Art

Old Building

Art, New Jersey

The early morning sun lit up the old building across the street from where I was pushing snow off my car. I’m not sure what this building was originally built for; a courthouse perhaps? Today, it has been converted into a dance studio. I always admire the architecture of this building, as I pass by. In fact, I admire most structures that aren’t built in “modern style”. When I think of modern style construction I think of people building things in the fastest and cheapest way possible. Many of these modern structures lack character and creativity, so it’s refreshing to see something charming and unique once in a while. I chopped off the left side of this painting, as a result of an unsuccessful attempt to salvage a truly horribly painted tree. Perhaps I’ll try this one again some other time…

Landscape Arch

Art, Hike of the Week, Outdoor Adventure

Landscape Arch (above) is one of the more well-known (and longest) natural arches in Arches National Park in Southern Utah. Sometime in the 90’s people were camping underneath the arch, when a giant piece of the arch broke off and came crashing to the ground. Luckily, no one was hurt. There are many natural arches, “windows”, and natural bridges found throughout the park. Water and other natural forces continue to shape the landscape, as old arches break down and new ones are born. This painting is a reminder that everything is constantly changing, and that Landscape Arch will inevitably come to an end, but at least it will remain on this piece of paper.

Historic Wick Farm

Art, New Jersey, Outdoor Adventure

The Wick house is a simple old farm house, but I can’t seem to just walk past it without staring at it for half an hour. During the revolutionary war, the continental army used this place as a campground during the coldest winters on record. I usually visit the Wick farm in the winter when it’s easier to imagine the cold and hunger that these soldiers endured. The image above is a painting of the Wick farm in late fall on a cold foggy day. The woods surrounding the farm always give off an eerie vibe as if the presence of the men that served in the war is still there.

View from Harriman

Art, Hike of the Week, Outdoor Adventure

This is a quick watercolor sketch of the Hudson highlands in the distance and a glimmer of Lake Skannatati; one of the many lakes in Harriman State Park. The park is an outdoor paradise for city dwellers as well as suburbanites who travel here on weekends.  The trailhead parking lot was a sea of screaming adults, kids, and clicking cameras. Walk about a mile up the red trail or the “long path” and all the noise and calamity fades away. It seems that most people “experience nature” from the comfort of their cars. On a beautiful day like this, the only thing that could make it better is a nice cold beer after the long hike!

4 Corner Desolation

Art, Life Balance, Outdoor Adventure

Watercolor on rough paper

I felt the urge to paint such a scene because of what it represents to me; contentedness. We’ve traveled thousands of miles only to find ourselves in complete desolation, at a gas station with a trading post sign and a rusty old truck. This scene is located less than a mile away from the 4 corners national monument at the intersection of 4 states; Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. The area is home to the Navajo people and they take great pride in their land. To an outsider this area may seem empty and uninhabitable, but the people that live here might know the secrets of this land and they are content to live in this unique and beautiful landscape.