June 29, 2009

Sparkling Sails

The rain went away for a minute.
The sky inked blue.
The sails unfurled.
The sea sparkled.

Pastel, 8 x 10, $150.








June 23, 2009

Rain, Rain go away

Rain, Rain go away,
Come again another day.

Sail away?
No way.

[Vineyard Sound]

Pastel, 8 x 10, $150.





June 18, 2009

Margarita Time

The solstice.
Margarita time.
One shot tequila.
2 parts summer.
Thanks Dave!

Pastel, 5x7, $100.




June 10, 2009

Perfect Day

Azure sky.
Marshmallow clouds.
Glassine water.
Soothing sand.
Perfection.

Pastel on Wallis paper,
7.5 x 9.5, $150.





June 3, 2009

Bow to May

May-Mother Earth month:

May.
You brought flowers, flowers, flowers.
Take a bow.

Pastel, 7.5 x 9.5
$175.





May 26, 2009

Mango mousse

Pastel, 5x7, Commission
[available for sale eventually]

May 19, 2009

Earth Food

May- Mother Earth month:

Nuts,
seeds,
fruits,
and berries.
How much closer to Mother's Earth can you get?


Pastel, 5x7, $100.

[Commission]



May 12, 2009

May Lilacs, Lilacs, Lilacs

May- Mother Earth month:
Arnold Arboretum.
100s of lilacs all in a row.
Purple, violet, white and mauve.
Poised on point in perfumed air.
Just like the Lilac Fairy.

Pastel, 8x10, $150.




May 6, 2009

May Herb Garden

May- Mother Earth month:

My herb garden.
My favorite.
On May Day I gather woodruff, and mints, lavender and violets to make May wine.
[Today I'll toast my birthday with 'earth in a glass']

Pastel, 8x10, $150.





April 29, 2009

April is the cruelest month?

“April is the cruelest month, breeding lilacs out of the dead land, mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain.” T.S. Eliot quotes "The Wasteland"

[Lilacs in bloom on a street in Slovakia]

Pastel, 5x7, $100.




April 24, 2009

April Rainbow

We race up the hill
To catch a rainbow
Dark to the right
Light to the left
Thru droplets of rain
A mist of colors
Drops from the sky
Onto the red red roof

Luck?

Pastel on Wallis paper,
5x7,
$125.





April 21, 2009

April in Paris

The only time I was ever in Paris was in April.
It was rainy and gray, except for this day!

"I never knew the charm of spring
I never met it face to face
I never new my heart could sing
I never missed a warm embrace

Till april in paris, chestnuts in blossom
Holiday tables under the trees
April in paris, this is a feeling
That no one can ever reprise"
Song by Harburg/Duke

Pastel, 8x10, $225.




April 15, 2009

April Showers- New York

New York. New York.
Or any city.
A view through raindrops-

a taxi, buildings, lights;
someone not singing in the rain.
Woosh. Wet. Splash!
April showers.

Watercolor, 8x10, $150.





April 10, 2009

April Egg

The egg.
Simple.
White.
Perfect.
Symbol of renewal.
Birth, and rebirth.
Immortality and eternity.


Pastel, 3.5x5, $35.





April 7, 2009

April Umbrellas

Down comes the rain.
Up go the umbrellas.
From above we see:
a box of trix,
or a box of crayons,
or a field of flowers.
Yes, April showers.


Pastel, 5x7, $175.







March 31, 2009

April Flowers bring...

An old Dutch master.
My modern version of it.

Pastel, 8x10, $150.
SOLD [Nevada]

March 27, 2009

Reflections: Gold Coast

Dotting the coast are the mansions.
Turn of the century symbols of wealth.
Carriages, servants, privileged summers by the sea.
So large- many were torn down.
Making way for the new McMansions. Reflections of a time past?

Pastel, 5x7, $100.





March 24, 2009

Reflections: Fleurs de Provence

Provence.
Artists come for the light.
As do the flowers.
When they die they still live.
Dried, and fragrant in sacks for sale.
I'll take a kilo of rosebuds please.

Pastel, 5x7, $125.






March 19, 2009

Reflections: Spring, Lambing Season, England

Today is SPRING!
I remember one spring in the English country- side. Didn't know about "lambing season." Everywhere you looked, too cute newborns were frolicking on the green. Jumping for joy at being alive. Just like today!

Pastel, 8x10, $150.





March 16, 2009

Reflections: Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall

They say a mirror doesn't lie.
But it does.
Sometimes it's cloudy,
or dirty
or concave
or convex
or two way
or broken.
A reflection?
Or illusion?

Pastel, 4.5 x 6.5,
$100.






March 12, 2009

Reflections: Choices

Little choices.
Ribbons or roses?
Pink, purple, red or whites?
Long or short?
Tulle or tights.

Big ones will come soon enough.

Pastel, 8x10
SOLD
[Massachusetts]

March 10, 2009

Reflections: Sunset on the wall

The room is darkening.
The last of the sunset glows.
Through the window.
Terra cotta panes reflect
on the Tuscan picture
on the wall.
Like fire.
Firenze.



Pastel, 8.5 x 11, $150.





March 6, 2009

Reflections: Tree Shadows

Trees.
Shadow stripes streaming across the snow.
Sculpture. Design. Drama.
Their last show of the season?
We hope.


Pastel on Wallis paper, 5.5 x 7.5,
$100.





March 3, 2009

Reflections: Mac Attack

Daily Painters Gallery Theme: Reflections

"Mac" attacks.
What?
Don't know– but he does.
Dogs have secret lives that sand mirrors don't reveal.

Pastel, 8x10, matted, $150.


SOLD



February 27, 2009

Power of Love

Love is power.
It transcends this earth.

Song lyrics by Celine Dion


Pastel, 8x10
[Done for my brother for the loss of his companion. "The Power of Love" was her favorite song and was played at her funeral last weekend]

February 24, 2009

Oscar fashions

Escape.
Pretend there's no recession.
Glitz, glamour, gowns and gems.

Pastel, 8x10

$160.





February 16, 2009

Love: Dance

Love.
To dance!





Pastel, 8x10, $135.
[scan is not picking up subleties and correct colors]




February 12, 2009

Love: Unconditional

No words spoken.
No need.
Love between a [man] and his dog.
Any pet.
Un-
conditional.

Pastel, 8x10, $150.





February 9, 2009

Love: Trust

Little arms in big arms.
Protection.

Strength.
Trust.

Love.


8x10, pastel, NFS

February 3, 2009

Love: Little Miss & Dad

Father/daughter love.

[Portion of commissioned painting.]
SOLD- Maryland

February 2, 2009

January Whites

January white sales.
They're over.
It's February.
Wash. Dry. Clean. Organize. Sort. Clear.
Start fresh.

pastel, 5x7, $100.
[scanner could not pick up details and colors in the white. Much better in person]




January 28, 2009

Travel Memories: Hawaii- Black Sand Beach

On the BIG Island-
Lava stole the land.
The ocean wore it down.
Now it's blackened sand.
I placed on the dark canvas.
A Plumeria, 'heart', and leis.

Take me back.

Pastel, 5x7, $100.





January 27, 2009

Still snowing in NE

New England.
Snowing again.
Not just snow, but SNOW.
Big flakes;
small flakes.

Trees disappear into the white.
Magic.


Pastel, 5x7, $100.





January 21, 2009

Sun...

Escape from the snow.
In reality-
or in your mind.
Keep it shining.

Pastel, 5x7, $110.





January 19, 2009

Celebration Ball

Inauguration.
Kick up your heels.
Raise up your glass.
Stand tall.
Throw some confetti.
Hug your dog.
Have a ball.
Celebrate!
Watercolor, 5"x7", matted, $135.





January 15, 2009

Grounded?

Swirling snow.
Melts on the window.
Waiting, watching.
Will we take off?
Should we?
Put trust in the man on the runway?
Take me away.

[Unbeknownst to me, I did this simultaneously with the Hudson River crash. It was happening as I was painting it. Yikes. The pilot could be trusted as we saw.]
Pastel, 5x7, matted, $100.



January 12, 2009

Little House in the Snow

Little house.
Set in snow.
Blue sky, Blue Spruce.
Tiny red Cardinal.

Miniature pastel in tiny frame.
3/4" x 3/4"
[commission]

SOLD [Nebraska]

January 9, 2009

Making Raviolis

Raviolis.
As kids they were the treat of treats.
When all the tables in the kitchen and dining room were covered with puffy little pockets we knew something special was happening. We worked the forks while Mom and our aunts made them light as a feather; cheesy and delicious.
My sister and I, determined, made them for Christmas. They were little bullets-- but tasted good. We'll keep practicing until we make feathers like Mama mia.

8" x 10" Giclee print, $50.





December 23, 2008

No place like home

Oh, there's no place like
home for the holidays,
'Cause no matter how far away you roam
When you pine for the sunshine
Of a friendly face
For the holidays, you can't beat
Home, sweet home

Oh there's no place like home
For the holidays, 'cause no matter
How far away you roam
If you want
To be happy in a million ways
For the holidays, you can't beat
Home, sweet home

by Robert Allen - Al Stillman

Have a wonderful holiday!


Pastel, 7.5 x 9.5

December 22, 2008

Snowglobe in snow

A Christmas rose
grows in snow.


Pastel, 5x7, $100.

December 17, 2008

Tiny Landscape

Each year is summed up with a symbolic ornament that goes on our annual tree. Some have been influenced by work; some travel; some by people, family, feelings; life itself; the world. This year was the year of LightCaught.

These paintings seemed to rule the year: 4 shows, online exhibits, 100+ paintings completed, inclusion in the first Daily Painter's Gallery book, and continuous growth with each stroke.

Glad that you were a part of this painted year.

Pastel, 3/4" x 3/4"
NFS [going on the tree]

December 15, 2008

Silent Night

Silent Night.
All is calm.
All is bright.
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Pastel, 5x7, $100.
SOLD
[Washington]


December 11, 2008

Snow Surf's Up

Snow's down.
Surf's up.
Sky's gray.
Souls search.

Pastel, 5"x7"
Sold
[New York]





December 9, 2008

First Snowflakes

Giant, fluffy, downy snowflakes.
Smell them,

Eat them,
Wash your face with them.
They're free.



Pastel, [study for commission]
NFS

December 8, 2008

First Snow


The first snow-
of the season.

The first snow ever-
for someone.
A beautiful moment frozen in time.

Pastel, 16 x 24 Commission
SOLD [Conn. to Malaysia]



December 3, 2008

Seasonal Reds-amaryllis

Amaryllis means "pride".
Pop in a bulb.
Up pops the flowers.
Red and regal and ready.
Christmas blooms.


Watercolor, 7.5 x 9.5
$150.

December 1, 2008

Nutcracker costume: Clara

Little Clara.
Dressed in white.
Ready to party; then dance through the night.

November 25, 2008

Seasons

November 24, 2008

Cranberry Bog

The New England landscape lights up with small red lakes;
filled with cranberries ready for harvesting.


Pastel, 7.5 x 9.5, $150.







November 20, 2008

Travel Memories: Villa Real, Portugal

Travel.
Tired.
Trip into bed.
Trays of bread, butter and coffee wait outside the door in the morning.
Thanks.

Pastel, Original NFS [email for print available]

November 5, 2008

New Day

Watercolor, 5x7
SOLD [New Hampshire]

November 4, 2008

Bring me a rose

My Calico cat Tara brings me a rose when I need one. Don't know where she finds them most of the time. Some fake, some real, some dried but they are roses all the same. Pumpkin is her side kick.

Pastel, 9.5 x 7.5
[Sorry, this one's for me– NFS]
Commissioned Pet Portraits available.
Email for info.

November 3, 2008

Vote Today

Today's the day.
Our chance for change.

October 30, 2008

Portrait Series-Royal Footman

Pastel, 18 x 24, NFS

October 28, 2008

Dancer in repose










Repose.
Pose.
Look over your shoulder.
Break time's over.

Pastel, 7.5 x 9.5, $200.






October 23, 2008

My Mother's Vase

When my mother passed away and my sister and I were sadly clearing her house, I took, among other things, her white vase. Simple- white- marked Redwing on the bottom. It is now always filled with the changing flowers of the season so that she lives on.
October 23rd was her birthday.

Pastel, 5x7, $100


October 21, 2008

Fall House

Ipswich.
Stopped for coffee.
Across the street a house screamed:
"COLOR!"


Pastel, 5x7, $100.


October 16, 2008

Friday Libations

Café society.
A cup of coffee to wake you.
A glass of wine to warm you.
The week wraps.

Pastel, 10 x 12

October 14, 2008

Approaching Storm

A sunny blue day sitting on the bay.
Then storm clouds roll in like bullies pushing out the soft ones.
Can happen anytime; anyplace.

Pastel, 5 x 7, $125.


October 8, 2008

The Cat Thief

Found.
Missing items.
A stash under the bed.
The culprit-
The cat thief.

7.5 x 7.5
Sold

October 6, 2008

Misty Beach

A veil of misty blues.
Softened by gray.
Dogs, people, seagulls, and sand all swallowed up in the fog.
Water. The only sound.
Washes the beach and the air.


Pastel, 7.5 x 9.5, $150.
SOLD [Utah]

October 2, 2008

Oktoberfest


Cheers!
Das Bier.

O'zapft is! [It's tapped!]



Watercolor, 5x7, $100.



September 30, 2008

Harvest Moon

Columbus.
The open ocean.

Still.
But for the lap of the sea;

the wind in the sails.
Thru the black of night-

the harvest moon
guides the way to discovery.

Pastel, 8x10, $125.





September 25, 2008

Take me out to the ballgame

Peanuts, Cracker Jacks,
hot dogs, and beers.
Roars and boos,
waves, and cheers.
Nightlights, neon,
bat and ball.
Perfect weather–
this night in fall.
Take me out to the ballgame.

Pastel, 8x10, $150.

SOLD [Maine]

September 23, 2008

Little Red Schoolhouse

One room.
Coed!
Hanna was the teacher; not Hanna Montana.
Facebook meant "Put your face in the book."
No computers, ipods, Myspace.
Just readin, writin', 'rithmetic.

Pastel, 5x7, SOLD [New York]

September 19, 2008

Final Fleurs

A final burst.
Flowers before the 'fall'.

Pastel, 5x7, $125.


September 16, 2008

New View

Inside– looking out.
It's a new day.


Pastel 5x7, $100.

September 12, 2008

Gourds

Gourds.
What good are they?
Can't eat 'em.
But they strike a pose with their colorful curves like models of the vegetable world...
and look pretty.

Pastel, 5x7, $125.


September 10, 2008

911 Messages

Words and a rose left on a wall at Ground Zero.
Rain soaked. Tear stained?






5x7, mixed media

September 8, 2008

Farmstand

Ridin' along.
Hit the brakes.
Stop for the farmstand.
Load up the car.
Can't wait to wash 'em.
Take a bite.
Keep goin'.




Pastel, 5x7, $125.




September 4, 2008

The Seasons

Winter, Spring, Summer Fall-
A year of my daily genre paintings will be on display at the Beverly Farms Library,
Conrad Lecture Hall,
Beverly Farms, Massachusetts

through the month of September.

September 2, 2008

Soon

Soon.
The trees will paint themselves-
yellow, orange and red.
We don’t have to do a thing.


Pastel, 16 x 20
Matted and framed-$750.

August 26, 2008

Little Black Dress

What more can I say?

August 25, 2008

The Porch Protector

Tribute to a Beautiful Earth Series:
Celebrating and Conserving Our Planet

White porch,
White posts,
White table,
White chair,
White cup,
White cat-
the guard.


Pastel, 10x13, $300.


August 22, 2008

Momentos

Last night my neighbors house burned to the ground. Devastating.
This brought memories of my teen years when our family house burned. Scarey.
Besides the people and pets, the only other thing that meant anything were the photo momentos.

Pastel, 5x7

August 21, 2008

Solitary Sail

Tribute to a Beautiful Earth: Celebrating and Conserving Our Planet series-

A single sailboat on the sea.
A person viewing from the shore.
Who is more solitary?



Pastel, 5x7, SOLD

[New Hampshire]

August 19, 2008

NE Beachrose

Tribute to a Beautiful Earth Series:
Celebrating and Conserving Our Planet

Beachrose.
Rosa Rugosa.

Sea mist waters the rose.
The sun opens it.
The blue sky and ocean frames it.

Pastel, 5x7, $100.


August 18, 2008

NE Horse Country

Tribute to a Beautiful Earth Series:
Celebrating and Conserving Our Planet
3 horses in line.
1 chestnut, 2 white.
Polo grounds to the right-
Left to the farmlands.
Even horses have politics.
Pastel, 5"x7", $100.


August 14, 2008

Narragansett Boat

Tribute to a Beautiful Earth Series:
Celebrating and Conserving Our Planet


Rhode Island.
Fishin's done.
The boat goes to sleep on its blue, bouncy bed.

Pastel, 5x7, $125.



August 12, 2008

Beautiful Peaches

Tribute to a Beautiful Earth Series:
Celebrating and Conserving Our Planet


Summer peaches.
Fragrant, fuzzy, and juicy.


Pastel

August 11, 2008

New England Rose Covered Cottage

Tribute to a Beautiful Earth Series:
Celebrating and Conserving Our Planet

Roses.
Rambling.
Climbing up the cottage.
Then tumbling down; dropping petals
and sweetly swelling the salt air with pink perfume.
Pastel, 8x10, $150.


August 7, 2008

Olympic Memories: Little Beauties at Opening Ceremony

Tribute to a Beautiful Earth Series:
Celebrating and Conserving Our Planet


Olympics bring the world together.
Tonight's opening ceremony will do just that.
My Olympic memory: In 1984 at the LA Olympics I saw these little Mexican girls all dolled up, as was their family, ready to celebrate the obviously proud and momentous event of someone they knew representing their country.
It was a 'heart squeeze' moment that I did not forget.

Pastel, 11x14, $500.
[Portion of painting did not fit scan]

August 5, 2008

Impossibly Blue... and you

Tribute to a Beautiful Earth Series:
Celebrating and Conserving Our Planet


Impossibly Blue...
and you.


Pastel, 5x7

SOLD [Wisconsin]

August 4, 2008

Raspberries-a gift from the Earth

Tribute to a Beautiful Earth Series:
Celebrating and Conserving Our Planet

A gift from the Earth.
Ruby red pockets of juice.
Pick one.
Eat two.
One for me-
None for you.
All's fair with kids!

Pastel, 7.5 x 9.5, $175.


August 1, 2008

Beautiful Tree

Tribute to a Beautiful Earth Series:
Celebrating and Conserving Our Planet


"I THINK that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree."
Said Joyce Kilmer 1886-1918

This tree was posing in all its beauty.
Trunk velvet black against the vibrant greens.
Sun dappled through the leaves and grass.



Pastel, 5x7, $100.