Update

Anna's Veranda at Inlet Beach FL

No new art to post this week, but I did want to check in, and update everyone on what's been going on these last few days. Karen has had her eye on this particular beach house for sometime now as a source of new images for her paintings. She decided that the winter rates were such that it was feasible to rent it for a few days, head down, and do a lot of photography. Anna's Veranda is a classic Victorian home moved to this location in the early 2000's, and it's really beautiful. The house completely lived up to the image promoted on its' website.

We were lucky, in that the weather, and water, could not have been better. Plus, being there in February, we had virtually the entire beach to ourselves. I was there basically as Karen's assistant/tech support, but did manage to get a few shots in of my own. This was definitely a working vacation, and as exhausted as we both were when we left, we did have a great time. The image below is the sunset the night before we returned to Atlanta.



Now we're back. Karen is filtering through the hundreds of images from Florida, and I'm getting started on the Chicago commission. This evening Karen and I are heading into town with Jeff and Leslie Cohen to attend the opening night reception of the David Arms show at Anne Irwin Fine Art. He will have a large number of paintings there, and I'm really looking forward to it.

Trust by David Arms
19'' x 16"

That's about it. Stricoff Fine Art, Ltd. is anxious to have the Hamilton Beach Mixer (below), so I'll be shipping it off early next week. Now it's time to buckle down, and really get busy on the commission. Hopefully, I'll have an image of the first painting up some time later next week. If not the completed piece, at least an in progress shot.

Hamilton Beach Mixer No. 3

Hamilton Beach Mixer No. 3
oil on canvas
24'' x 36"

I began this painting way back when, but got caught up with the Print Pack commission. It felt good to get back to it once more. I love this old Hamilton Beach mixer. The juicer attachment looked so wicked with that long toothlike appendage, that I couldn't resist painting it in that configuration. I know it's an odd composition, and may have limited appeal, but it was a treat to paint. When I started this piece my intent was to offer it to Stricoff Fine Art Ltd., so I'll be emailing them this image for their approval. If they like it, it's theirs. Now that the mixer is done, it's time to get started on the commission for Chicago. There is an absolute deadline on this job, so there's no time to waste. As always, I feel as though I've bitten off more than I can chew, but I'm really happy with my photo references, and am looking forward to getting the project underway. Depending upon how things go, I may decide to post some "in progress" images of the painting process.

I'm Interviewed by Jeff Hayes

Chocolate and Foil by Jeff Hayes
oil on masonite
10'' x 10"

Jeff Hayes has chosen me as the first interviewee for a new monthly feature on his blog State of the Art. He plans to spotlight a different artist each month, and I have to admit it was kind of fun. I first became aware of Jeff when I purchased a small painting of his a few years ago from ebay. We've been corresponding ever since. He, along with Belinda Del Pesco, were instrumental in helping me get my own blog off the ground. Jeff was also our trusted guide through the streets of Boston, when Karen, and I were there for our show at Wynne/Falconer in late 2007. He's a terrific realist painter, Chocolate and Foil (above) is one of his paintings currently available for sale on ebay. I'm honored that he considered me, interview worthy. If you'd like to read the interview, and view more of Jeff's work, you can visit his blog by clicking here.

I've ignored my own blog here lately. I've been busy working on compositions to submit to the company in Chicago for a possible commission. I received word a few days ago that they like what they saw. The images have all been approved, and a deposit check has also been sent. Good news. Now all I have to do is paint them. Which, for anyone who follows this blog, knows for me that means - freak out time.

Since my last post I have managed to work on a new painting for Stricoff Fine Art, Ltd. in New York. It's a piece I began months ago, and never finished. The Print Pack Inc. commission was dominating all my time. It's nearly done, and should be ready to ship within the next few weeks. I'll post an image of it as soon as it is complete. The lack of time I've been able to spend workng for the galleries has been very distressing for me, but it's difficult, especially now, to reject work that pays immediately. Hopefully, I can finish this new commission quickly, and get back to work for the galleries very soon.

Focus: Leslie Cohen

Puff
oil - encaustic - paper - wood
30'' x 30"

One of the personal joys of my blog, is having a platform to brag on my friends, and colleagues. I've mentioned Jeff Cohen (see previous post) a number of times. Tonight I'd like to spotlight his wife Leslie. She was a graphic designer for years before she moved into the fineart realm with her etchings. They are not true etchings per se, but are reminiscent of that genre, and they're absolutely gorgeous. You have to see them in person to fully appreciate the delicate and complex technique involved in creating these. To see more you can visit her website.

Second Gardenia
oil on canvas
8'' x 8"

Then, all of the sudden, and seemingly out of the blue, she has become a photo realist painter. One day she wasn't, and the next day she was. It took me a lifetime to get where I am, and for Leslie it took, like a week. The amazing thing is she is so good. Right out of the gate. Karen and I had to call her when we first saw these new paintings, to ask, "who are you?". It's really exciting. We can't wait to see what will come next. These new paintings are being auctioned on ebay. If you'd like to take part in the bidding you can access the auction by clicking here.

Pool Bowl No.10

Pool Bowl No.10
oil on hardboard panel
6'' x 6"

I wasn't able to get this painting completed by the end of the day last friday, so I held off posting it until tonight. Hadn't done any pool balls in a while, and thought it would be a colorful item to finish off the current group of five paintings for ebay. If you'd like to bid on this painting you can participate in the auction by clicking here.

Had some good news this week. Received an email from Spalding Nix that the five paintings I had done for Print Pack Inc. were hung in the board room late last week. Word is they were a hit. The CEO, and his mother, the wife of the man who started the business, were very impressed. Whew! I can finally breath a sigh of relief. Spalding wrote that all of the art contracted for the project was very well received. I'm looking forward to heading back over there to see everyone else's work.


Jeff Cohen commission for Print Pack Inc.

I wanted to make special mention of the two paintings produced by Jeff Cohen for this project, because they are truly spectacular. These were done in Jeff's "fragmented" style, where each painting is composed of multiple plywood panels. Every panel is painted separately, then mounted together onto a wooden frame to create the final piece. I believe each of these paintings is 48 x 60, and show the presses used to print the packaging for the items you saw in my contribution. Jeff, this is a masterpiece.

Got a little more good news this week as well. The commission for the company in Chicago is still a possibility. I emailed the first few compositions to Curt Nance, who is directing the project, last week, and he was pleased with what he saw. Curt is a no-nonsense guy, and I think he can move this along smoothly. That's my gut feeling anyway. It will be interesting to see how this goes. I hope it works out. It could be a fun project, and with this economy, a source of much needed income as well.

Watermelon No.2

Watermelon No.2
oil on hardboard panel
6'' x 6"

I got a late start tonight so this will be an especially abbreviated post. I think this one speaks for itself. Watermelon. I love painting stuff that's red. If you'd like to bid on this painting you can access the auction by clicking here.

Stacked Cups No.2

Stacked Cups No.2
oil on hardboard panel
6'' x 6"

Tonight is a variation on a composition I posted a while back called Stacked Cups. I really liked the original, and knew at the time that I'd revisit it down the line. The combination of the hard reflective surface of the cups and saucers, with the draped linen table cloth is very appealing to me, so it tends to show up in a lot of my paintings. If you would like to purchase this piece you can bid on it by clicking here.

As I mentioned in an earlier post I've been working on the photography for the Chicago commission this week. I've got compositions for three of the four required paintings. I'm still waiting for my last prop to arrive from ebay to complete the fourth. I have to say that I'm pretty pleased with how they are turning out. Even if the commission falls through, I think they will work very well for ebay, and gallery paintings. Either way I'm looking forward to getting them onto canvas.

Silver Kettle with Apple

Kettle with Apple
oil on hardboard panel
6'' x 6"

Some silver tonight. I purchased this little kettle about four years ago, and I think it has become the most painted item in our house. The shape is fantastic, and the near spherical body of the kettle gives you a wonderfully distorted view of which ever room it happens to be in. This composition was photographed very early in the morning. The dark blue coming in through the windows reflected in the surface is that of the dawn. The composition is illuminated by a single incandescent bulb inside a beautiful greek fishermans lamp hanging above our kitchen table. The apple adds some color, and an additonal reflection. To bid on this painting you can access the auction by clicking here.

Bulb Vase No. 4

Bulb Vase No. 4
oil on hardboard panel
6'' x 6"

I've been waiting for a while now on some kind of response from the higher-ups at Print Pack about my artistic contribution to their board room. It's impossible for me to completely relax about a painting until I hear from the recipient that they are happy with the work. Today I finally got some news from Spalding. The paintings have been hung, and he says they look great. Official approval will hopefully come about thursday when the CEO returns to Atlanta, and "reviews" the completed commissioned pieces. If he is pleased, I'll consider the job complete. As I mentioned in an earlier post, there has been some scuttlebutt about the possibility of doing more paintings along these same lines. So, my pocket book, as well as my ego hopes the response is positive.

I've also been busy working on photography for a potential commission in Chicago. When I have a few suitable compositions ready, I'll send those off, and keep my fingers crossed that they will be approved. There will be a significant time crunch on this one, so I hope the approval process moves quickly.

I'll have another five ebay paintings going up this week. I was in the mood to do some glass, so I revisited my light bulbs. It's a tightly cropped portion of a glass vase filled with light bulbs sitting on a stainless steel table. Other materials to be represented this week will include; china, silver and plastic. Watermelon will finish off the week. If you'd like to bid on this painting you can participate in the auction by clicking here.

Karin Jurick has the cover of American Artist

To those of you who follow my blog, it will be no surprise to read that Karin Jurick is one of my closest friends. I rarely miss an opportunity to mention it. Today I'm busting because her work is on the cover of the current edition of American Artist Magazine. The cover! Not to mention the eleven paintings on four pages within the issue. If by chance you haven't already seen her work you should really visit her website. I think she's one of the most talented artists out there, and I love the fact that she is getting this great exposure. If you'd like to read the entire article, and see all of the paintings you can view it by clicking here.

In addition to the AA article, her second blog, Different Strokes from Different Folks is currently featured in SouthwestArt's: Essential Guide to 2009. The story of the creation of that blog, and it's amazing growth in popularity is an interesting one. You can read that story in Karin's primary blog, A Painting Today.

Congratulations Karin.

Andrew Wyeth

Like many artists, and fans around the world, I've been reflecting on how important Andrew Wyeth's paintings have been to me. I discovered his work when I was in my late teens, and it's been a part of my life ever since. In the last two days I've been writing and editing my thoughts, for a post on my blog, but kept coming up short. Nothing I wrote seemed to honestly express my feelings, so I decided to just create a short slide show of some of my favorite paintings, and let it go at that.



And to say thanks.

Grape Tomatoes

Grape Tomatoes
oil on hardboard panel
6'' x 6"

Continuing the food theme for this week with a few grape tomatoes. I guess that's about all there is to say about that. I'll be delivering the Print Pack commissioned paintings tomorrow morning. I'm kind of freaked out about it. I've been emailing jpegs of each to them for approval, but I'm still a little worried about bringing in the actual completed paintings. Not sure how they'll react. Hope all goes well. If you'd like to buy this painting, you can participate in the auction by clicking here.

Cup and Spoon No.6

Cup and Spoon No.6
oil on hardboard panel
6'' x 6"

Number three for ebay this week is one of my favorite subjects. The cup and spoon. I've been working to achieve that wonderful translucent quality of china in my paintings for quite some time now. I haven't quite gotten it yet. I can usually get close, and occasionally real close. Duane Keiser nails it every time with his ceramic subjects, a fact that elicits much envy in me. Having said that, I do like how this painting has turned out even though the posted image is not that great. I was writing to a fellow artist, Paul Brown, just this morning in fact about the difficulty in photographing finished paintings. How hard it is to get a reproduction that honestly represents the piece. Some paintings photograph beautifully, while others are a real challenge. I don't know if it's just me, but it seems my favorite paintings are usually the most difficult to photograph accurately. Maybe my expectations for those is just higher. If you'd like to purchase this painting, you can access the auction by clicking here.

Apple Bag No.2

Apple Bag No.2
oil on hardboard panel
6'' x 6"

Rarely a day goes by that I don't eat a granny smith apple, so I thought I'd add these to this weeks ebay offerings. I love their crunchy sour taste, and I love the way they look. Apple Bag No.2 continues a food related theme I seem to have adopted this week. All but one of the five paintings portrays edible items. If you'd like to bid on this painting, you can access the auction by clicking here.

PB&J No.7

PB&J No.7
oil on hardboard panel
6'' x 6"

Upon completion of my final commissioned painting I re-entered the ebay market. In an odd reversal of comfort zones, I've gone from 30 x 30's back to what was, at one time, the norm of the 6 x 6. I have to admit it feels a little weird. That sense of immediate gratification has returned, but it still seems a bit strange to work on such small panels once again. I'll be getting back to gallery work as well, once these are done. I plan to list five small ebay paintings this week, then it's back to larger pieces for the galleries. If you're interested in bidding on this painting you can access the auction by clicking here.

Reese's: 5th Completed Commission Piece

Reese's
oil on canvas
30'' x 30"

At last, the Print Pack commission is finally complete. Reese's makes number five. Now all I've got to do is send off a jpeg to Spalding, then wait to hear from the client that everything is acceptable. Hopefully a check will soon follow, along with a proposal for additional paintings in the future.

I also recently received an email from the person responsible for acquiring art for the new executive offices of Mead Johnson Nutrtitionals in Chicago. He wanted to know if I would be interested in providing some artwork for that project. We're scheduled to talk after the holidays, so I'll have to keep you all posted on how that goes. If what we've discussed to date turns out as planned, it could be a fun project. To be continued . . . .

Christmas was nice. Karen and I spent the day with my folks. Lots of good food, and stimulating conversation. Then later that evening home to watch, It's A Wonderful Life, and finally off to sleep with visions of . . . . I'm not sure at this point how, or with whom we'll spend New Years Eve, but that aside Karen and I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year!

I'll see you back here in 2009.

Happy Holidays 2008

Wow! Another year has come and gone. Unreal. Seeing as it is that time of year again, Happy Holidays. I'd also like to add a special message to this post, a word of appreciation to all of you who have taken the time to write comments throughout this past year. Thank you. I'm bad about responding to them I know, but I'd like everybody to understand that they are very much appreciated. I hope everyone has a great holiday season, and to you all, my best wishes for wonderful 2009!

Corporate Commission in Progress: Reese's

Reese's
oil on canvas
30'' x 30"

I usually wait until I get a little further along with a painting before I post an in progress image, but I haven't been painting much recently, and figured I'd better get something up. I hate to let more than a week go by between posts. Since I've done so little on this particular painting I may ultimately have two progress posts. My excuse was a wedding. Our nephew Jason Meyerson was married this past weekend, and we've been occupied with get-togethers, and ceremony for a good part of last week. The wedding went very smoothly, and everyone there had a great time. Jason was really happy, and his bride Alyson looked very beautiful. Jason and Alyson are are sweet couple, and I know they will be extremely happy together. They have that, "made for each other", quality. In addition to the wedding I've also been busy getting Karen's new 24" iMac (an early present to herself) set up. I'm so envious. And if this wasn't enough, I also spent some time getting the house looking "chrismassee". Now it's time to get back to work finishing up the commission, and moving on to more personal paintings.

Lay's: 4th Completed Commission Piece

Lay's
oil on canvas
30'' x 30"

I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel. This is number four of the five commissioned paintings for Print Pack. All that leaves is a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, and then that's it. It will be good to get back to gallery work again. I just hope there is still an audience out there that can buy art. My gallery sales have been in a slump lately. Karen's sales, on the other hand, have actually increased since the economic "meltdown" began, so I remain cautiously optimistic. My main thrust on completion of this last commissioned painting, will be to get new work out there. I've enjoyed working on these larger pieces, and am excited about continuing in this scale with other subject matter. Once the Reese's is done, I'll get busy with new photography, and hopefully come up with some fresh, and interesting ideas.

Corporate Commission in Progress: Lay's

Lay's
oil on canvas
30'' x 30"

I've just completed the first pass on the fourth commissioned painting. My plan is to finish up this, and the last piece by the end of December. I'd really like to get back to gallery work, and ebay. I think I can do it.

There have been rumors of adding more items to this commission. This would give the execs the ability to replace selected paintings in order to highlight specific clients during board meetings. Not a bad idea actually. If this does turn out to be the case, I still think I'll work on other non-commissioned pieces prior to returning to the corporate gig.

Had a good holiday. My brother came in from NYC, and spent a few days with us. While he was here, we went to the King Tut exhibit at the Atlanta Civic Center. That was very cool. I'm a huge fan of Egyptian art. The next day was spent at the Terracotta Warriors exhibit at the High Museum of Art. As amazing as the warriors were, I think the most awe inspiring things I saw at the museum that day were one of Leonardo Da Vinci's notebooks, and Johannes Vermeer's, "The Astronomer". These two completely blew me away.