"Westford Museum" - 12 x 12 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

Westford Museum - 12 x 12 inches - oil on canvas

Right now I’m in the groove of painting Westford landmarks and am enjoying every minute of it.  Westford is a great town and I feel fortunate to live here.  I thought about painting the Westford Museum for a while, had photographed it from various angles and at different times of the year, but nothing really grabbed me.  A few weeks ago when I saw the antique sled out front, I knew this would add a spark of interest to the scene.  I just love how the little bits of red flow throughout the painting from the cupola to the chimney, to the ribbon and finally to the front door.

Westford is hosting their first annual Winter FunFest and a snow sculpture contest is part of the festivities.  Below is a photo of  Art on Main' s entry for the contest.  (The sculpture is on the lawn directly across from Art on Main so be sure to drive by if you live in the area).  I created the sculpture with two of my artist partners, Mary Jane Brunelle and Sue Haley.  I haven't "played" in the snow for quite some time and thoroughly enjoyed romping around in it for a total of 3 afternoons to create our masterpiece.  Westford Winter Funfest is exactly the type of event that makes Westford such a great place to live.




Westford Winter Fun Fest Snow Sculpture



"Sargent Mill" - 12 x 12 inches - oil on canvas - sold

I started this painting with a dark blue ground and used it to create the texture in the building by allowing the blue to peek through.  I really like how it looks.  I’ve recently learned something new.  When I started painting in oils a couple years ago, I usually started with a detailed pencil drawing directly on the canvas.  Lately, no matter how complicated the subject, I create my "drawing" by using brushstrokes.  I just try to get the basic proportions and angles correct and not worry too much about defining every little detail.  When I begin to paint, I’m able to keep my brush strokes looser as I’m not as worried about conforming to my pencil sketch.  This has really been a break through for me!

"Winter Reflections" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

Last weekend, I was pretty proud of myself for getting my painting stuff together, bundling up and setting out to paint in cold weather.  Fortunately, there was no wind, so I really didn’t feel cold and the time passed quickly since I was focused on doing something that I love. 

"Abbot Mill" - 12 x 12 inches - oil on canvas

This painting is of the Abbott Mill, one of the historic mill buildings in Westford, MA. A developer will be starting construction on the mill this month to turn it into housing. I just love these old building – they have such tremendous character and personality. I’ll be happy to see this building restored and put back to good use.

Normally, when I start a painting, I cover the canvas with a solid wash of color that I allow to peek through. (In oil painting terms, this is called the “ground.”) For this painting, I painted on a previously used canvas that had a colorful painting of an abstract flower arrangement. As usual, I allowed the “under painting” to show though, particularly in the snow and window reflections. Since there were so many colors underneath, I had some serendipitous results. I may never use a solid ground again!

This painting is available at Art on Main for $150.  Or, you can purchase from me directly by clicking on the Buy Now button below.

"Sunny Side Up" - 8 x 8 inches - oil on canvas



Happy New Year! I’d like to thank all those who supported me in 2010. I appreciate every encouraging email, comment and of course every purchase. I’m facing 2011 with a renewed sense of purpose. My resolution for 2011 is to paint (or sketch) on a very regular basis…to not let more than 24 hours pass without doing something creative. If there is one “secret” to becoming a good artist, it is to “just do it.”

I actually started this painting last week and had to let it ‘incubate’ for a bit. It wasn’t until I added the grease spots to the frying pan that I felt the painting was complete. It just needed that extra little punch and sparkle.

This painting is available for $85 at Art on Main or you can purchase directly from me by clicking on the Buy Now button below.