The Figure In Light

My New Website

2019-09-15T08:15:00.001-04:00

I’m happy to announce that I have a new website! It features all of my work, old and new. It was designed by my son Gabriel, with text by my daughter Julia. It will include a continuation of this blog, The Figure in Light. Therefore, this will be my last post here. I want to thank all of you who have followed me over the years, and I hope you will visit my new site and continue to follow me there.

New Series of Flower Paintings

2019-08-31T20:33:00.001-04:00

This is one of a series of recent flower paintings. They are inspired, in part, by Manet's late flower paintings. The composition is simple and frontal, in a square format. The flowers are arranged in a clear vase, to catch light reflections, and are placed on a plain tabletop close to the wall behind them. The surface is fairly painterly. The originals and fine art prints are available at Saatchi Art.

Marco Island Three Day Workshop

2019-03-02T17:21:00.001-05:00

Once again I will be teaching watercolor and pastel on magnificent Marco Island! Beginning this Friday, March 8, we will explore how these media can combine to capture the uniqueness of your subject matter. This workshop meets for three consecutive Fridays. Click here for details and to register.

Naples Classes Start Next Week

2019-02-18T06:55:00.003-05:00

Beginning next week I will be teaching two afternoon classes at Naples Art Association in fashionable downtown Naples, FL. Tuesday will be a basic portrait painting class. Students may work in any media, but demonstrations will be in oil. Thursday is a watercolor/pastel class where we explore how working pastel over watercolor can create depth and richness. Both classes will include demonstrations and lots of one-on-one instruction. All the information you need to know is here and here.

Create Art on Marco Island

2019-01-31T21:04:00.003-05:00

What could be better than creating art on magical Marco Island? Marco Island Center for the Arts is located just south of Naples, Florida, and beginning Friday, February 8, I will be teaching a three-day workshop exploring how watercolor and pastel can combine to produce paintings that are fresh and vibrant. All skill levels are welcome. Click here to register for this workshop and view the materials list.

January Classes

2019-01-01T14:30:00.001-05:00

My January classes start next week at Naples Art Association and Marco Island Center for the Arts. We will be exploring how watercolor and pastel can be used together to create fresh and unconventional interpretations of traditional subjects, including still life and seascapes. There will be lots of one-on-one instruction as well as step-by-step demonstrations. Beginner and intermediate students are welcome. Learn more and register for the Naples class here or the Marco Island class here.

Watercolor and Pastel on Marco Island

2018-11-26T19:49:00.001-05:00

Join me on beautiful Marco Island, FL for a three session workshop exploring how watercolor and pastel can be used together to capture the brilliance of light, land, and water. Classes are December 7, 14, and 21 from 9:30 to 12:30. You can read the registration information and review the materials list here.

November Classes at Naples Art Association

2018-10-29T16:41:00.003-04:00

Beginning next week I will be teaching two new classes at the Naples Art Association. Tuesday morning is called Portrait Drawing Is More Than Likeness. Getting a likeness is one thing, but how do you make your portraits come alive? Good portraiture is not only about the sitter but the artist as well. Besides learning some tips for achieving likeness, students will explore the expressionistic side of working from a model.

Wednesday morning is called Pastel & Watercolor Mingle. Mixed-media is an exciting way to work, often producing unexpected but pleasing results. We will learn how working pastel over a dull-looking watercolor can bring it back to life. Then we will experiment with watercolor washes over a pastel drawing to create atmospheric effects.

You can find out the details about each class here.

Explore Watercolor and Pastel on Marco Island

2018-10-24T19:22:00.004-04:00

Beginning Friday, November 2, I will again be offering a three-day watercolor and pastel workshop on Southwest Florida’s beautiful Marco Island. We will study how combining pastel with watercolor can bring a fresh and lively quality to your art. Beginning through advanced students are welcome. You can register and view the materials list here.

Watercolor with Pastel on Marco Island

2018-10-02T13:56:00.000-04:00

Marco Island is a magical and alluring barrier island just south of Naples, Florida, known for its spectacular kayaking and paddleboarding off Tigertail Beach. It is also the home of Marco Island Center for the Arts. Beginning next Friday, October 12, I will be teaching a three-day Watercolor with Pastel workshop at the Center. We will explore how these two media can be brought together to achieve unexpected results, including how to bring an otherwise flat watercolor back to life. All skill levels are welcome. Click here to register for this workshop and view the materials list.

October Classes at Naples Art Association

2018-09-28T19:16:00.000-04:00

I am excited to begin teaching classes at the Naples Art Association in beautiful downtown Naples, Florida. I will be teaching watercolor, with an emphasis on seascapes, and portrait painting from the model. Each course is four sessions, and classes begin the week of October 8. You can register and view the materials list here.

Fall Classes at Alliance for the Arts

2018-09-01T18:37:00.000-04:00

Beginning in September I will be teaching watercolor and portrait drawing at Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers, FL. Classes meet Wednesday and Thursday mornings, respectively, and will run for six sessions. All levels of experience are welcome. To learn more and to register for one or both classes please visit here.

David DiChiera

2018-05-03T17:22:00.001-04:00

David DiChiera, oil on linen, 36 x 48 inches, 2018

David DiChiera

2018-04-08T21:06:00.001-04:00

The Detroit Opera House season opened last night with Puccini’s Tosca. It was also the unveiling of my portrait of David DiChiera, founder of the Michigan Opera Theatre. Many thanks to David, Ruth Rattner, Wayne Brown, Bill Austin, Lisa, Cristina, and all the others who made this possible.

Pictured are David, Ruth, my son Gabriel, and daughter Julia.

David DiChiera, oil on linen, 36 x 48 inches, 2018

Spring Term at Paint Creek

2018-04-04T18:19:00.001-04:00

Spring term starts next week at Paint Creek Center for the Arts in Rochester, MI. I am teaching Portrait Drawing, Watercolor, and Painting on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings, respectively. To learn more and to register visit here.

Julia, conte crayon highlighted in white, 9x6 inches, 2004

2017 Abstract Exhibition

2017-09-23T22:09:00.000-04:00

Tonight was the opening of an exhibition of abstract painting and sculpture at Paint Creek Center for the Arts in Rochester, MI. I was one of five jurors. Information about this impressive show can be found here.

Fall Classes at Paint Creek

2017-09-06T09:49:00.000-04:00

This fall I am teaching pastel and watercolor at Paint Creek Center for the Arts in Rochester, MI. Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, respectively. Classes begin September 19. Details and registration information can be found here or call (248) 651-4110.

Tawas Swimmer, watercolor, 8x6 inches, 2010

Pastel Workshop

2017-07-17T18:45:00.000-04:00

I am teaching a two-day pastel workshop at Art in the Loft in Alpena, Michigan. July 28 and 29, 10am - 4pm, with a break for lunch. Spaces are still available. Details and registration here.

Watercolor and Pastel

2017-07-13T17:26:00.001-04:00

I am teaching pastel and watercolor at Paint Creek Center for the Arts in Rochester, MI this summer. Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, respectively. Classes begin next week. Details and registration information can be found here.

Gabriel, watercolor on paper, 8 x 6 inches, 1995

Congressman Fred Upton

2017-04-30T21:38:00.000-04:00

Thursday was the unveiling of my portrait of U.S. Congressman Fred Upton from Michigan’s 6th district. It hangs in the Rayburn Building in Washington D.C. A number of public figures spoke just before the unveiling, including Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, and Senator Lamar Alexander. On Friday, Fred gave us a great tour of the Capitol Building. Many thanks to Congressman Upton’s staff and to Jean Daniel, Camille Massie, and Lee Fonvielle of J. Daniel Portraiture and Fine Art.

Oil on linen, 50 x 36 inches, 2016

Paint Your House with Watercolor

2017-02-13T15:27:00.000-05:00

I am teaching a watercolor workshop this Wednesday night at Paint Creek Center for the Arts in Rochester, MI. We will focus on architectural structures. It could be your own house or any other building of your choosing. It will be a lot of fun and costs only $45. All art materials are provided, just bring a photograph of what you want to paint. Register here.

Learn pastel at Paint Creek Center for the Arts

2017-01-13T17:55:00.000-05:00

There is still room in my pastel class at Paint Creek Center for the Arts in Rochester, MI. We will explore soft pastel as applied to still life arrangements with a focus on the floral motif and color theory. Demonstrations will include blending techniques and a discussion of specific paper types. We meet weekly 9-12 beginning this Tuesday, January 17. Beginners are welcome.

Registration details are here.

Winter Classes at Paint Creek

2017-01-06T17:19:00.000-05:00

Starting January 17 I am teaching pastel, watercolor, and painting on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings respectively. Classes are at Paint Creek Center for the Arts in charming downtown Rochester, MI. Beginners and all levels are welcome. For more information and registration go here.

Under the Dock, watercolor, 9x12 inches, 1990

Striped Light

2016-08-26T13:34:00.001-04:00

This is an earlier version of my previous post. It was one of the first in an ongoing series of paintings based on the Great Lakes.

Oil on paper, 4.5 x 12 inches, 2015

White Shoal Light

2016-07-05T19:08:00.002-04:00

This piece is based on the White Shoal Light, a lighthouse located 20 miles west of the Mackinac Bridge in Lake Michigan. It remains an active aid to navigation.

Oil on canvas, 10x20 inches, 2016