For the Christmas Season

 A couple of Churches I have painted in Cranford. This is a small watercolor study of the Alliance Church in Cranford. Below is a small oil painting. The watercolor is hanging in The Artist Framer Gallery in Cranford. At the bottom is an oil painting of the same church.

"Portrait of Jessica", by Stephen D'Amato, Oil on Linen, 12" x 16", 2009

I painted this last spring. I am going to be photographing more of my work in the coming months. I'm posting this one now but I'll reshoot it with better lighting.

Historic Photographs of Teachers at The Art Students League in NYC

   I love these old photos where the instructors wore suits and ties. I learned the most about Painting and Drawing at The Art Students League in New York City. There is no other place like The League and no other place that offers good instruction a low cost. Some of my favorite instructors were Michael Burban for anatomy and Costa Vavagakis for drawing. Sharon Sprung and Harvey Dinnerstein are great painting instructiors.

New Exhibitions

   My lastest showings include: my watercolor "Wildwood Pier" December 1, 2009–January 4, 2010
  Small Works Exhibition
Manhattan Borough President’s Office Gallery
1 Centre St. - December 1, 2009–January 4, 2010
and my oil painging "Morning Cup" at the Art Students League
215 W. 57th Street, New York, NY
  Holiday Exhibition and Sale
December 4 – 24, 2009
  The Hoiday Show at the Artist Framer in Cranford, NJ
North Avenue and Alden Street
is showing four of my watercolors through January 2, 2010.

"NYC Skyline", Stephen D'Amato, Watercolor, 22" x 15" 1997

   This is an older watercolor, a favorite of mine that brings back a lot of memories. My good friend Mark was kind to lend me his Jersey City Heights loft for the weekend. His place has huge windows that offer this great view of Manhattan. I was really inspired to be there.

Painting at the JACS Studio Tour, in May 2009, in Cranford

This was a fun day. I shared space with another artist at the gallery Simply.
JACS offers art classes and sponsors events like the Artist Studio Tour.
A painting a brief bio of mine is in their 2009 event.
http://www.jcas.org/ARTIST_PAGE.html

Wildwood Crest from the Beach, by Stephen D'Amato, watercolor - 12" x 16" -Sept. 2008

 This watercolor was painted from the beach in Wildwood Crest. The morning light is really nice hitting the buildings.

  This is from the boardwalk looking at the pier. Watercolor 9" x 6"

Inspiration: this is Christina's World by Andrew Wyeth 1948. Tempera on gessoed panel, 32 1/4 x 47 3/4"

   This is one of my favorite pieces by Wyeth. The one that made him famous. Beautiful narrative, Christina Olson was crippled as many of us now know. But not knowing that there was something romantic about this. 

   He painted his life. The people, the places and objects that meant something to him in whatever way. When I look at an Andrew Wyeth painting, I feel like I am stepping into his world.

  The Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford, PA is a great place to see alot of his work. There are also a couple of tours - one of NC Wyeths house and studio and the other is the Kuerner's farm.

 http://www.brandywinemuseum.org/

"Young Woman in Violet", by Stephen D'Amato, Oil on Canvas, 11" x 14" (May 09)

 

This was a three hour painting session. I felt I captured the essence of her. I like feeling spontanious with this also the thickness of paint. She was an interesting looking model.

Inspiration: this is Edward Hopper's "Mansard Roof"

   I find a lot of inspiration from some of Hopper's work. His watercolors are fresh and loose. He also pays a lot of attention to the warmth of light. Hopper painted watercolors on location. Although with some of his paintings with figures seem wooden-like, the overall feel is very interesting, conveying feelings of stillness, loneliness, isolation and notations of city and vacation life.

  This website of Hopper's work and life is really interesting. A scrapbook as stated. Take a look.  An Edward Hopper Scrapbook

"Morning Cup" by Stephen D'Amato, Oil on Canvas, 8" x 10" (Aug 09)

 

    During the summer and on Saturdays I would make my morning coffee in this perculator that I've had for over 25 years now. I am always in search of the perfect or near perfect cup of coffee. 

   There are a few places in town that I grab a cup on the go. One favorite is City Grind on North Ave.  The coffee is always fresh and they are located across from the train station. They also have entertainment on Friday nights and some paintings hanging on their walls. Cool atmosphere - check them out. 

http://www.citygrindonline.com/

Exhibitions

   I am currently exhibiting four watercolor in a group show at the Artist Framer Gallery in Cranford New Jersey. The Artist Framer Gallery is located on the corner of North Ave and Alden St.

   The watercolors were done on location at various spots in the town of Cranford.

Jersey City Skyline by Stephen D'Amato watercolor 12" x 16" (July 09)

This one is done from the Battery Park area.

Jersey City Docks by Stephen D'Amato Watercolor 12" x 16" (July 09)

I also did some painting around the Jersey City area this summer. Some of the old docks were still in tack. The park restoration committee will tearing these down quickly if they haven't already. I enjoyed painting that rusty old spindle/wheel on the right.

Side View of the Cranford Hotel by Stephen D'Amato watercolor (Aug. 09))

I did this small watercolor sketch this summer of the Cranford Hotel. It will be on display at the holiday show at the Artist Framer Gallery in Cranford, NJ. The show will be up until Jan. 2 of 2010. I was very happy with the fresh color and looseness of this one.

Wikiki Hotel in Wildwood Crest

 
















I painted this watercolor on the beach. We have been spending a week down at Wildwood Crest, NJ.
I find the tacky, retro motels at Wildwood Crest fun and interesting.

Jessica, Oil on Canvas, 2008 30" x 30'

Ralph 2007 Oil on Canvas 24" x 24"

Dancers Apart - 2007, by Stephen D'Amato , 24" x 24", Oil on Canvas