Hopewell Shadows

Here's one of my latest works:

"3pm, Hopewell"
16x20 oil on canvas

I was visiting the Hopewell Frame Shop (Hopewell, NJ) where my solo show is still in progress, and this was the scene that presented its self when I walked back out the front door. It's directly across the street, and with the barn just at the point of transitioning from sun to shadow... I ran back to my car to get the camera and did this painting a few days later. As much as I like painting on the spot, this was one where the camera was essential because the shadows were changing even as you watched them.

I'd love to put this painting in the show, but it'll be a while before it's dry enough to leave my house. Maybe Abby will have me back for another show sometime...

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Do Sparrows Dream...

"Do Sparrows Dream of Oceans Deep"
acrylic on wood

At the Lambertville Artists' Gallery, we're participating as a group in "Bucks County Birdhouse Style" - a Birdhouse Auction for New Hope Arts, where artist-created birdhouses will be auctioned off to benefit the New Hope Arts Building Project. New Hope Arts, Inc is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the rich cultural heritage of the area.

So I put my birdhouse kit together and thought this would be such a fun project to work on. And there my freshly primed and gessoed birdhouse sat for weeks. Waiting for inspiration. I just couldn't think of what to do with it! My plan was to paint some sort of landscape on it - rolling hills, puffy white clouds... but that idea just wasn't working and there the birdhouse sat. I thought about cows. I like painting cows and envisioned whimsical cow faces peering out from each side of the birdhouse. But that idea wasn't working either. Finally, I thought of fish - I doodle cartoonish fish all of the time (I have no idea why) and thought that a 'birdhouse as aquarium' would be funny. Once I had this idea, the rest was easy, and I like how it turned out. The fish theme also appeared on my artcards, and I used to build ceramic fish in what seems like a previous lifetime.

My next hurdle was titling it. We were asked to provide a title for our birdhouses, and titles aren't always easy for me. But this one came quickly: "Do Sparrows Dream of Oceans Deep?". With apologies to Philip K. Dick, author of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (the novel which inspired Blade Runner). And although the 1 1/4" diameter hole on my birdhouse might be a little too small for a sparrow, I'm sticking with this title!

The Gallery:
My birdhouse will be on display at the Artists' Gallery during the month of March, along with all of the other gallery artists' birdhouses. It's an amazing collection of birdhouse art, so I hope you can visit and have a look. We're at 32 Coryell Street, Lambertville, NJ. Towards the end of the month, the houses will all be taken away to auction.

The Auction:
The benefit party and auction will be held on April 1, 2007, 6:30 pm preview, 7-9pm auction held in cooperation with 5thseasongifts.com, 215-862-2780

New Hope Arts Center
2 Stockton Ave . New Hope. PA

$15/person 215.862.9606
Tickets: 5th Season . 30 W. Bridge Street

Thank you!

My opening reception at the Hopewell Frame Shop Gallery on Saturday went really well, and I think everyone there had a lot of fun. It was the best opening I've had so far! Thanks to everyone who came out that night, it was a really good crowd. Thanks to Abby, the owner, for having me there and for hosting the evening. And thanks to Brothers Moon Restaurant, across the street for catering - the hors dourves were great.

Note: the Frame Shop won't be open this Saturday, March 10, so if you were planning a weekend visit, you'll have to wait until March 17.

Walnford House
one of my limited edition giclee prints available at the Frame Shop