521 - Blue Days of Fall,$350 (Watercolor, 8.25" x 11.5")
This is another of my "intuitive" abstract paintings in that I start with no particular intention in mind. Starting with the colors blue and burnt orange, I work with shape and line. For some reason, floral cup shapes come to mind and I paint them one after another. They seem to float as if they are wind blown. Perhaps, they are the remnants of summer flowers being gently blown away to make room for winter.
518 - Double Spiral,$350 (Watercolor, 8.25" x 11.5")
This painting was an experiment in watercolor painting without preplanning. That is, I was challenged by Peter Bonner, instructor at The Art Students League of New York, to create a painting without a prepatory sketch. Working wet on wet, I set the stage by painting two big spirals in the center. Now what? The fun begins; painting here and there, the design emerges. The two interlocking spirals revolve around each, or is it an embrace?
517 - Spiral Gyre 6, $350 (Watercolor, 8"x 9.25")
Sometimes I get lucky and a painting goes smoothly. That is the case with "Spiral Gyre 6". It is the same design as "Spiral Gyre 4", with the arms of the spiral moving away from the center. While I push and pull with the watercolor, dropping some orange here, blue there, I like to think of the great spirals of the cosmos. Such a wonderful universe.
516 - Spiral Gyre 5, $500 (Watercolor, 10" x 14")
Sometimes, I like to paint the same design a couple of times. Change the color, size, and value, then you have a different painting. This painting speaks a bit softer than "Spiral Gyre 3". Maybe the spiral has settled in to a gentler mood.
515 - Spiral Gyre 4, $500 (Watercolor, 14" x 16")
With Spiral Gyre #4 of the "Spiral Gyre" series, the main spiral is starting to unravel. In this depiction, I wanted to hint at movement and depth. And, who knows, maybe the spiral will tighten up again as it spins around?
514 - Spiral Gyre 3, $500 (Watercolor, 13" x 17")
In this third painting of the Spiral Gyre series, I present you with a portrait of a spiral. And, this one has interlocking grooves and arms. It alludes to spinning, and yet it is stationary. Down in the left hand corner, a newer spiral is just starting it's journey. Who knows where it will go? Mainly, I like spirals because the, move in a circular fashion, but never come back to the same exact spot.
511 - When the Music Begins, $850 (Watercolor, 14 x 20)
"When the Music Begins" started with a squiggle drawn in my sketchbook. Then, I started to build the drawing by adding lines, shapes, and tone. I imagine the process as being like jazz music improvisations. I riff on the shape of spirals, dots, and grids. The next thing I know, I see an image that reminds me of the music playing in my mind, complete with black and white piano keys.
506 - Spiral Gyre #2, $650 (Watercolor,21 x 15)
While imagining my next series of paintings, a spiral theme popped into my mind. I like the idea that life sometimes resembles a spiral. Much like a circle, it seems like we come to places that we have been before in our lives. But, theses places are not exactly the same because the context is different. Hence the spiral seems appropriate to me. And,it is fitting for me to resurrect the title "Spiral Gyre" from a 2008 painting and turn it into a series. The spiral continues and more to come!
498 - Three Minute Egg #14 , Blue Espresso Cup, $450 (Watercolor 17" x 14")
This is my 14th painting in the "Three Minute Egg" series. The defining moment was when I decided to make the espresso cup blue. It makes the small espresso cup seem more assertive. Plus, it was a fun exercise in orchestrating blues!
496 - Three Minute Egg, Espresso and Timer, $650 (Watercolor, 18.5" x 13.5")
This is the 13th painting in the "Three Minute Egg" series of paintings. I am inspired by memories of Saturday morning breakfasts with three minute eggs. It was always sort of exotic. The egg cups came from our parent's time in Europe. It made breakfasts a little more special. I chose the colors to emphasize the idea of morning and happy memories.
493 - Three Minute Egg #12, $650 (Watercolor, 14" x 21")
My favorite things: egg cups, espresso cups, a timer and a spoon. I am reminded of special family breakfasts we had when I was young. It just seemed exotic to have an egg served in an egg cup. I loved dunking my toast in the egg yolk. The design of the painting perhaps emphasizes the idea of remembering the past. The items are simplified and expressive rather than realistic. Its about playing with shapes and color to create something joyful.
474 - The Local Coffee Kiosk, $450 (Watercolor, 11" x 15")
In version nine of the Three Minute Egg series, the forms of the subject re-assert themselves. You might notice that I'm paying close attention to the orchestration of my two dominant colors: blue and yellowish.
459 - Angel of the Deep, NFS (Watercolor, 9.25" x 6")
If there are mermaids, are there mer-angels? I like to imagine such fantastical figures as being angels of the plants and animals of our deep, underwater world.
451 - Coffee at Black Cat Café, $650 (Watercolor, 14" x 21.5")
My three friends at the Black Cat Cafe are in their own worlds. I find it amusing how we can be together yet separated by our electronic devices. Ah, but they are enjoying a cup of coffee, with the black kitty looking on!
443 - Just A Taste, $650 (Watercolor, 20.5" x 14")
When I created the design for "Just A Taste", I was thinking about art walks, receptions and openings. Galleries are looking their best with artists on hand and musicians playing. I image the local people coming out for an evening of art and culture. Naturally, one would enjoy just a taste of wine and hors d'oeuvres to make the feast for the senses complete.