PIGEON PAINTINGS

Good Morning.  Just a few moments before I leave for work.  These paintings were inspired by Picasso's PIGEON

COOP paintings. He lived in a villa on the Mediterranean sea. The pigeons must have loved their view of the sea! The first painting below is by Picasso.  Mine follow. Please enjoy the view. My paintings are approx. 24x36" mixed media. 

MUSIC PAINTING

Good morning.  For many years I was a music teacher at the school where I work.  I had started learning to play the guitar in high school inspired by a girl who I was dating.  In college ( LIU) my friend, Lou, gave me lessons in folk music and "blues." I taught him how to handle his Austin Healey car. He scared me when he drove!

From my earliest days of working with "special' children I realized that music was, for me, the most powerful way of connecting with them.  Through the years I often used songs and movement to impart basic concepts to those who could learn at that level,  and those who couldn't would enjoy the sounds and rhythms and maybe a hold a simple instrument like a maraca or bell.  Always the smiles would come to their faces.

Guitars often are the subjects of my paintings.  This painting was done many years ago as a mural for my classroom.  The photo wasn't too clear but I hope you enjoy looking.

SILLY CAT VIDEO

I must confess!  I love silly cat videos (and silly cats) (and all cats!).

STUDIES from BASQUIAT

These paintings were inspired by the works of  Jean-Michel Basquiat (December 22, 1960 – August 12, 1988).   I won't speak to much about this painter except to say he was a brilliant flame in the world of art who tragically burned out much to early.  There is much to explore about his life online http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Michel_Basquiat .  And there were two wonderful movies based on his life.  I highly recommend both: THE RADIANT CHILD  http://www.jean-michelbasquiattheradiantchild.com/ , and BASQUIAT  by Julian Schnabel  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115632/ .

My paintings are mixed media on heavy paper.  24" x  36".
                                        

SUNFLOWER PAINTING

Good Morning.  The school where I teach has beautiful gardens and a field of flowers .  Each year the most magnificent sunflowers bloom at the end of Summer. Over the past few years I have painted many pictures of sunflowers.  I'm thinking of Sumner on this cold Winter morning.

RAMANA MAHARSHI

Happiness is your nature.

It is not wrong to desire it.

What is wrong is seeking it outside 

when it is inside. 

"There is no greater mystery than this, that we keep seeking reality though in fact we are reality. We think that there is something hiding reality and that this must be destroyed before reality is gained. How ridiculous! A day will dawn when you will laugh at all your past efforts. That which will be the day you laugh is also here and now." — Sri Ramana Maharshi

SOME COLORFUL PAINTINGS

This morning I thought that I would post a few still life paintings of mine to brighten up the morning.  For me, painting is a way to express the silent ever present wonder of life.  We all have that inner freedom which loves to be expressed in some way.  Some sing, some dance. some cook and bake, some simply sit still each day in silent reverence for existence, some smile, some shout  " I am!" " I exist!" Namaste.

                                                                         

RAINBOW

Wednesday night was a windy stormy one here on Long Island.  On my way to work  yesterday morning (on the north shore) this awesome rainbow graced the sky!  For those of you who know the roads, I was riding on Bethpage Parkway going north.  If you look closely you can see a second rainbow.