Perseverance

"Times Square Messenger"  24x24" Acrylic

The all-time worst piece of advice I ever got from a teacher was that at all stages of the painting it must look good. That crazy idea stuck with me for years and so many paintings were trashed before they ever had a chance to develop.  There are ugly stages - especially the start (see below). I'm glad I eventually learned to persevere thru "the uglies" or I'd have given up on art years ago. That being said there are those paintings that never quite graduate out of the ugly stage. But everytime I wrestle with one of those stubborn pieces I learn something new. And if theres one thing in life I'm completely sure of, theres always more to learn!

This morning I saw a facebook video by a writer who described the struggles of growing into the artist you aspire to be. I shared it on my facebook page, Patti MollicaArt.  It's for real.

Here's the video.   Every artist struggles, it's how we grow. 

Soho Florist

 SOLD  "Soho Florist"  Acrylic  12x12"  Click to View  

A typical colorful scene in New York...vendors tending to their fruits, vegetables and flowers. Who can resist?

Blue Man Group

Blue Man Group 12x12" Acrylic

Here is another painting from my NYC Plein Air Painting project. I kept noticing that a lot of men were wearing those deep blue shirts, such a pretty color! They must be in fashion now. Someone asked me in an email why I did these NYC Paintings. It was basically a commission in which the Bryant Park Corporation chose 4 artists to depict the setting, over a 2 week period. We each had a different two week time slot. We were allowed to paint anywhere we chose in the 2 square block area of 40 to 42nd St, between 5th and 6th Avenues. The only stipulation is that we be present all day, painting plein air. Two of the days it rained, and I will show those paintings in my next posts. For the other days, it was mostly sunny, verrry hot. The paintings I did during that time became their property, as part of their collection, to display as they wished. Here is more information on the project, with links to the other artists too. 

Bold Brush Painting Contest Finalist

I just returned from a weekend in Boston, where I co-taught a workshop on Acrylic techniques using the full line of Golden products. It was a long weekend - but tons of fun. When I finally got home (a 7 hour ordeal) and was checking my emails, I saw that I was chosen as a finalist in the "Bold Brush Painting Competition". The category I won was "Outstanding Acrylic". I entered on a last minute whim... and must admit I felt really daunted when I saw the 600+ other images I was "competing" against - for the most part, very high quality work. I won a $350 prize - awesome!

Posted here is the painting I entered. I worked from a really blurry photo I took with my cell phone while on the subway. I just had to capture this New York moment - clearly the guy in the foreground had one LONG day. I know the feeling, buddy... this is exactly what I looked like today in the course of my car, bus, train, bus then taxi ride home. (hmmm, I hope there wasn't an artist with a cell phone sitting across from me!) For anyone who wants to see the winners in the show, here is the link: http://canvoo.com/boldbrush/winners/42.

Bronx Bound (SOLD)

Acrylic on Canvas, 24x24" (Sold)