Preparation

While walking in the historic district of Savannah I noticed this waiter preparing the patio for evening dining at Ruth's Chris Steak House. I liked the setting and made some color modifications to create a stronger image. For example, the building facade was a cold grey, probably limestone, and I changed it to a warm ochre. I also changed the panel behind him to a grey-green to enhance the red color of his tie. I left the umbrella black because changing it would only serve to take attention away from the subject.

The painting is done primarily with a palette knife and is 10"x12".

Road to Success

I know several couples who enjoy walking together. They all have successful marriages. Seems to go hand in hand. It is a good way to share the day and get the benefit of some exercise.
I am honored to be the featured artist at The Art Event at David Lipscomb Campus  School in Nashville, TN, Feb. 11-13. It's a wonderful event that will showcase 45 different artists with art sales benefiting the school. (For more information, including location and show hours, please go to www.dlcs.lipscomb.edu)
If you are in the Nashville area during those 3 days and you like art, you will enjoy checking it out.

I enjoy doing paintings that have walkers or joggers as the focal point. I've done several for this show. My latest one, done today, features a couple sharing time together. Its an impressionistic scene, using color and value to direct the viewer's attention. The painting is 9"x12".

Roses

A Southern cottage with a picket fence just begging to be painted. I couldn't resist. I changed the door to red to add a little interest. It was fun to paint this 9x12.

Pink House Bar 16"x16"

Good morning art friends,
Thank you for your comments about my artwork.  I appreciate your interest and time. Regarding the post, "Needs a Title" most liked the title "Too Many Cooks" and I do to, so I'll go with that.

Last November I had the opportunity to exhibit my work at the Telfair Museum Art Show in Savannah. It was a beautiful weekend and walking in this historic city was a delight. I passed the Pink House restaurant (one of Savannah's favorites) several times on my walks from the hotel to the museum and thought this scene would make a nice painting. The challenge here was to make it interesting in spite of its symmetrical design. I thought moving the big arch left or right would just look off balance. At any rate, I think there is enough going on to hold your interest.

Along the Seine 14x11

Today's post takes us to Paris where the little lady in the lavender coat is out for a Sunday stroll. The tourist with the backpack is checking her out. All the sidewalk merchants have their kiosks open for business. Great memories.

Needs a title

This kitchen scene has multiple chefs and a cluttered counter. My initial design thought was for a more abstracted image but I got a little caught up in all the counter items. I tried to make them interesting with a bit of color variety. It is a 40x30 gallery wrap.

Should I title it a) Chef Whites or b) Too Many Cooks or c) Kitchen Clutter or something else altogether?

Restaurant Reviews

What does a chef do when he gets a break? Well, perhaps he enjoys a glass of his favorite Pinot Noir while he checks the newspaper for his restaurant's reviews.

Tried to say a lot in a small space here (6"x6").

In the Kitchen

Back in the studio today after a weekend of watching football and dealing with icy, snowy weather, very unusual in this part of the country (Birmingham). Can't wait for warm weather to return.

I do a lot of paintings in the food and wine genre- chefs, waiters, sidewalk cafes, etc. This one is small (5"x6").  Small paintings are great fun, allowing for quick, expressive brushstrokes. In this case, keeping it loose and not overly defined helps to suggest movement.

Red, White & Blue

Enjoyed doing this painting. I like the small figure balanced by the big house. Why is it that scenes with reflections and umbrellas grab our attention?

Walking in the Rain-24x12

I enjoy doing street scenes because of all the levels of perspective that create a believable scene. Here I made one side of the street cool and the other warm to add the perception of the backlit light source falling more directly on the warm side. It also adds interest. Originally I had all the figures and umbrellas dark with no color against the backlight. An artist friend of mine suggested adding red to the center umbrella and I thought that was a good idea, strengthening the focal point.

First blog-"Winter Warmth"

In my series of blogs I would like to give you a little insight into my thoughts about how I create art. Ultimately art is a statement from the artist to be interpreted by the viewer in the way they see fit. Their response to it can create an emotion or meaning on so many levels, in so many ways. So interesting. It should be fun to share some art with you as I create it and why I change and edit paintings along the way. I look forward to hearing any of your comments.

Although I enjoy doing plein aire paintings most times that is not possible for me. So I paint from photographs, memories and gut feel for a subject as it speaks to me. This painting is oil on panel, 12x24, and titled "Winter Warmth" The photo I took in Paris was on an overcast winter day. I decided to edit the scene by showing a late sun pattern from the right hitting the buildings, street and some foliage. I like the way it turned out.