Monday, September 28, 2009

New Paintings 9.28.09


Abstract Poppies on Yellow
Original 16" x 20" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas




Abstract Cattails II
Original 16" x 20" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas




Abstract Poppies XII
Original 16" x 20" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas




Apple Tree with Pink Blossoms IV
Original 16" x 20" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

My most recent paintings include new editions of several of my popular compositions. These are all 16" x 20" paintings and are attractively priced for patrons on a budget who want to indulge themselves with a new painting, or are seeking a gift for friends or family. I am working on two portrait commissions as well that have been a lot of fun to paint. I'll post photos of those soon.

Quote of the Day
"Once there was a young warrior. Her teacher told her that she had to do battle with fear. She didn't want to do that. It seemed too aggressive; it was scary; it seemed unfriendly. But the teacher said she had to do it and gave her instructions for the battle. The day arrived. The student warrior stood on one side, and fear stood on the other. The warrior was feeling very small, and fear was looking big and wrathful. The both had their weapons.

The young warrior roused herself and went toward fear, prostrated three times, and asked, 'May I have permission to go into battle with you?' Fear said, 'Thank you for showing me so much respect that you ask permission.' Then the young warrior said, 'How can I defeat you?' Fear replied, 'My weapons are that I talk fast, and I get very close to your face. Then you get completely unnerved, and you do whatever I say. If you don't do what I tell you, I have no power. You can listen to me, and you can have respect for me. You can even be convinced by me. But if you don't do what I say, I have no power.' In that way, the student warrior learned how to defeat fear.

This is how it actually works. There has to be some kind of respect for the jitters, some understanding of how our emotions have the power to run us around in circles. That understanding helps us discover how we increase our pain, how we increase our confusion, how we cause harm to ourselves. Because we have basic goodness, basic wisdom, basic intelligence, we can stop harming ourselves and harming others. Because of mindfulness, we see things when they arise. Because of our understanding, we don't buy into the chain reaction that makes things grow from minute to expansive.

We leave things minute. They stay tiny... It all comes through learning to pause a moment, learning not to just impulsively do the same thing again and again... The result is we cease to cause harm." --Pema Chodron

Thursday, September 24, 2009

New Paintings 09.24.09


Still Life with Roses IX
Original 16" x 20" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas




Poppies on Yellow IX
Original 12" x 16" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas




The Gathering II
Original 16" x 20" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas




Still Life with Checkered Cloth VI
Original 12" x 16" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

My newest work includes new editions of several compositions, including two new still life paintings, a new edition of Poppies on Yellow, and variation on The Gathering composition.

Quotes of the Day
"When you become good at the art of letting sufferings go, then you'll come to realize what you were dragging around with you. And for that, no one else other than you was responsible." --Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh

"Bitterness is a poison that snuffs out the light of our souls, hardening us to life's pleasures and joys by keeping us focused only on what is wrong... I'm determined not to sink into bitterness again. While there are plenty of things in life to be justifiably annoyed, angry, or hurt at, that doesn't mean that I should completely ignore all this is beautiful, good, and touching. I want my soul to shine with an overflowing of love, and practicing gratitude is one of the best ways I know to do it.

Gratitude is an inner light that we can use to illumine our souls. The more we are thankful, the more light we experience and the more we shine forth into the world." --M.J. Ryan

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Today's Paintings 09.20.09


Abstract Poppies X
Original 24" x 36" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas




Autumn Moonrise IX
Original 72" x 36" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

Today's work includes two new editions of popular compositions: Abstract Poppies and Autumn Moonrise. My patrons love these compositions. I've painted several commissions of both, and the new editions always sell. My greatest wish is that my work inspires the people who hang it on their walls to enjoy the beauty that is this life.

Quote of the Day
"When you are fully present with everyone you meet, you relinquish the conceptual identity you made for them — your interpretation of who they are and what they did in the past — and are able to interact without the egoic movements of desire and fear. Attention, which is alert stillness, is the key. How wonderful to go beyond wanting and fearing in your relationships. Love does not want or fear anything." --Eckhart Tolle

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Commission Work This Week


Red Trees (Commission)
Original 72" x 36" x 0.75" painting
Three 24" x 36" canvases
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas




Autumn Aspens (Commission)
Original 72" x 30" x 0.75" painting
Three 24" x 30" canvases
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

This week's work included a commission for a patron in Colorado who wanted some of my work to decorate her office. These paintings are based on two of my popular compositions, Autumn Aspens and Autumn Moonrise (photo coming soon).

The other commission is for a patron visiting the U.S. from Argentina. She selected my Red Trees composition.

Quotes of the Day
"You're never so full of yourself as when you're in pain... Happiness releases you from self. It is suffering and pain and misery and depression that tie you to the self."

"Put this program into action, a thousand times: (a) identify the negative feelings in you; (b) understand that they are in you, not in the world, not in external reality; (c) do not see them as an essential part of 'I'; these things come and go (don't identify with them); (d) understand that when you change, everything changes."

--Anthony de Mello

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Work This Week


Foliage in Bloom
Original 16" x 20" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas




Trees and Early Morning Light
Original 18" x 24" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas




Abstract Cattails
Original 30" x 40" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas

My new work so far this week includes these three new compositions. I'm returning to a more impressionistic style in some of my work, as noted in Foliage in Bloom. The cool autumn air and the seasonal changes are so refreshing and inspiring to me. They renew my spirit and inspire hope and gratitude for all that is beautiful in this life.

Quote of the Day
"Mindfulness is the aware, balanced acceptance of the present experience. It isn't more complicated that that. It is opening to or receiving the present moment, pleasant or unpleasant, just as it is, without either clinging to it or rejecting it." --Sylvia Boorstein

Monday, September 14, 2009

Today's Work 09.13.09


Cow in Autumn Pasture
Original 16" x 20" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas




Still Life with Gerber Daisies IV
Original 16" x 20" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas




Aspens in Late Day Light
Original 24" x 36" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

Today's work includes all new compositions. Cow in Autumn Meadow was inspired by the rich autumn pastoral scenes of my native rural New York and my 20+ year home in Colorado. Still Life with Gerber Daisies IV is a new still life composition depicting the rich colors of one of my favorite flowers. Aspens in Late Day Light depicts the transitional season between late summer and early autumn in Colorado, just before the leaves begin to change into their beautiful fall colors.

The crisp morning air of autumn is upon us, and I'm thrilled that we're moving into my favorite season of the year.

Quote of the Day
"The choice you face constantly is whether you are taking your wounds to your head or your heart. In your head you can analyze them, find their causes and consequences, and coin words to speak and write about them. But no final healing is likely to come from that source. You need to let your wounds go down to your heart. Then you can live through them and discover that they will not destroy you. Your heart is greater than your wounds." --Henri Nouwen

Friday, September 11, 2009

Today's Work 09.11.09


Abstract Pear Tree
Original 24" x 36" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas




Apple Tree
Original 24" x 30" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas




Tulips Against Blue Sky
Original 24" x 36" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

Today's work includes two new landscape and a floral composition. Abstract Pear Tree is a variation on some of my previous abstract tree compositions, as is the Apple Tree piece. Tulips is a variation on my popular Tulips in Midday Sun composition, which was recently bought by a couple in Atlanta as a commission.

Quote of the Day
"Inner peace can be reached only when we practice forgiveness. Forgiveness is letting go of the past." --Gerald Jampolsky

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Today's Work 09.10.09


Autumn Cottage with Cattails
Original 24" x 36" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas




Autumn Moonrise VIII
Original 24" x 36" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

Today's work included a new composition: Autumn Cottage with Cattails, and the newest edition in the Autumn Moonrise series. I have recently relocated to Morristown, New York, in the North Country along the St. Lawrence River. The setting for Autumn Cottage is the view from my new deck!

Today's is my baby's 14th birthday! Happy Birthday Emily!!!

Quote of the Day
"The more you care, the stronger you can be." --Jim Rohn

Monday, September 7, 2009

Work This Past Week


Rocky Mountain Sunset IV
Original 24" x 36" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas




Oriental Blossoms XVII
Original 48" x 20" x 0.75" painting
Three 16" x 20" canvases
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas




Autumn Path XXIII
Original 24" x 36" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas




Autumn Aspens VII
Original 24" x 30" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas




Poppies on Blue Sky XIII
Original 24" x 30" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas




Early Summer Sunrise II
Original 16" x 20" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas




Still Life with Daisies and Red Vase V
Original 16" x 20" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

I've devoted most of the past week to painting these pieces, as well as working on commissions. These paintings are all new editions from many of my popular compositions. The Autumn paintings are inspired by the coming change of season, to which I look forward with great anticipation.

Quote of the Day
"Even the best psychologist will tell you...that people don't really want to be cured. What they want is relief; a cure is painful." --Anthony de Mello

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Autumn Harvest


Autumn Harvest
Original Acrylic Painting

Today's post includes a painting from the archives: Autumn Harvest. Fall is my favorite season of all, and a lot of my work depicts the rich colors from many places during that time of the year.

I have several new paintings to post and list on my sales venues, which I will include here on the FAB at my nearest opportunity.

Quote of the Day
"The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers." --Thich Nhat Hanh