Man in a Sauna - sold

Oil on gessoboard panel 7"x5"

I love painting figures and enjoy taking them out of the traditional context of figure study sessions. In my work I like to paint people enjoying simple pleasures...sunlight, the beach, a soak in a deep tub, and in this painting, a sauna. It's a wonderfully sensual respite from winter. I wanted to convey the relaxing heat and the dark coziness of the cedar wood paneling.

Woman Walking at the Beach - sold

Oil on Gessoboard 7"x5"

The Blizzard of 2016 made me want to flee back to summer. So I went back to the beach in oil paint which is the only way possible at the moment as I'm snowed in. I enjoyed the challenge of painting ocean waves and splashing water and shiny wet skin. This painting provides a nice break from snow and cold...what could be better than a walk at the beach?

Nude with Red Curtains - sold

Oil on Hardboard Panel 7"x5"

This figure painting is a study in back lighting and reflected light. I love the dramatic highlight effects of back lighting while the subtle reflected light from the surrounding curtains helps define the figure. I enjoyed the challenge of painting the contrasts of light and shadow on both the nude and the interior scene.

Woman Bathing - sold

Oil on Canvas 8"x10"

Inspired by Degas' and Bonnard's bathers. For all that has changed in the world, a soak in a bath remains a timeless pleasure. This was a good study in contrasts between warm flesh and the cool tones of the bathtub.

Fine quality prints from this painting are now available here.

Young Man Sleeping - sold

Oil on Canvas 8"x10"

Focusing on small moments is one of the joys of painting. Capturing the light falling across a face, enhancing the feeling of a scene with well chosen brushstrokes. A photo can freeze a point in time but painting breathes a special kind of life into it. Or at least that's the goal...you can also paint something to death. Finding that delicate balance where I've achieved my vision without pushing over the edge into a labored abyss is sweet.

Girl in a Cloche Hat - sold

Oil on Hardboard Panel, 10"x8"

There's a haunting blend of heartbreak and strength in this girl's expression that I love. In this painting I played with a combination of rough strokes in the background and soft, painterly brushwork in the outfit contrasting with sharper focus on her features.

Sargent Study: Olimpio Fusco - sold

Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas, 10"x8"

I believe in learning from the best and John Singer Sargent is one of the great masters of portrait and figurative work. This is a study with a twist; the original portrait was a drawing but I used oil on canvas based on what I imagined a Sargent oil study of this model would look like. A fun exercise and it really made me think about Sargent's flesh palette and brushwork.

Beach Study - sold

Oil on Hardboard Panel 7"x5"

It's finally starting to feel like winter here which makes me miss summer. As always when I miss something I paint it. I'm also experimenting with a hardboard panel again and I like how distinct a paint stroke appears. It's also a nice archival surface and the panels look cute set on small easels for display on a shelf.