George Gets A Promotion

George gets a well deserved promotion from the one dollar bill. Trompe l'oeil stikes again!

Another Rack Painting

Anybody who knows anything about American art knows Madame X.  A painting done by John Singer Sargent. Its well worth a visit to The Metropolitan Museum Of Art in New York to see the original, its amazing. I put "X" in the painting numerous ways. The most obvious is the rack itself, the torn piece of paper and the business card. The card  has simply an "X" on it and the symbol of the Met, a reference to where the painting is located. One of the envelopes has a return address to John Singer Sargent. The painting was framed in a ornate molding that Madame X deserves, it was floated in the frame. The screws in the corners make it look as if this is how the painting is being held  into the frame.

Letters From Home

 

I've always enjoyed looking at rack painting, so every now and then I have to do one. Their fun! One of the difficult things about them is the placement of  objects. It has to look random and still have a strong composition. Its tempting to keep adding things and to fill every corner but that doesn't always make for a good painting. In this piece the portrait is a painting of Paul Wayland Bartlett the American sculptor who worked and lived in France. It was done by Charles Sprague Pearce an artist who's work I really admire.

Contemporary Still-Life Paintings at Spanierman Gallery

Opening March 24 and showing until April 16 at Spanierman Gallery in New York will be the show, Contemporary Still-Life Paintings. It will feature nine artist, my contribution will be trompe l'oeil of course. I posted a photo of the painting Taking Chances because it was featured on the cover of the brochure sent out to announce the show. I have to admit I'm quite proud of it.

Reality Check

My painting Madame X Desk Blotter is now in the exhibition title Reality Check: Contemporary American Trompe L'oeil at the Brandywine River Museum.The piece is on loan from the New Britian Museum of American Art. The exhibition presents the work of 22 contemporary artist, all of whom demonstrate a high degree of skill in the tradition of trompe l'oeil.

Judging by the crowd on opening night I would have to say realism in art is alive and well. It was a great pleasure to meet the other artist and museum staff. Anybody with an interest in trompe l'oeil should check out the exhibition on line or in person, you won't be disappointed.

William Tell's Dart Board

A fun painting to do, the title says it all. Not the best photo, but you get the idea.

Spanierman Gallery, Summer Show

I am pleased to say that my work is now being represented by Spanierman Gallery of New York, NY. They have been dealing in the finest American Art for over a half century. To now be included is quite a thrill. This painting titled 'Monopoly' is being included in the show 'Summer Selections'. The show will include work from 1870 to the present, and will be showing art by Childe Hassam, Eastman Johnson and William Trost Richards to name a few.