Man Sleeping - sold

Oil on Canvas, 10"x8"

This painting is a study in serenity and light movement. I wanted to explore cool flesh tones with soft light and edges. There's something very calming about a sleeping figure and this is highlighted by the quiet shades of blue throughout. I've seen many paintings with sleeping female nudes but I wanted to feature a man instead. It's an unusual context that gives a vulnerable and tender aspect to the masculine form.

Upon reflection I think that's what I wanted to capture. That moment of peace. There is no guile or malice in a man asleep. He is free of his conscious torments, childlike and pure. Sleep is a wonderful thing that I rarely get enough of and I like to celebrate these simple, precious things in life.

Fine quality prints from this painting are now available here.

Copyright © Pat Kelley. All rights reserved. 

Viewing Mary Cassatt - sold

Oil on hardboard panel, 7"x5"

I was taken by the sight of this art lover at the National Gallery of Art in DC viewing Mary Cassatt's "Little Girl in a Blue Armchair". Her yellow jacket was a bright note with the blue of the painting. I also like how this woman, the little girl, and the dog look like they're just hanging out. 

I always think of Degas' "Mary Cassatt at the Louvre" when I visit art museums, so doing a painting of someone looking at a Cassatt works for me on many levels. I feel fortunate to live right across the river from Washington DC where there is an abundance of world class art museums, most of which are free. I can think of few things that have been of greater benefit to me as an artist than being able to pop into the National Gallery whenever I want to study the Impressionist's paint strokes or simply gaze in awe at the Vermeers. Yes, our metro system is old and currently sucks, and DC isn't exactly Paris...but it is packed with treasures. 

Standing Male Nude - sold

Oil on hardboard panel, 12"x9"

This painting is a classic figure study. Figurative subjects are my favorite and I love the challenge of painting nudes. Especially male nudes as they tend to have more defined musculature. There are few things more difficult to paint than the human body and I have to admit that the contrapposto stance gave me some trouble...but I think I pulled it off. 

Portrait of a Girl in Pink - sold

Oil on harboard panel, 7"x5"

Experimenting with mood, expression and color combinations. Trying to create a completely new painting frequently is quite a challenge but I love when I find it taking me in different directions.

Man in a Hot Tub - sold

Oil on hardboard panel, 10"x8"

This painting is a combination of figure study and portrait with a water element...several things I really enjoy. The movement of the water was a great challenge to paint, as was the wet skin and hair. There's something calming yet lively about this painting.

Man at the Beach - sold

Oil on hardboard panel, 7"x5"

Another beach study, this time a man walking in brilliant turquoise water. I love this one because the water looks so warm and inviting. I really got into the wet skin reflections and I was pleased that my brushstrokes stayed distinct and spontaneous.

Woman in the Waves - sold

Oil on gessoboard panel, 7"x5"

I like the hesitant quality of this woman's stance as she looks out at the water. The water might be a bit cold or the waves look a little rough and she's just not ready to dive in. I also enjoyed that first day at the beach sunburn on her shoulders which pops against the cool tones of the foam and contrasts with her still-pale lower half. I'd be quite happy to be sunburned on a warm beach right now.

Portrait of a Young Man - sold

Oil on Canvas 12"x9"

A portrait of a young man painted in a classical realist style. This man reminded me of a Caravaggio figure with his intense gaze. 

Bid in the eBay auction

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.

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.

Looking at Caillebotte - sold

 Oil on Canvas Panel 7"x5"

Impressionism is one of my favorite periods in art and an endless source of inspiration. I enjoy the way Impressionists depicted people of their era in their daily lives. Edgar Degas' pastel of Mary Cassatt at the Louvre, is a delightful early version of the popular theme of art lovers in museums. I felt this young art lover at the Art Institute of Chicago beautifully complemented Gustave Caillebotte's painting, Paris Street, Rainy Afternoon.