Archival Work: "Skipjack" oil on canvas 24" x 36" c 1972

I was visiting my family in Florida this past weekend, and realized that my art work is on exhibit in family and friend's homes, throughout the state. I thought it would be fun to start posting my "archival work", for those who have inquired about my early paintings.

I painted the "Skipjack" for my Grandfather in 1972, at the age of 15. Mom now exhibits the painting in her house, and tells all visitors about how much my Grandfather loved sailing, and that this painting was very special to him. I am so glad that my family always supported my art efforts, perhaps that's why I enjoy mentoring young artists, and supporting art in the community.

Vet Art Project Review

I feel very honored to have been a part of the Vet Art Project. I loved collaborating with other artists on this profound and positive project. The arts in all their forms: visual, literary, theatrical, and musical all came together on one amazing night at the Chicago Cultural Center. To be in the presence of so much positive energy was a powerful experience that I will never forget. So much was achieved by a committed group of artists who donted their time and talents to help our Veterans heal and deal with the wounds they carry from their war experience. The caring and compassion expressed by the artists for the Veterans was genuine and heartfelt. The arts heal from the inside out, by reaching our deepest and most complex sources of being. I plan to continue working with the Vet Art Project and other veteans projects that integrate art into the healing and tratment of vets and their families.

Thank you Lisa and Jessa for everything you have done to help our wounded warriors.
You can view the Flick R slide show on http://www.vetartproject.org/ go to the blog and you find the slide show.

Also check out Chicago Public Radio WBEZ 848 program for Thursday March 5 for the interview with the Veterans and Lisa Rosenthal. http://www.wbez.org/

Red

Now the painting is complete. The addition of red has completed this large and complex image. Red is a hue that has mesmerized artists since the Upper Paleolithic time when red ochres where applied to the walls of ancient, mysterious caves.

This painting will be included in the February 23 performance at he Studio Theatre in the Chicago Cultural Center as part of the Vet Art Project.

My Mom's hands, tell as much about her as her face.

Drawing in My Studio

Twice a month I meet with a group of artists to spend 3 wonderful hours drawing the figure. The quick snap shots that you see here show my son posing in his fencing uniform. We thought it would be an interesting change to draw a clothed figure wearing an intersting outfit. Here you can see some of my completed oil paintings and my most recent series in the early stages of painting.

New Work on Exhibit in February at the Chicago Cultural Center

This is my Mom, Maggie, modeling for me in my studio. I painted this in two sittings totaling about 2 hours. This simple statement I soon developed into a larger painting which has to do with women and war. This is a topic that is prevelant in my work and will always emerge in varous forms throughout my life and art.

During the month of February I will show my latest painting "The Sergeant Major's Wife, 1918-2008". This is a 4 panel oil on canvas painting measuring 48" high and 86" in wide. I painted this in less than a month. There was was a deadline for completion, but I also had to paint this fast in order to capture the intuitive quality that a subject of such importance engenders. The inspiration for this work came after I painted my Mom's portrait from life, while she modeled in my studio. Working from old, faded and out of focus family photgraphs I developed these almost life size figures into vibrant color.

Each panel represents members of my family. The left panel is my Grandmother and Grandfather circa 1918, the second panel is my Grandmother and Dad, age 15, on graduation day from the USMC boot camp in 1943. In the third panel my parents are shown on their wedding day in 1954 and the far right is my Mom, alone... thus "The Sergeant Major's Wife, 1918-2008".

Look for my painting in February at the Chicago Cultural Center as part of the Vet Art Project http://www.vetartproject.com/ and the Incubator Series.

Painting within a painting

Detail.

Detail.