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

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

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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