Soliloquy for a winter’s day

Soliloquy for a winter’s day  30" x 36"

In the quiet stillness of winter—somewhere in between all of those holiday parties and getting back to work—I managed to find some time to myself to paint. This painting has been swirling around in my head for many months now and all I needed was a sunny afternoon to get it down onto canvas. It was painted for a specific client and space—for moi and for a particular corner of my living room. I like the contrast between the classic old world and the avant garde, and so I wanted a modern piece of art to hang behind these statue statues. My hope is that this painting expresses the joy and gratitude that I am feeling as this glorious year is coming to an end.

Horse and hound sketchbook: Thanksgiving Day Hunt

The Myopia Thanksgiving Day Hunt at Appleton Farms—a great way to start the day's festivities! Here's a super quick sketch. I will revisit this subject matter when I have more time. Cheers! 

Clouds over Crane's Beach

Clouds over Crane's  10 x 10"

This painting of the marshes in Essex, MA (with Crane's Beach in the background) and 4 others works of mine will be shown at the Montserrat College of Art alumni sale—happening this weekend! The show helps support the next generation of students. Be there or be square.

Detail of the impasto sky

The Grand Allée at Castle Hill

The Grand Allée at Castle Hill  5 x 7"

This magnificent scene is from a few years ago. The large rows of trees that are flanking each side of the allée have since been cut down and replanted. You can read more about this restoration process by clicking on this link:

Trustees of Reservations Complete 

Castle Hill Grand Allée 

Landscape Restoration Project

Morning Saunter

'Morning Saunter'   10 x 14"

New work painted yesterday for the upcoming Castle Hill show. (details to come.) Love our beautiful North Shore marshes!

Egrets at Dawn

'Egrets at Dawn'    Diptych—each panel  20" x 60"

Well this was a bit of fun. I painted these large canvases for the upcoming Castle Hill show (details to come). When I came up with the idea for the painting I had a vision of the background being gold-leafed in the style of a Japanese screen panel, but then I nixed that idea as I was painting it. Then I thought perhaps I should antique the paintings to give it a more ancient look, but then I nixed that idea as well. So here are the wrapped canvases (meaning the paint wraps around the edge and doesn't require a frame) which gives them a more modern look. My hope is that someone will buy them them to flank a grand entranceway or fireplace in a seaside home. We'll see where they end up.

*POST SHOW UPDATE*

My egrets did not sell at the show, but they were voted as the People's Choice Award winner! Just being included among so many gifted and talended artists who show their work at this annual art show is an honor in itself, but receiving this award is is incredibly humbling (and thrilling!) 

Here are some details:

Paris Sketchbook: Soufflé avec Grand Marnier

 

This sketch pays homage to the delightfully ethereal soufflé that was the punctuation mark of our anniversary dinner. Pass the Grand Marnier, please.

Paris Sketchbook: Pont Alexandre III Bridge

 

The magnificent Beaux-Arts style Pont Alexandre III Bridge spans the Seine River in Paris. The Art Nouveau lanterns that stand like soldiers along both sides of the bridge are works of art alone, never mind all the other amazing details. Here is the backside of one of the nymphs—with her golden laurel wreath and torch—looking towards the Eiffel tower. Cherubs and nymphs and winged horses—oh my!

Paris Sketchbook: Sweet treats

 

Paris Sketchbook: We are home from Paris, but I can't stop sketching this beautiful city. Here are some of our favorite pâtisserie treats that we indulged in. Four sweet reasons to go back!

Paris Sketchbook: La tour Eiffel

The greenspace at the Parc du Champ de Mars in the 7th arrondissement is a lovely respite from the hustle of the city proper. You can see the École Militaire way off in the distance, below the Eiffel tower. The park is a gorgeous spot for a picnic—a little wine, bread and cheese.

Paris Sketchbook: Picnic essentials

  

We're packing up essentials for one last picnic in Paris.

Paris Sketchbook: Uptown shopping bags

 

Uptown shopping bags from the Champs-Elysées shops.

Paris Sketchbook: Moulin Rouge

 

The top of the Moulin Rouge building.

Paris Sketchbook: La vie en rose

Paris Sketchbook: Au revoir, Paris.

Paris Sketchbook: View of the Louvre

 
 

Here's a pretty view of the Louvre from the banks of the Seine, from in front of the Orsay museum. It was early morning and we enjoyed our patisserie treats here, before the crowds set in.

 

That's me! Where are all the other tourists?

 

Paris Sketchbook: Louvre classics

Johannes Vermeer's 'Milkmaid.'

We toured the Delacroix and Louvre museums yesterday and are heading back to the Orsay today for some more ahhhht.  These fun sketches were inspired by these magnificent classic paintings from the Louvre—old friends that I never miss seeing when I visit Paris. I had fun sketching some of my favorite Masterpieces. Above is Vermeer's 'Milkmaid.'

Jacques-Louis David's 'Portrait of Madame Rèclaimer.'

Jacques–Louis David's 'Napoleon Crossing the Alps.'

Rigaud's 'Portrait of King Louis XIV.' The man, the myth, the legend...

Paris Sketchbook—sculptures, Musée du Louvre

 

We were enchanted, once again by these three favorite sculptures—and many others—at the Louvre Museum today. Each time we view them—with different lighting or from various angles—t produces a spine-tingling result.

Paris Sketchbook— Les Deux Magots

 

It's a cool foggy morning here in Paris, but we are warmed and fueled, by ridiculously rich and velvety hot cocoa from Les Deux Magots cafe. We are ready to stroll this beautiful city.

 

Paris Sketchbook—Fleurs sign

I love this sweet little flower shop sign because of the contrast between its scrolling art nouveau metalwork—bathed in glorious patina—and its modern neon lettering.

Paris Sketchbook—L'escargot

Tonight's dinner included, among myriad culinary delights, a dozen of these delectable morsels from L'escargot, this particular restaurant's speciality. Butter and garlic make anything taste delicious, oui?

Paris Sketchbook: The Quai d'Anjou

This is the view from Pont Sully looking down on the Quai d'Anjou, and in the background you see bits of the Louvre.

Paris Sketchbook—eclairs

Eclaires for you! With all manner of gorgeous sweet treats here in Paris, (okay—gorgeous savory treats also) I have a sneaky feeling that I'll make a lot of 'foodie' sketches on this trip.

Paris Sketchbook series!

We're back in Paris! 

Inspiration abounds in the city of light, 

and I've brought my watercolors with me. Were in a 

darling little apartment on the Rue du scene in the 

Boulevard Saint-Gernmain area of Paris.

Summer sketchbook: Crane's beach

More of my summer watercolors... 

I've got my toes in the sand on a gorgeous, warm 

and sunny September afternoon. 

Where is that chap who comes around 

with the tropical fruity drinks?

Summer sketchbook: Our sunken garden

Chilling in our sunken garden and playing with watercolors. La dolce vita!

Sometimes I like the early sketch stage the best.

a photo, from a slightly different angle

Happy Hour at Shea's Riverside

Happy Hour at Shea's  5 x 7"

This is the glorious marsh view seen from the back side of Shea's Riverside restaurant in nearby Essex. Drinks on their back desk—which overlooks the picturesque Ipswich River—is a delight on a summer afternoon. Below is a more zoomed-in 'en plein air' sketch of the same view (from my Summer Sketchbook series) that I made of the scene earlier in the summer.

Maggie's Cherry Trees

Maggie's Cherry Trees 12 x 16" 

This was a commission piece painted for my neighbor Maggie to give to her daughter Katie for her upcoming wedding (to clarify, the gift was a bridal shower gift). I hope the painting will always remind Katie of her childhood home.

Two Fine Gents Out for a Summer Sail

'Two Fine Gents Out for a Summer Sail'   8 x 10"

Being blessed to live so close to the ocean all of my life, I am always inspired by a trip to my favorite spot—the salt marshes. The deep blues and lush greens knock my socks off every time I visit—in whatever season—but especially on an easy, breezy summer afternoon, which was when I spotted these two fine gents out for a summer sail. I would love to have been able to hear their conversation that afternoon... Were they talking about their kid's achievements? ... a nagging knee issue that won't go away? ... Missing a deceased spouse? Hopefully they were just out having a grand day of summer bliss. In any case, their sail inspired this painting. 

Available for sale. Write to inquire about pricing.

Summer sketchbook: Clamshack Landing

I had a lovely Friday afternoon down at the 

marshes in Essex with my good friend 

'Sofia' (she has a very bubbly personality). 

Dutch angle intended.

A good summer memory!

Summer sketchbook: Essex marshes

 

This is a view of the beautiful salt marshes in Essex, at Clamshell Landing.