new work…old frames

I have a love of antiques ~ all things beautifully made that tells a story of the past. Whenever I travel, I try to make a point to stop into antique stores or flea markets – because you never know what kind of treasures you’ll find. I love old leather-bound books, rustic wooden letter boxes, old luggage tags, weathered wrought iron gates, antique mirrors….but more specifically, I’m inspired by metal patinas. In all of my work, my focus is to portray a sense of a patina – I use various techniques to accomplish this and one of them is the use of gold or silver leaf in my paintings….I manipulate the metal leaf to give the work a sense of antiquity.

So, when I came across these antique ceiling tin panels a few years ago – I was immediately inspired to try these as an alternate way of framing some of my paintings. The combination of my oil & gold leaf paintings with the rustic patina surface of the ceiling tin panel combines really well. I love the result! Here’s three new paintings done on wood panels and then adhered onto the ceiling tin panels:

"Gilded Field," oil & gold leaf on antique ceiling tin panel, 24"x24" (contact me for availability and pricing info)

"Fieldscapes I &II", oil & gold leaf on antique ceiling tin panel, 12"x12" each (contact me for availability and pricing info)

winter solstice ~ inspiration in jamestown, rhode island

W  I  N  T  E  R

It’s that time of year again; the one I long to dread – but this year I decided to find the beauty within the cold darker days of the winter season. I always have my camera on hand . . . a mobile memory capturing device – enabling me to hold onto the visual that inspires me long enough to put brush to panel. I’m currently working on many new mixed media tree and seascape paintings (I’ll post images of those once they’re completed). But for now…here’s a few recent images I shot of my local landscape. A visual journal:

for the love of the  S E A…

for the love of  T R E E S…

“Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.” ~ Twyla Tharp

Interior Design Installation

I have had the pleasure of working with local Rhode Island Interior Designer, Ellen McKenna, of Ellen McKenna Design. We’ve worked together on a few occasions and I think her interiors are gorgeously done – each one is unique as she delivers a design that is individually tailored to each of her clients. Most recently, Ellen selected several of my paintings to be included in one of her residential design projects in Mystic, CT. (Photographs by Michael Eudenbach)

(If interested in any of these paintings, please contact me for pricing and availability)

“Branching Out III” print in the holiday issue of Artfulhome

"Branching Out III" print

My “branching out” gicleé print has been selected to be included in this holiday season’s issue of Artfulhome. The catalog is mailed out to over half a million homes nationwide.

If you’d like to receive their catalog, visit the Artfulhome website to be put on their mailing list.

And…give the gift of art for the holidays!

New from the seascape series…

"Fog on the Horizon," oil & silver leaf on wood panel, 36"x36"

fall in full swing…

So far fall has delivered great things…the weather is absolutely gorgeous – many paintings are finding new homes – and commissions are in progress.

Two weekends ago I had a great time at the Newport Arts Festival. Being right in my back yard it was a nice to be able to just walk down to the show from my studio. A Big thank you to the staff and volunteers at Looking Upwards….they hussled to put on the reschedule show and everyone did a great job. It was nice to meet up with old faces, and to meet some new friends as well. And, it was an extra bonus to be awarded Best in Show!!

Natalie of Natanya Elka, Liza of Dasken Designs, and me (at the Newport Art Festival)

During this past weekend I enjoyed a much-needed break from the heavy art show schedule. My good friend (and amazing artist), Jennifer J.L. Jones flew into Newport for a visit. It was great to take a bit of time off from studio work – we visited the local galleries, walked along the beaches, drank lots of coffee and talked shop. Jennifer’s work is beautiful – her contemporary mixed media paintings are full of beautiful color and texture.

This upcoming weekend I’ll be at the Bruce Museums Art Festival. It’s a gorgeous show located in Greenwich, CT. It’s my last outdoor show of the season – so I hope to see you there!

there may be rain…but there’s no hurricane.

Hurricane Irene may have washed out the Newport Arts Festival’s original scheduled date during that last weekend in August — but it’s been rescheduled for this coming weekend….so the show goes on!

Rain, however, is in the forecast here in Newport this weekend, but it looks to be a mildly wet one with slight on and off rain (with no threat of tropical winds). So, it’ll be the perfect weekend to come out and view art made by artists around the country.

The Newport Arts Festival is a fundraising event for Middletown, RI based nonprofit agency Looking Upwards. Looking Upwards supports adults with developmental disabilities and children with diverse needs to live fulfilling lives.

September 24 & 25 @ the Newport Yatching Center – 4 Commercial Wharf

on the brink of fall…

I’m always out walking along the beach or hiking thru nature trails — soaking in all things inspirational. The fall is my absolute favorite time to explore nature (well, in New England anyway). The colors in New England in the fall are amazing, and the light is gorgeous. The leaves on the trees start to develop an aging patina, the water looks clear and deep in color, the air feels crisp and clean. So as we’re on the brink of fall…I head out with coffee, camera and sketch book in hand – excited to just see what I’ll see…

inspiration captured on camera:

inspiration captured on paper:

Traveling back to the Hamptons…

I’m headed to the Hamptons once more before the summer is officially over. This weekend I’ll be at the Westhampton fine arts festival, located on the south shore of long island ny.

Saturday & Sunday ~ September 3 & 4 (Labor Day weekend)

For directions and additional information, please visit the show’s website.

Hope to see you there!

"Botanical Relief II" oil & gold leaf on wood panel, 30"x30"

Rescheduled: Newport Fine Art Festival

“low tide” triptych, acrylic, oil & gold leaf on wood panel, 6″x6″ each

UPDATE:

Due to the expected arrival of Hurricane Irene – The Newport Arts Festival has been canceled and has been reschedule for the weekend of the 24 & 25th of September.

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I’m excited about this weekend’s upcoming event ~ it’s not only a great show supporting a wonderful cause, but it’s also in walking distance to my studio!

If you are in the Newport RI area this weekend, please join me at the 5th Annual Newport Arts Festival.

August 27 & 28 @ the Newport Yatching Center – 4 Commercial Wharf

find them on facebook.

*(Newport Arts Festival is a fundraising event for Middletown, RI based nonprofit agency Looking Upwards. Looking Upwards supports adults with developmental disabilities and children with diverse needs to live fulfilling lives).