Always Artful

Dalmation One

2012-01-18T20:10:00.000-05:00

5"x 7" oil on panel

Could not resist playing with the dark and light colored shapes. Amazing when one really looks there are many colors in what we call white and black.

"Dalmation One" is currently available for sale on ebay; check out my auction here.

Land, Sky, Water Series

2011-11-19T21:02:00.006-05:00

"Sunset Silence"

6" x 8" encaustic on panel

This is the latest in a series of encaustic paintings I call Land/Sky/Water; the six paintings that make up the series are currently on exhibit at the Hygienic Art Gallery, part of the art = gift show. (We went to the opening tonight and saw some excellent paintings, etchings, prints and photographs, plus work by Williams High School students in the basement gallery.) All works in the series are available for sale; the show runs until December 23rd.

I posted another painting from the series previously here on the blog, and I'll be posting photos of the others in the coming days.

My Ebay Artwork Auctions Fall/Winter 2011

2011-10-26T19:55:00.028-04:00

As the holidays approach I decided to put up more artwork on ebay auctions. At the moment I have three listed with more to come. Check out the auctions by clicking on the links below.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of "Mare and Foal" and "Little River, Waterbury VT" will be donated to the Red Cross, Northern Vermont chapter to assist Hurricane Irene recovery efforts. A portion of the sale of "The Thames, CT" will be donated to the Red Cross Charter Oak (CT) chapter.

"Mare and Foal"

SOLD

Little River, Waterbury VT

SOLD

The Thames, CT

oil on board, 5" x 7"

This painting shows the incredibly dramatic skies I saw over the Thames River here in New London while driving along Pequot Avenue. (You can see the NL lighthouse in the distance to the left.)

Check out all my current auctions by clicking on the link at the top of this post.

Little River

2011-09-21T21:14:00.004-04:00

SOLD

Enjoyed painting this view of Little River in Waterbury VT earlier in the summer. I had to work fast with the light changing and a few pesky mosquitos after me. So I decided to just use a palette knife and go at it. Palette knife painting appeals to me on many levels because I can get very clean color, very tactile surfaces, and the surface is reflective due to light playing off the ridges of paint. Setting aside my paint brush down now and then is liberating and fun.

Pawcatuck River Sketch at the Malted Barley

2011-07-24T19:55:00.000-04:00

Recently I went to the Malted Barley in Westerly RI for beer and a pretzel, both of which were excellent. Enjoyed watching the Pawcatuck River meandering under the bridge in the distance from their back patio. Not quite sure of the shape on the bridge standing, but my imagination took off and I sketched in a human form.

Swirling Times

2011-06-05T20:57:00.000-04:00

8" x 8" encaustic on panel

I feel that the world climate patterns and economic times are like a whirlwind and sometimes my state of being joins the winds of time. With no planning, I just started this painting with my heat gun, torch and brush. My guess is that my subconscious brain was swirling in an ocean of thoughts and feelings.

Blazing

2011-04-23T10:57:00.000-04:00

"Blazing" 11" x 11 " encaustic on panel

This painting and "Winter Heat" (on previous post) will be part of a juried group exhibit called The Crossing. The opening starts tonight, April the 23rd at The Hygienic Gallery in New London CT on Bank St. So if in the area come out for some good art and good times. The show runs till May 21 2011. For more info visit: http://hygienic.ning.com/events/the-sixth-crossing-annual

Winter Heat

2011-04-03T19:01:00.001-04:00

Winter Heat

Encaustic Painting, 11" x 11" panel

I posted this painting a few weeks ago in a horizontal format. Eileen Mayhew, founder of Imago Gallery in Warren RI, suggested I rotate it. I really liked it once I saw it that way; thanks Eileen The verticality makes it more dynmic.

2011-03-21T20:00:00.000-04:00

encaustic painting on cigar box

This painting is a mixture of an old photo and wax pigment fused, my father and myself with part of a plow in the picture. The horse is not in the old photo unfortunately. The red pigment symbolizes the red clay of South Carolina that my father worked so hard. One could say this painting is an exploration and reclamation of my past history of childhood, (finding the positive aspects).

Winter Heat

2011-02-09T06:41:00.000-05:00

Winter Heat
11"x 11 " encaustic on panel

This is one of several encaustic ( hot wax + pigment) paintings I have recently started. Abstracted landscapes of winter, finding some bright color in what feels like grey monochromatic winters. Ususally the most colorful part of my day is sunset. Often the only time during the day I get to see the sky is on my drive to and from work. Luckily for me, that means being able to enjoy the vivid sunrises and sunsets.

New Year, Clean Studio Air

2011-01-10T18:44:00.000-05:00

Finally, got it together this new year to order and install an exhaust fan for my studio. The 3 speed fan is from TekSupply and it goes from 555 cfm ( cubic feet per minute) to a high of 1,115 cfm. So far the fan is working well and I hope it last for a good while. Also, I think it will work as an all house fan to cool my studio/apt. come summer. On low it takes most of the fumes out from heating wax for encaustic painting or any other artwork smells and if not, medium takes the fumes out for sure. When I turn the fan on, the shutters open to take air outside and I usually put on a fan or window behind me to blow air past my face. But the exhaust fan works so well that it sucks most everything out without the other fan on. And it passes the incense test also. I really should have got this fan sooner but I am glad I took the plunge to buy it. Framing the fan in the hole and bolting it in was a little work but things went fairly smooth. And I truly recommend a good exhaust fan to take care of one's lungs whether painting in any medium especially encaustics.

Other Artists/ Encaustic and Mixed Media Painting

2010-12-10T14:43:00.000-05:00

While googling about small torches for encaustic painting I ran across this website: Rebecca Shapiro Art. I really enjoyed the luminosity and soft depth of her encaustic paintings.
And thank you Rebecca for your article about your encaustic painting techniques and creating a green studio which I found very helpful. I am trying to improve on my studio air quality and safe disposal of materials etc and I would love feedback from you or other artists how and what they are doing to achieve this.
Also, check out , on Rebecca's website, links to artists like: Kim Edwards Keast , a multi media artists which appeals to my three dimensional side with no holds barred with whatever material works, she uses. Please check out these artists and enjoy. Happy peaceful holidays.

Sun Ablaze (IMAGO Holiday Gallery Exhibit

2010-11-28T19:45:00.000-05:00

6" x 8" encaustic on panel

Local inspiration with some local color interpretation. This is one of the four encaustic paintings of mine that will be part of the Holiday Invitational Exhibit you can see at the IMAGO Gallery in Warren RI. The reception is December 3rd, Friday 7-5pm. For info go to their Facbook link: IMAGO GALLERY A beautiful gallery with some great artists, and a fun little town.

Latest Paintings for aution on Ebay

2010-11-08T20:43:00.001-05:00

"Chicken Snacks"

Acrylic painting Magnet

1.75" x 1.75"

SOLD

Plane Time

2010-11-04T21:01:00.000-04:00

4.5" x 7" Oil on Panel

This is the 2nd oil painting in my "Hardware Series" of tools, etc. I have alway loved old wood planes: their beautiful wood handles, worn from use, against the streamlined steel metal parts; and to top it off, finely machined brass knobs, etc. So I decided to pay homage to this little block plane that I have and put it in the spotlight as my model for an oil painting.

No Ducks/ Pond and fall foliage

2010-11-04T20:59:00.000-04:00

oil on panel

Sold

I really had to work on simplfying this landscape of many shapes. For me, learning to stop working on a painting is sometimes a challenge. By continuing working (to get it "right"), my mind tricks me. What is "right"? Why does that idea have a hold on my mind, sometimes stronger than that of the painting itself? I may ruin the raw energy or kill the painting by continuing to work on it, but not realize it until too late. (That is however one of the benefits of working in oils: scrape or wipe the surface, and I get a second chance!) With "No Ducks", though, I realized early on that it was finished.

Thank goodness.

Red Boat Waiting

2010-10-25T20:18:00.000-04:00

4" x 6" oil on panel

SOLD

Visiting Open Studios/New Haven CT

2010-09-26T13:09:00.000-04:00

I went to Open Studios at Erector Square in New Haven yesterday and really enjoyed seeing different artists' works. The building is huge with many art studios through out the complex. Did not photograph enough, too busy talking with artists and looking at good art. Open Studios will run Sunday Sept. 26, 2010 and other weekends are Oct. 2-3, Oct. 9-10 and for detailed maps and further information go to www.artspacenh.org  or call 203- 772-2709. As a side note, parking was not a problem for me at Erector Square as it is usually in downtown New Haven.

The second photograph above is Corina Alvarezdelugo's work, with Ishita Bandyo's work in the background. (I apologize to Ishita, the close up of Ishita's paintings came out blurred due to my camera shake.)

Please go to Ishita's website to see her paintings: www.ishitabandyo.com//  to see a sample of her beautiful mixed media paintings and read about her. And to see and learn more about Corina's artwork go to: www.corinadotdash.com/

This was a fun day and I made some new friends. Here are a few of these new artists I met, saw their work and enjoyed meeting them, including: Fethi Meghelli at www.fethimeghelli.com/ , and Maria Lara- Whelpley at www.marialara.net. Thanks again, to all the artists for all their hard work, conversation and great artwork. Please visit, the Oct. weekend will be in another section of New Haven so go to   ARTSPACE website or if in New Haven area pick up a New Haven Advocate paper that is the map and official guide.

Door of Textures

2010-09-21T19:29:00.002-04:00

9" x 12" oil on panel

Yes, I pushed the textures in this old door of peeling paint. It appears to have been painted at least two or three times; the visible under-layers reminded me of warm, intense red-rust spots. The building this door is attached to is in New London, near the Thames River. I have never seen this door being opened in all the times I've passed the spot, but I think there is a business behind it. A part of me wishes I knew something of the building's history - but I'm content to let it have it's mystery.

Land of Textures

2010-09-12T15:19:00.000-04:00

9" x 12" oil on panel

I am inspired by the shapes, textures, and colors of old buildings, boats, wooden objects, plastered walls, etc. Old surfaces are rich in patinated color, and thickness of texture. The inspiration for this painting was an old door; I kept simplifying the shapes and details in front of me until I discovered a landscape, or perhaps a seascape, emerge in the painting.

Not My Blog-Joanne Mattera

2010-09-04T08:31:00.000-04:00

I have been working hard the last two days cutting and preparing panels for paintings. And in between this physical labor and sweaty heat I have been reading different art blogs. One in particular that I enjoy reading and find helpful is Joanne Mattera's Art Blog. Joanne is an encaustic artist who lives in New England and exhibits across the country. As a full time successful artist, she writes about art shows, fairs and other art venues she visits, plus post photographs of other artists' work from the exhibits. Often on her blog are articles she has written about how to advance one's art career which I find helpful. She does not mince words and speaks her mind with humor which I like. So see for yourself and visit her at: http://joannemattera.blogspot.com/

Art Studio Ventilation for Encaustic Painting-Tips from R & F Paints

2010-08-30T08:55:00.000-04:00

I finally got back to experimenting with encaustic painting. Knowing that I needed to improve my ventilation for safety, I started reading and found a good article from R & F Paints that describes a simple way to ventilate your studio and different kinds of ventilation. For their full article on studio ventilation go to their link: R & F Encaustic Technical Sheets Then click on "Venting Your Studio for Encaustics" which will take you to a pdf file.

Their recommendation for placement of two fans is the one I am starting with now. When winter comes, I may need to buy an exhaust fan with louvers to keep cold air out of my studio when I am not using the fan. But for now I will see how using a pair of simple box fans will work. The first fan is in the window six inches above my electric palette. On the other side of the room I placed a fan on a table to blow air over the palette which will blow the fumes into the exhaust fan and out the window. This system should also be an improvement in my studio ventilation when just working with oils and not heated wax.

First Tomato

2010-08-17T20:40:00.003-04:00

6 x 6" oil on panel

This was our first tomato of the year ( a late tomato) which I decided deserved to be the subject of a painting. I thew in some of our green basil from the garden as a color compliment to the redness of the tomato. Just having fun with the plasticity of the oil paint and striving for subtle color variations in the white table to add interest to the simplicity of the composition.

Empty House

2010-08-07T13:14:00.000-04:00

10" x 10" oil on Panel

This is part of a series of paintings about empty buildings. Recently I went back to this old house in Mystic CT and it was smoldering embers, guess someone burned it down. The day I took reference photos, the light was casting strong shadows and there was a lot of warmth in the colors of the house. Of course I took some liberties to push the value contrast and the house color to an intense warm red/orange against warm and cool lights.

Awl Shadows

2010-07-29T10:41:00.005-04:00

7" x 5" oil on panel

This is the first in my "Hardware Series". I used to do a lot of woodworking and still enjoy making some things out of wood. For years I have admired tools, especially old tools. Some of these tools are works of art themselves and this awl is a beautiful piece to use or look at. I thought, why not let the tools be still lifes like a flower or food? They deserve to be in the spotlight.

White Dog Waiting

2010-07-23T15:53:00.010-04:00

5" x 7" oil on canvas
Sold

I am not sure what breed this dog is that I saw at a Rhode Island dog show. But the dog was very white with soft long wavy hair with a body like a golden retriever. After looking through "The New Encyclopedia of the Dog" by Bruce Fogle DVM, I think this dog may be a cream golden retriever or the Slovensky Kuvac breed. On the other hand, various websites online make me think it might be an "English cream golden retriever."

In any case it is fun for me, as an artist, to see how much color is in "white". If you know much about the different dog breeds, let me know what breed you think this white dog could be.

Photography Tips: Greenpix's Blog

2010-07-19T21:35:00.003-04:00

Many times I have to look stuff up on the internet about how to do something for my art. I was googling about pixels and sizing for photo editing of my paintings. And I ran across this site called Greenpix's Blog with really cool info and photos explaining sizing, color adjustment, using a macro lens etc. He explains the technical information well in simple terms. I am always trying to learn more and improve my photography skills for achieving better photos of my art. Plus, photography is art unto itself and I do enjoy it. So here is a link I want to share with you that I found that might be helpful to you.

http://gpix.wordpress.com/

Dog Days

2010-07-12T15:16:00.000-04:00

10" x 10" oil on panel

The title "Dog Days" for this oil painting came to my mind today while I was feeling the full heat of summer. If anyone can suggest what breed this dog might be please do.

Ocean Ave Sunset

2010-06-28T20:25:00.000-04:00

Acrylic Painting 4" x 2" on panel

(magnets on back)

This is the latest in my "magnet series" landscapes, which I finished yesterday afternoon. Sometimes I enjoy painting these miniature paintings. They are an ongoing project, and certain days lend themselves to the creation of these little gems. Depending on the weather conditions, sunsets in CT can be stunning, but I also enjoy capturing the subtle weather changes. Put these on your fridge, file cabinet or they can be framed for the wall.

To see my previous "magnet series" landscapes:

Bluff Point Sunset and On The Way Home

Bluff Point

More Magnet Paintings

Golden Retriever Waiting

2010-06-06T15:55:00.011-04:00

10" x 10" oil on panel

Recently finished this painting of a Golden Retriever from reference material from a pet show event at the Providence RI convention center. This was a patient, well trained dog receiving much love from his or her family.

Diggity Dog

2010-05-18T19:50:00.000-04:00

Pen and Ink

This weekend I enjoyed a day at The Durham CT Pet Fair. It was a beautiful sunny day to watch, sketch and photograph dogs, cats, and people. For some reason Diggity dog came to mind as I sketched this fellow.

Taking Care of Business

2010-05-04T14:56:00.008-04:00

I attended the Marketing and Promotion for visual artists workshop this past Saturday put on by the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, and the Tremaine Foundation. It was the third of three in the Commission's 2010 Artist Workshop Series - Taking Care of Business: Career Strategies for Visual Artists. Not only did I pick up some art business advice but I got to meet some great people and share ideas.

I enjoyed the presentation by Jackie Battenfield, artist and author of The Artist's Guide: How to Make a Living Doing What You Love (2009). She reminded me to set career goals and figure out my endpoint, then do the steps to reach that goal. There was a strong emphasis on starting out with regional art venues within a 100 mile radius which appealed to me.

I highly recommend these affordable and informative workshops (only $20 per day, which included an excellent catered lunch) to other artists in all phases of their career development. I don't know when the next series or sessions will be run, but if you missed them or could not attend every workshop, all classes have been audio taped and are now available online at the Commission's website. (To listen, click on the link above.)

Sketching to music, Gandalf Murphy and the The Slambovian Circus of Dreams

2010-04-19T18:28:00.021-04:00

Theatrical lighting and good live music often move me to let go and attempt to capture the musician's movement and energy. I really enjoyed Saturday night sketching madly and listening to Gandalf Murphy & the Grand Slambovian Band at the Kate theather in Old Saybrook CT. I totally lost myself drawing in rhythm to their wonderful music. I highly recomend hearing and seeing this band, especially live. Listen to the band's music at either of the following sites.

http://www.slambovia.com/

http://official-slambovia.blogspot.com/2009/11/new-audio-players-from-grooveshark.html

Blue Dog

2010-04-12T18:00:00.077-04:00

15" x 13" Monotype Print

Sometimes I like to let go and just paint quickly on the printing plate. I use a variety of materials for my plates - usually acrylic or copper - with Akua brand water based intaglio inks. Akua's intaglio inks are nontoxic and thicker than regular inks; I enjoy using them to create monotype prints. On the other hand, the material I use for the plate usually doesn't matter to the process for me.

This Great Dane symbolizes spring energy to me on two levels. There is the obvious visual energy of the dog's pose and movement; but also the speed at which I created the print.

"Blue Dog", a one-of-a-kind original monotype, is available for $75.00. Framed with acrylic glazing, it is ready to hang. Shipping is free; I ship within the USA only, USPS Priority Mail. If you have any questions please contact me at jholderfineart@gmail.com

Marina Door/New London

2010-04-07T18:53:00.010-04:00

8" x 8"

Doors are very interesting to me; they seem to reappear as focal points in my paintings. Closed they offer interesting possibilities and questions as to what is behind them and where do they lead to? Also, the closed door becomes a canvas for light and cast shadows to create interesting patterns.

Braking Horse

2010-03-21T19:11:00.019-04:00

8" x 8"oil on panel

Enjoyed finding simple shapes and playing with the paint on this one. When I did this painting, I had been looking at art works by Fritz Scholder and Richard Diebenkorn.

To see some of Scholder's work go to: http://www.nmai.si.edu/exhibitions/scholder/introduction.html and to see one of Diebenkorn's paintings go to the link below (scroll down about 3/4's of the way on page)

http://www.wildenstein.com/exhibits/noma/noma.html

Musical Sketches

2010-02-28T19:20:00.025-05:00

Pen and Ink

Had an enjoyable night sketching and listening to the Rivergods and Black Marmot at the Bank St Cafe in New London, Friday evening. Both bands consisted of really good musicians and I found it exciting and relaxing to sketch and listen. It is definitely a challenge to draw quickly and get the gesture of the person performing.

You can check out both bands at their websites:

www.therivergods.com/

http://blackmarmotband.com/

MORE MAGNET PAINTINGS

2010-01-05T19:20:00.025-05:00

These are recent 4" x 2" oil paintings on board created as magnets. There are two strong magnets epoxied to the back of these painting of seascapes. Fun pieces for the file cabinet, refrigerator etc. , art can be hung anywhere and everywhere.

Titles: Top to Bottom

Tanker at Dusk - SOLD

Sky and Water

On the Way Home - SOLD

Bluff Point Sunset

ANIMAL PAINTINGS AVAILABLE FOR SALE

2009-12-12T18:29:00.054-05:00

From left to right - titles: MYSTERY WOLF, BISON 1, RED WOLF 8"X 8"acrylic, RED SKULL 8"X 8" acrylic

From left to right: ONE DOG NIGHT, MY BOWL, SHOWING OFF, RED DOG (all these oil on panels), 6" x 6"

ALL 6" X 6" OIL PAINTINGS ARE $95.00 buy now.

THE 8" X 8" ACRYLIC PAINTINGS ARE $145.00 buy now.

TO PURCHASE AND ANY QUESTIONS, EMAIL ME AT: jholderfineart@gmail.com

Polo Series

2009-12-10T21:00:00.012-05:00

"The Blur" 6" x 6" x 1.5" oil on canvas

"Almost a Goal" 6" x 6" x 1.5" oil on canvas

"Going for It" 6" x 6" x 1.5" oil on canvas

These paintings are based on drawings and photographs I took when attending polo games in Newport, RI and Saratoga Springs, NY.

Bluff Point

2009-11-22T20:49:00.010-05:00

4" x 2" oil on board

Bluff Point

Sold

This is a recent landscape magnet that sold at the Hygienic Art=Gift Show. The painting was inspired by a sunset I saw while hiking at Bluff Point Park in Groton, CT. The show is on until December 20 in New London.

Bluff Point Sunset and On The Way Home

2009-11-16T20:17:00.035-05:00

Landscape Magnets

4" x 2" oil on board

"Bluff Point Sunset"

4" x 2" Oil on board

"On The Way Home"

These two paintings are part of a series of landscapes done as magnets. They were a lot of fun and a challenge to paint since they were so small, but this size required me to simplify their shapes of color and value.

To see all these small oil paintings, this series will be exhibited in the Holiday Art Show at the Hygenic Gallery in New London CT. The reception is November 21, 2009 from 7 - 10 pm. And if you cannot make this reception, the art by me and other artists will be exhibited thru December 20, 2009.

The address is 79-83 Bank St in New london.

Dates open: Thursday 11-3. Friday 11 - 6. Saturday 11 -6 and Sunday 12 - 3,

phone 860- 443-8001 http://www.hygienic.org/

Lets Go, Red Dog

2009-11-05T20:27:00.018-05:00

6 x 6" oil on board

I met this dog and its owner in New Haven, CT while they were both getting exercise on a sunny day. He was a muscular, healthy looking animal with a very regal carriage. When I asked the owner what breed he was, she said, "Just dog, adopted from a local pound." I really enjoyed creating an oil painting of him and capturing his spirit and strength.

Update: to purchase this painting go to my auction on ebay:

http://myworld.ebay.com/jholderartworks/

Building a Pochade Box

2009-10-12T19:32:00.041-04:00

bottom of box with t-nut inset for tripod attachment

hinge detail

This is a pochade painting box I started building two years ago, and just recently finished after reading and viewing Jim Serrett's blog. His blog http://www.pochadeboxpaintings.com/2009/02/how-to-build-your-own-pochade-box.html gives detailed directions with great photos of how to build the pochade box and panel carrier. I also constructed a carrier which looks pretty much like his so I did not photograph mine. I have a small $100.00 table saw that I use but one can go to a real lumber yard if possible and pay to have the major pieces cut if you do not have a table saw. Since I made my box over a period of time, I do not know how much time it took and I did not keep track of the cost. I enjoyed making it and Jim's cost seems fairly accurate. (Scavenged materials probably helped keep the cost of mine down.) Thank you Jim for your great directions.

I put my hinge together about two years ago from brass pieces I found after looking at a lot of photos of ready-made pochade boxes. . It actually seems to hold if I make sure to tighten it well. I will probably use a small bungee sometimes to hold a painting instead of the two wood pieces in the photo. If I paint a small 4 x 6" painting I cannot use the bungee, as it is too big to hold the panel tight. I then have to use the two pieces of 1/4" thich wood pieces that slide up tight to the 4 x 6 painting. I am gradually fine tuning the box.

Chicken Little

2009-09-13T19:18:00.012-04:00

5" x 7" monotype print

This is a recent monotype print that I did from a sketch done at the Groton Family Farm in Groton CT., www.grotonfamilyfarm.com.

The print is one of the works I will be exhibiting and selling at the 2009 Autumn Art Trail Weekend in Clinton CT on Oct. 10-11. I will have a tent at the Outdoor Art Festival on the Clinton Landing 54 E. Main st., Clinton CT behind the town hall. The event is sponsored by http://www.artscenterkillingworth.org. If you are in the area come and see me!

New Haven Water Reflections

2009-08-16T13:52:00.006-04:00

14" x 11" oil on board

I could not resist painting this scene in the New Haven, CT harbor. The geometric shapes of shadow and light with their contrast to the soft fluid water were definitely a must to paint.

Dusk, water and the empty space

2009-07-13T18:13:00.007-04:00

10" x 10" oil on panel

This is a scene I painted which once had a big brick apartment building and other houses near Fort Trumbull in New London, CT. It is the scene of an eminent domain site where many people once lived. It is funny how a bulldozed area looks so forlorn and ugly in one kind of light, but is transformed by an evening sunset into a mosaic of color and contrast.

One Dog Night

2009-06-05T17:33:00.014-04:00

6" x 6" oil on board

With painting, I often emphasize the contrast of textures and blocks of color by utilizing a palette knife. I feel the knife becomes a pencil or chisel in my hand and I enjoy the physical pushing and pulling of paint, scraping away and adding. It's a different feeling than when I paint with a brush.

I noticed this regal dog standing guard over the goats and his turf at a local goat farm. The one ear up and one down reminded me of a German Shepherd I once owned and loved.

UPDATED: if you wish to purchase this painting go to my ebay auctions:

http://myworld.ebay.com/jholderartworks/

Red Dog Waiting

2009-03-19T21:35:00.004-04:00

8" x 6" oil on board

Dog Drinking

2009-03-19T21:32:00.008-04:00

6" x 6" oil on board

Bowl, half full or half empty? Ready to run, ready to hide, or ready to play?

No time lately to post or to play but ready to play.

Running Dog

2009-03-19T21:30:00.013-04:00

6" x 6" oil on board

Striding out, on a mission, sun and shadow, ripe for a painting

SOLD

Sam

2009-02-18T18:46:00.008-05:00

bronze relief

13" x 12"

Sam is a beautiful boxer show dog I got to sketch and photograph in action and at rest.

Goal to Be

2009-02-11T20:05:00.016-05:00

14" x 11" resin

A small sketch was the catalyst for this relief of horses and riders playing a game of polo. Often I use sketching and photography as a way to observe people and animals in action. I wanted the patina to imply the warm siennas of leather and horses.

Wasted Spaces Series - The Old Door

2009-01-24T12:38:00.003-05:00

8"x 8" oil on board

The brackets give the effect of an old train station (thankfully, many of these are being preserved across the country) but in fact it's an old loading station.

Wasted Spaces Series - Nailed Shut Again

2009-01-15T18:52:00.008-05:00

8" x 8" oil on board

This brick apartment building is gone now, replaced by a landscape of bare, dusty soil, garbage and the crane featured in my previous post. Even in it's half-wrecked and empty state it was dignified if not beautiful, the way an old man or woman might be - the ones we have forgotten how to listen to, and utterly fail to see.

Wasted Spaces Series - What was

2009-01-11T12:29:00.002-05:00

8"x 8" oil on board

This is a section of New London near Fort Trumbull State Park where the city used the powers of "eminent domain" to claim buildings and houses.

I had not meant to "celebrate" one of the tools by which the city has razed these old buildings, but there was something starkly powerful, something sculptural, about this machine against the empty sky. The photograph was taken on a weekend, so this crane seemed in that moment as utterly abandoned as the buildings themselves; and yet it bristled with the energy of recent labor and effort that it represented.

The people who created the Eiffel Tower, the Sears Building, etc would have understood this, I think - and perhaps even those who engineered the first tanks, the first rifles, the first bombs. We are fascinated by the strange beauty of our machines, the things we create in order to destroy.

Wasted Spaces Series - Nailed Shut

2009-01-11T11:12:00.001-05:00

8"x 8" oil on board

This is an ongoing series of paintings about wasted spaces. I see so many empty buildings, just waiting for something or someone. This is really a record of history because as you read this, most of these buildings in this series have already been demolished.

I find unlikely and forlorn beauty in these abandoned buildings and their neglected landscapes. Their aged textures, forms and patinas are like jewels when light cast its shadows. The questions of what will happen to the places left behind, what happened to the people who once lived and worked in them, is not unlike a more personal question for myself: where will this series take me?

For me, there is beauty and sadness in decay.

Waterfall

2008-12-29T17:05:00.003-05:00

6"x 8" oil on panel

SOLD

A quiet moment for painting in New Hampshire on a camping and hiking trip. 100 years after the Impressionists, painting en plein air is still a challenge, even with the modern comforts of automobiles and electric coolers and down sleeping bags, etc. How did Monet, et all ever do it? (In fact, I think they were far better off without some of our so-called "conveniences"!)

Lemon Reflections

2008-12-29T16:27:00.003-05:00

6" x 6" oil on board

SOLD

One of my favorite recent (still-life) paintings, in terms of achieving what I wanted: using thick, buttery impasto both to convey a lusciousness of surface texture (so you're aware of the paint), but also to convey the reality of the objects shown. This was particularly challenging with the smooth, transparent surface of the glass, as you might imagine, so I'm pleased with the result.

Wolf Marks

2008-11-07T18:17:00.003-05:00

Red Spirit Wolf

2008-10-30T19:19:00.003-04:00

8" x 8" acrylic on panel

At a recent art show someone walked into my booth and asked "Why did you paint that dog without eyes?"

If you have to ask....

This painting was but one of a series I've done lately influenced by Fritz Scholder. While I was in art school earning my BFA, the emphasis was on traditional Western European art; although Scholder had been a major figure in the 20th Century art world for decades, I discovered him only very recently, and quite by accident. (I believe it was from a book I found at the Connecticut College library, which is a wonderful resource.) I had no idea until just a few months ago that he had died in 2005; I only knew him through the works I was studying, and so to me he was (and is) very much a living presence. (I'm not sure that I ever bothered to look up his biography, so focused was I on his prints and paintings, and absorbing all he could teach me about color and form. What can I say? I'm an artist.)

The National Museum of the American Indian is having a major retrospective Scholder's work in NYC and in D.C. which I hope to see this year:

http://www.nmai.si.edu/exhibitions/scholder

My FVAC Juried Show Entries

2008-09-24T19:17:00.001-04:00

Last month I entered two paintings into the 2008 Opened Juried Show at the Farmington Valley Arts Center in Avon, CT. The show is called Interpretations and Inspirations, juried by Philip Janes. These two canvases were accepted into the show.

Animal skulls lend themselves to much interpretation and reflections of color. I see the skull not just related to death but a structure that life emanates from. Of course, the childhood fascination for digging up things in the backyard or woods that your parents find weird or dirty ("Don't you dare bring that thing into the house!") - and the ability to hold onto that fascination into adulthood - is a very useful tool for an artist!

Check out the Farmington Valley Arts Center website:

www.fvac.net/

Limitless Horizon

2008-07-30T20:07:00.001-04:00

6" x 6" oil on panel

After painting this ocean scene of haze, mist and still water I found my painting finished in a moment of wiping out the upper part. A momentary flick of the wrist, a swipe with an undignified rag and the deed was done, but it was exactly what this work needed. The creation of a work of art is so mundane in the processes and yet it continues to be so mysterious in the results.

Beagled

2008-07-14T18:34:00.002-04:00

5 x 5 inches, oil on panel

SOLD

Sometimes I want to "say something" with my art, sometimes I just want to take pleasure in the textures and forms of my subject - in other words, give myself permission to have a little fun.

2008-06-29T19:15:00.002-04:00

6 x 6 inches, oil on panel

As with the previous painting, this is an image of bison skull I sculpted, rather than an actual skull. (Which, in turn, was copied after an genuine skull, which still hangs on my wall.) This is also another palette knife painting, and the physicality of painting this reminded me of how it felt to lay down pieces of clay to create the original sculpture.

Wolf Mystery

2008-06-07T10:49:00.000-04:00

6x6", oil on panel

Wolves have always felt like kin to me. No, this is not a painting from a live wolf; I painted this image from one of my sculptures. I turned the studio lights down low, just enough to see my paints, and lit the wolf head from the side. When the painting began, I had no idea how it was ever going to turn out. In fact, I embarked on the process expecting it not to work because the room was so dark! Now and then I turned the lights on to see what was happening. I was surprised to see the image of the wolfhead appearing before me on my painting panel, in a way that seemed magical to me.

Mortar and Pestle

2008-05-31T22:40:00.001-04:00

This was painted the same week I painted "Cup a Day" in the previous post. I chose a similar color palette but a much different textured effect, using a palette knife rather than a brush. It's an old technique, but for me there is still something new and even exciting about using the knife rather than a brush. Working with impasto is like literally sculpting in paint for me; I love thick textures, which only the knife can really shape to my satisfaction.

A Cup A Day

2008-05-31T21:02:00.002-04:00

6 x 6" oil painting on panel

Originally I was attempting a more "representational" image, but the result was lifeless. So I decided to take a risk and literally wipe it out. In the process of finding the lights, I was able to complete the painting.