Journal

This latest body of work began with a small plein air painting of a summer day in Lisbon Maine. I set up in the corner of the back field, in the shade of the woods because of the heat and put a small panel on the easel. My paintings are usually square or horizontal, even when I paint the woods…

Like most artists, I am often asked who has influenced me the most. It's an interesting question, and one that, at least for me, changes all the time. No one works in a vacuum, and no one is entirely self made. We’ve all been inspired by others one way or another, whether you are a gallerist, painter, sculptor, filmmaker, installation…

At the end of my essay Why Buy Art? we determined we buy it because it makes us happy. Still, for many people, buying original art has an air of exclusivity about it, something only people with a lot of money do. And buying original art from a living artist sounds mysteriously complicated, awkwardly uncomfortable, and even a little dangerous. Choosing…

“All labor of love must have something beyond mere mechanism at the bottom of it.” -The New Path, 1865 “We’re watching the death of artistry unfold right before our eyes” -OmniMorpho via Twitter 2022 Artificial Intelligence vs Human Intelligence The angst right now among visual artists regarding AI artwork is palpable. If you are still unfamiliar with the term, this…

This little self portrait by Rembrandt is a small miracle and a tour de force of the Dutch master's skill and visual intelligence. The subtle variations of value and color in Rembrandt's face, particularly in the shadows, are perfectly modulated and quite amazing. Back in 2011, The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA hosted this amazing little painting…

As an artist I am always preaching the value of art and why people should spend some of their hard earned money on it. But to be honest, I hardly ever buy it myself. It's just not in my budget. I've bought a few inexpensive prints over the years, and I've also traded my own work with artist friends, so…

Essay for the exhibit: FIVE who paint outside A.P.E. Gallery 126 Main Street Northampton, MA March 4 - 28, 2021 Painting outside can be a struggle, especially when compared to working in the comfort of a studio from photographs. Painting outside means wind, bugs, heat, cold, rain, snow, direct sun, and constantly moving shadows. Painting in public also means dealing…