Christmas Cheers!!

To: Those who celebrate and honour

the Christmas Holiday!

From: My Studio.

 

 

May your Christmas be filled with peace, joy,

love, happiness and merry cheering

with the ones you hold dear!

Cheers, ~ Polly ~

The Binoculars Series 2011 Retrospective!

 

A look back,

a posteriori collection,

a retrospect

of the

Binoculars Series

produced this year

of 2011.

Binoculars #139. View from East Beach, Watch Hill, RI.

8" x 48". oil on mdo board. 2011. © Copyright.

Available at the Cate Charles Gallery.

Binoculars #140. View from Giants Neck, Niantic, CT.

10" x 60". oil on mdo board. 2011. © Copyright.

Private Collection.

Binoculars #141. View from Avery Point, Groton, CT.

8" x 48". oil on mdo board. 2011. © Copyright.

Available at the Sylvan Gallery.

Binoculars #142. View from Avery Point, Groton, CT.

3" x 36". oil on mdo board. 2011. © Copyright.

Private Collection.

Binoculars #143. View from East Beach, Watch Hill, RI.

8" x 48". oil on mdo board. 2011. © Copyright.

Private Collection.

Binoculars #144. View from Avery Point, Groton, CT.

6" x 48". oil on mdo board. 2011. © Copyright.

Private Collection.

Binoculars #145. View from Avery Point, Groton, CT.

10" x 48". oil on mdo board. 2011. © Copyright.

Available at the Cate Charles Gallery.

Binoculars #147. View from Avery Point, Groton, CT.

6" x 48". oil on mdo board. 2011. © Copyright.

Private Collection.

Binoculars #148. View from Stonington Point, CT.

8" x 48". oil on mdo board. 2011. © Copyright.

Private Collection.

Binoculars #150. View from Eastern Point, Groton, CT.

8" x 60". oil on mdo board. 2011. © Copyright.

Available at the Sylvan Gallery.

Binoculars #151. View from Avery Point, Groton, CT.

3" x 36". oil on mdo board. 2011. © Copyright.

Private Collection.

Binoculars #152. View from Avery Point, Groton, CT.

2" x 12". oil on mdo board. 2011. © Copyright.

Available at the Cate Charles Gallery.

Binoculars #153. View from Avery Point, Groton, CT. 

3" x 36". oil on mdo board. 2011. © Copyright.

Available at the Cate Charles Gallery.

Binoculars #154. View from East Beach, Watch Hill, RI.

3" x 24". oil on mdo board. 2011. © Copyright.

Private Collection.

Binoculars #155. View from Eastern Point, Groton, CT.

3" x 30". oil on mdo board. 2011. © Copyright.

Private Collection.

Binoculars #160. View from Weekapaug Point, RI.

10" x 60". oil on mdo board. 2011. © Copyright.

Private Collection.

Binoculars #161. View from Eastern Point, Groton, CT.

7" x 60". oil on mdo board. 2011. © Copyright.

Private Collection.

For available pieces please contact the respective Galleries

Cate Charles Gallery

147 Water St.

Stonington, CT. 06378.

860.245.5213.

or

Sylvan Gallery.

121 West Main St.

Clinton, CT. 06413.

860.669.7278.

...

Well, by the looks of it, 

it certainly was a very productive

and succesful year for the Binoculars Series

which I am extremely grateful for!

For 2012,

my studio mission will be 

to garner a greater level of energy,

for a more productive 

and successful year!

Already I can't wait!!

Cheers!

"Why Beauty Matters"

Yesterday morning while I was reading through the newsfeed on Facebook,

I saw that my long time artist friend, Gavin Gardner, shared this incredible film.

Since yesterday morning, this hour long BBC film has been quickly making the rounds within the Artist community on Facebook and rightfully so, because it carries a profound statement about why beauty matters and what our modern day "cult of ugliness" says about the current Zeitgeist we live in.

Please take the time to watch this film and share it.
As I commented on Facebook, it needs to go viral,
because that's how paramount this message is!

Let the Age of Enlightenment and Beauty reign once again!!

Spinnakers racing by Race Rock Light.

During the lovely warm Summer months

Long Island Sound is a very busy water way 

from tankers to tug n' tows, 

from ferries to fishing boats,

from research vessels to day sailors,

from kayakers to wind surfers,

and from everything in between!

It doesn't seem to leave much room for daily sailing races to happen.

Though there were a few this past summer.

So,

purely by chance

on a bright sparkly day

with warm sea breezes in the air,

out in the misty distance

brilliant spinnakers sails

were all racing by Race Rock Light!

Perfect!

So, naturally I couldn't help myself with such a wonderful moment.

Binoculars #161. Spinnakers racing by Race Rock Light.

View from Eastern Point, Groton, CT.

6" x 60". oil on mdo board. 2011. © Copyright.

Currently at the Cate Charles Gallery

Detail of Binoculars #161.

Detail of Binoculars #161.

 

Detail of Binoculars #161

At the beginning there was Art!

Detail image from the film Cave of Forgotten Dreams,

(Chauvet Cave paintings.)

Last evening we watched a spellbinding documentry 

by celebrated film director Werner Herzog.

'Cave of Forgotten Dreams'

Imagine ...

some 32,000 years ago,

the first Human Beings 

took their hands and visions,

and created the first piece(s) of Art

in a cave now called Chauvet cave

in Southern France.

It is nearly impossible to fathom,

a time span of 32,000 years in Human history. 

Though at the same time it is easy to believe that 

while our Ancestors roamed the Planet staking their claim,

hunting and gathering, surviving and thriving,

they were indeed creating Art

both visual and musical.

Perhaps the most beautiful Art in the World was created then.

These first paintings
are an affirmation to the ever question,

'Why is Art important?'

The Answer ...

Art and the act of creating Art are important because

it continues to be our common thread,

our direct and Spiritual connection to our first Ancestors.

From the first modern day discoverer's of the cave, just a few mere decades ago,

to Werner Herzog's film crew and everyone in between 

who have had the honour of going into the cave and seeing the Art

collectively experienced a 'sense of being watched'.

The Film 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams'

Learn more on the 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams' 

Painting adventures

Update from the studio.

There are new works in varying stages in the studio all the time,

which tend to make for some very fun and exciting adventures at the easel.

There are paintings in the process of being finished, halfway to completion,

just getting started and even being thought of at this very moment. 

So, please stay tuned for next studio adventures

from the brush, palette, panel and easel! 

Cheers! 



Celebrate the Holiday Spirit with Art!

'Winter Sunsets - On the way Home' numbers 1 - 14.

Winter Sunsets - 'On the way Home' #14.

6" x 6". oil on mdo board. 2011. Copyright.

Hand-Made Black Distressed Floating Frame.

Are now on display and available at the,

Cate Charles Gallery.

147. Water Street.

Stonington, CT. 06378.

860.245.5213

www.catecharlesgallery.com

Please contact the gallery for pricing/shipping details if you are interested.

Cheers and Thank you!!

Tis the Season - Winter Sunsets continued ...

Continuing on with the celebration of the

'Winter Sunsets - On the way Home' series.

This set of seven is a little different this time around.

A couple of the pieces offer distant cozy lights and the Moon. 

Very much like the 'icing on the cake',

having a Half or Full Moon make a cameo appearance

in a Sunset is always a special treat to behold!

Enjoy and Thank you! 

Winter Sunset - On the way Home #8.

6" x 6". oil on mdo board. 2011.

Copyright.

Winter Sunset - On the way Home #9.

6" x 6". oil on mdo board. 2011.

Copyright.

Winter Sunset - On the way Home #10.

6" x 6". oil on mdo board. 2011.

Copyright.

Winter Sunset - On the way Home #11.

6" x 6". oil on mdo board. 2011.

Copyright.

Winter Sunset - On the way Home #12.

6" x 6". oil on mdo board. 2011.

Copyright.

Winter Sunset - On the way Home #13.

6" x 6". oil on mdo board. 2011.

Copyright.

Winter Sunset - On the way Home #14.

6" x 6". oil on mdo board. 2011.

Copyright.

*Note: Gallery location to be announced later.

The Gift of Art

The Gift of Art

Preview Showing - Nov 25th, 2011.

Opening Night - Nov 26th, 2011, 5-8pm.

Cate Charles Gallery.

147. Water Street.

Stonington, CT. 06378.

If you are in the area, please come for a night

of celebration of art and warm Holiday Cheer! 

Winter Sunsets - On the way Home.

Give the Gift of Art this Holiday Season!

Winter Sunsets - On the way Home #7.

6" x 6". oil on mdo board. 2011.

Copyright.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The 'Winter Sunsets - On the way Home' series will be in the ...

~ Holiday Show ~

at

Cate Charles Gallery

147. Water Street.

Stonington, CT. 06378.

Preview showing on 'Black Friday' - Nov 25th, 2011.

Opening Night - Nov 26th, 2011. 5-8pm.

Please come for an evening of warm Holiday Cheer!

Tis the Season!

Tis the Season!

 For beautiful Winter Sunsets!

The Winter Season is only a few more short days away and it is starting to feel like Winter.

The days are shorter, the nights longer, the air is becoming crisp and cold with a hint of snow,

the woodstove is a constant source of warmth and cups of green or chai tea keep our hearts warm.

It is also that time of year when you find yourself at the start of on your way Home

after a long day's work, where you are greeted with some of the most beautiful and fleeting sunsets.

I am celebrating this coming Winter season with the birth of a new series 

'Winter Sunset - On the way Home'

For I remember well that excited and happy feeling of heading Home

to my nest, to a warm and awaiting studio. 

Winter Sunset - On the way Home #1.

6" x 6". oil on mdo board. 2011.

Copyright.

Winter Sunset - On the way Home #2.

6" x 6". oil on mdo board. 2011.

Copyright.

Winter Sunset - On the way Home #3.

6" x 6". oil on mdo board. 2011.

Copyright.

Winter Sunset - On the way Home #4.

6" x 6". oil on mdo board. 2011.

Copyright.

Winter Sunset - On the way Home #5.

6" x 6". oil on mdo board. 2011.

Copyright.

Winter Sunset - On the way Home #6.

6" x 6". oil on mdo board. 2011.

Copyright.

Winter Sunset - On the way Home #7.

6" x 6". oil on mdo board. 2011.

Copyright.

I would like to encourage you by supporting your local Arts

and Give the Gift of Art this Holiday Season!

Big Cheers and Thank you!

*Note: Gallery Location for the 'Winter Sunset' series to be announced later. 

Full Circle, Almost Full Moon

Full Circle, Almost Full Moon.

7 1/2" x 10". charcoal on paper.

2011. Copyright.

The Full Moon always lends itself for perfect subject matter for any artist.

Usually by the second week in November the weather takes its wintry turn,

though recently the last warm days of Autumn still have their stronghold,

which has created a lot more fog (my personal favourite weather effect),

an usual occurrence for November.

The almost Full Moon and the dancing fog called me out from the studio last evening

into a near pitch black yard with a sketch book and some charcoal in hand.

By the studio light beaming out into the yard I quickly skecthed

the almost full moon before it disappeared behind the fog.

With that

 I would like to share with you

Enigma - Almost Full Moon

Enjoy!

Sky and Water ...

Binoculars #160 - View from Weekapaug Point, RI

10" x 60". oil on mdo board. 2011.

Currently on display at the Cate Charles Gallery

As the very short sailing season here in New England comes to a near halt,

 the open waters tend to be rather vacant of boating activities and in some ways lonely,

leaving much room for the imagination of reflection and wonderment.

The Sky and the Water are the backdrops for the Binoculars Series. 

As the seasons change for the warmer Summer days to the cooler and colder months of Autumn and Winter, there are more vistas of cloud laden skies with bright sparkling waters. 

As long as I can remember, I have always had a natural affinity for the Sky and the Water.

I suppose my love for the Sky stems from having grown up in Pittsburgh, PA, where nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains the most beautiful skies would and do occur over head.  

My love for the Water goes back to when I was a kid of 4 or 5, when my family would vacation along the shores of Lake Erie, in Dundalk, New York. I fondly remember the Lake, building sand castles and swimming around in monstrous truck inner tubes that my Dad would collect for Summer use.  

The open Sky and the open Water offer themselves freely 

to think, to marvel, to wonder, to reflect, to explore, to appreciate,

to feel free, to feel open just as the Sky and Water.

It only seems natural to incorporate more

Sky and Water pieces within the Binoculars Series.

Thank you and Cheers!

The Palette ...

As a dear friend of mine said ... "By chance, yet planned."

The Palette is where it all happens!

This morning as I was just starting to gear up for a day in the studio and

happily looking at a freshly cleaned palette, a classic 'Ah-Ha!' moment struck my mind!!

A 'new' Studio blog header was staring right back at me in the face!!

So, after a few attempts of getting the writting just so and placement correct, and a few carefully arranged brushes, here we have the new Studio blog header!!

Well with the excitement of the 'Ah-Ha!' moment still fresh in the air, 

I'm off to the studio to paint!!

Cheers!!

Autumn backyard Light.

Plein-air - Autumn backyard Light.

8 1/4" x 17". oil on birch. 

 

 

A quick little sketch of the early evening light coming into the backyard.

I had not done a plein-air painting in a long while.
I was convincing myself I 'needed' a car in order to go plein-air painting.
This reason was becoming too much of a crutch.

Something I'd hope would never happen.
So, the crutch has been kicked out of my mind-set!

I have everything I need.

Paint.

Panels.

A beautiful yard.
Inspiration!
and
Determination!!

The daily (more-or-less) routine of plein-air paitning is something that I've missed dearly.
And want very much to get back into.

The days of when I had a car I was constantly creating new works,
going to new places, showing them and even selling.

Today, I made a promise to myself ...
I am an artist.
I should paint as often as I can no matter what!
I'll paint what is close to me.
The backyard will an outlet for plein-air painting.
Fruits and veggies will make for still-life(s).
The street lights will make for night scenes. 

The Light here is wondrous inside and outside anytime of day!

So, as I sit here and realise how rusty I am at plein-air painting.
I am willing to be kind to myself and enjoy the process of feeling like a beginner again.

The drought is over!

The rain has come!

I will grow again!

And I hope to show you all just how beautiful the Light is!