Life Drawing Sessions from 2024 and 2025

 

Plein Air Watercolor And Ink Sketches

 

 Some of my recent and old sketches.

Princeton Firestone Library, 8 x 5 inches, Watercolor and ink

 

 

 I've been interested in this area for a long time. I've observed it from different times and some different angles.

 

 

 

Mansard Roof Behind, 8 x 5 inches, Watercolor and ink

 

 

Songscapes June 2025

 My painting, Atlantic City, will be included in the upcoming, The Songscapes group exhibition.
The opening reception is next Sunday, June 1st, from 1-3 pm, at The Artist Framer, in Cranford.
The show continues through the month of June. 

Atlantic City, Stephen D'Amato, 10" x 8” image, Watercolor and Ink, 2025

The theme of the Songscapes exhibit is to pick a song (any song) and make a work of art inspired by it. I chose Bruce Springsteen's Atlantic City. This song has always been a favorite of mine. An example of great, haunting storytelling that conjures many emotions. Atlantic City was emerging as a casino city in the early 1980s, after years of decay and this was accompanied with rival, organized crime gangs vying for control. I wanted to depict a cold, boardwalk night scene with the main character. The lyrics capture the character's struggle attempting to convince himself, his lover, and the rest of us listening, that he has a way out.

The Artist Framer
116 North Avenue West, Cranford, NJ 07016
Regular hours are:
Monday - Saturday
from 10am - 5pm

https://youtu.be/_vy8edcyvHU?si=KA5wap5ul-hLwuJL

Bob Dylan Portrait

 

Bob Dylan, watercolor, 8 x 10 inches, 2025   Sold

 

  My new painting of Bob Dylan. My interest to paint this portrait was piqued after seeing the recent movie, A Complete Unknown. Even though the movie deals with Dylan's early parts of his career and his decision to go electric, I choose to work from the black and white photograph from Ken Regan. 

  I relied on my past experience of figurative oil painting instruction, to help get the desired effects and color modeling I wanted. Regan took his photograph during the 1975 Rolling Thunder Revue tour. It was sort of a come back tour in which Dylan had a minstrel look, which included his colorful scarves and his hat with flowers attached.

For inquires of purchase, contact me at:
spdamato@gmail.com

A Slice Of Life, March 2025

My painting, "Exploring My Heritage", will be included in this year's, A Slice Of Life exhibit, at The Artist Framer.

 

Exploring My Heritage, watercolor, ink and graphite, 8 x 8 inches, 2025

 

 This painting incorporates enjoyment and contemplation. The enjoyment of brewing and drinking espresso coffee is paired with studying the mastery of the great, Italian renaissance artists. This small moka pot has served me well over the years making great coffee. I enjoy the preparation as well. I will always marvel over the drawings from my favorite artists. Here I choose to copy a few favorites. In the center is an angel study from Leonardo di Vinci and the other two drawings are my copies from Andrea del Sarto.

*** The opening reception is Sunday, March 2nd from 1- 3pm. ***

 The exhibit will be displayed from March 2nd - March 29th. 

 There are over 50 pieces in the show. Each one is created by an artist with the Slice Of Life theme. The artist can use any medium they choose, provided it is created on a piece of mat board that measures 8 x 8 inches. All sales are to be handled through The Artist Framer.

The Artist Framer
116 North Avenue West, Cranford, NJ 07016  
Opened Monday - Saturday from 10am - 5pm

 

Stephen D’Amato 908.377.9677 spdamato@gmail.com

Back View -The Old Artist Framer Building

Back View - The Old Artist Framer Building, Watercolor and Ink, 8 1/2 x 11, 2025

The building was painted with violet and yellow color. I am always interested in these back views of the buildings in Cranford. The old wood landings that serve as fire escapes and possibly rear entrances have a warm feeling and presence. This top landing had all the color trim as well. The Artist Framer has now found a new location on North Ave. and this former residence has been repainted. I'm glad to have captured it from it's former state.
 

2024 Season's Greetings Exhibit

.

 

 

Show on Display:
 Dec. 8th - Jan. 1st

*** Opening Reception: ***
Sunday December 8th from 1-3PM 

 

I have the following four paintings in the show. 

 

Stephen D’Amato, American Gothic Sunset, watercolor and ink, 6x8 framed

 

Stephen D’Amato, Snowfall From Nomahegan Park, watercolor and ink, 6x8 framed

 Sold

 

 

Stephen D’Amato, Ice Rescue Ladder, watercolor and ink, 6x8 framed

Stephen D’Amato, Christmas-Hanson House, watercolor and ink, 6x8 framed

Please contact The Artist Framer for any purchases.
(908) 931-1133, theartistframer@hotmail.com 

https://artistframer.com/

Stephen D'Amato  908-377-9677   spdamato@gmail.com

New Exhibit At The Mayo Arts

 I am participating in an art exhibit at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown. The NJ Art Association has a group show entitled, Artistic Journeys. It can be viewed from November 26, 2024 – January 14, 2025. Viewing hours are by appointment between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, and for ticket holders before and after performances. 

***There will be a reception on Sunday, Dec. 8th, 2024, from 5 - 7 p.m. All are welcome. 

My painting, Snowfall With Sunlight Breaking Through, will be featured in the exhibit.

Stephen D’Amato, Snowfall With Sunlight Breaking Through, 2024, watercolor, framed 12x16

 

 100 South Street, Morristown, NJ
https://www.mayoarts.org/

Stephen D'Amato  908-377-9677   spdamato@gmail.com

2024 Season's Greetings Cards Available

My 2024 holiday greetings cards are now available for purchase. They are 7 x 5 inch folded cards with envelopes. The inside message is: Season's Greetings.  They are $2.00 each with a minimum of 10 cards. You can pick them up at my home, here, in Cranford, or I can ship them to you. Allow an additional $10.00 for shipping and a week or so to receive them.
Contact me if interested with a text, call or email. Venmo preferred, but other methods are accepted.

Stephen D'Amato  908-377-9677   spdamato@gmail.com

Stephen D’Amato, Christmas-Hanson House, watercolor and ink

After Edward Hopper's Gas

I'm currently participating in a group show called, Fabulous Fakes. Each artist has copied a famous artist's work, either exactly or in their own interpretation. I chose Edward Hopper's Gas, which is an oil painting, but I used watercolor and fountain pen inks. It was interesting to study his technical mastery, but most importantly for me, is the visual poetry in his work.

After Edward Hopper's Gas, Stephen D'Amato, 2024,

watercolor and fountain ink pens, framed 11x14 inches, 

available for purchase at The Artist Framer in Cranford, NJ.

 

Show on Display:
OCTOBER 14th - NOVEMBER 10th
*** Join us for the Closing Reception, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10th from 1-3PM ***
The Artist Framer Gallery
116 North Ave West, Cranford, NJ 07066
https://artistframer.com/

 

Prints of my painting of Perrotti's, are also available for purchase at The Artist Framer.

 

Perrotti's, photographic print, image size 8x10, matted and ready for framing. 

Originally painted in 2010.

Morning Snow At Hanson's House

I'm happy to announce that my painting, Morning Snow At Hanson's House, will be featured in The New Jersey Art Association's current group exhibition, at Chilton Medical Center, in Pompton Plains, NJ.

*** The opening reception will be held this Tuesday evening, July 9th, 2024,
from 6 - 8 pm. ***

Refreshments will be served. 

The exhibit will be in the main hallway and also the adjacent hallway.

The reception will be in the room further down the adjacent hallway.

If you can't make the reception, the exhibit can be viewed until September 27th.

Morning Snow At Hanson's House, Watercolor, 2024, framed 24 x 20 inches

 

 

 

 

 

CHILTON MEDICAL CENTER GALLERY
97 West Pkwy, Pompton Plains, NJ
Main Entrance Hallways

(Use the main entrance to the Medical Center from West Parkway, Pompton Plains.
The visitor parking lot is located across from the hospital adjacent to the Collins Pavilion.)

https://www.atlantichealth.org/locations/hospitals/chilton-medical-center.html

Racing In The Street

Racing In The Street, watercolor and ink, 16 x 20 framed

 

My painting, Racing In The Street, will featured in the group show entitled Songscapes, at The Artist Framer, in Cranford, NJ. The exhibit can be seen for the month of June. Inspired by Bruce Springsteen's song by the same title, from his Darkness On The Edge Of Town LP.

**The opening reception is this Friday evening, May 31st, from 6-8 pm.

Hope you can you check it out.

Back Of The Apartments On North Ave.

Back Of The Apartments On North Ave.  Watercolor and Ink   8 x 8 inches

sold

 

This painting features a view of the back of the apartments on North Avenue, in Cranford. It's kind of depressing looking in real life, but I wanted to focus on what one section could look like, with a warmer touch, that some residents have added.

I also like the old looking fire escapes that the residents use as their entrance. It reminds me of the depression era of life in the 1930s. I’ve been working on this theme for quite some time now and hope some of the larger ones will workout soon.

Many sketches and attempts lately, but I feel I’m refining what I want to express and explore here. This particular one will be featured in an upcoming group show at The Art Framer's Slice Of Life show, in March.

Holiday Show At The Artist Framer

These four 8 x 6 inch watercolors are currently in the Holiday Show at The Artist Framer in Cranford. However, they all have sold and may not be displayed throughout the entirety of the exhibit. The group show is hanging until the New Year.

https://artistframer.com/

Entrance #6 after snow, watercolor and ink pen, 8 x 6 2023

sold

Two styled gothic farmhouses, watercolor and ink pen, 8 x 6 2023

sold

Snowfall at the Cranford Clock, watercolor and ink pen, 8 x 6 2023

sold

The white house in snow, watercolor and ink pen, 8 x 6 2023

sold

Best In Show, At The Clifton Art Center

Grateful and honored to to have been awarded Best In Show, for my painting, Night Moves! The reception of The NJ Art Association was this past Saturday, at The Clifton Arts Center.

The show will be exhibited until Dec. 9th.
Clifton City Hall Municipal Complex at 900 Clifton Avenue in Clifton, NJ.
Nov. 8th - Dec. 9th

Viewing from Wednesday - Saturday 1-4pm

Reception, Saturday, November 18th, 1-4 pm.
https://cliftonartscenter.org/gallery-exhibits

 

Night Moves

 

"Night Moves", 2023 watercolor, 10 x 6 1/2 inches

This scene is taken from my Mom’s back patio. I usually am up at my Mom’s place once a week. I would sit out here late at night when most of the senior residents there were asleep. I felt a very still, quietness at those times. Very peaceful.
 

Shore Paintings 2023 - Plein Air

“Sea Mist”, unframed, watercolor, 5” x 7”, $200

“Cape May Lifeguard Chair”, watercolor, 8” x 10”,  $150 unframed, $250 framed.

“Cape May Beach From Walkway”, unframed, watercolor, 12” x 9”, $250

“Congress Hall Entrance”, unframed, watercolor ink,
5 1/2 x 7 1/2””, $125

“Wildwood Crest Beach, Late Afternoon ”,
unframed, watercolor, 7 1/2” x 5 1/2”, $150

“Wildwood Crest Overcast”, unframed, watercolor, 9” x 6”, $125

 

 

 

“Wildwood Crest Walkway Pier Walkway”
unframed, watercolor,9” x 6”, $100

 

All inquiries text, call or email:

Stephen D’Amato
908.377.9677
spdamato@gmail.com

 

An Award Of Excellence, August 23, 2023

Maria, 2010, oil, framed 24 x 24 inches

 I'm grateful to have received an Award Of Excellence, from the NJ Art Association, at The Morris County Library Exhibit. The exhibit was viewable from August 1st through August 30th.

Corner View

 

“Corner View”. 2023 Watercolor on Arches 140 lb. paper. 10 1/2 x 15 inches.

The spring/summer foliage offers partial views, which I find interesting and somewhat dramatic.

 

For inquiries call, text or email:

Stephen D'Amato

908-377-9677
spdamato@gmail.com

Chilton Medical Center Award

Late Afternoon Light, 2023,watercolor, framed 28 x 22 inches

 I'm happy to have received an Award Of Merit at The Chilton Medical Center Exhibit, with the NJ Art Association. This show is currently can be viewed through September 8. All sales are handled through Chilton Medical Center and The NJ Art Association.

Chilton Medical Center, 97 West Pkwy, Pompton Plains, NJ.

Self-Portrait (May 2023)

Self-Portrait, 2023, 13 x 17 inches, watercolor on Arches 140lb paper.
Framed 18 x 24 inches. $600.00

I’m happy to have completed this Self-Portrait today. I have also delivered it to the gallery, which is featuring a Self-Portrait Exhibit for the month of June.

 

I chose to do more of an “environment self-portrait” this time. I believe it says more about me and where I make make art and where I have created my music. My favorite books and sketch books are also there.

The exhibition is at The Artist Framer in Cranford. Opening reception is Saturday, June 3rd, 6-9pm.

The Artist Framer