It only took me 17 years...............

I'm really slow.

17 years.

That's how long it took me to actually go to the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.

It's right on the bus route right before Far Rockaway, and the bus is right near my apartment.

I have, in fact, known about the refuge but maybe I didn't realize you could go in it, until my friend told me.

Obviously I need to go there and paint.

It is GORGEOUS.
And... empty! Well, people-empty, mostly.
Which is wonderful!

8x10 oil

From Italy

I am not in Italy, unfortunately, but Daya is. 

She's in a dance intensive called Orsollina.
She left on Saturday for 2 weeks.

Here are 2 pictures she sent me...that's all the update I have!

I would be painting every second if I was there!

Another Pre-Opening Leftover Paint Painting

I had leftover paint from yesterday.
So once again I showed up at the boathouse before opening to get a little painting in.

Mark brings fresh bagels which is a huge incentive to get down there early!

The sky kept changing pretty dramatically. I changed it completely halfway thru the painting, which is something I almost never do.

Oh, and it rained too, a little........

6x8 oil

Dyckman Farmhouse Plein Air Event

My art friend Francis organizes plein air events sometimes over the summer.  He got Blick to sponsor us for 2 events! 

We painted at Dyckman Farmhouse.  It's an old 1700s house in upper Manhattan.

The weather was hot but nice and it was great to see everyone.

In-progress.....

8x10 oil

Everyone's paintings at the back of the farmhouse.

Different lighting

Ridiculous Cats

I'm watching my friend's cats on a real quick last-minute overnight.

They are completely utterly and in all ways, completely ridiculous cats.

Nala the...uh..."regal..."

The Most Amazing Egg Tempera Portraits

My incredible egg tempera teacher Doug Safranek has a portrait painting show happening now, and tonight was the opening.

It was absolutely incredible. I need to go back and have a second look.

Like, mind-blowing... especially all those faces together as a collective.

Have a look at his website; it's worth it.

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Leftover Paint Plant Portrait

I always have intentions to use plein air leftover paint.  Sometimes I do.

Like tonight.  Here is a little 1 hour painting. I really shouldn't have used a nice panel for this but oh well. I can always re-use it.

The plant is real but the cup it lives in is made up.

6x8 oil

Leftover paint...

More Medieval Bees!

This painting was a commission- more medieval bees!
5x7 egg tempera

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Roosevelt Island Lighthouse

Today I met up with Janae and Zoe from my egg tempera class to paint on Roosevelt Island.

We settled down by the light house on the northern tip of the island.

I am never as focused when out painting with others.  This painting could use one more layer, especially on the sky, but we just ran out of time.  Still, I explored new things with it and I am happy overall.  Working on the traditional gesso ground is nice.

8x10 oil

Assorted pictures from the day.

Pebbles tried to come plein airing with me.

Snailchicken Too

Carey and I have a sworn duty to bring more snailchickens into the world.

Last week we painted snailchicken as a joint stay-motivated project.

Here's mine, 5x7 egg tempera.

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