Monday, June 6, 2016

Three more...

These are the final three oils of a series of six that will be hanging for the next month at the Opua Arts Studio & Gallery. The gallery is on the wharf in Opua, looking out over the bay where I find some much inspiration for my subject matter.

Opua is my home. It's located in the Far North of New Zealand's North Island. It is the primary port of entry for yachties arriving in New Zealand where they go through biosecurity and customs, so there is no shortage of yachts to paint!   http://www.bayofislandsmarina.co.nz/


Little Yellow Boat
10" x 8" oil on gessoed board




Regatta
10" x 8" oil on gessoed board



Meola
10" x 8" oil on gessoed board


Saturday, June 4, 2016

Furlough

Another piece off the easel! This little oil is finished except for a tweak or two and a few lines on the rigging once the background is dry. It's inspired by one of the yachts I see in Opua - but it isn't a literal rendition. I often tell fibs about the color and light.  As the American impressionist, William Merritt Chase said:

"Just don't hesitate to exaggerate color and light. Don't be afraid to tell lies - the most tiresome pictures are the stupidly truthful ones".


Furlough
10" x 8" oil on gessoed board



Thursday, June 2, 2016

Flurry

A few days ago, I spotted this boat at anchor across the bay from Opua, near Russell.  Russell was New Zealand's first capital, then named Kororareka, 'the hell hole of the Pacific' known for its bars and brothels. I think we're more civilized now and the capital was moved to Wellington long ago.


Flurry
10" x 8" oil on gessoed panel

Windy Seas

This little piece is fresh off the easel. It's a 10" x 8" oil on gessoed masonite. I live a stone's throw from the sea and my little hometown of Opua, New Zealand, is the northern-most international port for yachties when they arrive in New Zealand. Though I'm not a sailor, I'm fascinated with the yachts that arrive in port fitted with solar panels, a wind generator and other gear that tells me they're long-distance voyagers. Where are they from and where have they been?


Windy Seas
10" x 8" oil on gessoed panel

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Back in the Studio!

After painting full time for 30 years, working 8 hours a day and often seven days a week,  I just took more than 3 months off!  It felt strange not to be painting every day but I renovated two bathrooms and spent a month playing tourist with visitors from the U.S.  But I have four upcoming shows so it's time to get back to work.  I'm starting with a couple of little studies for my 'Boats of Opua' series to get me back in the swing of things.


The Boats of Opua #16
original oil
8" x 6" oil on gessoed board, unframed
US$125 plus $10 shipping






The Boats of Opua #17
original oil
8" x 6" oil on gessoed board, unframed
US$125 plus $10 shipping

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

The Waterfowl Festival

On November 12, 13 & 14, I'll be exhibiting my work at the Waterfowl Festival in Easton, Maryland. This is probably my 28th year!  Wow...time flies. This year, my exhibit will be in the Pavilion - the large sculpture tents right across from the Armory, where I've exhibited for years. I'm hoping for warm weather and looking forward to crab cakes.

These are a couple of the paintings I'll have with me at the Waterfowl Festival.

Red Boat
10" x 8" oil on panel



Over the Gaff
20" x 24" oil on canvas

Sunday, October 18, 2015

For the upcoming gallery show in Charleston!

I've been on a roll - nose to the grindstone - and I'm just about worn out. But I have a lot of new work to show for it. On November 6, I'll be exhibiting my work at a group show titled Passages, at the Horton Hayes Fine Art Gallery in Charleston, South Carolina. I'll be at the opening and will probably be painting in and around the gallery on Saturday and Sunday, so if you're in the area, stop by and say hi!

This is a preview of the new work I'll have at the show. If you are interested in any of these new pieces or would like prices, please call the gallery at 843 958-0014.

Dropping the Sail
18" x 24" oil on linen


Into the Sun
24" x 20" oil on linen


Race for Home
24" x 12" 
Oil on linen


Rock and Roll
7" x 7" oil on panel


Taking the Long Way Home
7" x 7" oil on panel


Almost Home
7" x 7" oil on panel


Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Dropping the Sail

Now that I live on the coast and in a yachting community, I'm painting more boats and seabirds. This piece is called, 'Dropping the Sail'. It was inspired by a tall ship in Bay of Islands called the R. Tucker Thompson.  The bird is a red-billed gull. The painting will be exhibited in a show titled 'Passages' at the Horton Hayes Fine Art Gallery in Charleston, South Carolina in early November.


Dropping the Sail
18" x 24" oil on linen

Sunday, June 7, 2015

More Road Studies

When I'm in the work mode, I find it much easier to work on a series; all the same size and theme. So - more road studies! As with the previous three, I may do larger studio pieces when I'm back in the U.S.,  using these as inspiration. They're all 7" x 7" oil on gessoed panels.




Saturday, May 30, 2015

Road Studies

In a few months, I'll be heading back to the U.S. to resupply galleries and do a few shows, but most of the time, I'll be painting.  In preparation, I'm working on studies, some of which will become larger studio paintings.

These little studies are inspired by my trips to Ace Basin in South Carolina.