Posting is not as easy as I thought.

I paint almost everyday. However, I find that between work, life and art-making, it is very difficult to maintain the blog on a daily basis. My work is to paint and that will always come first. Maintaining the blog and Web site—unfortunately—fall somewhere at the bottom of the list. I can only imagine the day when I no longer have a 9 to 5 and can dedicate the bulk of my energies to my art and its promotion.

The SI Carousel on the National Mall

Painting on the National Mall was an interesting experience with the many people who would stop, look, ask questions or simply use me as a backdrop for their photos. I did speak to a man who is a sculptor—I regret not getting his name—who had a very interesting story. He told me that he started out as a pastel painter but now sculpts. He even offered some welcome criticism on my painting.

As for the subject matter, this is a bit of a departure for me. I don't usually include figures in my work and approached them as spots of color on the landscape. Choosing the Carousel as my subject, it was necessary to paint the figure as part of the composition.

An Another Oil

This oil was done the same day as the previously posted oil. The weather cleared up slightly—it was still foggy and misty but the rained stopped—and cooled off. Compared to the first piece, you can see there is a bit more color in the landscape. I really like these pieces for the atmospheric quality they have. I would have never been able to paint en plein air with pastels on such a wet day.

A departure from pastel

This is the first plein air oil painting that I've done in many years. I recently took an oil sketch workshop to reintroduce myself to oils. The workshop focused on the portrait and figure but the principles apply to landscape as well. It was drizzling the morning I painted this, which made for an interesting experience. First, I was able to be outdoors painting in the rain—something I could never do with pastel—and second, I learned just how oil and water DO NOT mix on the canvas. Next time I'm taking my umbrella. All in all, I am still pleased with the result.

Regal

This is a portrait of JJ. I titled the piece "Regal" because the model has such a regal presence about him. JJ is such a wonderful model whom I have painted on several occasions and I don't think that I have ever done a "bad" painting of him. This piece is showing at The Art League Gallery through December.