"Volumes"

4-1/4 x 12"

oil on panel
sold

I got a little carried away with this new addition to my series A to Z - an avid reader pouring thru the volumes in a bookstore in the Reading Terminal in Philadelphia.

I spent the entire day on this - chalk it up to a mellow, rainy day and having on a couple of excellent documentaries I highly recommend - The Other One, the Long Strange Trip of Bob Weir and Pete Seeger: The Power of Song.

"One For The Books"

12 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

It's time for me to plug my new paintings - now on exhibit at the Howard/Mandville Gallery in Kirkland, right outside of Seattle. The opening is this Saturday night, please come by and see it all in person. Try as I might to get a great image on the web, it doesn't compare to seeing the real thing. I also have a new video on YouTube, featuring all the work, accompanied by some happy music by Dean Martin.

As you might know, I love to paint people reading and when I really lose my mind, I paint people browsing in bookstores. Quite the challenge. This was taken from the gift shop in the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Bleecker Books"

10 x 8"

oil on masonite
sold

A few years back, before GPS was my friend, I wandered around Greenwich Village looking for the Magnolia Bakery somewhere on Bleecker Street - Rachel Ray said they had the best cupcakes in the city. Across the street was the Biography Book Shop, bathed in morning sun, as a young woman and her dog waited for the door to open for business.

This new painting is included in my upcoming dual show at the Howard/Mandville Gallery - Please click here for a larger view. All of the new work can be viewed here.

"Time Zone"

12 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

This painting will be included in the February show at Howard/Mandville Gallery - I just framed it today and it looks so handsome. When I get to this stage, seeing all the paintings varnished and framed - I am honestly taken back. All the work seems worth it when you see the pieces grouped together. I'm proud.

When I look at this painting, I know the pleasure of setting aside that 'me-time', finding a place where no one knows me and escaping into books and magazines. It's what we all love to do.

This is also the painting featured in the current issue of American Art Collector - which I still haven't seen for myself. For a larger view, please click here.

"What Happens Next"

12 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

You may recognize this man reading the paper - I had painted a small, daily piece of this scene. Going larger, I included more of the surroundings, which makes us wonder what happens next? Either it's turning the page or perhaps the two strike up a conversation.

This new painting will be included in the February show at the Howard/Mandville Gallery.

For a larger view, please click here.

"Daily News"

6 x 6"

oil on masonite

sold

Continuing on with the alphabet, D is for Daily News - a young man taking a coffee/reading break in a local bookstore.

"Boston Books"

11 x 14"
oil on masonite
sold

I've kindof gotten lost in this latest painting - when I started it yesterday morning, I thought I must be nuts. All those books.......yikes. It's also one of those paintings where it's hard not to be too 'illustrative'. It's always on my mind to stay loose - get the point done with three brush strokes rather than ten. It's nice to end this day with a finished piece of work that I really am proud of.

Enjoy the weekend wherever you are.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Bookies"

8 x 16"

oil on masonite

sold

I mentioned that I was working on a larger piece with the same woman as in the small painting "Rummaging" - thought you'd like to see it as well. It was done for my upcoming gallery show. It may be hard to see, but I had a lot of fun with the book covers in the foreground.

Click here if you'd like a larger view and more info.

"Rummaging"

6 x 6"

oil on masonite

sold

I've been working on a painting, a bit larger, which includes this woman. I loved painting her. So much so, I put down the other piece and painted her again. I think it's the way her profile is so beautifully placed in front of the cool grey, or the light just barely hitting her hair and her hand. It's also nice to loosen up a bit more - the way I love to paint.

A quick note - I'm working hard on gallery paintings for my February show, so I thought I'd extend the auction to ten days, rather than seven. Also keeping in mind the auction will end before my favorite show comes on because I know I'm not the only 24 fan out there.