Holly Hocks

My wife and I used to own a farm on Lake Simcoe, in Ontario, Canada.  For many years, this was the view from my art studio.  The north window faced this barn wall and pasture, where I planted holly hocks, which we enjoyed every summer.  

I enjoy looking at paintings that I have done in the past, that show places and things that may no longer exist as they once were.  It brings back fond memories in a way that only a painting can.  Not only does it record the way it looked, but also the way it made me feel.

This painting measures 16 inches high by 20 inches wide.  Friends of ours purchased it at one of my art shows a few years ago and they seem to enjoy it too.  Prints are available here.

The Stone Arch

I grew up on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, in the Thousand Islands region of Ontario.  One of the places that I loved to explore in those days was Boldt's Castle, near Alexandria Bay, New York.  It is located on an island just off the main shipping channel of the river.

The stone arch that I have painted here was to be the formal entrance to the castle for launches delivering guests from larger yachts anchored in deep water.  A drawbridge within the opening was to provide a prominade on the embankment of the Swan Pond.  Alas, tragedy struck and Mrs. Boldt passed away.   Her husband, Geroge Boldt, was grief stricken and all work on the castle ceased and the entire project was never completed.

This painting measures 9.5 inches high by 13.5 inches wide.  It is painted in alkyd on stretched canvas.  Prints are available at Richard De Wolfe Fine Art.

Traditional Figure Painting

Here is something I came across on Robert Genn's Twice Weekly Newsletter.  It was inspiring to me to learn of an artist who is determined to maintain tried and true, traditional methods of figure painting.  Jacob Collins is a New York artist and art teacher.  His self-proclaimed goal is to be "an old-fashioned painter".  Jacob works from life, be it nudes, still life or figures, in his dark but strategically lit studio.  He carefully draws his subjects by the time honoured method of draw, correct, refine, until he has captured the nature and character of his model.  Some may liken Jacob to a modern-day Rembrandt who stands out in contrast to many of the current avant-garde artists who surround us.  The following video attests to the skills of a modern-day master.  Enjoy!

Metropolitan Museum of Art

It is sad that so few people take the time to visit an art gallery when they travel.  Whether it is a private, personal gallery of one artist's works, or a large collective institution, art galleries hold a wealth of beauty and culture.   When I travel, one of the first things I look for is the art that may be available there.  I do this for several reasons.  One is to see what other artists are doing or have done in the past.  Another is to learn some viewpoint or technique that I might apply to my own creative process.  The most important, though, is to revel in the beauty and creativity that art reveals to me.

I have visited New York City several times, but have not had the time or opportunity to visit one of the greatest art museums in the world, the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  I am determined to rectify this just as soon as I can return to New York City once more.

Did you know that 'The Met' contains the most comprehensive collection of American art in the world?  It also has the largest collection of Degas works in the world.  In fact, the museum holds the most impressive collection of Impressionism and Post Impressionist art in North America.  Finally, it is a truly global collection of art, the most impressive collection in the western world.

Here is an episode of Great Museums Television that will give you an insight into what a marvel this museum really is.