House on the Wissahickon   -    2018

                       
                                             oil on wood panel

Recent Work in Pastel

I've been starting off the new year working in pastels,

 where I'm able to progress much faster than my work in oils.

The first piece is a view of the Wissahickon creek, once again near Cedarbrook Country Club.
It measures roughly 14"x18"

The second is a small work - only 5"x11.17"
A Barn on Sheaf Lane

The creek view was a challenge to represent a great deal of information

in a medium (pastel) that can tend to be imprecise. The barn view

was fun to work so small - which used to be common to me, but 

isn't so much anymore.

Wissahickon Creek by Cedarbrook                                       Here is progress up to early June, 2016. Most of the foliage is finished, now on to rocks and water!   

This is progress up to Febuary 10, 2016 -

 I'm having a great time and enjoying the color.

 Also liking working from left to right along the top half 

- keeping my hand from smearing wet paint.

oil on wood panel    24" x 32"

Begun in December, 2015, this is a view of the Wissahickon creek below Penllyn, PA. Rocks and early autumn colors, with many leaves still on the trees and reflecting in the water are the basic characteristics that led me to this scene. I almost felt I "couldn't not" paint this piece because I broke my toe and injured my foot in obtaining the reference material for the painting.

I'm still at work on my previous painting, but it is nearing completion which usually takes more deliberation, so starting a new piece offers some freedom and quicker progress.

On Valley Green Road

This painting is now finished (even though the photo hasn't been updated here.)This bridge spans the Wissahickon creek on Valley Green road near Flourtown, PA. You may be able to see the grid lines I use to enlarge the drawing - they are made of thread, and are still in place because I'm still at work here. Again, light, shadow and color have drawn me to the subject - as well as the Wissahickon, from which I never seem to stray too far. Oil on prepared wood panel.

Thomas Mill Bridge

Philadelphia's only remaining covered bridge, crossing the Wissahickon creek by Forbidden Drive in Fairmount Park just below Chestnut Hill. The road is closed to vehicular traffic and provides miles of trails for walking, running, biking and horseback riding. Built in 1855, Thomas Mill Bridge is the only covered bridge in a major U.S. city. I chose a summer portrayal of the bridge because of the green summer canopy and cooling shadows that make for delightful recreation on even the warmest summer days. This painting was begun in 2012, and is still awaiting it's finishing touches.

oil on prepared wood panel   36 3/4" x 17 1/4"

Robert's House

My good friend and fellow artist Robert Frame Miller in front of his Upper Dublin home. Robert passed away in 2013 and left a large gap in my life. Even though he is gone, I find I am still learning from him.

oil on prepared board     22" x 23"

Ambler, November Noon

A view of Ambler Pennsylvania in mid-autumn with the then abandoned asbestos factory buildings. The brick building with the smokestack was the power generator for the complex. Today that same building is being renovated for shops and living space and the smokestack is now "littered" with cell phone antennae. Most of the buildings in the foreground have been demolished. Many Ambler buildings can be easily identified in the painting and, about 1 mile off in the center, a water tower can be seen which stands by Wissahickon High School. I worked on this painting off and on over a span of about 5 years and completed it about the year 2000.

Wissahickon Autumn

click on image to enlarge

This is the Wissahickon just below Ambler, PA, and just (maybe 100 yards) above the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association. This oil on board was completed over 4 years time and has recently become available in a limited edition of 98 giclee reproductions, signed and numbered, on German etching paper printed with archival, pigment-based inks.

The original is 22 x 48", the print image is 14.7 x 32". They are selling for $225 each.

Butler Avenue, Sunset



The Wissahickon creek and its environs has become a major theme for my artwork. Even views that you might not associate as 'estuarial' are most likely within the Wissahickon watershed.

                                                                     click on image to enlarge