Spray Paint and Southern Sun

Last week I flew down to Florida to vacation with my Mom and visit my Grandma (three generations of beauty and brains folks!). My mom and I spent our days playing tennis (she whipped me around the courts), window shopping down Worth Ave in Palm Beach, and driving out to my Grandparents house in Stuart for late afternoon cocktails. I definitely earned my glass of wine, because Grandma put me to work spray painting her lawn furniture.

I love this picture because it captures the amazing, Ms. Havisham-esque collection of yard-sale finds that completely dominate their garage. The furniture is now a rich glossy Hunter Green that hopefully will keep the rust at bay for years to come (or until I visit again).

How I Spent Spring Break

What I love about being on vacation this week is the freedom to get up and do whatever I'm in the mood for. Painting, at least for me, is something that can only be done when the mood strikes- so free time is a major necessary ingredient. So today, I got up inspired and started painting.

This is the picture that I was working off of:


Here is my process:

For Mom's Birthday

My mom's birthday is this Monday so we're celebrating this weekend in Newport. I painted this little (8"x10") oil sketch this morning, and I'm planning to give it to her tonight. (The absolutely greatest thing about being an artist, you never have to buy presents!) You may recognize this fire hydrant, the painting is actually based on a photo I took last week and posted on the blog!

Close to the Sun in Lonely Lands

I think that I've finished this painting! I just put in the schooner and the bridge, and I'm especially happy with the sketchy impressionist feeling of the bridge. I think that the rest of the painting looks a little too labored, but I'm my own harshest critic. What do you think?

I Was Framed...

Most of the paintings that I've made have never been framed, largely because of how expensive framing is. But there are a few favorites that I've always wanted to see properly presented in a frame. When we realized how well "Stripped Bare" fit with the atmosphere of our living room in New York, my parents volunteered to have it framed for me.

(click to enlarge)

We picked out this frame at Providence Picture Frame, an amazing place in Rhode Island where we've gotten most of the art in our Newport house framed. The battered wood frame with its silver and black detailing is the perfect foil for the cool tones of the flesh and curtains. It really ties the image in with the decor of the room as well. I can't believe how official it makes my work look, guess I better get my signature on there soon or no one will believe its mine!