My First Commission

During July, I was asked by a client to create a large painting for a specific room. The room had a wood floor and an inviting fireplace. The painting was to go over the fireplace. In considering a piece to fill the space, I was reminded if a recent trip I had taken to Paris in April.

The sun was shining, and we went into a famous brasserie and was struck by the colors that set these spaces apart from other eating places. I developed several impressions of these colors in small studies. The wooded bar, the bright red colors and the combinations worked well in the space for which they were designed. One of the impressions was chosen by my client. It was done as a 24" x 36" acrylic on canvas. Here it is:

French Brasserie

July Work Explores What Makes an Abstract Figure Look Like Eastern Art

During the month of July, I became excited about experimenting with a softer palette, one that uses bright but aqueous colors in different context. I tried to mute the canvases of these works and everyone told me that they reminded them of Japanese and Chinese Art -- but with completely abstract figures.

Here are several examples of these works:

Happy Day

Asian Feeling

More Development in June

Now that I am painting in larger time blocks, I am able to explore how to create effects by use of the brush and colors. I have always been impressed, in realistic art, by how the artist is able to create the effect of a veil or lace by painting a light overcolor on a figure.

In abstract art, we have our own lace or veils by way of the window, through which we see the shapes. Not all windows are clear. Indeed if you look at most of the windows you see in real life, they are cloudy or dusty and the prettiest scene is often seen through an imperfect glass.

Several of my works were strong and impactful shapes but even these might be viewed or toned down by the barrier through which they are seen. Here are several of my pieces painted in June. Notice how the painted "veil" imparts new and different meanings the the works.

Through a Stained Glass

Under The Boardwalk