Between 2004-2010 I dedicated my practice to capturing the rural life of upstate New York; the farms, industry, and landscape. Because I was painting outside (plein air) I met many local people who often invited me into their homes and offered me unofficial artist residencies, allowing me to transplant myself for long stretches of time and be more immersed in the culture of the rural communities in particular; Delaware, Ostego, Chenango, Oneida, Westchester, and Ultser counties. Some paintings in this gallery were painted directly on site while others were developed at the studio from plein air sketches and photographs.
Blue & Green Landscapes (images 23-37) was a series inspired by the lush greens and serene blues I experienced in Downsville, NY during a Meditative Painting Retreat I co-lead in 2012. I had a powerful plein air painting experience whereby, after a cold gray winter in the city, my senses were overwhelmed by the textures and colors of a Catskill valley in springtime. This powerful contrast heightened my senses during that first day out and the single plein air sketch led to the following series of studio paintings.
