Honor the First Flurry

This morning I woke up to the first snow of the season. It was a real flurry, with the winds blowing the flakes here and there and everywhere. Even though it turned into sleet and freezing rain as the morning progressed, it seemed only fitting to honor this "first" day with an image of first-snows-past, a little ACEO reproduction of "Parker Hill Farm."

Get out and Paint

I made myself a new paint box and rigged an easel - so that both will accommodate sitting. You see, I've always stood at my French easel to paint, but I'm not as young as I used to be and sitting is a welcome option.






The weather is chilling, but I'll get out there in the open air to paint a bit more, I think, with this new set of sitting tools.

Fire Bush ACEO

The original painting, "Fire Bush," was painted plein air, oil on Masonite, on location under the crab apple tree in my own backyard. I recall the day ... one of those perfectly beautiful New England autumn days, the kind that feel as much like spring as they do fall.

This little piece of art is available as an ACEO, archival quality print at my ArtFire studio.

Two Winter Maple ATCs

"Sleeping Maple" and "The Dappled Maple" are a couple more of my original oil paintings that have been reproduced in miniature, as Artist Trading Cards.

Artist Trading Cards, also referred to as ACEOs and ATCs, are one example of affordable fine art and wonderful handmade gifts to give and receive.

I invite you to visit my studio to see more of my art work!

Artist Trading Cards

Today I introduce two new miniature reproductions of my landscape paintings, "Winter Farm" and "Crow Maple" in Artist Trading Card size.

If you're unfamiliar with Artist Trading Cards, here's a little information for you:

"Artist Trading Cards" (ATC), also known as "Art Cards Editions and Originals" (ACEO) are miniature works of art the size of standard trading or playing cards (2.5 x 3.5 inches).

ACEOs and ATCs are little works of art that many folks collect and trade, just like "Baseball Cards." Not only are they collected and traded, they are often framed to create a charming wall display of miniature art as well as given as an easy-to-mail, artful gift. And they're just a fun and affordable way to collect original artwork and limited edition prints!

I'll have more of my current works listed soon in my ArtFire Studio. Enjoy!

The Dappled Maple

The original painting of "The Dappled Maple" was created plein air, in two sittings, in oil on panel, at a land trust in Winchester Center, Connecticut. On a mild afternoon in early spring I hiked through the melting snow, lugging my easel, to this lovely spot where the sun poked through and danced on the landscape.

At one time this land was a dairy farm but has since been turned over to a land trust, where locals can wander to recall and imagine some of the history of our shared community. I imagine there is someplace like this near you too.

Giclee prints of "The Dappled Maple" are available for sale at my ArtFire Studio.

On the Lake

I return today to this ol' blog to share with you "On the Lake." This alla prima painting was created in oils on masonite, on location at Park Pond in Winchester, CT. Painting from life in one sitting is a special discipline. It challenges and sharpens the technical abilities, while at the same time allowing mood and spirit to come through ... to be captured, even if only in a small way. That's my experience anyway.

Fine art prints of "On the Lake" are available for sale at my ArtFire studio.