A DOG AND HIS SAINT

“When I was in the second grade in parochial school, I was assured by the nuns that all “good” animals went to an animal limbo. 

I had a pretty clear image of what that looked like and I wanted to be there, and for that matter, I still do.”


Oil on Canvas
46 x 36 inches unframed
57 x 45 inches framed
$9,500

THE FIRST SIP

"The first sip of wine from a new bottle is full of expectation and uncertainty.

Like a rabbit, we sniff the glass with our clumsy proboscis, searching for subliminal signs of a good harvest."

Oil on Canvas
36 x 24 inches unframed
44 x 32 inches framed
$6,500

RUTH AUDABON

“Last year a good friend of mine, William Souder, wrote a biography of John James Audubon.  I was very happy to see that he was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. It is an excellent book.

I was especially interested in Audubon’s long suffering wife, Ruth.  While he was busily pursuing his bliss chasing birds, she was left destitute.  Most of their married life was spent apart and she was charged with raising and providing for the children.  Although he was absent, the memory of his wife and family made his work possible. 

In this piece I have presented her in a very domestic setting.  Underlying the initial peaceful impression is the underlying conflict. Cats!!!  Her need for a financially secure life was a deadly threat to her vagabond husband’s work just as the seemingly harmless kittens are a threat to the bird.”

SAINT JOAN OF ARC

“She was a quiet country girl until she got caught up in the turmoil of her day. I am always curious about the lives of famous people before they become famous.

Usually remarkable people lead very mundane lives before fate deals them their hand. Perhaps if Joan were alive today, she would have a cell phone glued to her ear, giggling about boys with her little friends rather than being burned at the stake with green wood.”

NIJINSKI

“Vaslav Nijinsky, the Russian ballet dancer, was best known for his performance of Rites of Spring. He was wildly popular in the early part of the Twentieth Century.

Legend has it that when he jumped, he would stay aloft for so long that the women in the audience would swoon.

As a boy I was raised in dance studios where my mother was the pianist and I was drafted into the ranks of dutiful dancers.

I don't recall ever making anyone swoon.”

Oil on Canvas
16 x 12 inches unframed
24 x 20 inches framed
$2,200