Art Reception/exhibit

My painting, "The Swan And The Golden Moon" is currently on display with the NJ Art Association's exhibit, at the Library of the Chathams, in Chatham, NJ.

MAY 1, 2026 TO MAY 30, 2026
LIBRARY OF THE CHATHAMS
CHATHAM NJ 

The Reception is Sunday May 17th, 2 - 4 PM

The Swan and The Golden Moon, watercolor, ink and graphite, framed 16 x 12 inches

other new work

James Dean, graphite and watercolor, 9 x 12 inches

 Sketchbook drawings 

graphite, ink and watercolor, 5.5 x 8.5 inches

 

New work 4-10-2026

Swan, watercolor, 10 x 8, 2026

Bardot, watercolor and graphite, 9 x 13 inches, 2026

Ballerina Sketch, watercolor, graphite and ink, 7 x 10 inches, 2026

Passion, watercolor, graphite and ink, 7 x 5 inches, 2026  NFS

Tatiana, from a drawing session, watercolor, 9 x 13 inches

Figure Drawing Session "Ryessa"

 My painting of our model Ryessa, from our figure drawing session, Thursday, March 19th.

Ryessa, watercolor, 13 x 10 inches

20 Minute initial quick sketch.

Ryessa, watercolor, 10 x 6.5 inches

New work and opening reception

 Slice Of Life 2026 exhibit

"My Regular Ride"

"My Regular Ride", 8 x 8 inches, watercolor, ink and graphite, 2026

This drawing is my entry in this year's, Slice Of Life exhibit. Riding my bike regularly is my main source of exercise and I really enjoy it. I especially like going out to ride the various bike trails in New Jersey, when I can. This winter being unusually cold and with some significant snow, has gotten me to change my routine a bit. I've switched to riding indoors, on my spin bike, until the weather gets a little warmer. I am looking forward to riding my old Trek 6000 bike again soon. I've made some more comfortable changes to it over the years. It is now also more efficient for the type of riding I like doing. 

*** The opening reception is Sunday, March 8th, from 1- 3pm. ***

The exhibit is on display now until April 4th. There are usually quite a number of entries in the show. This is my fourth year participating. Each piece is created by an artist with the Slice Of Life theme in mind. The artist can use any medium they choose, provided it is created with 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

 

From a recent figure drawing session.

A small 20 minute block in sketch for the composition and lighting. Graphite and watercolor.

"Brian." 10 x 14 inches. A longer pose with watercolor and graphite.

Stephen D’Amato, 908.377.9677,  spdamato@gmail.com

Painting gifts for my parents

I finished this painting for my Mom last night. I hope she'll like it. I worked from some older photos through time.

Mom, watercolor, 13 x 9 inches

This is a still-life that I painted for my Dad. It was a birthday present, as he turned 94 this month. Something for his kitchen area in his new place.

Still-life with fruit, watercolor, ink and graphite, 7 x 5 inches

Paintings from recent life drawing sessions

 Some recent watercolor paintings from local life drawings sessions. Always a great experience to paint in these nightly sessions and among other artists. I look forward to attending more.

Older Sketches For "Horror"

I found some old sketches I did while in Art School in the early 2000's. I was working towards a large painting entitled, "Horror", which was based around the horrible tsunami tragedy in Sri Lanka. I copied some of the amazing drawings of Raphael, to possibly use for the final piece. I didn't end up using them, but I carried the out the effect of using other drawings collaged together. These sketches are done using pencil and watercolor on paper. I like the emotion that came about as a result.

Horror, 2005, watercolor, ink and graphite, 30" x 22"

2025 Holiday Greeting Cards Available

My 2025 holiday greetings cards are now available for purchase.
I used my painting, "Snowfall With Sunlight Breaking Through", as my card this year. These two homes are familiar subjects for me. I've painted them numerous times from different angles and different times of the year. They are located a couple of blocks away and I've always been drawn to their old gothic style.

These 5 x 7 inch folded cards come with envelopes. The inside message reads: Season's Greetings. I am keeping the price at $2.00 each, with a minimum purchase of 10 cards. You can pick them up at my home, in Cranford, or I can ship them to you. Allow an additional $10.00 for shipping and a week to receive them.

*** I will be sending out all shipping orders on December 2nd and payments will need to be received beforehand. ***

Contact me if interested, with a text, call or email. Venmo preferred, but other methods can be accepted.

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

* I painted this scene last year and won an honorable mention award in the NJ Art Association exhibit, at the Mayo Performing Art Center. The original is a 8 x 10 inch watercolor and the frame is 12 x 16 inches. It is also currently available for purchase.

Ballet Drawings and Watercolors

These are some of my small paintings and sketches that I've been doing lately. I've been interested in ballet dancers and their various postures, both with their dancing and resting. I've collected photographic images to work from since my access to drawing dancers is not available. I look for poses that can suggest beauty, physical and emotional strength, a spiritual light, and poise. These pieces are roughly 5 x 8 inches, except for the first one which is a tiny 2 inches high. I used graphite, watercolor and fountain pen inks.

Young Dancer   NFS

Dancer 2

Couple Dancing

Tamara Rojo - Sleeping Beauty

Tamara Rojo - Giselle

Rudolf Nureyev

 

Rudolf Nureyev 2

Dancer At Rest

Tamara Rojo 

​​Irina Kolesnikova - Swan Lake

 

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

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