I am excited to have my artwork “Tuscany Citrus” used for the promotional poster for the “Exhibit C” show at the Plaxall Gallery in Long Island City. I have a couple artworks in this show which is part of the LIC Arts Open Fall Salon. The exhibition runs from November 16 – December 2. The… [Read the rest of the post]
How does commissioning a painting work?
Have you ever wondered what is involved when commissioning a painting? Let me take you through the steps of how it works with me. Step 1: It starts with a simple conversation about what the client is looking for in a painting. This includes the subject matter, size of work, color scheme, and general style and… [Read the rest of the post]
Refilling my creative well
Summer is a great time to get out of the studio and refill my creative well. For me, that means getting out into nature, taking hikes, and enjoying the neighborhood flowers. Currently, I’m on a road trip with my eldest daughter. While passing through Asheville, we took the opportunity to visit Chihuly at Biltmore, an exhibition featuring… [Read the rest of the post]
Rock. Paper. Scissors.
ROCK. PAPER. SCISSORS. Art exhibition. Opening Reception: Saturday, June 9th, 7-10pm The Plaxall Gallery at 5-25 46th Ave, LIC NY 11101 Entry through the parking lot. The parking lot is privately owned so please park outside the parking lot if coming by car. Thank you! I have five paintings in this show, some big, some small. Come have… [Read the rest of the post]
The importance of community
What a great response I got last month for showing how I created the painting Women’s March (yes, I finally named it). I thought I would give you another peek at the process of creating a recent painting titled Communities. My concept was to illustrate the importance of the communities in our lives. All of us are part of not… [Read the rest of the post]
My six “not so easy” steps to making a painting
I thought it would be fun to show you a step-by-step process of how I created one of my new artworks that will be hanging in my upcoming the show. Step 1: I usually start with an idea. In this case, it was illustrating the 3 R’s – reading, writing, and arithmetic. Next, I start by drawing some… [Read the rest of the post]
Who uses pink golf balls?!
Most artists have favorite colors and use them often in their paintings. That said, it’s important for artists to grow outside their comfort zones. One way is to use colors or materials that we wouldn’t normally use. For me, nothing is further outside my comfort zone than the color pink. I hate pink. I don’t own a single… [Read the rest of the post]
Step by step, how to rework a failed painting
Some paintings come easy, while others require a lot of work until I’m happy with them (or I throw them out). My painting Rock Garden was one of my more difficult pieces. On my first try, I ended up with this version. It had the elements of a strong composition with a clear focal point… [Read the rest of the post]
Creating a large painting from a small sketch
After developing some small paintings, I needed to figure out how to expand these ideas to fit onto bigger canvases. I initially thought it would be as simple as copying the idea onto a bigger surface. But I’ve found that doesn’t really work. The artwork seems flat without the original energy and inspiration that created the original small artwork and the work… [Read the rest of the post]
Working Small to Develop Big Ideas!
I’ve been wanting to start a new collection of larger canvases for a solo show I have scheduled in April. But before jumping willy-nilly into it, I thought it would be helpful to decide the conceptual direction of the work. Here, I created small paint sketches with slightly different ideas. I’ve got three different themes on this… [Read the rest of the post]
“We are all cells in the same body of humanity.”
Many of my poured acrylic works show cellular structures. These cells remind me of the quote by Peace Pilgrim, “We are all cells in the same body of humanity”. In the current political climate, there is such division between people, especially on the major issues of gun control, environmental stewardship, military action, and social… [Read the rest of the post]
Every artist can benefit from a sketchbook
I’m a huge fan of sketchbooks and I’ve been an active sketchbook user for the past 10 years. I first begin using one when earning my MFA and have continued using one ever since. I hope this post I will give you enough reasons to finally start using one, and even if you don’t consider… [Read the rest of the post]
Planting seeds that grow into art
Stop by and see my mixed media painting “Garden Harvest” at the National Heirloom Expo on September 5, 6, & 7, 2017. “The World’s Fair of Pure Food,” also known as the National Heirloom Expo will be host to over 20,000 farmers and gardeners! The expo features over 300 vendors, including thousands of Heirloom varieties from across… [Read the rest of the post]
Be part of the BIG PICTURE
Join me to be part of a 72-foot long collaborative artwork. The Big Picture is a collective art project where people around the world (that includes us) are collaborating to create a big mosaic picture from thousands of drawings. This project can be seen as a giant conversation taking place between all the participants through a dynamic and monumental… [Read the rest of the post]
How to create an acrylic poured painting
For the past couple months, I have been experimenting with creating paintings where the paint is poured onto the canvas instead of applied with a paintbrush. My two daughters thought it would be fun to try this style of painting too. The video below shows my daughter Darby making her first acrylic poured painting. Either… [Read the rest of the post]
Is it “pouring” where you are?
Summer is a time of artistic exploration for me. I spend most of the season in Colorado (out of the New York City heat) where I have a small studio with only a hand full of art supplies. I find having fewer art materials to work with helps me to be more creative with the ones… [Read the rest of the post]
Exploring themes linked to social issues
My artwork is featured this month in the June 2017 issue of Not Random Art, an international online magazine. This contemporary art review was created to present the artwork of contemporary emerging artists to an international audience. The artwork explores themes inextricably linked to modern society’s most significant issues. The June issue focuses on the problems with communication and… [Read the rest of the post]
Purple is my color of the month
Some months, there seems to be one color that pops up everywhere. For me, June is the month of purple. It started with my toes. When I went to get a pedicure, I couldn’t pass up the new Obi polish color “Do you lilac it?”. Then, while picking out pens with which to do some Zentangling… [Read the rest of the post]
The joy of spring’s colorful tulips
I love flowers. All flowers. And in the springtime, some of my favorites are the colorful tulips. They are such happy looking flowers and always make me smile. I was feeling a little envious of my son and his girlfriend who traveled to the Keukenhof tulip gardens in the Netherlands this month. But today, I… [Read the rest of the post]
Jury duty has some surprising benefits
I spent two days on jury duty at New York’s Criminal Courts building this week. Sixty-four other potential jurors and I spent the first seven hours of the first day waiting for someone to remember that we were there. But it wasn’t a total waste of time as I managed to get a little sketching… [Read the rest of the post]
I created a world of diversity and tolerance in New York City
I was recently selected as one of 14 artists to submit work for one of four New York City subway stations. I submitted my proposal two weeks ago and I am waiting to hear back soon (fingers crossed everyone, and send good karma this way). The project is quite large requiring 140 horizontal feet of… [Read the rest of the post]
Delight your eyes and your palate!
If you’re in New York City this Friday, please join me at the opening reception of my art exhibition “Whimsical Worlds” at Corks on Columbus from 5:30 to 8pm. Corks on Columbus (between 74th and 75th St. on Columbus Ave.) is a wonderful wine store on Manhattan’s upper westside and they will be… [Read the rest of the post]
One lonely painting on the wall
I just delivered 29 of my paintings to Matted LIC for an upcoming solo exhibition…hence the empty wall in my studio. See all the nails without art hanging from them? This poor little painting didn’t make the cut! Opening night this Thursday, Sept. 22 from 6-8pm at Matted LIC, 46-36 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City. I… [Read the rest of the post]
I could be living in the New York subway!
Well, not living in the subway myself, but hopefully my artwork will. I was recently selected as a finalist by the New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority’s Arts and Design division to submit a design for one of five subway stations in Queens on the N line. I am attending a meeting on Tuesday… [Read the rest of the post]
Museums in my backyard
I am a member of an artist group in Long Island City (where my studio is located) that meets monthly to support each other, discuss art and our artwork. Recently, our fearless leader (thank you, Phoebe) organized a field trip to two museums in Long Island City. We started at the SculptureCenter at 44-19 Purves Street. “SculptureCenter’s space was built… [Read the rest of the post]
Get your free monotype
Today is the last day of the LIC Arts Open and LIC Open Studios. At my studio today (12-6 pm), I will be giving away monotype notecards. I will also be demonstrating how I make these monotypes and the many layers it takes to create one. Please stop by to get your FREE notecard. Here’s… [Read the rest of the post]
In the Realm of Dreams
Please celebrate with me the opening reception of “In the Realm of Dreams”, a two women exhibition at the Front Street Gallery this Friday, May 13 from 6-9pm. “In the Realm of Dreams” features the 4th annual Front Street Gallery juried group show winners. Kathy Ferguson & Tanya Kukucka. Kathy and Tanya were winners of… [Read the rest of the post]
"Arming" myself for a good time
The “Armory” art fairs were held in New York City this weekend with both the Park Armory on the Upper East Side and the Armory Show on Piers 92 & 94. “Armed” with an open mind to see the newest ideas in contemporary art, I headed over to the piers to check out the… [Read the rest of the post]
"Art On Paper" Exhibition in NYC
It was a big art week in New York City. Ok, there is generally dozens of art exhibitions every week in the Big Apple, but this week featured some of the biggest art fairs of the year with the Armory Show at Pier 92/94 and the Park Avenue Armory on the Upper East Side. Additionally, one… [Read the rest of the post]
Checking out the street art in Berlin
Checking out the street art in Berlin, Germany.
