A BREATH OF SALT AIR
Painting Like the Tides
The waves come in, the waves go out. I paint it in, I repaint it out. Often people have asked me, "how long did it take to paint that picture?". I never know the answer. I know approximately how long the painting was on my easel, but determining when a painting is...
“Quartz Wave” Reflections
Here at the ocean it can feel balmy on a gray day. Cloud cover usually warms things up. I can smell that salty scent floating in the air and it sends memories of days that feel just like this one flooding into my head. My mind travels back in time. I could be looking...
If everything is changed, what now?
You feel the full frontal force of nature coming toward you in both of these waves. They are majestic in shape and color. I love how oil paint can be thinned to transparency and layered to achieve the sensation of looking through water. Blend and dab the paint...
Have you seen a whale lately?
Did you see any whales swimming by this summer? It is almost eerie. I mean we know that they are out there but when we see one breaching the surface it is ASTONISHING. This summer they swam so close to the shore it was surprising and wonderful and alarming all at the...
The First Time Was Horrible
The first time I got up the nerve to ask about how I might have one of my paintings on the cover of Dan’s Papers the editor told me “we have famous people on our cover”. That was many years ago. I went to the tiny office which was in Bridgehampton at the time...
Only For a Flash
I'm awestruck every time I come across an unexpected flower field. This cosmos field was at the Sagaponack Farm Distillery, Sagaponack, NY. where they actually distill vodka made from local potatoes. They have a bright and airy tasting room to check out if you go to...
How to hold on to Summer
Every August it happens. Summer starts to fade away in small increments as the light subtly changes We have all had a strange and extremely challenging Summer but still.....I want to hold on to the way my body feels at the ocean. I want to hold on to the pure...
Salad As An Artwork?
Okay, it’s salad. Salad with lots of ingredients to make it full of all the good things I think I need. When I eat a salad, even when it has extras like cheese and nuts, I feel I am doing something good for myself. I don’t feel guilty eating it. Isn’t that terrible?...
Self-Preservation Requires that we go Blind, Land Preservation Requires that We See!
How many times have you driven past the section of water at Dam Pond looking North as you rushed to meet the Orient Point ferry? Did you pull over and take it in? Did you acknowledge the fragility of the sand spit stretching across the horizon or felt...
Mysterious Aqua Stripe
Way back in Covid time 3 or 4 weeks ago, when things seemed like they were finally relaxing, when shelter in place was lifting, I made plans to meet my good friend at the Ocean. Why not I thought? We would wear our masks and drive there in separate cars. It was...
Can Walls Talk?
It’s so hard to resist. Even in these most serious of times, I find myself endlessly curious about the insides of other peoples' homes. I've always taken a keen interest in the art on the walls on TV or in a movie. What is the art telling me about the story? A...
Pen and Sketchbook
Ever since I placed the geranium branch in my best-loved vase, I've had the craving to draw it. The branch leans so precariously on the horizontal. It's shaped like the crook of an arm. The leaves are roundish with curled edges and tiny flowers burst open at the tip....
I Flew Up the Stairs
As I do every morning, I was sitting in my spot, cup of coffee in hand, black mini-journal, lap top all within reach. A plastic contraption with three rigid buckles on my right foot was stretching my achilles heel on doctor's orders. "Brrrring, Brrrring, Brrring I...
Jade and Sapphire Ocean
When is the sea like a set of precious gems? It is when the colors are so vivid that you can't believe that it's real. It happens when the sunlight hits just right and the air blows clear and brisk. The colors can hypnotize you like a love potion. You fall under a...
Salt and Color
A wide sweep of mixed greens dotted with pools of salty blue water is one of the most treasured sights to view here on the East End of Long Island. This is a brand new painting made in the studio. I used a photo for reference but it is the memory of this spectacular...