"Promise" - A record in time.

"Promise" pastel 20x24

The day was warm and muggy. Early morning the clouds were thick and low. It was the big tree on the fence line that had captured my attention. The field had recently been hayed and wild flowers were returning. As the painting evolved so did the weather. The light became more yellow as the clouds began to rise. Just as I was getting to done for the morning St. Regis mountain appeared in the distance. It had to be in there.

"Promise" is one of my favorite works. It is what plein air is about, capturing a point in time, a record of nature. The tree has since succumbed to the green ash borer. Inside of 2 years it has turned into a pen and ink drawing etched against the sky. There are some things one cannot do anything about.

"Promise" is in exhibit "Under Adirondack Influence" thanks to Sacandaga Valley Arts Network at the Northville Public Library now through the end of August. It's a good day trip or even an overnight. Check out Northville on the lake and maybe camp along Indian Lake.

Do call for library hours and when you get there ask for the lights and air to be turned on. Enjoy!

Northville Public Library                    
341 South Third Street
Northville, NY 12134
518-863-6922            
http://www.svanarts.org/arts.htm22

'Tis the Season... for Day Lilies

Summer Trumpets pastel 28x38

"Summer Trumpets" was great fun to paint. How many times can I get into the yellow spectrum in the pastel box and get away with it? The lilies were willing posers - capturing sunshine and breezes, bowing in the summer heat. What a great way to warm up a space.

"Summer Trumpets" is in the exhibition "Under Adirondack Influence" with over two dozen pastel paintings of the Adirondacks and beyond at the Northville Public Library, just south of Wells in the Adirondacks. A reception is being held July 19 from 6-8 and everyone is welcomed.  Call for library hours. 518-863-6922

Yes that is tomorrow. Stop deadheading your lilies and come see these. They never need deadheading!

"Under Adirondack Influence"

Been slowly gather a collection of work to exhibit for the Sacandaga Valley Arts Network in the Northville Library.  "Under Adirondack Influence" will contain a majority of works that have been made "en Plein Air" in the Adirondacks and work that was made outside of the Blue Line but still reflects where Adirondack understanding of light and dark, and subject matter - which influences the images. Full disclosure, there is work made in near the St. Lawrence River, in the Finger Lakes, Cape Cod, the garden, the studio.

Where actual work is first made or conceived is not relevant to the work. What is, is where I live, in the Adirondacks, that has influenced how I see my subject matter. Light is the biggest consideration in making a composition. Dark compliments light, bringing definition and life to compositions. Light evokes air, wind and temperature. It is not a small thing there is only one winter scene in this exhibit. Winter is a dark time in the Adirondacks. Light is a different color in winter. Temperature certainly has plenty to do with the lack of winter scenes as working in pastel is a frozen knuckle/fingertip event which is simply not working for these particular fingers any more.

"Overrun" 16x20 pastel on the dark side of the barn

 Visualizing the works to be exhibited together is fearful and exciting at the same time. Most of an artists life is spent in close contact with one piece at a time. Working to assemble pieces to be next to each other in a group creates a different view of the work vs. how an artist sees work in the privacy of the studio. The goal is to create an interaction between pieces that translates to the viewer.

The viewer of "Under Adirondack Influence" can become a participant in the process making of an Adirondack grouping of works. The opportunity to look into the woods, across a field and almost smell the flowers in the garden will entertain the viewer with each story a piece offers. 

 "Under Adirondack Influence" opens July 1 exhibiting through August 29, 2016. A reception will be held Tuesday, July 19 from 6-8. I am looking forward to meeting everyone.

"A Day Better Than This?" 12x22 pastel shadows on near mountains

"Fresh Paint" 11x14 pastel feeling the heat and wind

Hours at the library are:
Monday, Saturday 9 - Noon
Tuesday 9 am - 8 pm
Wednesday, Thursday 9 am - 4 pm
Friday 9 am - 4 pm



Northville Public Library
341 South Third Street
Northville, NY 12134
518-863-6922
Sacandaga Valley Arts Network www.svan.org