Monday, February 15, 2010

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island 9" x 12" Watercolor 2009



  
  I've painted this scene a number times. There is a section at Liberty State Park where both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are visible. My Grandparents came through Ellis Island back in 1912 I think?

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Stormy snow weather photographs 2-10-10

 
 
  






  



  Went for a walk in the snow today and took some pictures. We really got a blizzard this time.



Sunday, February 7, 2010

Interesting Lecture at the Art Students League Feb. 2, 2010



Jennifer Pena's "Return of the Raptor"

  Jennifer Pena gave a really interesting lecture with her birds of prey. A great opportunity for sketching and taking photographs.









(Photo by Rebecca Blackwell ©2003



Wednesday, February 3, 2010

"Eastman Plaza Building", Watercolor, 2009, 12" x 16"

   
   I painted this one Sunday morning. The town was a little more quiet and the coffee shop was opening up for the day. There is something about an early Sunday morning in a town when the pace is a little slower and more relaxed than usual. A memory of growing up in Pompton Plains, my Dad used to go to the bakery and pickup jelly donuts and crumb buns for our breakfast. This painting has some of that memory instilled in it.

   My watercolor and oil paintings done outdoors are refered to as "plein air"*  paintings and are painted a more loose manner than my paintings done in the studio. These "plein air" paintings are usually done in one session. There is a lot to consider in doing this type of work. The biggest challege for me is the changing of the light. I prefer working in the early morning hours or late afternoon, when the light and shadows are more dramatic.
  
*En plein air (French pronunciation: [ɑ̃ plɛ ˈnɛr]) is a French expression which means "in the open air", and is particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors.

Blue Skies Ahead

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 o...