutes from the splendor and crowds of central Florence. We delighted in our off-the-beaten path discovery and enjoyed it along with the architectural and sculptural wonders of the Renaissance.

Well, Helen and Mary, thanks so much for your interest and for allowing me to share my recent work with you. I hope you'll stop by my blog again some time soon.