What mediums do you use?
I utilize oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels and monochrome media such as pen and ink and other drawing utensils. Oils are extremely flexible and fluid for me. Acrylics allow me to apply glazes and washes almost immediately due to the quick dry time. The remaining mediums are for more whimsical moods.
Do you paint from someone else's visual reference if offered?
I avoid it as best I can, for what some people consider a good photograph of a subject won't make a good painting in a sense of composition or in terms of color and light. And yes, some photos are of very poor quality to begin with.
If possible, I offer to shoot photos of the subject myself which I can use back at the easel.
What supports for painting do you prefer?
Gessoed canvas (stretched or mounted), masonite panel, sometimes construction grade canvas paper (highly durable and elastic), Canson papers, Strathmore Bristol board and Montval watercolor paper.
Believe it or not, I'm a fanatic about a paper that was once referred to as tyger-rag, - a tough, almost impossible to tear type surface, non- porous and acid free (never yellows). It's the same stuff they use to make Tyvek envelopes. Problem though…..I haven't seen them in ages and the sizes were limited.
How can someone purchase your paintings?
Currently by direct method, meaning phone call or email. Arrangements can be discussed in this manner. On occasion, I might post my works on auction-sites, especially smaller formats.
Do you paint commissions?
I've done so in the past and am still open to doing so now.
How do you price your paintings?
I base my prices by comparison to what's out there in the gallery market which is pretty simple to ascertain for I'll take a standard retail price and divide it by the square format of a painting to arrive at a close estimate.
How long does it take for you to complete a painting?
Size and complexity play a part. Then there's drying time for oils. Using standard formats as a guide, I would estimate that a 9" X 12" may take a few hours, a 15" X 20" may take between five and seven hours and a 30" X 40" should be completed between 16 and 20 hours.
Do you paint larger works such as murals?
I've done 40" X 60"s canvases in the past. At one point a small painting of mine was enlarged to serve as a 20' by 40' backdrop for an opera company's performance Scale is relevant and the painting process is mostly the same. Nothing really changes except size.
Are your paintings varnished?
I do feel that a uniform moderate gloss is necessary for oils and acrylics to bring out the most in the color especially when it comes to the darks and half-tones. Un-varnished works have a tired chalky kind of look and the half tones disappear within the shadow area.
For oils I use a spray damar and for acrylics I sometimes mix gloss medium directly with the paint or spray them directly afterwards.
What do you hope to achieve when producing a painting?
The painting has to speak for itself, making an emotional connection to the viewer even without a formal title, although at times a title is necessary.
What About Framing?
Some of my works are framed but not all. Frames are supposed to link the painting to an interior and there's no way to tell what each individual's home interior style may be or their tastes in decor. Frames are expensive, and as much as I'd like to make everyone's life simpler by providing them with a painting to hang automatically upon purchase, it's best that each person is satisfied with their own frame choice.
