Collections Review 2018 Part 2: From Life

This is part 2 of 3 posts showcasing the 33 artworks that entered collections of friends, family and art-lovers this 2018. These eleven drawings and paintings included here were completed in one or two sittings from life, not reference photos. Thanks and onto the Collection Review! 


FRANKLIN INSTITUTE STEPS PLEIN AIR 12x16” ACRYLIC ON BOARD 2018

A section of Philadelphia as viewed from the Franklin Institute Steps one hot August day. The vertical buildings dwarf the trees and reflect on each other’s shiny surface. I’m interested in capturing moments out in the city right on the spot.

Franklin Institute Steps 12x16” acrylic on board 2018


WIFFLE BALL SUNSET 7x10” ACRYLIC ON PAPER 2018

Within a contained square in front of an ocean sunset, a dramatically lit wiffle ball sits in front of a horizontal orange band and below a white arch, as a yellow line drives from the bottom of the page to the shadow of the ball. I was interested in  by my son’s growth into adolescence and out of boyhood toys.

Wiffle Ball Sunset 7x10” acrylic on paper 2018


COOPER RIVER PARK PLEIN AIR 9x12” ACRYLIC ON BRISTOL 2017

This landscape was painted at Cooper River Park in Collingswood as a demonstration for my students. I use black and white paint on a grey ground to organize the big shapes and apply color on top afterwards. It was an overcast day and the cool colors seemed muted.

Cooper River Park Plein Air 9x12” acrylic on bristol 2018


CABIN TWO 5x5” ACRYLIC ON AQUABOARD 2018

On a bright, clear day in New Hampshire I set up my pochade box in the shade on cabin one’s deck to capture the scene in front me me. Going to the lake is always a time of relaxation and quiet moments and I aimed to capture that sentiment.

Cabin Two 5x5” acrylic on aquaboard 2018


CABINS WITH SUNFISH 8x6” ACRYLIC ON CLAYBOARD 2018

The light blue sky poked through the trees above cabin one and two. I was interested in capturing the anticipation of sailing the sunfish on the lake and the serene moments of New Hampshire lake life.

Cabins With Sunfish 8x6” acrylic on clayboard 2018


SUNLIT DAFFODILS 12x12” CHARCOAL ON TONED STRATHMORE 2018

Sunlight streams at an angle at midday in early Spring, and I aimed to capture it hitting daffodils in my backyard garden. I was attracted to the light illuminating the pedals against the dark shadow of the fence, which meet the vertical bands of light between the fence.

Sunlit Daffodils 12x12” charcoal on strathmore 2018


BRASS TEAPOT AND FLOWERS 8x6” OIL ON PANEL 2018

The orange tones of the shiny brass stand out from the forest green backdrop while a deep blue vase showcases bright yellow flowers above. This oil painting is part of an effort to experiment with oil paint and represents a traditional still-life.

Brass Teapot and Flowers 8x6” oil on panel 2018


WANDERING 5x5” ACRYLIC ON AQUABOARD 2017

Lime green and magenta curve through the leaves of the queen secretia heart clipping placed in a water jug against a baby blue backdrop. Created in response to the US deregulation of environmental standards, this painting is part of a houseplant series which are little meditations on how important our environment is to our lives. Plants add beauty and remove toxins and carbon from the air. 

Wandering 5x5” acrylic on aquaboard 2018


STUDIO PLANTS 5x5” ACRYLIC ON PANEL 2018

Sunlight streams through checkered curtains above three succulent plants in a wooden box on the window sill, as captured one day in my studio. I was interested in capturing the warm glow entering through the window that the plants and the artist look forward to.

Studio Plants 5x5” acrylic on panel 2018


SUNSET LAKE WINNISQUAM 6x8” ACRYLIC ON CLAYBOARD 2017

Dusk is usually quiet on the dock, and nothing is better than observing the warm band on the horizon reflected in the clouds and the lake. I like to work quickly but deliberately when painting outdoors, and acrylic paint on slick clayboard did the trick.

Sunset Winnisquam 6x8” acrylic on clayboard 2017


ROSE PERCH 12x9” ACRYLIC ON BRISTOL 2017

Lines from the tablecloth run up from the bottom of the painting and point to bright pink flowers in a blue vase. I love how light that shines directly on a surface pops- on the vase, the pedals of the roses, and even the reflection off the floor molding. 

Rose Perch 12x9” Acrylic on bristol 2017

Using Format