Self Portrait

16x24" oil on canvas

Working more with watercolor, I can say working with oils was a challenge seeing how it took an opposite approach than that of my typical medium of choice. Yet, one thing I truly appreciative towards is the fact that oils required me to loosen up, using the medium in one or two layers than that of four or five. Because the medium itself is so rich and untouched by any thinning agent, it didn't require me to work in a step by step basis, allowing me to apply and leave. The texture of the medium itself gives the composition what it needed without the yearn for constant working over. I especially enjoyed the free application oils gave me and how the saturation of the colors were still so vibrant.

Study of a Master: Thomas Eakins

Study of Thomas Eakins "Study of a Woman", 16x20", oils

With watercolors, I am highly particular to design and detail. With oils, I am looser and more prone to work with the medium rather than working against it. This was an interesting piece to do. Helped me understand the Masters much like the Impressionists and how they established such a thick application of medium, or how they were known for their very loosely based styles. Very different from my norm, but this study taught me the use of color against others, clashing so predominantly.

Little Gardian

16x20", watercolor

This piece illustrates a certain location in the park near the house I grew up in. There, a dead tree lays, surrounded by tall, thinned stemmed, green plants with small orange flowers. This small valley of florescent green is encompassed by these ridges of leaf-covered floors of moss and grey colored trees.  When I first discovered this area, I sat upon a fallen tree, just over-looking this serene place. And that is when I saw him; a little guardian that protected this miniscule place of purity. I saw how it lived amongst this small place, helping the small bright orange flowers grow, and how, perched on his branch, stayed alert over his proud garden nurturing to its every need.

At first, I attempted to practice on a separate surface to try and figure out how John Howe rendered his foliage, which is established in so much of his work. Yet, I had some trouble understanding his techniques, therefore, I stuck with what a knew with some more experimentations. I will keep practicing. I hope that I can properly execute this place someday, because I really want to show my audience the true magic that this small encompassed place had to offer, with all its detail.

The Dragon's Armory

Watercolor over pencil (only the dragon), 22x9"

Thanks to John Howe for his recommendation of a watercolor brand, this little clinger of sorts has been given some color after  only being completed in a gray scale of graphite.  This small creature was initially created about 2 years ago in a sketch book that I abandoned but recently looked through.  I thought to myself how much I enjoyed this idea and I wanted to turn it into a actual finished piece. Therefore, after I have spent a good amount of money on these new watercolors that are more than worth every penny (Grumbacher), I can see the difference in the light-fastness of the color as well as the saturation that each tube brings. Finally, such bright colors that remarkably put up with my constant layering! I still have a ways to go, but this was a great achievement for a practice run with my new paints. Thank you again John Howe, and thank you to all of those who have donated money/bought prints from me recently. You have made this possible and I am grateful for that opportunity.

Grimm's Fairy Tales Series

Series for "Once Upon a Fairy Tale" Show at Westfield State Downtown Art Gallery Nov 2012-Dec 2012

"Rapunzel" graphite, colored pencil, tea stained paper. approx 20x17"

"Rapunzel had beautiful long hair that shown like gold. When she heard the voice of the witch she would....unbind the plaits of her hair, and let it down twenty ells below.

After they had lived thus a few years, it happened that as the King's son was riding through the wood, he came upon the tower;and as he drew near he heard a voice sining so sweetly...It was Rapunzel in her loneliness trying to pass away the time with sweet songs (94)."

"The Rose" watercolor, 11x14'

"There was once a poor woman who had two children. The youngest had to go every day into the forest to fetch wood. Once when she had gone a long way to seek it, a little child, who was quite strong, came and helped her industriously to pick up the wood and carry it home, and then before a moment had passed the strange child disappeared. The child told her mother this, but at first she would not believe it. At length she brought a rose home, and told her mother that the beautiful child had given this rose, and had told her that when it was in full bloom, he would return. The mother put the rose in water. One morning her child could not get out of bed. The mother went to the bed and found her dead, but looking very happy. One the same morning, the rose was in full bloom (374)."

 "The Griffin" watercolor, pen. approx 13x26"

"[The King] however, [would] not give [Stupid Hans] his daughter yet, and said he must now bring him a feather from the Griffin's tail... At length Hans arrived at the Griffin's house, but the wife only was at home, and not the Griffin himself. Then the woman asked him what he wanted. Thereupon he told her everything...'But look here, my good friend, no Christian can speak to the Griffin. He devours them all.'...In the middle of the night when the Griffin was snoring loudly, Hans reached out and plucked a feather from his tail (200-201)."

The Fox and the Horse, watercolor and pen

"A peasant had a faithful horse which has grown old....'...if you prove yourself still strong enough to bring me a lion here, I will maintain you...' [says the peasant to the horse].

'Why do you hang your head so, and go about all alone?' [says the fox]... 'I will help you. Just lay yourself down, stretch yourself out, as if you were dead, and do not stir.' The horse did as the fox desired, and the fox went to the lion...'A dead horse is lying outside there, just come with me, you can have a rich meal....I tell you what-I will fasten it to you by the tail, and then you can drag it into your cave, and devour it in peace.'...The fox tied the lion's legs with the horse's tail, and twisted and fastened all so well and so strongly that no strength could break it...[Then the fox says] 'Pull, white horse, pull (147)"

 "The Nixie of the Mill Pond" watercolor, approx 11x14"

"One morning [the man] rose before daybreak and went out into the open air, thinking that perhaps there his heart might become lighter. As he was stepping over the mill-dam the first sun beam was just breaking through, and he heard a rippling sound in the pond. He turned round and perceived a beautiful woman, rising slowly out of the water. Her long hair, which was holding off her shoulders with her soft hands, fell down on both sides, covered her white body. He soon saw that she was a Nixie....and in his fright did not know whether he should run away or stay...But the NIxie made her sweet voice heard, called him by his name...(470)."

Reference: Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales. Nelson Doubeday, Inc. Garden City, New York.