Reading Jazz Singer

The city of Reading, Pennsylvania, where I call home, hosts an annual Jazz festival called the Berks Jazz Fest.  In conjunction with the musical portion of this the Berks Arts Council hosts an art competition/exhibition entitled the Art of Jazz.  I entered a different painting this year (click here to read about it and see it!)  and got into the show. I wanted to enter this painting, however, I didn't finish in time due to the dreaded flu season which hit our family hard.  I finally got it finished and it will be hanging in Art Plus Gallery soon!  It is framed and ready for hanging.

Reading Jazz Singer, 18" x 24", oil on panel, framed
$375

5 trees

If you are interested, read my previous post for my recent thoughts on Landscapes.  These little studies I am doing are helping me to see shapes and colors and design my compositions.  This is a line of trees that caught my fancy for their mis-matched shapes and their silhouette against the bright blue sky.

5 trees, 6"x6", oil on panel

Happy New Year!

As you may have guessed (If anyone is even following me anymore!) I am not a big social media person (yet...)  It is hard for me to find a block of time to sit down and upload pics and post them, etc.. BUT, I have been painting lots, and even selling some of my creations!  December was a great month for sales for me and I am looking forward to a great 2014!  I wanted to post some of my latest paintings which will be in the January/February show at the Gallery.  The opening is Friday, January 10th from 5-8 and all are welcome!  Enjoy!

Fields at rest, 14" x 18", oil on panel

Secrets behind the Gallery, 9" x 12", oil on panel

American Foursquare, 6" x 6", oil on panel

The Red Mansard, 10.5" x 10.5", oil on panel

White House in Fleetwood, 6" x 6", oil on panel

My Elsie, 8" x 8", oil on panel

Two landscapes

Just over the Hill, oil on panel, 9" x 12"

So happy about the 3000 visitor status.  I know it's not much compared to some, but it is a milestone for me and milestones are important!  

I have been painting landscapes and farm scenery for the past month or so and these two paintings came out of this group.  There is a funny story behind them, actually, which has nothing to do with the paintings themselves.  I like to go on what I call picture walks and picture drives and often my son likes to go along with me.  During these times, I photograph whatever is interesting, hoping for some good reference photos to paint later on.  During this one drive I took in the Oley area, my son was along, enjoying himself, keeping me company. We had been out for over an hour and he really needed to use the bathroom.... Well, we were pretty much no where near a bathroom, so I pulled over to the side of the road (kind of a secluded area) and said this is as good as it gets, do you mind just going here alongside the road?  He was a bit embarrassed, but nature was calling so he tried to be as inconspicuous as possible.  Wouldn't you know, a car came along.  I did the first thing that came to mind and quickly started randomly snapping pictures, trying to draw attention to myself... 'Just taking pictures, nothing to see here!'  Here is the funny thing... the pictures I took, while not really paying attention to the subject, turned out to be some of my favorite of the day! You just never know.  So, maybe I shouldn't have told you that, but there it is.  These landscapes were born of a potty break!  Hope you enjoy!

Brown's Mill Trees, oil on panel, 9" x 12"