Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Leaves and Seeds


No denying it,
Autumn is here.
The leaves are down
red maple, sugar maple,
mulberry
and all their seeds.
Eighteen paper bags
stacked by the curb,
and when the wind ceases
 there'll be more to fill.

Another page in the watercolor sketchbook.

Saturday, November 20, 2021

Slice of Apple Pie


From the artist's kitchen and studio,
a watercolor sketch of
a slice of homemade apple pie -
which lured me into a few hours of work
far better than the proverbial carrot on a stick,
especially with a strong cup of coffee.

Another page in the watercolor sketchbook.

Monday, November 15, 2021

West Hartford Reservoir


 The trails around West Hartford Reservoir
provide 
comfortable benches
with several lovely views.

This is another page in the artists watercolor sketchbook.

Thursday, November 11, 2021

Gladiolus

 #16 of 16

Finally!
The last of 
sixteen drawings from 1997.

Watch the auctions
of all sixteen in this series 
on EBay.

Each drawing was done using Prismacolor pencils
on bright white, smooth paper stock,
with outer dimensions of 6.5 in. x 7.5 in.
the actual image is 4 in. x 4 in.

All drawings are protected
in clear archival 2mil polypropylene resealable sleeves
easy to ship
and ready to mat and frame.


Wednesday, November 10, 2021

African Violet

 #15 of 16

While cleaning out the studio
for needed electrical work and insulation,
I uncovered sixteen drawings from 1997.

Watch the auction
of the fifteenth original drawing
"African Violet" 
on EBay.

This is an extremely detailed drawing.
The hair-like texture of the violet's stems and leaves
was created by scratching away color to expose the substrate.

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Rubber Tree

 #14 of 16

A variegated rubber tree
it's terminal bud a spearlike shaft
surrounded by oblong shields
of leathery leaves
reminds me of
the dignity and stateliness
of a warrior.

Check out the auction
of the original drawing "Rubber Tree" 
on EBay.


Monday, November 8, 2021

Wild Bean

 #13 of 16

Wild Bean!!!
but I prefer Groundnut.
So many names for a handy little edible
that grows without the need for cultivation.

You can watch the auction
of the original drawing of "Wild Bean" 
on EBay.


Sunday, November 7, 2021

Foxglove

 #12 of 16

Foxglove or Digitalis
is used for the treatment of heart ailments,
and like so many other life-saving plants
is ironically toxic
and have interesting histories.

Watch the auction
of the original drawing "Foxglove" 
on EBay.

All sixteen drawings of the series were created
using Prismacolor pencils
on bright white, smooth paper stock,
outer dimensions of 6.5 in. x 7.5 in.
the image itself being 4 in. x 4 in.
all are protected in clear archival
2mil polypropylene resealable sleeves.


Saturday, November 6, 2021

Yellow Asters

 #11 of 16

There are many flowers
that pass themselves off as yellow asters.
This drawing is of
Heliopsis helianthoides (Smooth Oxeye).

Watch the auction
of the original drawing "Yellow Asters" 
on EBay.

Created using Prismacolor pencils,
the 4 in. x 4 in. image
is offset
on bright white 6.5 in. x 7.5 in.
smooth paper stock.

This drawing is protected
in clear archival
2mil polypropylene resealable sleeves
easy to ship
and ready to mat and frame.





Friday, November 5, 2021

Stargazer

 #10 of 16

While cleaning out the studio
for needed electrical work and insulation,
I uncovered sixteen drawings from 1997.
"Stargazer" is a tender detail of a daylily,
it's colors as vibrant as the day it was first drawn.

Follow the auction
on EBay.

Thursday, November 4, 2021

Trumpet Vine

 #9 of 16

Nineth in a series of sixteen drawings from 1997,
this detailed depiction of Firecracker Trumpet Vine
is as fresh as ever.

Follow the auction
of the original 
"Trumpet Vine" drawing 

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Poppy and Pods

#8 of 16

I'd describe Poppy flowers as flamboyant
but find the seed pods as odd.
The hair-like texture is achieved here
by scratching away color
laid down by the colored pencil,
a technique also used in drawing #15.

View the auctions

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Yellow Bearded Iris

#7 of 16

While cleaning out the studio
for needed electrical work and insulation,
I uncovered sixteen drawings from 1997.

Finally!
A good time to offer up my little gems.
Perhaps they might help to defray
some of the studio improvement expenses.

This is #7 drawing of the sixteeen.

Follow the auction
on EBay.

Sunday, October 31, 2021

Tiny Cactus

 #6 of 16

A pot crammed with tiny cactus
seen from above
made for a curious view
one of abstract textures.
Please forgive the age damage
that this delicate drawing exhibits.
Because of its short-comings
the EBay listing will have a "best offer" option.

Sixth in this series of sixteen drawings from 1997.

Follow the auction
of the original 
"Tiny Cactus" drawing
and rest of the series 

Skunk Cabbage

#5 of 16

 Symplocarpus foetidus
better known as Skunk Cabbage
appear in low ice-crusted wetlands,
the first leafy greens
to announce early spring in Connecticut.

Fifth in this series of sixteen drawings from 1997.

Follow the auction
of the original 
"Skunk Cabbage" drawing
and rest of the series 


Friday, October 29, 2021

Lupine

#4 of 16

Fourth in a series of sixteen drawings from 1997,
this detailed depiction of lupine
is one of my favorites.

Follow the auction
of the original 
"Lupine" drawing 
This 4 in. x 4 in. image
was drawn with Prismacolor pencils
on 6 1/2 in. x 7 1/2 in.
smooth paper stock
Now protected in a clear archival quality
polypropylene resealable sleeve,
ready to mat and frame.

 

Thursday, October 28, 2021

Maidenhair Fern

 #3 of 16

May this delicate green gem
help move the studio toward being
a well-lit and comfortable working space
for myself and others.

Watch the auction
of the original drawing "Maidenhair Fern" 
here on EBay.

Created using Prismacolor pencils,
the 4 in. x 4 in. image
is offset
on bright white 
6.5 in. x 7.5 in.
smooth paper stock.

This drawing is protected
in clear archival
2mil polypropylene resealable sleeves
easy to ship
and ready to mat and frame.


Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Stargazer Daylily

 #2 of 16

Offering up this little gem
to help to defray
some of the studio improvement expenses.

Watch the auction
of the original drawing "Stargazer Daylily" 
here on EBay.

Created with Prismacolor pencils
on bright white, smooth paper stock,
with outer dimensions of 6.5 in. x 7.5 in.
the actual image is 4 in. x 4 in.
Though now protected in clear archival
2mil polypropylene resealable sleeves,
there are small areas of the drawing
affected by previous storage
within non-archival framing.


Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Faded Daylily


#1 of 16

While cleaning out the studio
for needed electrical work and insulation,
I uncovered sixteen drawings from 1997.
Finally!
A good time to offer up my little gems.
Perhaps they might help to defray
some of the studio improvement expenses.

Watch the auction
of the original drawing "Faded Daylily" 
here on EBay.

Each drawing was done using Prismacolor pencils
on bright white, smooth paper stock,
with outer dimensions of 6.5 in. x 7.5 in.
the actual image is 4 in. x 4 in.
All drawings are protected
in clear archival 2mil polypropylene resealable sleeves
easy to ship
and ready to mat and frame.



Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Cobalt Vase


 Reflections in a cobalt vase
glass and lace
light
fragile
yet profound.

Another page in the artist's watercolor sketchbook.

Sunday, October 10, 2021

Sketch in Progress


A sneak peek
of a complicated composition
slowly coming to fruition.

First the pencil sketch
then the ripening
as color is applied
in washes.

Thursday, October 7, 2021

Three Apples


Not all apples
are the same,
but somehow they get along.

Another page in the artist's watercolor sketchbook.


Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Squash from the Garden

Evidence of a bountiful year in the garden.

Yet another page in the watercolor sketchbook.


Monday, September 20, 2021

Millefiore


Needing a break from rendering
the brush and pen
fall into repeated circles
free of thought
resulting in
barnacles of millefiore.

A pause for abstraction instead of the usual detailed rendering - another page of the watercolor sketchbook.

Friday, September 17, 2021

Monarchs

No froufrou butterflies
this lineage of regal Monarchs,
who suffered two apocalyptic winters
in the 1990's.

Completely absent from the garden
for twenty-nine years
until
sailing over the continent
they arrived again
to dominate the Buddleia. 

Nothing is fragile or helpless about these Monarchs. They soar - not so much as fly. Breeze nor gale is an obstacle to them as they make use of the movements of air to reach their destination.

Another watercolor sketch in the artist's notebook.


Saturday, September 11, 2021

Angel's Trumpets and Blue Birdbath


Remembering those who never made it home
on September 11th
twenty years ago,
we miss you,
we miss you,
we miss you.

Let the Angel's Trumpets sound
while we rest our reflections in a still pool of blue.

Painted while listening to Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings played by the New York Philharmonic and lead by Leonard Bernstein

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Homemade Cheese


 An olive wood platter 
loaded with cheeses made by the artist:
pepper coated Belper Knolle
and hard grating cheeses
finished with olive oil
or cabernet sauvignon.

This is yet another page in my watercolor sketchbook, celebrating a month of successful cheesemaking.

Friday, September 3, 2021

Volunteer Tomatoes


The garden is full of volunteer tomato plants
everything from deep red to bright yellow
beefsteak to cherry tomatoes,
sweet and full of flavor.
Practicing a little daily care,
the plants have defied disease and pests,
providing an extraordinary
surge of fruit this year.

This is watercolor number nine, another page in the new 5" x 7" sketchbook that was started this past June.

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Windowsill Delphinium


 The blue of a Delphinium flower is ethereal.
Even as the petals dry and drop,
their hue maintains an otherworldly intensity.

With some luck, this aging human would like to hold onto my own colorful intensity right to the end.



Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Angel Wing Begonias


A simple watercolor painting
of a humble begonia scion,
an understated expression
of admiration and gratitude
for a resilient family
devoted to cultural achievement,
art and education.

Many thanks and much love to the Lee-Swanek family, of the Lee Piano Studio in New Milford, Connecticut.

Sunday, August 22, 2021

When One Door Closes


The intrigue of open doorways and afternoon light inspired this detailed watercolor, an interior view of the artist's home.

Corbin Avenue

Home Sweet Home,
studio,
garden,
workshop,
and cheese cave.

As I post this, tropical storm Henri approaches like an old uncle humbled by his demotion from the category of hurricane. He's raining steadily and the landscape is welcoming his paced abundance into waiting streams. Wind which could have arrived as forceful blows from his invisible hand, are only gentle cuffs - so far. Let's hope our old Uncle Henri maintains his demeanor for the duration of his visit. At least another fourteen hours to go. . . 

This is another 5" x 7" watercolor sketch, a page from one of my notebooks.

Saturday, August 21, 2021

RosesRosesRoses


 Overwhelmed by roses
each bloom an explosion
of tender petals
sensuous curves
soft recesses
deep with color.

Bloom upon bloom,
some shy
tinted shadow-blue
 hiding behind siblings,
while others bold and haughty
push forward
to wear sunlight like an accessory
gilding themselves
with gold sunsets
and morning lavender.

Overwhelmed by roses
without focal reference,
each detail
demanding top preference.
The eye wanders
the heart follows
and is lost in beauty.

Another 5" x 7" watercolor sketch from the rose garden in Elizabeth Park, West Hartford, Connecticut. These were roses from bed 475, according to the Helen S. Kaman Rose Garden bed map.  







Friday, August 20, 2021

Shade Garden


Cool refuge under the trees
a comfortable bench 
within a tapestry
of green foliage and blue shadow.

This 5" x 7" watercolor sketch was done at the Julian and Edith Eddy Rock Garden, better known as the Shade Garden, in Elizabeth Park, West Hartford, Connecticut. It's an absolutely refreshing place to rest between walks through the sun-loving rose beds in the month of June - when its blooming hot!





Thursday, August 19, 2021

Gnarled Guardian


 Inside the Heritage Rose Garden
ancient lineages bloom
secure within stone walls
guarded by
a gnarled giant.

This is a 5" x 7" watercolor sketch of a tree just outside the Heritage Rose Garden in Elizabeth Park, West Hartford, Connecticut. Visit in mid-June to experience the full fragrance and pay respects to this guardian as you exit toward the main Helen S. Kaman Rose Garden with it's impressive beds, arches, and gazebo.



Friday, June 11, 2021

Playground / Secret Alliance


I've always been
the new kid
navigating a playground
of invisible alliances,
the new hire
reconnoitering a terrain
of secret agendas - 
sans org chart.

The artist
attempting to discern
cohesive relationships
that transform abstraction
into working universe.
 
This is a 10" x 15.5" acrylic and ink painting on Bainbridge mat board. The above text inscribed on the back and signed by the artist.

This work and others are available in the artist's Etsy shop.







Elizabeth Park Shade Garden

Todays offering. . . a sketch from the shade garden in Elizabeth Park, an artist's sanctuary on a sweltering June day.

Elizabeth Park is famous for the rose gardens where you can wander its paths savoring the views,  transported by the enchanting perfume of hundreds of roses.

Saturday, February 27, 2021

Blue Body


 2am dream
underground stream flowing
through dark rooms
where
someone vaguely familiar
in a party of strangers
seems a safe eddy
becomes a dead end
is a trap.

Gotta go
find the exit
feel the current
push down
out
up, up, up.
Rising free
eyes open 
to total blackness.


6 1/4" x 14 1/2" acrylic paint and marker on matboard, text and signature of the artist appears on the back.

This work is available in the artist's Etsy store.


Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Work at Home


Back to the cave for a little painting.
 

Saturday, February 13, 2021

In the Heart of Darkness

Flights of color
in the heart of darkness.

More expressions through watercolor and ink.





Primal Influence

Flowing within flowing,
constant transformation
of relationship between elements. 
 My view of
reality,
truth,
destiny.

Expressed with watercolors and ink.


Song of the Didgeridoo


Playful lyrics twisting unexpectedly,
nuanced strokes
of colorful turns of phrase,
do we ever say what we really mean?
Or is it always
poetry
that describes the fluid reality,
the depths and currents
of where we swim?


Back in the studio after another long hiatus,
using watercolors and my favorite flowing organic forms
inspired by the music of the Del Sol Quartet
with Stephen Kent,
 Sculthorpe Complete String Quartets
with Didgeridoo.

This is 14 1/4: x 11 1/2" watercolor painting
framed with teak, under glass.