Nick was a bit tired by this time in the day, and he was resting his legs while he sucked his favorite finger. I took this picture on a fast speed setting so that the trees in the background became just a jumble of squiggly lines. Perhaps they emphasize the way Nick was feeling at …
Anna
2000 - 9.25" x 8" - Watercolor, Arches Aquarelle watercolor paper
May I introduce my charming niece Anna? This painting was in an art show at the Norris Gallery in St. Charles, IL, and the ladies hanging the show wanted to meet her. Anna was kind enough to attend the artists’ reception. The reception was much more fun with Anna and her family there. The original …
Big Stelios’ Taverna
2013 - 24" x 16" - Watercolor, Arches Aquarelle watercolor paper
As Barbara Wille and her two grandnieces were walking down a lovely street in Greece, they came upon a colorful eating establishment that they couldn’t resist capturing in a photograph. Back in the United States, Mrs. Wille’s grandniece created a book of photos from their trip for her. Barb then decided she wanted to bring …
The Slate
2009 - 16.25" x 12" - Mixed Media (Colored Pencil, Watercolor), Arches Aquarelle watercolor paper
I hesitate to write much about this painting because sometimes it’s just too fun to allow the viewer to interpret with his/her own imagination. Imagine, for example, what strange happenings old slates in classrooms must have witnessed over the years. Perhaps a person from the past is caught on the other side of this slate. …
The Phoenix in Egypt
1996 - 27.625" x 20.125" - Mixed Media (Colored Pencil, Watercolor), Arches Aquarelle watercolor paper
When we named our reddish golden retriever pup Phoenix, I decided that I wanted to know more about the myth of the phoenix bird, after which she was named. The fantastic bird was described as having feathers of gold, red and purple. It was sometimes described as a heron-like bird. Herons live along the Nile …
Red Hat with Feathers
1993 - 12.5" x 10.25" - Watercolor, Arches Aquarelle watercolor paper
I bought this hat while on a European tour, and I thought it was fun and dashing with its bright red color and multiple feathers. The iridescent feathers presented an interesting challenge. I practiced many times before trying to create them on the actual painting. Something I noticed, as I peered closely at those particular …
Phoenix and the Egg of Myrrh
1997 - 28.75" x 21.5" - Watercolor, Arches Aquarelle watercolor paper
Some ancient accounts of the phoenix bird said that the new bird encased the ashes of its predecessor in an egg of myrrh, and then flew with it to Heliopolis in Egypt. Some accounts said that the funereal nest was built in a persea tree, and woven with fragrant herbs. The fantastic bird was described …
One Day in the Park
1999 - 17.75" x 19.125" - Watercolor, Arches Aquarelle watercolor paper
One day I took Jon to a park to play and to take photos. For this shot, I set the camera at a fast speed to “freeze” the water coming from the fountain. The result was charming and begged to be painted. One Day in the Park was my answer to the photo. For me, …
Night Light
2010 - 16.25" x 12" - Watercolor, Arches Aquarelle watercolor paper
After one of the evening events during the weekend of our son Nick’s graduation from the University of Southern California film school, he and his brother Jon took advantage of some dramatic building spot lights. If you’re thinking Alfred Hitchcock, I wouldn’t argue. There were also some interesting street lamps in the area… and we …
Magnolia grandiflora Seed Pod
2011 - 12" x 9" - Mixed Media (Acrylic Colored Ink, Watercolor), Arches Aquarelle watercolor paper
All across the Georgia Tech campus in Atlanta are southern Magnolia trees. The trees grow large, hairy seed pods which open to reveal bright, red seeds inside. I used pearlescent inks, mixed with white ink for opacity, to create the sparkling hairs and parts of the leaves. I have to thank my son Jon for …