Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Retro Oscillating Fan Still Life Painting

This very cool painting (no pun intended) is a retro progress fan. This painting is very dynamic in the think and layered texture of the background and the contrasting smooth and reflective surface of the fan. This painting did not reproduce digitally very accurately and does not show all the detail that this painting contains. The contrasting colors, strong cool tones and the rich thick surface makes this painting one of my favorites.

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Sunday, January 28, 2007

Italian Cookies Still Life !

This painting illustrates a variety Italian cookies. I'll never forget my Dad making a big deal when I was a kid how these cookies are to die for. These Italian cookies were always a special treat as a kid - and even to this day. Both my parents are from San Marino, Italy - you can guess the goodies that filled our house around the Holidays. The cookies are simple but makes for a delicious painting.

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Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Cupcake with Rose Still Life

I am continuing my Food Series with another one of my cupcake paintings. This painting along with its companion on eBay are small but fun.



I am preparing for an art exhibition scheduled for sometime next fall. I rarely keep any paintings but now because of this opportunity I need to start. These small paintings of sweets, desserts and various other dishes, are sort of the subjects of my upcoming show. I may continue to keep them small because these paintings, if viewed in person, are like little shiny candies. I varnish these paintings and build up the surface so that they are like glass. The style is realistic but the realism is very simplistic. My intention is that they are playful and entertaining.

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Cupcake Still Life with Butterfly Top

I am continuing my Food Series with another one of my cupcake paintings. This painting along with its companion on eBay are small but fun.



I am preparing for an art exhibition scheduled for sometime next fall. I rarely keep any paintings but now because of this opportunity I need to start. These small paintings of sweets, desserts and various other dishes, are sort of the subjects of my upcoming show. I may continue to keep them small because these paintings, if viewed in person, are like little shiny candies. I varnish these paintings and build up the surface so that they are like glass. The style is realistic but the realism is very simplistic. My intention is that they are playful and entertaining.

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Assortment of a Dozen Donuts !

Okay, I gave in. I surrendered and painted a large piece (large for me 16" x 20"). I received numerous request from people who really enjoy my donuts by the dozen painting and figured what the heck - do another. This painting encompasses some of the similar donuts on my smaller painting. The painting is as fun as it looks. The painting is painted in a loose and impressionistic style. I wanted to keep the imagery looking free and creamy.

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I must say painting large does allow me to be more expressive with the brush strokes but it produces some diffuculties as well. Getting around the painting for me is sort of a paint. I have to keep moving the canvas in all directions to get to a particular spot on the canvas. Many times I paint on the canvas upside down. This allows me to get a different perspective of the artwork. I've included some detail shows below.

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Detail of Donuts

Some detail of my donuts painting (click to enlarge):

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

1950's Classic Blue Chevy Painting

This painting of a 1950's (I think) blue Chevy is to me more intriguing in the unique composition than the painting itself. The painting plays on the various levels reflection and imagery. Many of my paintings are very nostalgic and very reminiscent of things of the past. I love to paint these old cars for their artistic design and chrome...


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Monday, January 15, 2007

Retro Cake Mixer Painting

This painting on wood illustrates one of those objects that are totally retro. The color and the design is completely from the past. This pink cake mixer is one that many of us (old timers) who can remember our mother making cake and frosting for our birthday, holidays or just for fun. I've always been a sucker for cakes and sweets. I guess it reminds me of when we were young and free of responsibilities and inhibitions. I guess that sounds nostalgic, but that is what I am.

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Large Scale vs Small Scale

In recent weeks since I started painting smaller on poplar, I've been hit with emails by people asking why I don't paint larger. I have to admit, that my small paintings really don't photograph well on the screen and really doesn't display the richness and intimacy that the painting portrays. My little paintings for me are perhaps the most personal. They are tiny little mementos of bits of memory on a small scale. I am often reminded of some of the old masters (Flemish) who paint in small scale but never lose the perspective of fantastic detail. I am no different that other struggling artist who try so hard to display a passionate image on canvas or panel. "I try to paint a jewel". Ever since I was in College and majoring in Print Making, I have loved to paint great detail. Now my work is more lose but not free of detail - detail in the brush stroke.
I will paint larger soon - perhaps very large - just for a change of pace. Oh well...enough of this - I felt like I had to explain this to myself and others.

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Retro Toaster Painting Still Life

This very impressionist and lose style of a retro toaster is another painting from my toaster series. I have painted toasters for the last ten years and can't seem to get my fill. I've painted high realism toaster art and very impressionistic style such as this one. Sometimes I'm in the mood to be free and lose and sometimes I'm in the mood to be tight and highly realistic. Hope you enjoy.

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Throughout my years of painting these retro 1950' - 60's images, I've always found that
toaster painting are perhaps the most interesting and most identifiable image of retro art. I've had toaster collectors, yes there are some, that have really enjoyed my paintings. The last 5 years my wife and I are always hunting garage sales, salvation army outlets and auction houses for some unique and interesting objects such as this toaster for my art. I hate to admit it, I have a collection of toasters that I can't even account for...I guess I will need a garage sale soon...

Friday, January 12, 2007

Blueberry Cheesecake II Still Life

This is now my third week in painting these small and intimate food paintings. When I paint these little jewels, I feel like a baker mixing the ingredients to create these little sweets. As a kid growing up I remember visiting my Uncle during Christmas and just indulging myself in cheesecake, cream puffs, cakes and twist cookies. My parents and family are from San Marino Italy, so there is never lack of goodies around. Now, my wife who is half Italian (Bari), continues to spoil me. Fortunately. my kids aren't really big on desserts and fine food (they prefer macaroni in a box and Chip Ohoy cookies) - good - leaves more for me...Mangiare !

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Thursday, January 11, 2007

Teapot Painting

This teapot displays an interior of a room from within the reflection. The painting is almost surreal with the perspective and high degree of realism.

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The past few weeks I've attempted to try a different surface for my paintings. My father who is a skilled carpenter cut me several 6" x 6" peices of 3/4" wood. The wood I choose is not your standard masonite (which I use frequently as do many artist) but poplar. Poplar is a very smooth white surface that I find nice to paint on. The idea is to paint the sides and avoid framing.

This particular painting of a teapot was inspired when my wife and I visited some antique shops in Michigan a few weeks ago. I spotted this teapot and thought it would make a great still life. This composition is very simple but the stark background and vivid reflection makes for a stunning peice.



Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Cheesecake Still Life

I have several new paintings that are almost ready to be posted on ebay. I went kind of crazy with more of my 'sweets' theme.

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This painting of a cherry cheesecake is the first of many paintings that I have been working on the last few weeks. The painting is small (3.5" x 3.5") but not small on richness and color. I have to admit, my wife is a fantastic cook and she spoils me rotten.


Tuesday, January 09, 2007

1958 Caddy Auto Painting

This painting of a 1950's Blue Cadillac is one of my favorites car paintings. This painting uses various colors of blues and is highlighted with high reflections in the chrome. I've always been fascinated with automobiles in art and I will continue to use cars in my paintings. Cars are not my common subject but because the imaginary is so strong I can't help but to paint them.

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