David DiChiera

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Big Red at Night

I am in a group show opening this Saturday at Button Gallery in Douglas, MI. Douglas is on Lake Michigan, across the river from Saugatuck. I am showing ten new works inspired by the Great Lakes. Big Red at Night is one of the pieces. The theme of the exhibition is “Eye on the Land”.

Details are here.

Big Red at Night, oil on canvas, 11 x 14 inches, 2015

Spring Classes

This spring I am teaching pastel, watercolor, and an open painting class at Paint Creek Center for the Arts in charming downtown Rochester, MI. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings respectively. All levels are welcome. Details are here.

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David K. Page

This is my portrait of the late David K. Page, benefactor of the new Children's Hospital in Troy, MI.

Oil on linen, 30 x 24 inches, 2016

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Winter Teaching Schedule

I am offering a number of classes this winter at both the Birmingham-Bloomfield Art Center and at Paint Creek Center for the Arts. You can find detailed information here.

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Figure Study

Graphite on paper, 9 x 12 inches, c.2000
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New Buffalo Studies

Recently I was in New Buffalo and took advantage of a sunny Sunday to make some watercolor studies of Lake Michigan. All are 4 x 6 inches. I gave up on the last one because I was cold and wet, and it was getting dark.

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Falling Bouquet

This watercolor is from about 2002.
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Reclining Figure

Conte on paper, 9 x 12 inches, 2001
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Study for First Novel

This is one of several studies for my previous post.

Pastel on paper, 6 x 8 inches, c. 2005
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