The Hot-Press Blog

Wave Study, 5

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:59:18 -0500

This wave study was painted from observation and plein air sketches at East Beach, Watch Hill. It is painted on Arches 300LB rough paper. This painting is currently being offered via auction at daily paintworks.

White Rose

Tue, 8 Nov 2011 09:20:39 -0500

A daily painting completed last night. Although it was not my intention, it has a decidedly Georgia O’Keefe feel, and I rather like the simplicity of it. It is 6 x 6 inches, painted on Arches 300LB cold press paper. This painting is currently being offered via auction at dailypaintworks.

Winter Bluejay

Sat, 5 Nov 2011 08:33:06 -0400

A daily painting completed recently. I worked from a photo reference for this painting, although we did have an early snowfall just last week. I am anxious to see more of the winter, as I enjoy the contrast that it affords my subjects. This painting is currently being auctioned at dailypaintworks.

Wave Studies

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:25:32 -0400

Artist in Residence Journal
Day Four

On the Thursday of my stay I rose expecting to paint indoors. Rain had been forecasted, and a light sprinkle greeted me as I exited the cottage. I decided to consider my plan for the day over breakfast, and from a glorious perch above the ocean I watched as the sun suddenly reappeared and threw a glorious light on the horizon. I exited the dining room and quickly gathered my materials, spending the better part of the morning painting from the beach. The seas were a good 4 feet, and a few surfers were taking advantage of the conditions. I, too, enjoyed the waves, but from the safety of the shore. Here are of a few studies painted that day.

OH A.I.R.

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:37:28 -0400

I’ve just completed an immersive week of painting on and around the ground’s of Watch Hill’s Ocean House as the resort’s guest Artist in Residence. Each week the hotel hosts the Artist in Residence series in collaboration with the Lily Pad Gallery in Watch Hill. Over six days I painted in weather conditions that ran the gamut. I plan to feature some of the completed (and uncompleted) paintings in future blog postings, keep your eyes peeled.

Pond at Wilcox Park

Fri, 5 Nov 2010 15:28:06 -0400

I recently had the opportunity to spend some time painting in Wilcox Park. The pond has just undergone a complete restoration. The original pond was drained, cleared of the invasive lillies and accumulated debris, and relined. It now features a fountain in the center (just to the left in this view). Wilcox Park is unquestionably the jewel of this small town. When you enter the park you leave behind the noise that is everywhere around it. I did this small plein-air view in the hours prior to boarding a train for Boston.

Image Size: 4 x 6 inches
This watercolor will be for sale at some point in the future.

The Girl with the Pearl Earring

Thu, 4 Nov 2010 14:27:30 -0400

A miniature watercolor after Johannes Vermeer’s “The Girl with the Pearl Earring”. It is shown with included framing.

Image Size: 3-1/2 x 5 inches
Frame Size: 7 x 8 inches

Autumn’s Peak, Wilcox Park

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 18:31:32 -0400

Wet-on-wet, colors bleed, paint fast, flood that page before it dries.

Image Size: 6 x 9 inches

Wilcox Memorial Fountain

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 08:59:22 -0400

For this more detailed painting I started the sketch outdoors and finished the painting back in the studio. I’ll be including this one in the Westerly Artists’ Cooperative November small works show.

Image Size: 4 x 3 inches
Frame Size: 7 x 6 inches

Gardener’s House

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 07:55:33 -0400

Here is the most recent watercolor from my ongoing Wilcox Park plein-air sessions. I’ve been trying out a new water brush with a reservoir in the handle, along with a hot-press paper, it make the whole painting experience completely different than my usual materials. This is another in postcard format. I’ll most likely include this one in the Westerly Artists’ Cooperative November small works show.

Image Size: 6 x 4 inches
Framed in an 8 x 10 inch dark walnut molding.

Gardener’s Shed

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 16:30:12 -0400

I enjoyed my recent time spent painting in Wilcox Park so much that I’ve decided to go back while autumn is in it’s final brilliance. I’m planning on spending as much time as allows there in the next week or so before the trees are bare. Here’s the most recent painting. This is another in postcard format. I’ll most likely include this one in the upcoming Westerly Artists’ Cooperative November small works show.

Image Size: 4 x 6 inches
Framed in an 8 x 10 inch dark walnut molding.

A View of Wilcox Park

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 09:39:35 -0400

Sunset on the Lake

Fri, 8 Oct 2010 16:56:59 -0400

A small watercolor painted in preparation for some upcoming watercolor classes I’m soon to be teaching. I did this piece more or less as a run-through of my working process. As I painted I made notes along the way about my intention for each step in the process. My hope is that I can communicate this process to my students. It has been challenge enough to teach myself how to go through this process, now I feel like I’m ready to share what I’ve learned through trial, success, failure & REPETITION. I plan on including this in my “How to no make mud” segment.
This is an original watercolor painted on Canson cold press paper.

Image Size: 4 x 6 inches
This watercolor will be for sale at some point in the future.

Late Summer, Noyes Point

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 06:40:48 -0400

A plein air sketch painted in the early evening hours. The air is already beginning to get that fall-ish feel, and the light is changing. I wish I could remind everyone in the world that the beach is still beautiful and the water plenty warm for swimming, but for a variety of reasons the coastline has been abandoned since labor day. The snow fences have begun rolling out everywhere. I’m not sure why, but I seem to only mourn the passing of this season. When you’re making your fall plans don’t forget to include a long walk in the salt air, it is good for the soul.
This is an original watercolor painted on Canson cold press paper.

Image Size: 6 x 9 inches

Father & Son Fishing at New Harbor Inlet

Fri, 3 Sep 2010 13:59:01 -0400

Another of a few recent watercolors of Block Island. We spent the day out there recently compliments of our friends Wally & Shelly. We fished in the morning and spent the remainder of the day hiking around. I had such a good time I might try and get out again during the coming autumn months for some extended painting time.
This is an original watercolor painted on Canson cold press paper.

Image Size: 3 x 4 inches

Day’s End on the Southwest Side of the Island

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 06:34:03 -0400

This is one of a few recent watercolors of Block Island. We spent the day out there recently compliments of our friends Wally & Shelly. We fished in the morning and spent the remainder of the day hiking around. I had such a good time I might try and get out again during the coming autumn months for some extended painting time.
This is an original watercolor painted on Canson cold press paper. This painting is currently featured in the Westerly Artists’ Cooperative November exhibition

Image Size: 6 x 9 inches

Sketch Crawl/Mystic

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:18:05 -0400

I recently participated in a Sketch Crawl organized by fellow artist Laura Gaffke through the Mysic Art Center. It was a blast, Laura even arranged for Videographer Steve Conn of sconvideo to document the event. Here is Steve’s stunning video.

Winter Sun over East Beach auction item for Haitian Emergency Aid

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:10:57 -0500

I am auctioning this piece on ebay. Using their giving works feature I will donate the entire 100% of proceeds to help aid recovery in earthquake ravaged Haiti.

This is an original watercolor painted on Arches 140lb. cold press paper. This painting is unframed, but includes double matting and backing. Framing available, please inquire.

Image Size: 4-1/2 x 4-1/2 inches

Using the EBAY TO GO widget below click on the green “VIEW AND BID” button to be redirected to this auction item at ebay

Painted Bunting

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:29:10 -0500

The Painted Bunting is found in thickets, woodland edges and brushy areas, along roadsides, in suburban areas, and gardens. The male was once a popular caged bird, but now its capture is illegal. Populations are declining on the East Coast where habitat is being lost to development. The breeding range includes Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Montana and Louisiana.
This is an original watercolor painted on Arches 140lb. cold press paper.

Image Size: 5-1/8 x 5-1/4 inches

This painting is available for sale at Esty.

In Between

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:14:00 -0500

4 x 6 inches,
watercolor on Canson paper

European Bee-Eater

Fri, 8 Jan 2010 11:08:11 -0500

The European Bee-eater, Merops apiaster, is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family Meropidae. It breeds in southern Europe and in parts of north Africa and western Asia. It is strongly migratory, wintering in tropical Africa, India and Sri Lanka. This species occurs as a spring overshoot north of its range, with occasional breeding in northwest Europe.

This is an original watercolor painted on Arches 140lb. cold press paper.

Image Size: 2-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches

This painting is available for sale at Esty.

Hunter’s Moon

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:35:32 -0500

Holiday Gifts!

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:50:02 -0500

I’ve designed a collection of holiday gifts and greeting cards available at CafePress. These can be ordered directly from CafePress. Click on over and have a look at the Newbury Collection at Cafe Press.

Unbounded

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:45:35 -0500

A small study before winter, painted where land meets the sea.

I include with this entry the music I was listening to while creating this painting. Colm Mac Con Iomaire is an Irish fiddle player. The title of his album, “The Hares Corner” comes from the ancient Irish custom of at harvest time leaving a corner of a field uncut as a refuge for the Hare to escape to. ( A custom also found among the Mayan Indians). Barn island, one of the last wild places in these parts, is “the hares corner” in my corner of the world.

SOLD

Renewal

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:56:01 -0500

A small study from Barn Island. This sketch was painted from an older reference photo, hence the spring hues.

I include with this blog entry the music I was listening to while creating this painting. Colm Mac Con Iomaire is an Irish fiddle player. The title of his album, “The Hares Corner” comes from the ancient Irish custom of at harvest time leaving a corner of a field uncut as a refuge for the Hare to escape to. ( A custom also found among the Mayan Indians). Barn island, one of the last wild places in these parts, is “the hares corner” in my corner of the world.

SOLD