From the Archives: Deschler Avenue Mansions

I've been busy working on two projects in the studio this past week. First, I completed the painting that I will use as this year's Christmas card to family and friends. Once the card is mailed, I'll post the painting on the blog. Second, I've been working on a new commission that is essentially finished and will be delivered soon to the patron. Both of these have been welcome changes to the normal routine.

This week's featured work is an older painting (created almost five years ago) that I did as an afternoon study for a still-planned larger canvas. It is based on my favorite neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio, German Village. The focal point of that neighborhood is Schiller Park. Surrounding the park are spectacular turn-of-the-20th century brick mansions of various styles and sizes. I captured one vantage point of these homes from the park itself. Some day I'll do the full-scale interpretation of these houses.

"Deschler Avenue Mansions (Study)". Oil on stretched canvas, 12 x 16 inches. Completed February 2006.

Houses Facing the Sun

This week's post features another new work from my recent solo show at the Lee Hansley Gallery. In this painting I tried to capture the strong light as it bathed the facades of two Victorian-style houses sloped along a street. The composition is based on a neighborhood I photographed in Cumberland, Maryland a few years ago. I eliminated some of the architecture surrounding these two houses to give them a sense of solitude.

This Sunday (November 21) is the opening for a new group show I am featured in at the Lee Hansley Gallery. "100 Under 1000" will run through December 31 and includes 2- and 3-dimensional art that is priced below $1,000.

"Houses Facing the Sun." Oil on stretched canvas, 24 x 36 inches. Completed May 2010.

Yosemite Sketchbook II

Today's blog post features another sketch made during my trip to Yosemite National Park. This drawing was completed after hiking the Mist Trail from the valley floor to Vernal Fall and then to Nevada Fall. At the crest of Nevada Fall I rested for about a half hour and drew majestic Liberty Cap towering over the falls. While I was drawing, an overly friendly squirrel decided he wanted part of my lunch, and I had to fend him off and eat quickly. It made for a memorable meal.

My current solo exhibit at the Lee Hansley Gallery closed today. Although none of the pieces sold during the show's run, I feel it was still a success and I'm grateful to Lee Hansley for the opportunity. I delivered two new pieces to the gallery today that will be included in the "100 Under 1,000" holiday exhibition.

"Liberty Cap and Nevada Fall, Yosemite National Park." Pen on paper, 8.5 x 5.5 inches. Completed October 2010.

Yosemite Sketchbook

Although I didn't do any plein air painting while traveling in the Sierra Nevadas, I did take my sketchbook and captured a few images in it. I sketched this composition while sitting on the rocks at Taft Point, a great overlook high above Yosemite Valley. From this vantage point, about 8,000 feet above sea level, I could see my host hotel, Yosemite Lodge, about 3,000 feet below. From here I hiked to Sentinel Dome (about 2.3 miles away), and ended this day hiking a section of the Four-Mile Trail at Glacier Point.

"Taft Point, Yosemite National Park." Pen on paper, 8.5 x 5.5 inches. Completed October 2010.