Most of the paintings in this gallery are examples of demonstrations completed for the college classes I taught at the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, in Denver. I was trained in still life at the now closed Paier College of Art where I took evening courses in Hamden CT, before the program moved to Bridgeport CT. Paier taught “sharp focus” still life painting, developing the kind of skills that matter to make progress as an illustrator, particularly back in those days.
"Techno with Ira" This very quick oil painting although unrefined, celebrates the unfinished visions of childhood, images that are fleeting and imperfect yet contain a freshness and energy much like the play of a child's mind and the impermanence of of early years. Oil on canvas board. Oil paint on canvas board. Still Life Painting Class demonstration.
"Chinese Jade Urn" Acrylic & Oil on canvas. Still Life Painting Class demonstration. Light acrylic grisaille to develop and render the basic forms then all details applied in transparent oil glazes.
"PeeWee and Friends" Acrylic on canvas board. Still Life Painting Class demonstration. Underpainting in transparent raw umber, then local colors added in overpainting.
"Hotei" As the Laughing Buddha, Hotei is one of Japan's Seven Lucky Gods, known for his benevolent nature, large belly, and the magical sack he carries. Acrylic on canvas board. Still Life Painting Class demonstration.
"Pineapple in a Shadow Box" For years, students had to struggle painting pineapples in my painting class. They painted, I painted and we learned a lot from the process of seeing those difficult details.. Acrylic on canvas board. Still Life Painting Class demonstration.
"Inspired by Murch" In the 1970"s my agent Frank Lavaty had a number of Walter Tandy Murch originals decorating his Park Avenue office. From seeing these, I came to appreciate use of accident in his work. He played with emerging mundane objects, illuminated dramatically with a single light source. To enliven the artwork he would regularly fling paints at the canvas, in a way that Jackson Pollack would like. Acrylic on canvas board.Still Life Painting Class demonstration.
"Halloween Corn" Acrylic on canvas board. Still Life Painting Class demonstration. Oils on canvas board. Underpainting in grisaille with local color oil glazes..The method is an ancient one. The colors over the gray underpainting creates an interesting traditional harmony that appeals to me.
"Alas I Knew Him" Acrylics on canvas.
"Japanese Doll in a Shadow Box"Still Life Painting Class demonstration. Oils on canvas board. Color palette based on tints and shades.
"Ice Cream Still Life" Acrylic study on canvas board. RMCAD class Demonstration. Based on back lighting combined with form lighting. Eventually I intend to rework this into a larger painting.
"Techno with Ira 2" Oils on canvas board.
"Chinese Antique Fish" Black and white oil study on canvas board.
"Gas Pump" Airbrush Acrylics on canvas. After Don Eddy.
"Mr. Potato Head" Oils on canvas board. 2004.