In the News...

Thrilled that BC the Magazine chose to highlight my artwork in their Winter 2017 issue. An 8-page spread, it features some of my still lifes, florals and landscapes. My thanks, Sharon, Steven and Nayda.

THE ARTIST'S LIFE... Still life in Process

Finding Solace and Inspiration in Cherished Treasures.

A CLEAN SLATE…  Whenever I begin a new painting, I clean shop. For me at least, sweeping away traces of my last oeuvre by cleaning my palette, brushes, tools and work space is tantamount to wiping back a canvas to make room for fertile possibilities and the promise of fresh starts. As T.S.Elliot said, “To make an end is to make a beginning."

MY WALL of TREASURE

Capturing the soul of a vision... I especially enjoy taking simple objects: timeless vintage vases, colorful blooms, all manner of reflective surfaces, nature’s bounty, and giving them human qualities; creating a storyline that people can respond to emotionally, visually, intellectually and/or spiritually. Sometimes a concept springs to life on its own. Like stream of conscious poetry that flows from within fully realized, such serendipity is a welcome blessing. More often, though, themes and compositions need to be coaxed into fruition. That’s when I look to my trusty treasure trove of props, music, favorite writers and artists for inspiration.

Guided by the Light…  With a goal of introducing beautiful imagery through incisive compositions that have the capacity to entice, involve, provoke, inspire, I scour my stash for subjects that speak to me. Arranging objects in ways that draw the viewer in via luminous north light, I choose what best describes my inner vision, take photos for perishable references and, finally, engage the canvas.

INITIAL SET UP

FINAL SET UP

Note the comparison of my initial idea and the final set up. In the final, I have strengthened the narrative by pumping up the light stream, adding a small American flag and a Veteran's poppy and pin.

Building Blocks…  Underpainting Sketch: First Pass of Color.

Underpainting

Using a mix of ivory black and cadmium red, I begin by doing a sketchy drawing. Massing in large dark shapes and wiping out the lights, I address color once the first layer is dry. As the work progresses, I may add or modify elements for the integrity of the painting. (Note the heightened vase, addition of the US flag and the pin in the final painting.) Eventually I will glaze and push back certain elements, as in this case, the leaves.  I will also work on strengthening the light flow across the box from right toward the left.

Favorite Accoutrements…  Having heard fellow artists persistently praise EdgeProGear’s versatile pochard box, I have happily joined the ranks. Easy to set up (I’m using my own tripod), I love its sleek, grey-toned glass palette, practical magnetic accessories and the fact that when taken down it is so portable. It's the size of a portable computer. Using it now in-studio, but can't wait to add it to my  plein aire toolbox. Brushes: Rosemary & Co. and Robert Simmons; Michael Harding and Gamblin oils.

WORK in PROGRESS: (Oil on Linen 16 x 16)" HEART of my HEART"  is homage to my US WWII Air Forces father and Royal Air Force mum. Trying out my new EdgeProGear PaintBook and LOVING IT! SHOUT OUT to  The Artist's Magazine for highlighting my process in the March  2017 issue. 

LET HEAVEN & NATURE SING!

"OFF THE COAST of NORWICH" 24 x 36

"The Future of life on Earth depends on our ability to see the sacred 

where others see only the common." 

Dear Friends & Patrons 
wishing you and yours
a new year filled with 
beautiful moments, 
treasured memories, many blessings. 

Living like it's Spring

"IN THE PINK" 20 x 20 Oil on Linen
On view at Design Domaine Gallery, Spring Lake, NJ

WHISPER BREATH PROMISES of spring and new chances... anticipation!

Been packing canvases,  paints and paintings for the past few weeks as I prepare to move to a new studio space.  Living like it's spring, thought I'd post two cheery samples of nature's floral bounty that foretell my optimism for what lies ahead: "In the Pink" and "Branching Out." Looking forward to an exciting new chapter in my creative book. FEELING BLESSED!

"BRANCHING OUT" 20 x 20 Oil on Linen
On view at Artist Frame Gallery, Verona, NJ

WRAP IT UP! Holiday Benefit Exhibition

"Just Friends" 11 x 14 Oil on Linen

"Fruitful Thought" 11 x 14 Oil on Linen

"Tempting Treasure" 11 x 14 Oil on Linen

THRILLED THAT THREE OF MY SMALLER PAINTINGS were juried into LIAFA's Wrap it UP! Holiday Exhibition. The show, curated by artist Richard Weinstein, is currently on display at LIAFA's Hersh Fine Art Gallery in Glen Cove, NY, and will run though January 31, 2016. "WRAP it UP!"  Showcasing art for a good cause, proceeds will benefit the Glen Cove Arts Council, which helps to provide cultural experiences for under-served youth and adults, including scholarships for art classes. All work is smaller than 20 x 20 inches. If you are interested in seeing the entire exhibition or purchasing  a piece, CALL 516-590-4324, or visit the gallery at: 14 Glen Street #201 Glen Cove, New York.

On it's way home to Tenafly, New Jersey with my latest patron

"Outside the Box" 24 x36 Oil on Linen

Nicole Kidman as Muse

INTERESTING TAKES… In 1999, Nicole Kidman teamed up with photographer Steven Meisel, for a Vogue Magazine feature that recreated some of John Singer Sargent's more famous portraits. Love these poses and their inspiration. LBH

Nature is Calling!

 11 x 14 Oil on Linen 

Thought I'd take a break from painting florals and still life for a while and attempt a few landscapes. To that aim, above is a small imaginary piece that helped me loosen up.  Still working on a title (Suggestions welcome). Below is the first in a trio of paintings that focus on the beautiful coastline in Norwich, UK.  For this piece, captivated by a sense of majesty, my goal was to highlight the glorious shaft of light breaking through the clouds and reflected in the water.

"Norwich Coastline" Oil on Linen 24 x 36

"The true end of art is not to imitate a fixed material condition,
but to represent a living emotion."
(George Inness)

New Workshop at Montclair Museum of Art

"A few of my favorite things" Oil on linen
30 x 30 Private collection

LEARN to PAINT the MOVING STILL LIFE with Louise B Hafesh
If you have a passion for painting still life, have fun while exploring imaginative ways to paint everyday, nonliving objects, such as drapery, fruit, china, metals, etc.

Focusing on new interpretations of traditional artistic principles such as composition, lighting and form, students can experiment while working from life at their own pace. 
all skill levels welcome. 

DATE:     Sunday, October 20, 2013

TIME:      10a.m. - 4 p.m.

WHERE: Montclair Art Museum

LOCATION: Yard School of Art - 3 S. Mountain Avenue Montclair, NJ 07042

COST:     Members $90; Non Members - $110

Space is limited... Reserve your easel here!

Please visit http://www.montclairartmuseum.org for supply list

Holiday Exhibit of my work...

"HOT to TROT" 12 x 16, Oil on linen panel.

"STANDING GUARD" 20 x 24" Oil on Linen

Jewel Spiegel Gallery will hold a special holiday exhibit  from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday December 8, 2012. 10 of my paintings, including "Hot to Trot" and "Standing Guard," will be on display. All are welcome. Address: 30 N. Dean Street, Englewood, NJ  201/871-3577.

A brush with History...

A sampling of Kinstler's sketches and portraits grace his studio at the National 

Arts Club in New York City.  He has painted more than 50 U.S. Cabinet 

members, seven U.S. presidents and countless celebrities and business leaders.

One week after Everett Raymond Kinstler's successful March 2012 opening of his Pulps to Portraits exhibit at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge Massachsetts, I had the opportunity to interview the master portrait painter at his Grammercy Park studio in Manhattan. 

Still riding high from the celebration of a 70-year career that has taken him from an inker's apprentice to illustrating books and magazines to painting over 2000 portraits of a veritable who's who in the world, the artist/teacher shared some intriguing anecdotes about the joys of being a painter of people. 

The January/February issue of the Artist's Magazine includes the full article (8-pages) and highlights some of Kinstler's celebrated portraits of such luminaries as: Tom Wolfe, John Wayne, Christopher Plummer, to name but a few. 

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I took this long shot of Kinstler's studio, which was once occupied by the

artist's early mentor, Frank Vincent DuMond, an American Impressionist
painter and prominent teacher. 

Just off the Easel

"BREAKFAST with SABRINA"  9 x 12 Oil on Linen

A presentation of my latest painting
 took place at Design Domaine Gallery,
 Bernardsville, New Jersey 

Just off the easel...  my latest commission through Design Domaine Gallery, which  is on its way home with my newest patrons.

Working from a treasured family photo of grandfather and granddaughter, I was inspired by the intensity and intimacy of the scene.

The real standout, though, was the beautiful stream of light that cut across the young girl's body, placing a glorious glow on her face before connecting with her grandfather's arm and side pocket then settling on a portion of the table. 'Twas both a joy and a challenge to paint!

"Magical Night" chosen as cover of new Vivaldi CD

"MAGICAL NIGHT" Oil on Linen. 16 x 16

Thrilled to announce that my painting, "Magical Night" was chosen for the cover of a new Vivaldi CD entitled, "Venetian Dreams.” This latest Bridge Records' offering features Rebel, a New York-based Baroque ensemble that has been hailed by the New York Times as "sophisticated and beguiling." 

The 16 x16 painting is one of a four mask series that I included in my "For love of Venice" exhibit. Along with a sample of the CD and eight of my other paintings,  it is now on display at Design Domain Gallery, 67 Mine Brook Road (Route 202), Bernardsville, New Jersey.

Creating the Soul of a Vision!

I well remember a Van Gogh exhibit that I attended back in college, and in particular, his painting entitled, "Pair of  Shoes"(1886.)  Van Gogh's work often expressed sentiments that he felt about his subjects, and in this depiction of a workman's well-worn, seasoned boots conveyed a moving portrait of their owner. Transcending a simple arrangement of inanimate objects, this painting communicated much more--a sense of family, belonging, humility, character, and perseverance—human qualities.

"Pair of Old Shoes" Vincent van Gogh

I recalled “Old Shoes” again today when a talented artist friend (Kate) asked me to critique some of her newest work. It happened to be a series featuring shoes—all types, from work to casual to dancing, and each painting spoke volumes about the people who wore them.

Kate wondered whether she had become a little obsessive about her theme, and that got me to thinking about the role of theme in art. As a writer, I aim to weave it into a piece in such a way that the characters or subjects, the setting, storyline, events, direct the readers to interpret a theme for themselves.  Similarly, art presents the same challenge; accomplished through composition, lighting, color, brushwork, etc., and it’s always gratifying when, without the benefit of words, a particular painting successfully conveys my intent visually.

I have always been inspired to paint still life and make it anything but still. In the same way that a poet crafts his work with precision, incorporating metaphors that make you think, associate and subsequently be moved in some way, and like Van Gogh and my artist friend, I especially enjoy giving simple objects human qualities; creating something of beauty that people will respond to emotionally, visually, intellectually.

The Light Fantastic...

John P. Osborne never fails to amaze audiences at his demonstrations by laying in a conception on a huge blank canvas without any reference material at all. Working from imagination and recollection, he produces the most convincing scenes, depicting accuracy of time of day and place and conveying a powerful sense of mood.

 John P. Osborne Demonstration. Photos: Imagery by Kate

A master landscape painter whose artistic roots hark back to the 19^th century French Barbizon School, Osborne is senior instructor at the Ridgewood Art Institute (RAI) in Ridgewood, New Jersey, where he teaches teens and adults and twice yearly gives standing room only painting demonstrations that attract artists from the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area and as far away as Maine and Virginia.


I recently interviewed my former teacher for a feature and step-by-step illustration of how to paint using a prismatic palette and understanding the principles of light.   Says Oborne: "The light is always prismatic, no matter what time of day. There is always just one light source, which must be taken into consideration whether painting outdoors or indoors in a north-lit studio. I strive to get the prism under control with the subtle atmospheric progression of colors and values." 


Here are a few key stills from  Osborne's instructional progression, which is highlighted in depth in The Artist's Magazine-June, 2012 issue.