Rembrandt, Whistler, Velvet, Vase

24" x 24"   Oil on Linen

From time to time, in music, one composer will expand on the work of another composer. Perhaps the most famous example is Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. Written in 1874 as a piano suite in ten movements, it was orchestrated by Maurice Ravel in 1922. With that in mind I decided to expand on Whistler’s Nocturne in Blue and Silver: The Lagoon, Venice. Whistler’s Nocturne itself sets the tone and the mood, it provides the melody, rhythms, and harmony. I added a still life to orchestrate the piece. It’s not hard to hear the cellos playing the low, rich tones of the velvet. The black jacket of the book brings in the double basses and the percussion section. The violins and violas add warmth to the piece as they play the red and umber tones of the table. The white vase is expressed by the flutes and piccolos as the oboes splash a bit of light on the tabletop. The lettering on the book lets us know that Rembrandt is conducting the orchestra…

 Seventy-three

20" x 16"   Oil on Linen

I used myself as the model for this painting, but it was never intended to be a self-portrait, not in the conventional sense of capturing a likeness. It is a painting of a man who is curious about life, perhaps confused, perhaps angry, always searching. The man in this painting is alert and clear eyed, but the gently furrowed brow suggests there is something more going on behind those kind eyes. There may or may not be a slight smile under that playful mustache. The shirt collar is loose and free, allowing the man to be nimble in thought and action. The head is solidly painted, the brushwork quick and lively, he is listening to his own thoughts but could respond to you in an instant. He sits in a half light, there is a lightness of being in one half of the painting, and a rich depth of life experiences in the other. The light is the natural light from the window in my studio, it has sparkle and energy. The shadows are mysterious, there is energy there too. In fact, the entire painting is imbued with a quiet liveliness...

 

Narcissus

24" x 20"   Oil on Linen

In Greek mythology the story of Narcissus is a tale of vanity and unrequited love. Narcissus was a young hunter who was known for his astonishing beauty. He spurned all his suitors, most notably the nymph Echo. One day he stopped to quench his thirst at a pool of water. As he bent over to drink, he saw this incredibly beautiful person in the water, and, not realizing it was his own reflection, fell madly in love. Whenever he reached out to touch his beloved, however, the figure would disappear beneath the ripples of the water’s surface. Heartbroken, he refused to leave, fearing he would never see this beautiful being again and eventually he passed away on the edge of the pool. His spirit was transformed into a beautiful gold and white flower which began to grow on that very spot, a daffodil, that we now know as a narcissus.

There is an abundant bank of narcissus flowers that grow outside my studio. This year I brought some into my studio to paint. I decided to set the bouquet next to a mirror, where they could admire their own beauty...

Studio Interior with Nocturne

30" x 24"     Oil on Linen

It is a rare treat to be invited into an artist’s studio. Here we peek in as the artist takes a break while creating one of his signature nocturnes. His smock is thrown casually over the back of his chair, his palette left on the seat. Behind the easel are stacks of paintings, some in frames, some without. Jars of oils and dry colors can be seen on shelves and ledges, finished paintings and empty frames hang on the walls. The room is filled with a quiet anticipation as we wait for the artist to return...