I am an American Painter educated in the Principles of Fine Art. My primary method of painting is in oils on canvas. I prefer painting Alla Prima, simple and direct. When light falls upon something and causes it to be beautiful I can't resist taking the challenge to paint it. Therefore my subject matter is varied: Still life, Portraiture, Florals, Landscape, Seascape, Interiors, Beach Scenes, Cityscapes. Plein-air painting takes me to various locations across the globe. I trust that you will recognize the meditative quality of each painting and perhaps it will seduce you into its scene and to order a personal subject painting.
Commissions Are Welcome. Quotes for Portraits or any subject will vary according to size and subject matter.
TECHNIQUE
My Highest Goal is to bring my paintings to life. I enjoy taking my thought and my image to a three dimensional life onto a one dimensional surface. My aim is to capture what inspires me the most , the ROMANTIC, the LUMINOUS, the OPALESCENT, and the HEALING LIGHT of this earth. I study the rhythm and the movement of the light on the subject whether clouds or matter. Light flows through a painting and causes patterns of shadows that can be very beautiful.
I begin a painting by smushing grayed colors around the canvas. I express my initial excitement and enthusiasm toward the subject. I apply these gray shapes in quick swash buckling movements. These grayed colors each takes a place on the canvas stage. These grayed shapes and values are the under-painting, foundation, sketch or armature . I will paint darks, lights, accents and highlights onto these grayed shapes with very intentional brush strokes, some of which will be pure clean color.
This process is like writing a play on white canvas: a story with each shape as a character. and as in any good story there is a hero or heroin, a main character and a supporting cast. Sometimes, like in real life, I struggle to keep the light effect constant and the characters in their rolls. One wrong spot of color or wrong brush stroke will cause the same effect as a note sung off key or a shape out of its intended character. Each brushstroke after this is a decision. Now I am on the way to finish this painted play, even if it takes years.
After years of daily practice, painting still is not subconscious thought. However I do enter the realm of a meditative activity creating form, harmonizing color, putting all the cast in place on the canvas stage at least until the very end when I consciously pop those important last minute highlights on. My paint brush aims at your heart as well as your intellect, but mostly I hope to bring and increased awareness of the beauty of the world around us and its very special light.
EDUCATION
Scholarship Art Students League, NYC - David Leffel, Gregg Kreutz,Gustov Reyberger, Thomas Fogerty, Robert Beverly Hale, John Sanden, Dan Green
School of Visual Arts - New York City, NY
Ridgewood Art Institute (The Barn), NJ - Arthur Maynard, Betty Kaytes John Osborn, Joshua Fallik
Bridgeport University - Connecticut
Bergen Community College, NJ - Harper T. Phillips
Westwood Art Association, NJ - Abraham Brill
Art Center of Northern New Jersey - Vincent Caprara
Workshops
David Leffel, Sherri McGraw, Charles Sovek, Daniel Green, Gregg Kreutz, Chas Gruppe, John Chip Osborn
Life Member & Founder of Marco Island Outdoor Artists
Life Member: Art Students League - New York City, NY
Life Member: Ridgewood Art Institute "The Barn" - Ridgewood, NJ
Plein Air Florida
Portrait Society of America
Society of Realists
United Arts Council of Collier County Florida
Art League of Marco Island Florida
The Marco Island Foundation for the Arts
Naples Art Crafters Florida
Naples Art Association Florida
Charter Member of Museum of Women in the Arts - Washington, DC
Art League of Bonita Springs
Lifetime Member/Founder/Chair/Marco Island Outdoor Artists
Founding Member of Waterfront Gallery, Marco Island FL
Founding Member Artist Colony at the Esplanade, Marco Island FL
Art League of Marco Island Juried Fine Art Exhibit; Marco Island, FL
Art Students League - New York City, NY
Venetian Village Bank - Naples, FL purchase award
Harris Bank, Venetian Village - Naples, FL permanent collection
Park Shore Gallery - Naples, FL
Parish Art Museum, South Hampton - Long Island, NY
Guild Hall of East Hampton - East Hampton, NY award
Naples Art Association - Naples, FL
Artscape - Florida
Fine Arts Society of Collier County - FL
Bergen Community College - Ridgewood, NJ award
Pascack Valley Art Association - Westwood, NJ award
Van Saun Park Art Competition - NJ award
Westwood Chamber of Commerce - NJ award
Ramapo College - NJ award
National Art League Inc. - Douglaston, NY best of show award
The Hudson Valley Art Association - White Plains, NY
Westchester County Center - NY
Bergen Museum - NJ
National Council of Jewish Women artist in residence NJ
United Jersey Bank - NJ
Fairlawn Art Association - NJ
Artists Co-Op Gallery - Bridgehampton,NY
Ridgewood Art Institute - NJ 1st place still life award
City Hall - Naples, FL
Naples Art Encounter (3 years) - FL award
Edison Community College - FL winners circle
Lee County Alliance for the Arts award
Val Mcgan Gallery, Gallery Row - Naples, FL
Naples Artcrafters FL award
Bonita Springs Art League FL (2) 1st place awards
Art League of Marco Island -FL
Museum of The Everglades - FL
Physicians Regional Medical Center-FL
Waterfront Gallery Marco Island FL
Artist Colony at the Esplanade Marco Island FL
For Further Information Please Click Onto "Contact Tab" or call me at 239 642 7649
