Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Waiting for the Parade

click here to purchase

On New Year's Day I caught this pretty girl having an introspective moment as she waited for the next section of the Mummer's parade. In case you haven't noticed, I sure like a quality of dreaminess in a person.


Friday, January 6, 2012

Pink Jacket

oil on panel
7"x8"
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This is the first of a series of painting based on photographs I took at Philadelphia's Mummers Parade on New Year's day. This little girl was having a great time watching giant gumball machines work their way up Broad Street.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Taking Pictures

oil on panel
6"x6"
sold

This young woman was taking photographs of the sweeping view of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway as seen from the Philadelphia Art Museum. I like to imagine her "looking" as a metaphor for the start of the new year, when we like to look at the year we leave behind, as well as to focus on the one coming up.

The past year I've had the great fortune of being able to paint full time. I've learned so much by being able to concentrate on my work so intently. Even though I've been painting for years (and years), I've never had so much time to devote to it. Sometimes the year's been stressful, sometimes lonely, but overall exciting and satisfying. One of the things I'm most happy about is having my portrait of my sister receive an award at the popular art blog Making a Mark, and joining Daily Paintworks as a "Featured Artist."

Now with the start of the New Year I'm back to working for the library. Unlike a year ago, it's a 20 hour week instead of full time. I'm lucky to have this job, and I'm determined to not let it slow me down.  My first resolution is to wake up at 6 a.m. most days and get right to work. With the paycheck comes more freedom in the kinds of things I chose to paint, and I'm very excited about that.