The Pear

He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
Proverbs 15:15


After working on and off this pear for several months I finally decided to lighten the background and darken the bottom of the tablecloth. Using the same palette for both sections of the painting really pulls it all together. Unfortunately, the stem seems to disappear into the background so I'm going to have to go back and darken it considerably. I also think the perspective is off as there is too much of the table top visible and the ribbon on the right is coming out too high ~ adding a bit of abstract to the overall composition. Almost done!

The Bride and Groom

Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery


This is a drawing I recently completed of my daughter and son-in-law. I worked from a photograph they particularly like that was taken on their wedding day. At first I wasn't happy with this pose because their eyes are downcast. But now, after working on it for several weeks, I love it. The quote above captures their relationship perfectly. They are remarkably suited for each other and very much in love. I think this drawing captures that and also reflects how happy they are together.

Sunflowers 6

Exuberance is beauty.
William Blake

This painting will never be finished but I don't care. It's so fun to work on. Every time I look at it I see another place I want to fuss with.

The Steward 3

I have noticed that nothing I never said ever did me any harm.
Calvin Coolidge

Finally, a politician after my own heart! Am I the only one tired of all this politcal yakking? Anyway, here stands my silent steward who obviously thinks the same way as President Coolidge. I've worked a considerable amount of time on his hands and finally came to an interesting conclusion. Even though his left hand looks very much like the photograph I'm working from, it doesn't really have enough dimension. I need to darken the shadows, particularly on the side of the hand to give it more depth. Other than that, I think he's coming along nicely.

Quick Sketches

Man arrives as a novice at each age of his life.
Sebastien Chamfort

When I came across this quote I felt a divine sense of relief. Suddenly I realized it's okay not to know exactly what to do next or where to go with things. I've always felt as if each day was a new beginning but with that new beginning comes an uncertainty. Each day is a new path ~ a new adventure. Albeit unknown, just to be aware of one's future potential is a magnificent gift. In this sense we are all beginners. Anyway, above are two quick charcoal sketches I made ~ one a young girl just starting out, the other a woman who has been around the block a few times. Each one, though, is just stepping out again for the first time. I love doing these quick sketches, not just trying to capture movement but trying to capture a sense of anticipation and expectation in the figure.

The Steward 2

Silence is as full of potential wisdom and wit as the unhewn marble of great sculpture.
Aldous Huxley


After an unscheduled and lengthly break I am back at my easel! What a wonderful place to be. Anyway, I decided to get to work again on the steward so all day as I've been painting, I have been wondering what stewards, waiters, doormen, taxi cab drivers, hair stylists, manicurists, (you get the idea) actually think about as they go about their jobs. I can just imagine they hear and see all kinds of things but eventually aren't shocked by much. I do think they can't help but become wiser as they observe life close up. And yet, they're paid not to share their wisdom but to just comment on the weather. We used to live in a doorman building and I often thought how sick the poor fellow must be of passing the time of day with each one of us when he probably really wanted to tell us how he thought we should be solving our problems.

Anyway, I think this painting is starting to take shape. At first working with just shades of gray, it doesn't seem like it's going anywhere but then the folds and shadows start to appear. It's still got a long way to go but today's work provided lots of definition.

Hats 3

Gossip is when you hear something you like about someone you don't.
Earl Wilson


I'm not quite sure if this woman just said it or just heard it, but she's definitely in possession of some very juicy information. And with that hat it's all about to take wing!