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Behind the Brush: Local Scenes
I moved to New Bedford from Ohio when I was 14. I fell in love with Buzzards Bay, Horseneck Beach, the New Bedford harbor and beaches, and the surrounding area of farms and woodlands. I have never gotten over my enjoyment of crossing the Fairhaven Bridge and seeing the boats in the harbor. My love for this area is, in part, responsible for me taking up painting. There are so many places in this area that inspire me. All I have to do is go for a walk or a drive with my sketchbook and camera, and something almost...
Behind the Brush: Autumn Collection
One of the reasons I like living here in New England is the four seasons. Light, shadow, texture and color change so much throughout the year that I am never at a loss for interesting and challenging subjects. New England is world famous for the Autumn colors. An artist would have to be pretty oblivious not to be inspired and overwhelmed by the magnificent show every Fall here in the New England. I have found my local area (New Bedford-South Coast) to be quite inspiring. We have seaside, woods, farmland, marshland, tidal inlets, rivers, bays, harbors and more....
Behind the Brush: Figures and People
When I first started painting, I mainly focused on landscapes and seascapes. A patron (soon-to-be friend) in Greece asked me for a portrait of his grandson, who was about three years old at the time. I told him I didn’t do portraits. He said, “Well, it’s about time you do.” He now owns over 20 of my paintings; when I was just starting out, he owned about 5, so I smartly decided to keep him happy. I followed the kid around for half a day, taking photos and doing quick sketches. He moved around a lot. I played with him...
Behind the Brush: New England Life Series
As an artist, everything I see is a source of inspiration. When you know and love a place, your artistic response is, by definition, intimate and appreciative. I know and love where I live here in New England. I came here as a 13-year-old from the Midwest. I have never become bored or complacent about this area. Even the Fairhaven bridge is still magical for me as it forces me (sometimes with terrible timing) to stop and take in the harbor, the boats, and the sea wall. I love sharing my appreciation and feelings for this area—hence my New England Life series. I tend to...
Behind the Brush: Commission Paintings
I love doing commissions. I take inspiration from whatever the clients have in mind for a piece. I have enjoyed every one of my commissions because the paintings usually contain subjects I would not have done. Commissions push me out of my comfort zone so that I get to deal with a whole new set of parameters and subject matter. I do love the collaborative aspect of commissions. I get to know my clients by what they want in art; I often see where they live, and we talk about what they want and why. I really get a...