
Art Lives Here

This painting received 1st Place in the AOY Art Center 2025 Paint Our River Towns Plein Air Exhibition by juror and nationally renowned artist Beth Bathe of Lancaster, PA. Juror’s remarks were as follows: “Thick juicy oil paint which captured the colors of spring. Brush strokes were confident and intentional and not overworked. Each mark seemed to be put in the right place. Good composition with dark bridge put in lower right quadrant for rule of thirds grid with bridge being darkest value and bright mark under bridge being lightest value.”
“Threshold Moment” is a 12 by 9 inch oil painting that captures a simple rural scene I painted en plein air as part of the AOY Art Center’s Paint Our River Towns Plein Air event. It was a windy afternoon on the cusp of spring and the quiet rural scene felt like a pause in time. I was drawn to the weathered stone barn with its red doors and loved how the sheep waited on the threshold of the open door, gently illuminated by the late afternoon sun, in anticipation of feeding time.
I used the large foreground tree and its long afternoon shadow to frame the scene, drawing your eye toward the barn; and thick expressive brushstrokes for the swirling sky and sunlit grass in warm yellows and greens. My aim was to bring out the rich textures and the interplay of light and shadow, sharing a calm, fleeting moment of nature and country life standing at the edge of change.
My painting “Dharma Bums,” of the acclaimed Kerouac-inspired restaurant in Point Pleasant, was painted as part of the AOY Art Center’s Paint Our River Towns Plein Air event. I loved how the solid stone building with crisp white window trim and a warm red roof anchored the scene in the upper right corner, offering a sense of permanence and quiet comfort, while the large tree with bright yellow-green leaves spread across the left side, full of life and freshness. In the foreground, the Delaware and Raritan Canal gently reflects the colors and shapes around it adding depth and stillness. The palette balances rich, earthy browns with vibrant greens, blues, and soft yellows, hopefully creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. I used loose and expressive brushstrokes to suggest movement in the leaves and water, yet maintain a subtle impressionistic quality that captures the light and shadow’s natural interplay without overwhelming detail. The overall effect I aimed for is a peaceful scene that encourages contemplation and a renewed appreciation for the quiet beauty found in everyday rural settings.
This painting received Honorable Mention in the Arts & Cultural Council of Bucks County 2025 Spring Exhibition. Juror Matt DeProspero remarked: “I love the feeling of light and depth in this piece and the subtle use of warm and cool contrasting colors. The looseness of the brushwork perfectly and concisely portrays the subject matter.”
I drive by the Thompson-Neely House & Farmstead frequently and have always wanted to paint this pastoral setting with the flock of sheep grazing in the meadow and catching the late afternoon sunlight on their fluffy backs. “Winter Wool” captures one of these quiet moments. I used the two sheep in the foreground to draw you in and textured brushwork to suggest the softness and weight of their thick wool. Behind them, more sheep scatter across the meadow, adding a sense of space and gentle rhythm to the scene. The trees lining the edge of the field introduce vertical lines and cast subtle shadows, grounding the composition with a natural frame.
The warm earthy greens, soft yellows, and muted browns blend to evoke the subtle changes of light and shadow across the landscape, and the clear blue sky above feels open and calm, enhancing the peaceful mood. I hope “Winter Wool” offers a thoughtful pause—a small, serene slice of rural life that invites reflection.
Donated to the Jim Hamilton Memorial Shad Fest Poster Auction to raise funds for scholarships for students pursuing a degree in the arts. I was delighted to learn that my poster was selected as one of 77 pieces to be auctioned at the Live Auction on April 27, 2025, and was sold for $750.