A little star power

John Ratzenberger was back in Providence and I got together with him to give him the painting he commissioned. He kindly consented to have his picture taken with me. Not everyday that I get to rub elbows with TV stars!

Mums and seckel pears

Oil on canvas, 16" x 16"

Well , the holidays really have a way of interfering with normal everyday life. Most of the time I'm pretty disciplined about working, but once in a while I just can't face going into the studio just to paint a few tedious details to finish a painting. I think this one is done, although the photo could be better.

Morning shadow-sold

Oil on canvas, 6" x 8"

I see this house on the east side of Providence when I go to my teaching job on Tuesdays, and it always intrigues me. I guess because it faces east and I love the tree shadow, no matter the season, but autumn yellow looks especially good against the pale green.

Bandshell, Roger Williams Park

Oil on panel, 8" x 10"

This bandshell is a Rhode Island icon, and I've seen so many paintings and photos of it that I really had no desire to paint it myself. This particular morning, though, the light was nice, I was with some friends, and, mostly, the parking lot was just a few steps away.

Cumberland mill

Oil on panel, 8" x 10"

The Blackstone River valley in Rhode Island and Massachusetts is the birthplace of the industrial age in America. This mill is a remnant of that birth.

On another note, the Foundry show opens in just a couple of weeks! I can't believe it's almost here. I've been busily framing lots of little pictures to sell, along with my floral notecards and my book. Put it on your calendar if you're in the area. It's open the first two weekends in December. Opening night is Thursday, Dec. 3.

Trees and pond

Oil on panel, 8" x 10"

Another painting done at Roger Williams Park. The park is a real jewel.

The red tree- sold

Oil on panel, 8" x 8"

Anne and I went painting at Roger Williams Park in Providence the other day, and I found this little red tree shedding its leaves in the Japanese Garden. It's actually on a little island in a lagoon, connected by a bridge to another island. I left the bridge out- it would have been in the background on the left- because it just would have pulled attention away from the tree. Someday, though, I would like to do a painting that includes one or more of the bridges, and the water lilies that are there in the summer.

Waiter-sold

Oil on canvas, 5" x 5"

From a trip to New York in the recent past. This will also be at the Copley Society for their Holiday show.

On another note- I was looking at Mike Rooney's blog a few weeks ago. He made a nifty little rack to hold wet painting panels from pegboard and dowels, which I figured was something I could use and maybe I'd make one. Then I was in my kitchen the other day and had a little brainstorm- a dish drainer does the same thing perfectly!

Still life with Linda's stuff

Oil on canvas, 20" x 24"

I borrowed a bunch of things from my friend Linda because I was bored with my stuff, then proceeded to spend way too much time painting them. I've been working on this, off and on, for about 2 weeks, and am SO glad I can finally dismantle the still life and paint something new.

Garden at Roger Williams Park

Oil on panel, 8" x 10"

I'd been wanting to paint this statue and garden in front of the Roger Williams Park Casino in Providence and finally got to do it this past weekend.

Sunlit mums- sold

Oil on canvas,16" x 20"

This is actually a painting I did a while ago- I've got lots of paintings underway but nothing quite finished to post today. On another note, yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting John Ratzenberger, known to most people as Cliff the postman on the TV show Cheers. He was in Providence, stopped into JRS Fine Art, saw my work and liked it. Long story short, he's commissioned a (little) painting from me- yay!

Curve in the road

Oil on canvas, 6" x 6"

Candlelight conversation-sold

Oil on canvas, 5" x 5"

These little 5" x 5" paintings will be available at the Copley Society of Art in Boston early in December. Copley has a group of beginning collectors called "the circle"; they have a party for them where they are invited to jump in and get their feet wet as collectors by buying these little unframed paintings for $200.00. Last year it was a sellout!

Three guys

Oil on canvas, 5" x 5"

I wonder what they were talking about... politics? sports? women?...

Autumn morning

Oil on panel, 8" x 10"

This was painted on the same day last week as yesterday's post. I did some more work on it the next day, when the paint had dried enough to allow putting in the grasses in front.

Autumn reflections- sold

Oil on panel, 8" x 10"